8 DAYS, SILK ROAD

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 01: ARRIVE SHANGHAI
Fly to Urumqi.
Upon arrival in Urumqi, met & transfer to Hoi Tak Hotel for 1 night.

DAY 02: URUMQI/HEAVENLY LAKE/URUMQI/KASHGAR
Today, we make a day trip 115 kilometers east of Urumqi to Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). This small but extremely beautiful deep-blue lake is surrounded by hills covered with fir trees and alpine meadows with grazing horses of the yurt-dwelling Kazakhs who inhabit this scene reminiscent of Switzerland. Return to Urumqi for evening flight to Kashgar.
Upon arrival in Kashgar, met & transfer to Qinbagh Hotel. Kashkar is an oasis in the hostile Taklamakan Desert. It is the farthest Chinese city westernmost gate of China and was prosperous city 2000 years ago in central Asia. It now continues its role as a cultural crossroads. Traders still cross the borders from former Soviet Union and Pakistan to trade in the local market.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 03: KASHGAR
Today, catch the outstanding Sunday market, which is the biggest in Aisa. With 50000 people, thousands of donkeys, camels and sheep as well as all imaginable merchandise being traded, it’s indeed a memorable experience. This central Asian spectacle is a photographer’s lifetime dream.
You will also have time to visit a Uygur Family.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 04: KASHGAR/URUMQI/TURPHAN
Spend the morning visiting the Abakh Hoja Tomb and exploing Old Kashgar.
In the afternoon, fly back to Urumqi and drive about 3 hours to Turphan. Turphan lies 154 km below sea level and is therefore unsurprisingly the second lowest depression in the world! This oasis town exudes an distinct ambience of Central Asia with its bazaar, old town and mosques. Check into Oasis Hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 05: TURPHAN
You will have all day tour of Turphan including the Jiao He Ruins, with history of over 2500 years. The city was built on a natural earth cliff and up to now, the outline of the city is well preserved and is a protective archaeological site by the UNESCO. You will also visit Karez Underground System, Grape valley (Turpan is also known in China as grape town. The seedless grape called sultana, dried into raisin is famous in South Asia).
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 06: TURPHAN/LIUYUAN
You have another full day in Turphan exploring the Flaming Mountain, made famous in the Chinese classic literature of "Journey to the West"; Gao Chang Ruins, an extensive ruin since the Tang Dynasty and an ancient Chinese garrison town on the silk road 1st century AD (you will be taken by donkey cart to visit the temple area); District Museum, Emin Minaret and the central bazaar.
In the evening, catch an overnight train (soft sleeper) to Liuyuan.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 07: LIUYUAN/DUNHUANG
Train arrives at Liuyuan, which is about 2.5 hours drive to Dunhuang. Arrive in Dunhuang and check into Grand Sun Hotel.
We then spend a full day visiting the world famous Mogao caves, with its thousands of Buddhist caves, each with its exquisite murals. This must be the most outstanding grotto in China if not the world! You will also have time to discover the evening market.
Late afternoon we enjoy a lovely sunset on camel back around Mingsha Hills, named after the natural phenomena of rumbling sound like that of remote thunder. You will also visit Crescent Spring - a natural wonder in the Gobi desert.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)

DAY 08: DEPART DUNHUANG
We continue to see more of the fabulous Mogao Cave as well as visit the Provincial Museum. In the afternoon, fly to Xian to connect flight out.
(Breakfast included)