14 Days Historical Silk Road Tour

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing. Meet and transfer to the centrally located five-star Crowne Plaza Hotel Wangfujing.

Day 02 Beijing / Xian (B, L, SD)

Fly to Xian in the morning. You are greeted by your guide and transferred to the centrally located five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel. Continue to visit the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Then visit Ancient City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. In the evening enjoy two specialties: Xian Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 03 Xian (B, L)

A full day tour to visit Terra-cotta Warriors. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. After lunch you will visit the archeological site Banpo Village.

Day 04 Xian / Baoji / Tianshui (B, L)

Drive to Tianshui, located in Gansu Province. En route, enjoy lunch in Baoji and visit the Baoji Bronze Museum, one of the finest in China. Upon arrival in Tianshui transfer to the five-star Tianshui Hotel (VIP Building).

Day 05 Tianshui / Lanzhou(B, L)

This morning drive about an hour to the Maijishan Grottoes, one the famous Buddhism Grottoes in China. In the afternoon take coach to Lanzhou, Gansu's capital. Check into the five-star Sunshine Plaza.

Day 06 Lanzhou / Jiayuguan (B, L)

In the morning you will visit the Liujiaxia Dam and then take the ferry to Binglingsi Grottoes, cut on steep cliffs along the Yellow River, about 2 km long in a honeycomb pattern. If time possible you will visit the Gansu Provincial Museum.

In the evening transfer to the railway station and take the overnight soft-sleeper train to Jiayuguan (4 berths in one private compartment). CCT will prepare some simple food/water for you on the overnight sleeper.

Day 07 Jiayuguan / Dunhuang (B, L)

Arrive in the morning. Meet and have a local breakfast. Continue to visit the Jiayuguan Pass Culture Scenery Area including the Great Wall Museum, Jiayuguan City Tower, etc. In the afternoon drive about 385km (4.5hrs) to Dunhuang. Check into the five-star Grand Soluxe Hotel Dunhuang.

Day 08 Dunhuang (B, L)

Dunhuang was a strategic post on the Silk Road and frontier town of the ancient. A leisurely day will take you to visit the Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Moon Lake set in an amphitheater of sand dunes and to see the sunset in the evening. If you like you can have a camel ride at your own expense.

Day 09 Dunhuang / Turpan (B, L)

You will visit the most famous monument of Dunhuang-the Mogao Caves, popularly known as "ThousandBuddha Caves". An art gallery in the desert, the walls of the caves are lined with Buddhist frescoes and sculpted figures, is said to be the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world. Mixing Indian and Chinese styles, they are a remarkable record of Silk Road civilization. You will enjoy delicious local flavor fro today's lunch. Afternoon program will take you to visit the County museum and White Horse Pagoda.

In the evening transfer to the railway station and take the overnight soft-sleeper train to Turpan (4 berths in one private compartment). CCT will prepare some simple food/water for you on the overnight sleeper.

Day 10 Turpan (B, L)

Arrive in Turpan in the morning. Meet at railway station and check into the four-star Turpan Tu Ha Petroleum (local best). After breakfast you will visit the ruined city of Gaochang by donkey cart, and the underground tombs of Astana, the legendary Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, and Bezeklik Caves whose walls are adorned with Buddhists frescoes. You will also see the Emin Minaret, one of the finest buildings on the Silk Road, and Karez Well - an underground irrigation system.

Day 11 Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar (B, L)

In the morning a short coach journey takes you through the desert to Urumqi. Upon arrival visit the Nanshan Pastures where nomadic tribesmen herd their yaks and sheep. You will have the opportunity to visit a family in their tent for a taste of traditional nomadic hospitality. In the evening you will fly to Kashgar. Meet and check into the four-star Taxinan Barony Hotel (local best).

Day 12 Kashgar / Urumqi (B, L)

In the morning visit the Etgar Mosque, one of the biggest Mosques in Xinjiang Province, the Abak Hoja Tomb. Then you will visit the old section of the city. Following is the famous Sunday Bazaar, which stretches for miles as thousands of local nationalities and merchants come from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, etc. in the evening fly back to Urumqi and check into the centrally located five-star Hi-Tak Hotel, Xinjiang. Continue to visit

Day 13 Urumqi (B, L)

The highlight of our visit to Urumqi is an excursion to Heavenly Lake. Only one hour and a half drive from the city, it lies on snow-capped Mount Bogda at almost 2000 meters above sea level. The sapphire-blue lake isset in deep slope of pine forests and meadows of wild flowers where Kazak nomads camp. The views from the cruise boat are breathtaking. After lunch at carefully-selected restaurant, you will drive back to Urumqi. Proceed to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum and excursion to Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar.

In the evening take a flight back to Beijing. Meet and check into the centrally located five-star Crowne Plaza Hotel Wangfujing.

Day 14 Beijing Departure (B)

Transfer to airport for your homebound hotel. Service completes.