15 Days Silk Route Adventure Tour
Destination:Beijing, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Turpan, Urumqi, Xi'an
Tour Code: SK01
Tour Duration: 15 Days
- Tour overview:
- With this tour, you will have a quick glimps of the Silk Road, Start from Beijing, see the must see Great Wall, Forbidden City, etc. then fly to Urumqi, head to Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Lanzhou and Xian, you will see the all major towns and the mysterious sights on the Silk Road. Finally, the tour end in Shanghai and you will return back to the modern city.
Day by Day Itinerary
Tour Summary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Day 1
Arrive Beijing
Transport via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
Day 2
Beijing (B,L)
Sightseeing: Mutianyu Great Wall, the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) National Swimming Centre (The Water Cube), Hutong tour
After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk on the sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!
On the way back to hotel, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube'),feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.
We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw in this afternoon. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people.
Day 3
Beijing/Urumqi (B,L)
Transfer via: Flight –on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.
From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to airport and take flight to Urumqi. Arrive at Urumqi, be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 4
Urumqi (B,L)
Sightseeing: Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar.
After breakfast, you will head to visit the Heavenly Mountain (Tianchi); it is surrounded by green pastures and pristine conifer forests. Snowy Alp-like peaks soar to great heights and enclose the lake. Take a boat ride on Heavenly Lake and escape into a peaceful, dream-like world. This afternoon is spent at Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar.
Day 5
Urumqi/Turpan (B,L)
Transfer via: Private Vehicle –on our arrangment
Sightseeing: Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, Ancient City of Jiaohe, Ancient Karez System, Grape Valley
Morning city tour includes the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum with exhibits of local arts and crafts. The building occupies a space of 11,000 square meters and is built in a modern style enhanced by local architectural features. The central dome is thirty meters high and from its height one can view the entire city of Urumchi.
Then, drive to Turpan (aroudn 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, explore the Ancient City of Jiaohe, the remains of an ancient walled capital of the Uighur with its large monastery and palace. It is probably the same size as Gaochang but better preserved. UNESCO has contributed to its preservation. The dry weather has helped city preserve its cityscape. It is a life-sized model of a Tang Dynasty city.
Move on to visit Ancient Karez system.The entire Turpan region has for 2000 years relied upon the Karez underground irrigation system for sustenance; There is currently one karez well site open for exhibition. It is complete with a museum of displays and pictures. It is a good way to get an understanding of how the tunnels were dug. Then we will proceed to visit Grape Valley. Lying at the base of the western end of Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley is a unique world of vineyards and fruit trees. you can sit in the shades and sip the local wines to kill a brutally hot afternoon.
Day 6
Turpan/Jiayuguan (B,L)
Transfer via: Overnight train -on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Astana Tomb, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Flaming Mountain. Karez Underground Irrigation Channels.
Today you will visit to The Astana Tomb, which is located in the Gobi Desert and 6km from the Gaochang Ancient City. Astana means capital in Uygur. Covering an area of 10 square kilometers, the tombs were the public cemetery of the ancient Gaochang residents, both aristocrats and commoners. Passing by Flaming Mountain to Visit the Bezkelik Thousand Buddha Caves, Once an important Buddhist site with many caves covered with brightly painted murals, Bezeklik means "place of paintings" in Uighur. The caves were hewn into the cliffside, and large murals, Monks used to live inside the caves and the frescoes here clearly represent the life work of generations of devotees. Unfortunately, this place was damaged by the locals who converted to Islam in the 10th century and looted by the western archaeologists in the early 20th century
After the torus, you will be transferred to railway station to take overnight train to Jiayuguang.
Day 7
Jiayuguan (B,L)
Sightseeing: Jiayuguan Pass
Morning arrival in Jiayuguan, your guide will meet you at railway staiton and then transfer you to hotel. Have a rest, then tour to Jiayuguan pass, which is the main part of the western end of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It has been the first pass of Hexi region since ancient times.
