9 Days Silk Road Adventure by China Orient Express

Xian, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi

Traveler Reviews

9 Days Silk Road Adventure by China Orient Express

Tour Code: TCT-Silk-Road-04

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Highlights:

Authorized by China Ministry of Railway
Experience the luxury train China Orient Express with a superior 5 star service
Suitable for those who are interested in China history and culture
Adventure from Xian to Urumqi Silk Road tour

Best Travel Time: Annually fixed departure dates

Price from $ 2899

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Tour Itinerary Prices & Includes Reviews Expand All

Itinerary Prices Reviews Expand All

Day 1 Sep 02, 2022 Arrival Xian

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No meal
Recommended Hotel: Grand Melia Hotel Xi'an or same class

Arrival in Xian, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer to hotel. Xian is a city with over 3000 years history and it is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Xian City View

Day 2Sep 3, 2022 Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Recommended Hotel: Grand Melia Hotel Xi'an or same class

Have breakfast in the hotel, then we drive to the famous Terracotta Warriors, one of the eight wonders of the world. Be excited to observe China's first emperor - Emperor Qin's great army of 8000 life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses in three burial pits. Afterwards,we continue to Huaqing Hot Spring in Mt Lishan. In ancient time, emperors used to come here to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty. It has become a favorite spa since the Tang Dynasty.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 3Sep 4, 2022 Xi’an - Lanzhou - Zhangye

Waterwheel Garden

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: China Orient Express Train

After breakfast, we will transfer to train station for high-speed train to Lanzhou. It takes only three hours to complete the 700-kilometer distance on China’s fastest and comfortable bullet train. Upon arrival, meet your Lanzhou guide and visit the Waterwheel Garden. Originated from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the waterwheel is the oldest irrigation tool in Yellow River area of Lanzhou. The Waterwheel Garden is a theme garden exhibiting the waterwheel culture. Here, we could appreciate the waterwheel driven by the flowing water all year round to collect water from the river or cofferdam. At 22:00pm, we embark the 'China Orient Express' Charter Luxury Train to Jiayuguan. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside.

Lanzhou City View

Day 4Sep 5, 2022 Zhangye Danxia Landform

Giant Buddha Temple, Zhangye Danxia National Geopark

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: China Orient Express

Arrived in Zhangye at 07:00 a. m. and visit Giant Buddha Temple after breakfast, also known as "Crouching Buddha Temple", for the temple built by the successive royal family. It holds the largest Western Xia Buddhist Temple in China. After lunch, go to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark-Colorful Danxia, Danxia landform group is amazing for its large area, concentrated, staggered layers, steep rock walls, majestic, strange shape and colorful. It was just amazing. Take the China Eastern Express to Dunhuang at 22:00 at 22:00 PM.

Zhangye Danxia National Geopark

Day 5Sep 6, 2022 Zhangye - Dunhuang

Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Mountains, Shazhou Night Market

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: : Dunhuang Hotel or same class

After a pleasant breakfast, 10:00 take this deluxe train to Dunhuang, we specially arranged for you on the train institute of Dunhuang experts and professors explain in detail for you. Reaching Dunhuang, we proceed to Mingsha Sand Dunes (Crescent Spring and Sighing Sand Dune) - Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill) helps people free from all worries and Crescent Spring purifies people's minds. After dinner, we will continue to visit Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market. It is one of the best night market in China and famous for its tasty snacks, local specialties, and crafts etc.

Mingsha Sand Dunes

Day 6Sep 7, 2022 Dunhuang-Turpan

Mogao Grottoes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: China Orient Express Train

After breakfast, let's visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes, which was designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1600 years accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures. There remains 492 cave temple and 45000 square meters of frescos. According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. At 17:00hr, we embark the 'China Orient Express' Charter Luxury Train to Turpan.

