13 Days Discovery Silk Road Adventure

Day 1

Beijing Arrival

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Upon you arrival in Beijing you will meet you local guide and then be transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City

Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car.

Afterwards you will 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.

Day 3

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way

After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, this less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains.

In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors. In addition, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors.

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) and the National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube') ,feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.

Day 4

Beijing to Xi'an (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Summer Palace, Ancient City Wall

In the morning we will visit Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden.

Then you will take the flight to Xi’an. Upon you arrival your local guide will visit Ancient City Wall with you. 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 5

Xi'an (B, L)

Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower

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 we will go on to visit Bell Tower, which is the best-preserved and best-known one among many. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early mornings of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, hence called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.

Day 6

Xi'an to Dunhang (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Yumen Pass

In the morning you will take the flight to Dunhang. Upon your arrival you will be met by your local guide and immediately visit Yumen Pass with him. Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) is located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. It was an access by the Silk Road southward through Gansu Province. It is also a gateway for the people in the North China Plain to enter the areas to the west of Yumen Pass.

Day 7

Dunhang (B, L)

Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Mogao Grottoes, Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring

In the morning, you will visit the Mogao Grottoes: Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures.

Later we continue to visit the Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Moon Spring. The Singing Sand Mountains are famous for the sounds the wind makes when blowing over the dunes. Also, the sand is said to be rather noisy when tread upon. The Spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape the small pool of spring water has taken between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect. And this is a resort of Taoism for local people.

Day 8

Dunhuang/Turpan (B, L)

Sightseeing: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), Flaming Mountain, Karez Well System, Grape Valley

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement

In the morning, you will take flight to Turpan, be met and visit the Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto). In the Western Han Dynasty, Jiaohe served as the capital of Anterior Cheshi, one of 36 states in the Western Regions. The Ancient City is just like a large castle with strong defense.

We continue to visit Flaming Mountain. Many years of volcanic activity have formed the unique crisscrossing gullies and ravines. During mid-afternoon the heat becomes intense as the sun's rays are reflected off the red rocks, as though the hillsides are engulfed by tongues of fire, hence the name.

Then we move to the Karez Well System, the pride of Turpan. Along with the Great Wall and Grand Beijing-Hangzhou Canal it is regarded as the three most important achievements of ancient time.

Our last stop today is the Grape Valley. Under the twisted vines, set up many stalls selling kebabs, steaming noodles and dried raisins to travelers. In addition, the Wei Minority singing and dancing show is displayed here daily. Grape Valley is where most tourists stop for lunch during midday.

Day 9

Turpan to Urumqi (B, L)

Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: South Pasture, Erdaoqiao Market

In the morning you will drive to Urumqi. On the way you will make a stop at South Pasture. It is a vast natural area with fascinating scenery. Its landscape stretches into the distance and is painted with flocks of sheep and horses and yaks grazing among the wild flowers. Deep in the lush valley, a waterfall gently drops down and integrates with the peaceful surroundings.

Then you will drive to Erdaoqiao Market, which is the largest retail and wholesale market for ethnic minority goods in Xinjiang. Night scene at the market is especially interesting. The whole area is lit up with colorful lights creating a very impressive scene. Erdaoqiao turns into a place bustling with trade in foods, handicrafts together with dancing and all sorts of activities.

Day 10

Urumqi (B, L)

Sightseeing: Heavenly Lake

Today you will have a full day visit in the Heavenly Lake. The Heavenly Lake is a moraine by nature. Since remote times, quite a few of myths and legends circulated concerning the beautiful scenery. The water is very clear and the banks are covered with tall trees. Surrounded by mountains, the jade-green lake is an ideal place for excursions and rest for most of the year. It provides an excellent skating ground in winter.

Day 11

Urumqi to Shanghai (B)

Transport via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Bund, Nanjing Road

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Shanghai. After your arrival you will be met by your local guide. Together, you 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 12

Shanghai (B, L)

Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden

Today we will start the day with a visit of 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 head to the Jade Buddha Temple. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city. Both, the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.

After lunch, 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.

Then we will take a relaxing walk 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.

Day 13

Shanghai Departure (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.