Day 01/ Arrive in Xi’an

Picked up by our guide from the airport or your hotel in Xi’an in the morning, our Silk Road journey will begin! We will start the trip off with a visit to Xi’an Museum which showcases Xi'an's rich history. The museum's collections include items from various dynasties, such as pottery, calligraphy, paintings, and sculptures.Then, enjoy a tour along the wonderful Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian while you leisurely examine this well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circuit of 14 kilometers. The original foundation was based on the ruins of the Imperial City Wall of Chang’an City, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, known today as Xi’an. Though the wall has been entirely renovated, it still resonates with history.This afternoon we will visit the Great Mosque and the Muslim street, where the way of life is markedly different from the traditions of the Han Chinese. For over 1,300 years, since the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 - 907), Muslims have been an integral part of daily life in Xi'an, the beginning of the Silk Road.

Day 02/ Xi’an / Lanzhou (BL, by train)

We will have a full day time tour to visit the magnificent Qin Terra-cotta Army with an extension to Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world: a life-size clay soldier poised for battle. Qin's tomb was built in about 2500 years ago and was filled with more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots and 520 horses as well as models of palaces, pavilions, fine vessels, precious stones and rarities. UNESCO listed it in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.After visit, we’ll take a high speed train from Xi’an to Lanzhou where we’ll stay at a lovely hotel

Day 03/ Lanzhou (BL)

Today's highlights are Gansu Provincial Museum and an excursion to Bingling Temple Grottoes, 75km southwest of Lanzhou. Listed as part of the ancient Silk Road for the World Heritage candidate, Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with stupas, murals and Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries. Taste traditional and local foods at the local market.

Day 04/ Lanzhou / Wuwei / Zhangye (BL)

Day 4 of our Silk Road Tour lets us cross the great Yellow River and head up the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Wuwei. Here we’ll visit Lai Tai Han Tomb, which has become a fantastic tourist attraction in Wuwei city. Then drive to visit the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye where the biggest indoor sleeping Buddha in China is preserved. Further on to Zhangye Danxia Geopark, the Rainbow Mountains. It enjoys the honors of "The world's top ten magical geographical wonders". Upon arrival, start hiking along the north part of Danxia Landform, enjoying the great view of Qilian Shan and memorable sunset. China Rainbow Mountains are magnificent with gorgeous colors, which developed at about 200 million years ago. We will see lots of precipitous red cliffs, most of which are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. It is the best place for photography

Day 05/ Zhangye / Jiayu Guan (BL)

As we continue on our silk road journey, the snow-capped Qilian Mountain ranges wind its way westward and accompany us all the way (about 250km). We’ll visit “The Strategic Pass under Heaven” - the most west point of the present Great Wall. And visit Wei & Jin Ancient Tomb to explore the ground floor of its murals and brick Graves known as "the world's largest underground gallery".

Day 06/ Jiayu Guan / Dunhuang (BL)

Today we’ll drive about 385 km there the Great Gobi Desert. Along the way we’ll also ride camels to visit the Singing Sand Mountains. The Crescent Spring, which forms a lake between two huge sand dunes. It is like seeing a mirage - but it’s real!

Day 07/ Dunhuang (BL)

Today we get to sleep in a bit later and have a nice rest. Afterwards, we’ll drive towards the northwest of the city for the Yumen Pass. Situated in the Gobi Desert 80 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, it was once one of the two critical defensive passes protecting Dunhuang from invasion about two thousand years ago. Drive onwards to visit Yadan National Geologic Park. Yadan landforms rise above the flat Gobi Desert and cover a vast area. Due to its eccentric landforms, the hard-to-spot roads, low-lying terrain, strong magnetism and howling sounds made by the wind, the area is also called "Ghost City" by local people. Yadan Landforms is the largest in scale, fully developed in geology and most valuable for ornament in the world. The scenery sites have an infinite variety of fantastic phenomena and the superlative craftsmanship of nature.

Day 08/ Dunhuang / Take the train to Turpan (BL, by train)

In the morning, go to visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes which is called “the World Famous Treasure House of Arts”, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddha. After visit, transfer to Liuyuan train station to take a high speed train train from Dunhuang to Turpan.

Day 09/ Turpan (BL)

After early arrival in Turpan we’ll be taken to our hotel and later picked up to see some of the ancient sights: The Jiaohe Ruins dating from 100 BC to the 13th or 14th century are to the west of Turpan following a road 10 kilometers or about 6 miles, This city was built by digging down instead of building up from the ground. And the Tuyuq Valley, Tuyugou is an ancient village with roughly 1700 years of history, till this day they still preserve and use ancient Uyghur customs and culture. This valley village is also a pilgrimage area for many Muslims, with the main destination being The Mazar, or the tomb of the first Uyghur Muslim. It’s said that seven trips to Tuyoq is equal to one trip to Mecca. Following a lunch in an authentic Uygur restaurant we get to see the vineyards for ourselves. After that, go to visit the Flaming Mountains, overshadow the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. They provide a spectacular backdrop to the oases and scenery of the Turpan area

Day 10/ Turpan / Urumqi (BL)

In the morning, we will drive to the west part of Turpan for the Suleiman Minaret, the only ancient Islamic minaret left in China, and the Karez Wells, one of the three great ancient projects’ in China. The Karez Wells Folk Garden and Museum explains how the well system makes it possible for the famous orchards and vineyards to exist in these hot, dry desert communities. After that, we will drive all the way to Urumqi. It’s about 300km highway.

Day 11/ Urumqi –Kashgar (BL, by air)

After breakfast we will head for Heavenly Lake Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi), which lies on the north side of Bogda Peak of Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains), about 110 km east of Urumqi. We will be amazed by the snowy peaks of the Heavenly Mountains reflecting on the dazzlingly blue lake surface. Then drive back to Urumqi, we will also pay a visit to the National Museum. The display of ancient mummies is fantastic, for it was in this region that a great number of ancient and well preserved remains were discovered. Take an evening flight to Kashgar

Day 12/ Kashgar - Tashkurgan (BL)

Today we will drive about 4-5 hours to Tashkurgan County which is located at the south of Kashgar for the ancient stone city. We could take an easy hiking visit to the ruins of the stone city which is in the back of Tashkurgan County.

Day 13/ Tashkurgan - Karakuri Lake (3,770m) - Kashgar (BL)

Today we start our tour from the Tashkurgan Museum. We’ll drive about 2 hours to the famous Karakuri Lake and Muztagh Mountain, enjoying breathtaking scenery of high mountain pastures and snow-capped peaks. Karakuri Lake, known as "the father of glaciers", is located at the foot of Mount Muztaga-Ata, sitting at 3,600m above sea level. We will have enough time for deep exploration of the famous lake and the holy Mountain. Take a leisure walking around the majestic blue lake. Then back to Kashgar.

Day 14/ Kashgar (BL)

Spend the day experiencing its Islamic culture in Kashgar. A must visit place is Id Kah Mosque, built in the 15th century, where 10,000 people gather at midday on Fridays to pray, and a restaurant nearby which provides authentic Muslim food. Kashgar Bazaar is festooned with traditions and ancient history and has become famous throughout Asia, attracting merchants from as far as Pakistan and Kirghizstan; some tourists come especially to see it. Zhiren Street is an old street where craftsmen still produce their fare. It’s easy to lose our sense of time and direction as we wonder this bazaar, but don’t worry our guide will lead us through the maze.

Day 15/ Kashgar / Home (B)

Transfer to the airport and fly back home. It has been great and our CAT looks forward to seeing you on another adventure trip!