Day 8
Jiayuguan/Dunhuang (B,L)
Transfer via: Private Vehicle-on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Dunhuang
Morning travel by car on a scenic ride to the 2,000-year-old oasis town of Dunhuang. This oasis was a vital stopping-off post for caravans linking China and Central Asia.
Day 9
Dunhuang (B,L)
Sightseeing: Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Lake, Echoing-Sand Dun
You will have tours to the Mogao Caves, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. And, you will experience a short camel-riding along the Echoing-Sand Dune to the Crescent Lake, who is a nature miracle coexist with the desert for thousand of years. The lake and the Echoing-Sand Dune which can make sounds when the wind passes are located in the place where the sand and the oasis meet.
Day 10
Dunhuang/Lanzhou (B,L)
Transfer via: Flight-on our arrangement
Sightseeing: White Pagoda Park, Ganshu Provincial Museum,
Take morning flight to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Arrive in Lanzhou, be met and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, city tour includes a visit to the White Pagoda Park, laid out across a steep hillside, is small and fairly attractive, famous for a white pagoda of Yuan Dynasty on the top. There is a fine view of Yellow River snaking its way in Lanzhou from the top.
Afterwards, you will have a visit to Gansu Provincial Museum.The Gansu Provincial Museum, is one of the city's best attractions and features 75,000 cultural relics, including some of China's most famed. There are five main exhibition halls, namely the Hall of Gansu Historical Relics, the Hall of Gansu Natural Resources, the Hall of Jiayuguan Murals of Wei and Jin Period, the Hall of the Yellow River Ancient Elephants, and the Hall of Red Army's Long March via Gansu. Each of these clearly marks out a very different period in Chinese history.
Day 11
Lanzhou/Xian(B,L)
Transfer via: Flight-on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Liujia Xia Dam, Bingling Temple
This morning, you will have a visit to Bingling Temple. Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves is located on the Small Jishi Hill, about 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) west of Yongjing County in Lanzhou City. Being one of the very noted four caves in China, it is the second to Mogao Caves in respect of artistic value.
Also, you will have the chance to see Liujia Xia Dam, which is a major dam on the upper Yellow River. The dam and its hydroelectric facility are located in Liujia Gorge, or Liujiaxia, just downstream from the fall of the Tao River into the Yellow River.
Take speed boat in Liujia Xia Dam.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to airport and take flight to Xi'an. Arrive in Xi'an, be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 12
Xian(B,L)
Sightseeing: The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses , Big Wild Goose Pagoda , Ancient City Wall.
Today you will experience the highlights of Xi’an. After breakfast, you will depart you’re your hotel. You will visit the amazing 2000-year-old Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Regarded as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors in search of immortality. After his early death they were buried with him to protect his empire.
Another highlight today is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated in the south of Xian city, it is one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple. There, the well-known Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of Xian.
Then, you will visit Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. It is the largest and best preserved present city wall in ancient China and is probably the best military battlement in the world. If you want to, you can rent a bicycle for a ride on top of the spectacular city wall. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Day 13
Xian/Shanghai (B,L)
Transfer via: Flight – on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Shannxi Provincial Museum, Nanjing Road, the Bund,
After breakfast, you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum. It is a magnificent architectural complex in the Tang Dynasty style. The Museum possesses a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi, and it covers an area of 1,100 square meters for exhibition.
Then you will be transferred to airport and take flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at airport and then transfer you to your hotel in Shanghai. Check in the hotel and have a rest.
Then we will take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai.
Day 14
Shanghai (B,L)
Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl Tower, French concession region.
Today you will visit Shanghai Museum which is the biggest museum of China. It incorporates a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics and is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy.
Then we will take a relaxing tour to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, the highest TV Tower in Asia, which creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors all year-round.
