16 Days Beijing, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian, Shanghai Budget Tour
Destination:Beijing, Dunhuang, Kashgar, Shanghai, Turpan, Urumqi, Xi'an
Tour Code: CBT13
Tour Duration: 16 Days
- Tour overview:
- Appreciate the best highlights in Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, witness the marvelous Mogao Caves in Dunhuang as well as discover the Uyghur ethnic minority flavour in Kashgar and Turpan during this complex budget tour!
Free Inquiry From $3196
Day by Day Itinerary
Tour Summary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Day 1
Beijing Arrival
Transfer via: Flight –on your own arrangement
You will be greeted by our local guide upon your arrival in Beijing and then be transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. We will leave the rest of the first day free for you to recover from the jet lag or explore the city by yourself.
Day 2
Beijing (B)
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong tour in Rickshaw
We start today's highlights with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, The temple of Heaven was 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 go on our city tours 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 walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience ancient Emperor's daily life. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and it was indeed a forbidden place limited to commoners for 500 year in the past. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
We will also experience a unique Hutong tour by taking rickshaw this morning. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane that is typical in Beijing. Most of them are found around 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 (B)
Sightseeing: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way
After experience of the royal lifestyle, today we will spend about 1.5 hours to be transferred outside the city to the surrounding countryside for a visit to the Badaling 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 saw it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views.
This afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, The Ming Tombs are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13Ming emperors buried there, there are also called the 13 Ming Tombs. Passing though the Sacred Way, a road guarded on both sides with stone statues by which the ancient emperors went to hold a memorial ceremony for the ancestors, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors.
Day 4
Beijing (B)
After two days visit, you might get familiar with Beijing City. Today a totally free day for your to explore the city by yourself.
Day 5
Beijing / Urumqi (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight –on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Summer Palace
On the fifth day, the guide will lead you to the royal garden, Summer Palace to pack your Beijing tour. Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. You may regret it if you come to Beijing without visiting this grand imperial garden.
See you off at Beijing airport to board a flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and be transferred to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day, you could wonder nearby to feel the city atmosphere since we will leave the city tomorrow.
Day 6
Urumqi / Kashgar (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight – on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Sunday Bazzar, The old town of Kashgar
After breakfast, see you off at the Urumqi airport to board a morning flight to Kashgar. When you arrive in Kashgar, your local guide will pick you up at Kashgar airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Later, we will go to Sunday Bazzar. There is a bazaar everyday in Kashgar, but the one on Sunday is the liveliest, as the whole community gets together. The Bazzar in Kashgar is a social and commercial highlight of the week in Western Xinjiang. In the bazaar you can find different kinds of goods: ironware, silverware, fruit, clothes, local food, livestock, etc. Traders are buying and selling one week's stock of cows, sheep, goats and horses. The process of bargaining is fantastic.
And, we will have a visit to the Kashgar Old Town, contains a large group of Uygur residential houses. The Old Town city is now home to 630 homes with more than 2450 people, all of whom are Muslims.
Day 7
Kashgar / Urumqi / Turpan (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight & Private Vehicle –on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb
Today’s ctiy tour includes Idkah Mosque. It is the largest mosque in China. Every Friday, it houses nearly 10,000 worshippers and may accommodate up to 20,000.
Then we will visit the Abakh Khoja Tomb, which is also known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei (Fragrant Lady) in China. Situating 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) northeast of Kashgar City, Abakh Khoja Tomb is an ancient Islamic building, where five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried. It is also commonly known as the tomb of Xi’angfei, the only Uygur concubine of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).,
After the visit, fly to Urumqi (about 2 hours) and then private transfer to Turpan (about 2 hours) to check in at the hotel.
Day 8
Turpan (B, L)
Sightseeing: Ancient City of Jiaohe, Ancient Karez System, Grape Valley
Today we will explore the Jiaohe Ancient City, 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 9
Turpan / Dunhuang (B, L)
Transfer via: Overnight train (soft sleeper) –on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Astana Tomb, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Flaming Mountain.
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 Dunhuang. Stay tonight on the train.
Day 10
Dunhuang (L)
Sightseeing: Mogao Cave
Upon arrival, you will be picked up from Dunhuang railway station by your local guide and then be transferred to check in your hotel.
You will have tours to the Mogao Caves, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures.
Day 11
Dunhuang / Xi’an (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight –on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Echoing-Sand Dune, the Crescent Lake
Today you will experience a short camel-riding along the Echoing-Sand Dune and 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.
Then you will be transferred to airport to take the flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Xi’an.
Day 12
Xi’an (B)
Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower
Arrive in Xi'an in the morning, your local guide will greet you at the exit of the railway station and transfer you to the hotel. Depart from your hotel after breakfast. 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 in search of immortality, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors and buried with him to protect his empire after his early death.
Another highlight today is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated at south of the Xi'an city, as one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple, where Famous Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his well-preserved collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of the Xi'an.
Then we go on to visit the Bell Tower, which is the most well-preserved and best-known one among many ancient cities of China. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early morning of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, so it is called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
Day 13
Xi’an / Shanghai (B)
Transfer via: Flight –on our arrangement
Today you will finish the Xi'an tour and fly to Shanghai. You can take a shuttle bus (CNY 26, the bus stop is quite near to your hotel) or a taxi (about CNY150) to the airport and board the flight to Shanghai by yourself. Upon arrival at the Shanghai airport, take a taxi to the reserved hotel in Shanghai and handle the check-in procedure on your own.