Mogao Grottoes

Day 7Sep 8, 2022 Turpan-Urumqi

Karez irrigation system, Flaming Mountain, Jiaohe Ancient City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Universel Hotel Urumqi or same class

It’s a day for Turpan sightseeing! Visit Karez irrigation system to witness the wisdom of Uygur people. The irrigation system is especially designed for desert. If connecting all these underground channels, the total length will reach more than 5000 km, so it is regarded as one of the three engineering miracles of ancient China, along with the Great Wall and the Jinghang Grand Canal. Thereafter, we move to Flaming Mountain, well known by Chinese people because of the legendary story 'Journey to the West'. It is regarded as the hottest place in China. Then We drive to Jiaohe Ancient City, an island-shaped plateau situated at Yar Town. It is the largest, oldest and well preserved earth-structured city in the world, with a history of 2000-2300 years.

Jiaohe Ancient City

Day 8Sep 9, 2022 Urumqi

Heavenly Lake boat tour, International Bazaar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Universel Hotel Urumqi or same class

After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake on Tianshan (boat tour). The mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. It a great pleasure to boat travel Heavenly Lake, with a layer of magical color covering the lake, and hearing many beautiful myths and legends. Then head for Urumqi, and visit Xinjiang International Bazaar.

Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar

Day 9Sep 10, 2022 Departure Urumqi

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Today is the day of farewell to your memorable Silk Road trip and the unique China Orient Express. After a pleasant breakfast, free at your own leisure till the assemble time for the transferring to airport for the flight back to your hometown or next destination. Bon voyage!

Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

1. For travelers who plan to take China Orient Express from Xian to Urumqi or Urumqi to Xian

9-Day Route in June: Xi'an-Lanzhou-Zhangye-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi or vice versa
Tour Date: Aug 29-Sep 06 (Route A: Urumqi to Xi'an), Sep 02-Sep 10 (Route B: Xian to Urumqi)

Route	Date	Type of Cabin	Quotation	Single Supplement (S.S.)
				S.S. in Hotel	S.S. in China Orient Express
(A) Urumqi—Xian (B) Xian—Urumqi	(A) Aug 29-Sep06 (B) Sep 02- Sep10	Quad	-	$560/p.p	—
		Triple	-		—
		Twin	$2899/p.p		$700/p.p
		Diamond En-Suite	$3399/p.p		$1500/p.p

Note: Diamond En-Suite is luxury double room with personal wash room and shower room in each room. The above price is based on 2 persons sharing a room. If one person would like to stay a room, he or she need to pay single supplement.

Remarks:
1. All prices in US dollars;
2. Prices subject to change without any further notice;
3. Service charges are not included, Current rate for all services is total of USD150.00 per person (or USD160 p.p or USD170 p.p)
4. Accommodation and tour itineraries are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control
5. We reserve the right to distribute passengers of sharing cabins; in case the cabin cannot be share, the cost applies on the passengers in the cabin
6. Children age under 11, will be credit only the difference on hotel room costs

Price includes:
1) EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS
Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and organizational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your voyage of a lifetime. We receive many exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday.

2) ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
Arrival and departure transfers are included.

3) HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION
Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. Hotel and onboard accommodation as described in your individual tour itinerary are included in the tour price. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost.

4) ROUTE GUIDE, ITINERARY AND INFORMATION PACK
When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will organize a programed of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programed for the next day’s touring schedule.

5) BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY
All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train.

6) DRINKS WITH MEALS ONBOARD
A drinks allowance is included with lunch and dinner.

7) ON BOARD SERVICE
Throughout your tour you can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unobtrusive. The high ratio of staff to passenger’s means there is always someone available should you need assistance.

8) ON BOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required.

9) 24 HOUR SERVICE ATTENDANT
Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.

Price excludes:
1.International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
2.China Entry Visa Fees
3.Excess Baggage Charges
4.Personal Expenses such as visa costs, insurance, drinks from the bar car, laundry, spa treatments, hairdressing.
5. Single Room Supplement.
6. Tip: Full Service Staff Tip in total USD150.00 per person (or USD160 p.p or USD170 p.p) (Train staff, Special train porter, the tour leader, local driver and local guide).

