15 Days China Silk Road Tour

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You will be greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. Afternoon sightseeing features the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. On the way back to the hotel, you will have an overlook of the major Olympic Stadium and the Olympic village.

Day 03 Beijing (L)

The highlight today is a visit to Great Wall--- Badaling Great Wall and Juyongguan Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization. After lunch, you will visit Ming Tombs, the burial grounds for the 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.

Day 04 Beijing / Urumqi (B, D)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Check into the Quanjude Tianshan Hotel. Enjoy the typical local food for dinner at one of the most famous restaurants.

Day 05 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 is set 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 Regional Museum and excursion to Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar.

Day 06 Urumqi / Turpan (B, L)

In the morning drive to Turpan. Today’s highlight is the Emin Mosque, one of the finest buildings on the Silk Road, and Karez Well - an underground irrigation system. A short coach journey takes you through the desert to the Oasis town of Turpan, famous for its melons and vineyards. Check into the local Turpan Huozhou Hotel.

Day 07 Turpan / Dunhuang (B, L)

Today's tour includes visits to the Ruined city of Gaochang by donkey cart, and the underground tombs of Astana, the legendary Flaming Mountains, and Bezeklik Caves, whose walls are adorned with Buddhists frescoes. Board the overnight train to Dunhuang. Overnight on the train.

Day 08 Dunhuang (B, L)

Arrive in Dunhuang in the morning. Enjoy breakfast in the Dunhuang Hotel. Dunhuang was a strategic post on the Silk Road and frontier town of the ancient. A leisurely day includes visits to Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Moon Lake set in an amphitheater of sand dunes and has a camel ride. Stay at the local Dunhuang Legend Hotel this evening.

Day 09 Dunhuang (B, L)

You will visit the most famous monument of Dunhuang-the Mogao Caves, popularly known as "Thousand Buddha 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.

Day 10 Dunhuang / Xian (B, D)

Morning will be free for you to explore the city in depth. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Xian. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the Days Hotel & Suites Xinxing, Xi'an. Enjoy a good rest tonight. Dinner will be arranged at one of the most famous restaurants.

Day 11 Xian (B, L)

A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient Xian as you visit the burial site of the incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta soldiers, the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. Today you will enjoy the authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch.

Day 12 Xian / Shanghai (B, D)

After breakfast, you will visit the only underground museum in China, Yangling Mausoleum. Yangling Mausoleum will bring you to one of the most prosperous dynasty, Han Dynasty in Chinese history. Fly to Shanghai. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the Shanghai Hotel.

Day 13 Shanghai (B, L)

Have full day sightseeing to the major attractions of the city including the Yu Garden at the Old Quarter, the French concession, Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Road at the shopping center. Today you will enjoy the authentic Shanghai Cuisine at one of the most famous restaurants in the city.

Day 14 Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai (B, L)

After breakfast, drive to Suzhou to visit the beautiful traditional Chinese gardens. You will visit the famous Lingering Garden and Fishing Net Garden. You will have a try of local flavor for today’s lunch. Drive back to Shanghai 1n the late afternoon. Enjoy a good rest today.

Day 15 Shanghai (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination. The whole tour ends with a memorable experience.