Day 15
Shanghai (B)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Today will be free for your own purposes, until our guide will escort you to the airport for your next destination.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
| Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Beijing
|
Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to hotel.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 2 |
Beijing
|
Full day visit Mutianyu Great Wall with round-way cable car. Ming Tombs On the way back to hotel, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube') Beijing take an exterior visit of both two and feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 3 |
Beijing/Urumqi
|
Full day visit Tiananmen Square Forbidden City . After the tours, you will be transferred to airport and take flight to Urumqi. Arrive at Urumqi, be met and transferred to your hotel.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 4 |
Urumqi
|
Today we will enjoy the spectecular views of Heavenly Lake Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 5 |
Urumqi/Turpan
|
Full day city tour includes Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum Then, you will be driven by a private vechile to Turpan (around 2.5 hours). Visit Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) Karez Well System, Turpan Grape Valley, Turpan
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 6 |
Turpan/Jiayuguan
|
Today you will visit to Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs Passing by Flaming Mountain, Turpan to Visit Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves After the tours, you will be transferred to railway station to take overnight train to Jiayuguang |
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 7 |
Jiayuguan
|
Morning arrival in Jiayuguan , be met and transferred to your hotel. After a rest, Tour to Jiayuguan Fort
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 8 |
Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
|
Morning travel on a scenic ride to the 2,000-year-old oasis town of Dunhuang(around 5 hours). After check in the hotel, free at leisure the rest of the day.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 9 |
Dunhuang
|
Full day visit Mogao Grottoes Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan (Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring) Take an optional camel ride.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 10 |
Dunhuang/Lanzhou
|
After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to airprot and take flight to Lanzhou. Arrive in Lanzhou, be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. In the afternoon, city tour includes a visit to the White Pagoda Hill Gansu Provincial Museum .
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 11 |
Lanzhou/Xi'an
|
Morning visit Liujia Xia Dam, take Speed Boat in Liujia Xia Dam. Bingling Temple Caves After the tours, you will be transferred to airport to take flight to Xian. Arrive at Xian, be met and transferred to your hotel.
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 12 |
Xi'an
|
Full day visit The Terracotta Army and Horses Big Wild Goose Pagoda Ancient City Wall
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 13 |
Xi'an/Shanghai
|
Visit Shaanxi Provincial Museum Then be transferred to airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai, be met and transferred to your hotel, visit The Bund Nanjing Road
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 14 |
Shanghai
|
Full day visit Shanghai Museum Yuyuan Garden Oriental Pearl TV Tower Shanghai French Concession
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Day 15 |
Shanghai
|
Free at leisure till be transferred to airport for your flight departure. |
|
-NOTE:
1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.
2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.
Price Includes
A. Entrance fees：To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Dear Lisa, I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of myself and the entire group, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for the exceptional organization and support you provided throughout our journey in China. This was not just a well-executed tour – it was a masterpiece of coordination and care, and it left our clients truly impressed. Every detail was flawlessly managed, and your dedication was evident from start to finish.The hotels were all beautiful, spacious, and perfectly located – our clients were genuinely impressed and comfortable throughout.The local guides were excellent – knowledgeable, kind, and attentive to every need of the group.The buses were always clean, comfortable, and punctual, and the drivers were professional and drove with care and safety.The experience of traveling on the high-speed trains was a highlight in itself – smooth, exciting, and perfectly arranged.Even the flight arrangements were smooth and efficient, allowing our clients to travel without stress.Beyond the logistics, I want to especially thank you for the way you handled the unexpected challenges that arose with such grace, speed, and professionalism:When our group expressed dissatisfaction with one of the guides, you acted immediately and managed the change with such tact that it restored full satisfaction and harmony in the group.When two ladies in the group had a disagreement and asked to be separated, you found new room arrangements right away, at a good price, and ensured they were both comfortable and happy. It made a real difference in the atmosphere of the group.Your constant availability, prompt responses, and genuine care throughout the entire tour were invaluable to me personally as the group leader. I felt supported every step of the way, and that peace of mind translated directly into a smooth, joyful experience for everyone. Everything you provided – from planning to real-time assistance – was simply outstanding. Please do...