Useful Information

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos >>

5.0

THELMACONTLA

5.0

My family and I chose a 12 day trip in China with Top China Travel: Beijing, Xi´an, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong. It was a wonderful and unforgettable trip, everything was well organized by the company and I really recommend it.

yotour

5.0

Simon and His driver Mr Tian were our guides during our visit to beijing 4days in April 2019,Simply they were so professional persons that myself and my wife superised.We want deeply thank to them for their help to us and wish all the best in their life.Once again our friend thank you.We will never FORGET you.PANOS AND SIA

Wilfred B

5.0

My wife and I planned our two-week tour of China with Maggie of TCT to include Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an and Beijing. We found her to be incredibly prompt and helpful in responding to our emails and flexible in altering the preliminary itinerary to meet our needs. TCT's guides in each of the cities were competent, personable young professionals, well-informed and able to make every day an exciting and knowledge-quenching experience. Again, they were also flexible, caring and responsive to our needs. Overall, we had a fantastic vacation and compliment Maggie and TCT on their outstanding customer service and program quality.

AndreeM389

5.0

Of all of the places in China we visited Guilin was our favourite. It was very scenic with its lush greenery and limestone hills. We took the 4 Lakes and 2 River cruise which I would highly recommend. On another night we walked along the lakes and rivers and crossed the bridges, we had cruised the night before. The lighting on the lakes and rivers as well as on the bridges was splendid. We also went on a 3.5 hour cruise on the Li River. My husband is an amateur photographer and he took roughly 300 pictures on the Li River cruise (just to give you an idea of how scenic it was).

cornbreadjenkins34

5.0

First of all I was a little nervous about planning my trip to China, I hate dealing with alot of paper work and all the excessive planning that goes into things. Joyce from TCT made the process extremely simple and easy so planning things was a breeze! I can really say I view Joyce as a true friend who helped make my trip unforgettable. All the people I dealt with on my trip to China- our guides-Ann in Beijing, David in Xi'an,Annie in Guilin treated us more like family than customers and they were very thoughtful towards what the group wanted to do! Joyce even met us at our hotel in Guilin with gifts and took us around a little bit of Guilin on her own time, she even paid for the scorpion I tried (lol) This company's care towards people is something special and an honor to their beautiful country. I loved my trip to China and the best part was the people I met and friends I made a long the way! I definitely plan to return to China in the near future and would happily use Top China Travel again! Just sad we can only give them 5 stars- they deserve more!

GroovyGoofie

5.0

We planned a family trip around China with people joining and leaving during the journey as they had to go back to work. Going the first time to China we decided to book trough an agency to simplify things from our side. We contacted several agencies asking for an offer. TCT was by far the first one to in the most professional way, so we went with them. After 3 weeks of travelling with them I can fully recommend this company when travelling in China.
Especially our consultant, Vicky of whom we just can speak highly of, did a great job with managing to get all things together always on time and the way we wanted it. If there was an issue we could contact her at any time and we could be sure that she will get it done, somehow.
Note: WeChat used to prove very useful when travelling around and get in touch with guides etc.
Thank you TCT Team for organizing this great family holiday.

maity_monalisa

5.0

We were really fortunate to have engaged Top China Travel as our travel organiser . Our entire 10 day trip went through without a hitch. Rebecca had been our correspondent from the very beginning, answering all our queries. Our travel guide at Beijing was Eric , (a most amiable , punctual and enterprising person ) who arranged all our sightseeing tours in the most convenient way. He always tried to satisfy our curiosities regarding the places or Chinese way of living. He never seemed to tire of our endless questions about anything and everything we saw. We visited the summer palace , temple of heaven , Great Wall of China , water cube and bird's nest stadium in our three days stay at Beijing. We learnt about Chinese culture , some ancient stories about the emperor, concubine etc. Also a funny story about the famous dish - Peking roast duck. Seeing the huge area of temple of heaven and summer palace we thought we won't be able to cover it, but thanks to Eric - our guide, it was a smooth and enjoyable tour. We didn't feel exhausted at all. We got enough time at the Great Wall - a wonderful structure, climbed about 1000 steps and come down through the toboggan which was thrilling. We loved the Chinese which our tour guide had planned. All in all it was leisurely and fun. Thanks again for planning such a wonderful trip

brenda1lee2000

5.0

I found Top China Travel in the internet, and started a conversation via email with one of the travel agents, her name is Joyce Tang, needless to say, she was excellent and understood exactly what we wanted to do and visit as a family. Joyce created a semi-private itinerary for my family. Everything went perfectly as planned and as described in the itinerary that I received from Joyce. We visited Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing, a 6 Day itinerary. We are extremely happy with the service we received!