Day 14
Shanghai (B)
Today is a free day is for you to explore this international metropolis by yourself. You're advised to walk around the Shanghai Bund and see the towering buildings scattered near and far, a perfect mixture of the eastern and western culture style. Visit the symbolistic scenic spots as Shanghai museum, Yuyuan Garden, take a boat tour on the Huangpu River and have a great view of the Pudong district on your own. The boat usually runs from the Zhongshan Dong Lu to the Wusongkou dock every one hour in the day time.
Day 15
Shanghai (B)
One more free day for you in Shanghai so that you could savor the international metropolis flavor further. You could refer to Shanghai Day Trip to choose your favourite tour schedule.
Day 16
Shanghai Departure(B)
Transfer via: Flight –on your own arrangement
Today you will check out the hotel and arrange the way to airport to board the flight leave Shanghai by yourself.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
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Day 1 |
Beijing
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Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to hotel by a private air-conditioned car. The rest of the day will be free for you to recover from the jet lag or explore the city by yourself.
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Day 2 |
Beijing
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Today you will visit The Temple of Heaven , Tiananmen Square , Forbidden City and then experience Hutong Tours in Rickshaw .
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Day 3 |
Beijing
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In the morning, visit Badaling Great Wall ; in the afternoon,visit Ming Tombs and The Sacred Way .
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Day 4 |
Beijing
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Today is a totally free day for your to explore the city by yourself.
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Day 5 |
Beijing/Urumqi
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Visit Summer Palace , then see you off at Beijing airport to board a flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and be transferred to your hotel for check in. Be free for the rest of the day.
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Day 6 |
Urumqi/Kashgar
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After breakfast, see you off at the Urumqi airport to board a morning flight to Kashgar. Arriving in Kashgar, your local guide will pick you up at Kashgar airport and transfer you to the hotel. Visit Sunday Bazzar and Kashgar Old Town .
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Day 7 |
Kashgar/Urumqi/Turpan
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Visit Idgar Mosque, Kashgar and Abakh Khoja Tomb .After the visit, fly to Urumqi (about 2 hours) and then take private transfer to Turpan (about 2 hours) to check in your hotel.
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Day 8 |
Turpan
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Visit Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) , Karez Well System, Turpan and Grape Valley, Turpan .
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Day 9 |
Turpan/Dunhuang
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Visit Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs , Flaming Mountain, Turpan and Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves .After the torus, you will be transferred to railway station to take overnight train to Dunhuang. Stay tonight on the train. |
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Day 10 |
Dunhuang
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Upon arrival, you will be picked up from Dunhuang railway station by your local guide and then be transferred to check in your hotel. Visit Mogao Grottoes .
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Day 11 |
Dunhuang/Xi'an
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Visit Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan (Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring) .Then you will be transferred to airport to take the flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Xi’an.
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Day 12 |
Xi'an
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Visit The Terracotta Army and Horses , Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Bell Tower .
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Day 13 |
Xi'an/Shanghai
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Today, on your own you will go to the Xi'an airport to take your flight to Shanghai.Upon arrival at the Shanghai airport, take a taxi to the reserved hotel in Shanghai and handle the check-in procedure on your own.
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Day 14 |
Shanghai
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Today is a free day is for you to explore this international metropolis by yourself.
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Day 15 |
Shanghai
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One more free day for you in Shanghai so that you could savor the international metropolis flavor further. You could refer to Shanghai Day Trip on our website to choose your favourite tour schedule.
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Day 16 |
Shanghai
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Today you will check out the hotel and arrange the way to airport to board the flight leave Shanghai by yourself. |
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Price
Season | Tour Class | Group Size |
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2-5pax | ||
Low Season | 3*(Tourist Class) | $3196 |
Peak Season | 3*(Tourist Class) | $3196 |
Shoulder Season | 3*(Tourist Class) | $3196 |
-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.
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

I found Lisa from Trip Advisor and started chatting with her and send my requirements for which she planned excellent tours for me in between my spare time during Canton Fair. She planned and managed the trip so well and professionally and provided me with such an excellent follow up services that we ended up becoming very good friends. A wonderful person to look into for all your China Travel needs. Highly recommended for good planning, timing, and organization of your vacation.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241009
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 9 October 2024
- Client's information:Ismail Soni,Canada

Booked a 2 day private tour of Xi’an with Grace as our local tour guide. Really good service from both the booking agent Lisa as well as Grace and the driver Mr Wang. Managed to see all the big sights including Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. They took care of everything and gave good local food recommendations. Travelled with my father who walks quite slow, but they managed to accomodate him no problem. 10/10 would recommend.
- Booking Code:VOC-20240723
- Tour Starting Date:Tuesday, 23 July 2024
- Client's information:Julian,Singapore
Hello, dear Lisa! Happy to be in Guilin and very pleased to meet you! Thank you for a wonderful tours!!! Every day is filled with magnificient views and unforgetable moments! I would like to Thank you for all these events! Special thanks for Beijing tour. Happy to visit so many places in China ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ wonderful country and wonderful people! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Both tours to Guilin and Beijing were amazing! I visited so many wonderful places! The guides were very friendly and hospitable, thanks for everything! Happy to choose this agency because the programme included all interesting places and they did their best to make my Dreams come true!
- Booking Code:VOC-20240713
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 13 July 2024
- Client's information:Elena, Russia
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