Day 1 / Arrival in Xi'an

Your tour guide will pick you up at the airport or your hotel in Xi'an this morning, and your Silk Road journey begins! We start with a visit to the Xi'an Museum, which showcases Xi'an's rich history. The museum's collection includes objects from various dynasties, such as ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and sculptures. Afterward, we enjoy a tour along the impressive Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xi'an as you explore this well-preserved wall, which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide, with a total length of 14 kilometers. The original foundation was built upon the ruins of the Tang Dynasty Imperial City Wall, now known as Xi'an. Although the wall has been completely renovated, it still speaks of history. In the afternoon, we visit the Great Mosque and Muslim Street, where the lifestyle differs significantly from the traditions of the Han Chinese. For more than 1,300 years, since the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), Muslims have been an integral part of daily life in Xi'an, the starting point of the Silk Road.

Day 2 / Xi'an / Lanzhou (BL, by train)

We have a full day to visit the impressive Qin Terracotta Army, with an extension to the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries: a life-size terracotta warrior ready for battle. Qin's tomb was built around 2,500 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 other rarities. In 1987, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit, we will travel by high-speed train from Xi'an to Lanzhou, where we will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Day 3/ Lanzhou (BL)

Today's highlights include the Gansu Provincial Museum and an excursion to the Bingling Temple Grottoes, 75 km southwest of Lanzhou. Part of the ancient Silk Road, the Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with stupas, murals, and Buddhist sculptures in natural caves, are a masterpiece dating from the 4th to the 10th centuries. Sample traditional local food at the local market.

Day 4/ Lanzhou / Wuwei / Zhangye (BL)

Day 4 of our Silk Road journey takes us across the Yellow River and into the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Wuwei. Here, we will visit the Lai Tai Han Tomb, a popular tourist attraction in Wuwei. Afterwards, we continue to the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye, home to China's largest reclining Buddha. Next, we travel to Zhangye Danxia Geopark, also known as the Rainbow Mountains. It holds the title of "One of the Ten Magical Geographical Wonders of the World." Upon arrival, we begin a hike in the northern part of the Danxia Scenic Area, enjoying the magnificent views of Qilian Mountain and the unforgettable sunset. The Chinese Rainbow Mountains are breathtaking with their beautiful colors, which originated approximately 200 million years ago. We will see many steep red cliffs, often several hundred meters high, as well as multicolored ridges of weathered rock that sometimes stretch to the horizon. It's the perfect place for photography.

Day 5 / Zhangye / Jiayu Guan (BL)

As we continue our Silk Road journey, the snow-capped Qilian Mountains will accompany us westward (approximately 250 km). We visit the "Strategic Pass Under Heaven," the westernmost point of the modern Great Wall of China. Then we visit the Wei & Jin Antiquities Tomb to explore the murals and the "largest underground gallery in the world."

Day 6/ Jiayu Guan / Dunhuang (BL)

Today we travel approximately 385 km into the Great Gobi Desert. Along the way, we'll ride camels to visit the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring, a lake nestled between two giant sand dunes. It looks like a mirage—but it's real!

Day 7/ Dunhuang (BL)

Today we can sleep in a little later and get some rest. Afterward, we travel northwest of the city to the Yumen Pass. Located in the Gobi Desert, 80 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang, it was once one of two crucial defensive passes that protected Dunhuang from invasions around 2,000 years ago. Next, we head to Yadan National Geologic Park. The Yadan landscapes rise above the flat Gobi Desert and cover a vast area. Due to their eccentric formations, difficult-to-discern roads, low terrain, strong magnetic fields, and howling wind noises, the area is also known as the "Ghost Town" by locals. The Yadan landscapes are the largest in the region.

Their unique nature and entirely developed within the geology are among the most prized in the world for their ornamentation. The scenes offer an endless variety of fantastic phenomena and extraordinary craftsmanship of nature.

Day 8/ Dunhuang / Train to Turpan (BL, by train)

In the morning, we will visit the world-famous Mogao Caves, known as the "World-Famous Treasury of Art," also known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. After the visit, we will transfer to Liuyuan Station to take the high-speed train from Dunhuang to Turpan.

Day 9/ Turpan (BL)

Upon our early arrival in Turpan, we will transfer to our hotel and later be picked up to visit some of the ancient sites: the Jiaohe ruins, dating from 100 BC to the 13th or 14th century, located west of Turpan along a road approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) long. This city was built by excavating the ground instead of constructing it from the ground. Also on the agenda is the Tuyuq Valley, home to the approximately 1,700-year-old village of Tuyugou, where ancient Uighur customs and culture are still preserved. This valley is also a pilgrimage destination for many Muslims, the main focus being the Mazar, the tomb of the first Uighur Muslim. It is said that seven trips to Tuyuq are equivalent to one trip to Mecca. After lunch at an authentic Uighur restaurant, we will visit the vineyards. Afterwards, we will continue to the Flaming Mountains, considered the cradle of the Uighur culture.

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!