Deepani999

5.0

Very well organized Tour, value for money, really good three star hotels with very good rooms, including Bfasts, really good guides expect in Beijing. Joe from Xian very knowledgble honest gentleman, same in Tibet Lobson. Very good Cruise.Manager with Personnel touch Alan, Very kind and helpful drivers with very good vehicles, Thanks REBECCA FROM TCT.for organizing this perfect busy still very fun holiday forus.

Antonello Supino

5.0

We had a 12 day private tour in China mainland (Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guilin) terminating in HK. All went well, mostly thanks to Lily, our tour organizer who was always available and sorted out any little misunderstanding that happened along the route. Also she was very patient as for months spent time with me to customize the trip in every single particular, so that I could for example pick my preferred 5star hotels and book them directly, chose activities and food. Transportation was very good, modern and clean large vehicles. Also they arranged internal bullet trains and flights. We also went to optional night show in Beijing and to the night cruise in Guilin, both were great. All guides were experienced although a couple of them did not speak perfect English, but enough. I would recommend this tour operator.

geeta a

5.0

I booked my trip with Top China Travel,extremely professional and prompt.I was guided by the guides Cathy in Xian and Eric in Beijing,very knowledgable,knew the English language very well,knew history,stories,always ready to help with any of my problems that I feel I was travelling with companions.I was very happy and I know you

BrooklynSally

5.0

My daughter and I had a terrific 6 day adventure hiking the Great Wall of China, made extra special by our wonderful,caring, attentive, informative, experienced guide, Jack Chen, and our kind and thoughtful driver, Mr. Zhou. We hiked the Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Wohushan, Jiankou, and Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall,.5-6 hours a day, with our guide, Jack Chen offering information about Chinese history, culture, politics, life, food, and what's it's like to live in China. Jack even gave us tai chi and kung fu lessons in the evening. The hikes offered spectacular views of the mountain ranges and valleys with views of the winding wall in the distance. You can just imagine the enemy armies trying to attack from the north. We took hundreds of pictures! I even got to celebrate my birthday on the second day of the hiking tour and asked other hikers we met to sing happy birthday to me in their own language. Jack and Mr Zhou surprised me with a delicious birthday cake which we all devoured after dinner. Our accommodations were suitable. We ate delicious food, carefully chosen by Jack, being attentive to my daughter's gluten-free needs...no bread, dumplings or wheat noodles. Hiking the "wild wall" on the 3rd day was really challenging! We hiked on very rough, broken, steep, overgrown, and narrow sections of the wall, but it was well worth it! We did welcome the cable car ride down. By the end of the 3rd day, we were tired and our legs felt it! Make sure you wear comfortable and sturdy hiking or trail shoes, carry a small day pack with snacks and water, light layers and a rain jacket. The weather changes a lot. This was a truly marvelous experience, not to be missed even if you hike only one day. If you are lucky to get Jack Chen as your guide, you will be very fortunate and extremely pleased and satisfied. He is a special person! Our trip was indeed, memorable!

Neumannafn

5.0

We took a Li river tour into the mountains on our only day off. All I can say is do not miss this opportunity. The views are spectacular and you will even go past the scene on the back of the 20 yuan bill. Amazing!

Michael B

5.0

Top China Travel provided a superb trip (11 days) to China. I am not all that easy to please, but TCT was perfect in every respect. The guides were knowledgeable and spoke clear English. They were flexible and accommodated every request. The hotels were all excellent and the food, in the hotels and the lunches, was first rate. I plan to return to China and will certainly book through TCT. Many thanks to the entire TCT staff!!!

Michelle L

5.0

The tour wasn't that bad, we visited the forbidden city, temple of heaven and the summer palace in one day. The tour guide Vic was nice and if we had some questions he tried to answer that. We also went to the pearl market where my friend bought some pearls for a good price. To cut a long story short the trip was fine but my friend and I we wished we had more time to look around in the forbidden city and summer palace.

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