16 Days Beijing, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian, Shanghai Budget Tour

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)

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)

Day 6

Urumqi / Kashgar (B, L)

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)