- Booking Code:VOC-20250519
- Tour Starting Date:Monday, 19 May 2025
- Client's information:Jan, Romania
I have just returned from a very enjoyable 3 week trip to China. I had previously travelled with VISIT OUR CHINA to Xiamen n Shantou in 2024. The wonderful experience then led me to book again with VOC n I was given the most exceptional service by Leo. Throughout the months of planning n customising my itinerary to my family's varied needs n interests, Leo was extremely patient, responsive (even through weekends) n always efficient. Throughout our tour of Shenzhen, Changsha, Guangzhou, Zhangjiajie, Furong, Fenghuang n Guilin, Leo checked in on us at each of the destinations making sure that we were OK. I have travelled widely n dealt with many travel agents but none have thus far, fared so well as VOC. Leo's personal attention n excellent English make communication so easy n painless. I have recommended VOC to friends n will continue to do so because they are truly worthy. I know that for all my future trips to China, VOC will always be my go-to. Thank u Leo for making our holiday so memorable.
- Booking Code:VOC-20250412
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 12 April 2025
- Client's information:Sok Kiang, Singapore
I engaged Lisa for a 8D7N trip to chengdu and chongqing flying from KL, Malaysia. I've been with many tour companies but I find Lisa to be very helpful and very prompt to the problem I face during the tour. The food was fabulous, every meal is like 12 to 15 dishes, we had a great time! Thanks Lisa!
- Booking Code:VOC-20250310
- Tour Starting Date:Monday, 10 March 2025
- Client's information:Ryan, Malaysia
Had an amazing experience with visitourchina during my recent tour to Zhangjiajie. Lisa was very helpful and catered to all my requests for the tour. We wished we had more days to see more of Zhangjiajie. As we are travelling with my elderly parents, we requested for more elderly-friendly itinerary in Zhangjiajie. Even though the trip is still a bit tough for my mum as she has knee problems, my family still enjoyed the tour. Special thank you to Lisa and Max, our guide.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241116
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 16 November 2024
- Client's information:Vanessa,Singapore
The services rendered from the travel agency is prompt. Very responsive and cater my tour according to my requests. The tour guides assigned to us were also caring and helpful. I continue to seek inquiries after our tour ended and they continued to response promptly. This is my second trip with this company and will continue to engage them when I next return to China.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241103
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 3 November 2024
- Client's information:Wendy, Singapore
How to navigate China for the second time after 45 years for a couple over 70 years old? We spent part of our honeymoon in China in 1978 together with a Spanish speaking tour group when China just opened its door to the outside world. It was the era of "Friendship stores" and "food ration coupons". Tourists could only shop at government designated stores and the ordinary local people lived on rationed food, notwithstanding, tourists were treated with the highest honor and the best of everything including food. By then, the main transportation tool in cities were bicycles. From balconies of hotels, we saw never ending long queue of people on bicycles heading to work every morning. Since then, China has developed into a super modern and industrialized country. Shopping is a bliss nowadays. Motorized vehicles and lots of EV has replaced a huge part of the fleet of human-driven bicycles since. Infrastructure-wise China is the pioneer nowadays. Over the years, the only retained memories are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Pandas. There was an incident which I could not forget either. We went to a theater at night for an opera and I lost my wallet with all my documents and some money ( a small fortune for the Chinese people by then). I was very nervous and didn't know what to do. When we got back to the hotel, my wallet was waiting for me at the reception. Somebody found it at the theatre and sent it to the hotel where we were lodged. Everything was back, nothing missing. Again, it was 1978! Impressed! So, we wanted to visit China again to revive the lost sweet memories and hoping to gain more of them. Being seniors, we don't have the energy to follow a vigorous group tour anymore. Could we plan and schedule our own tour in this wonderland like the modern China? The answer is simple, No! I don't know the language well enough and have no knowledge of the city areas for choices like accommodations and transportations. In order to travel safely, efficient...
- Booking Code:VOC-20241016B
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 16 October 2024
- Client's information:Cheng, Canada
Quick Questions
Our team is waiting for your questions. Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about our China package tours, Chinese culture, or the sites available. We will gladly help you with any special needs you might have and all questions, like our trip designing is completely free of charge.
