A reputable China tour operator & China travel agency from 1987
This tour takes you from the ancient glories of Xian to the western frontier regions of Xinjiang on the famous Silk Road. Explore forgotten towns, desert oases and mystical Buddhist caves all the while enjoying the different culture and customs of the Uygur minority. Special features of this tour include a visit to a nomad camp and a camel ride across sand dunes.
Tour Code: CCT-SR01SS
Destinations: Xi'an, Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang
| Day 1 | Xian arrival |
| Day 2 | Xian Meal: Breakfast Highlights: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Emperor Qin's Mausoleum |
| Day 3 | Xian Plane Urumqi Meal: Breakfast Highlights: City Wall, Bell & Drum Tower Square, Great Mosque, Muslim Street |
| Day 4 | Urumqi Meal: Breakfast Highlights: Heavenly Lake, the Regional Museum, Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar |
| Day 5 | Urumqi Bus Turpan Meal: Breakfast Highlights: the Nanshan Pastures |
| Day 6 | Turpan Train Dunhuang Meal: Breakfast Highlights: Karez Well, underground tombs of Astana, legendary Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Caves, Emin Minaret, ruined city of Gaochang |
| Day 7 | Dunhuang Accommodation: Tent Meal: Breakfast Highlights: Singing Sand Dune, Crescent Moon Lake |
| Day 8 | Dunhuang Plane Xian Meal: Breakfast Highlights: the Mogao Caves |
| Day 9 | Xian Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 01 Xian
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02 Xian (B)
After breakfast travel to Lintong, the place where The Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was discovered. The Terracotta Warriors are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. There are more than 8,000 life-size Terra-cotta soldiers and horses excavated from this area which all displayed in the practical battle formation in 3 pits respectively. In the late afternoon, travel back to your hotel.
Day 03 Xian / Urumqi (B)
In the morning visit the City Wall built in the Ming dynasty, one of the oldest and best preserved ancient Chinese city walls. The wall is 14 kilometers long. Walk on the top of it, you can have an idea of medieval defense system composed of by watchtowers, ramparts and a moat. Contrasting the old from its inside are the modern high-rises and bustling traffic of Xian. Cross the street and walk to the Muslim quarter. You will visit the mosque at Daxuexixiang. After that, enjoy your shopping time at the Muslim Street which is lined with shops selling souvenirs and local snacks. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region. Check into your hotel. Enjoy a good rest this evening.
Day 04 Urumqi (B)
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 05 Urumqi / Turpan (B)
After breakfast, 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.
Day 06 Turpan / Dunhuang (B)
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. You will also see the Emin Minaret, one of the finest buildings on the Silk Road, and Karez Well - an underground irrigation system. Board the overnight train to Dunhuang. Overnight on the train.
Day 07 Dunhuang (B)
Arrive in Dunhuang in the morning. Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Dunhuang was a strategic post on the Silk Road and frontier town of the ancient. A leisurely day includes visits to Minsha Hill and Crescent Moon Lake.
Day 8 Dunhuang / Xian (B)
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. Transfer to the airport and fly to Xian. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel.
Day 9 Xian (B)
Transfer to the airport for you flight to the next destination. The whole tour ends with a memorable experience.
We boked directly from Portugal with China Connection Tours (CCT) a 22 day tour in China for a private group of 6 people. The initial itinerary proposed by us was greatly improved by a number of CCT's suggestions which worked out very well. The tour organization was excellent: timely, competently and effective. All 10 guides who led our small group have been great, all a great company: friendly, wishful to help in any circumstances and knowledgeable about the Chinese culture in general and on the areas visited with each of them in particular. We have no hesitation to recommend CTT as an excellent travel agency Who put their best on the organization of this tour.... More
We have done an excellent couple private tour with china connection tours throughout Beijing-Xian-Chengdu-Fenghuang-Zanghjiajie-Shanghai. The tour was very well organized, good price, very good hotels. The time was well balanced, no time was lost. Guides was very expert and available to every our request and they proposed us to add some other activities over the program, this was very much appreciated. They also suggested us good restaurants. We mention of course Thomas, Susan, Donald and Ayli. The main referent Candy Liu was so kind and available to build the tour before leaving and also during the trip to improve it as much as possible. We definitely suggest the tour! Matteo and Filippo from Italy.... More
I had an absolutely wonderful experience with China Connection Tours, and I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to China. From the very beginning, everything was perfectly organised, professional, and tailored to our needs. A special thank you goes to Ms Candy, who was an outstanding travel coordinator and our constant support throughout the journey. She was extremely helpful, responsive, professional, and attentive to every detail. Thanks to her, the entire trip was smooth, comfortable, and completely stress-free. The selection of hotels was excellent, the guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the pace of sightseeing was perfectly balanced. We had enough time to explore each place, enjoy the atmosphere, and truly appreciate China without ever feeling rushed. Every part of the itinerary was arranged to the highest standard. I am very grateful to China Connection Tours and especially to Ms Candy for creating such a memorable and enjoyable journey. Everything was handled at the highest level, and I would gladly travel with this company again in the future. Highly recommended!... More
