13 Days China Silk Road with South Xinjiang Tour by Train

Day 1

Arrive Urumqi

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Arrive in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and the farthest city from ocean, you will be welcomed by our guide at the airport and transferred to hotel.

Day 2

Urumqi/Korla (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang International Bazaar

After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain (boat tour). The mountain lake stands 1,980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. It is a great experience to boat travel the Heavenly Lake, with a layer of magical color covering the lake, and hearing many beautiful myths and legends. Then visit Xinjiang International Bazaar.

After dinner, you will take the deluxe train of China Orient Express to Korla at 21:00. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside.

Day 3

Korla/Kashgar (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Tiemen Pass, Bosten Lake

Korla is a county-level city which was known as Weili in ancient times and served as an important staging post in the middle of the Silk Road. After a pleasant breakfast, we will visit the Tiemen Pass. It is one of the 26 famous passes in China, and acquired the name 'Iron Gate' for it is solid and firm just like an iron gate. It was an important point along the route into the Tarim Basin in the ancient times.

Then we will move to visit Bosten Lake. Bosten is Mongolian, and means 'stand-up'. There are three hills standing in the central part of the lake, hence its name. Bosten Lake is rich in aquatic life with beautiful scenery, being famous as 'a bright pearl of the Oasis'.

After dinner, take the train of China Orient Express to Kashgar at 20:30.

Day 4

Kashgar/Karakul Lake/Kashgar (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van
Sightseeing: Karakul Lake

After breakfast at the China Orient Express, we set out along the Sino-Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir Plateau (the roof of the world) visit Karakul Lake (3,600m above sea level). The lake sits at the foot of the famous Muztagh Ata (7,546m) and Gongur (7,719m) mountains. ‘Muztagh Ata’ means Father of the Ice Mountains and is one of the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world. Return by late afternoon to Kashgar.

Day 5

Kashgar/Kucha (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Sunday Bazaar, livestock market, Grand Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb, Old Town of Kashgar

Explore the rich culture of the Uyghur in Kashgar. First enjoy the famous livestock market which happens only on every Sunday and people from all directions bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels, cows, bulls and other livestock to the market for sale. It provides a great opportunity to enjoy the traditional local market culture. Like opening a window, today is a real glimpse into a time lost in the annals of the Silk Road’s past and an opportunity not to be missed.

Later move on to Sunday Bazaar which is considered one of the largest markets in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals. Everything is for sale at this fairytale bazaar.

After lunch visit the Grand Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Abakh Khoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant Concubine Tomb.

We’ll enjoy the Old Town of Kashgar by walk. Walking is the best way to see the ancient historical streets, handicraft workshops and many more; enjoy a century-old Kashgar tea house’s atmosphere for a short break. Sitting by the locals and try various medicinal teas such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients. 

After dinner, at about 23:00 take the China Orient Express to Kucha.

Day 6

Kucha/Turpan (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves

After breakfast at the China Orient Express we will drive to the Tianshan Grand Canyon, also known as Keziliya Grand Canyon, which was formed by wind and rain over billions of years. 

Then move to the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, a corridor of murals surpassing other existing caves in China for its abundance in content, quantity and long duration. The murals in the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves are reputed as "The most beautiful murals in Central Asia". They are found in 81 caves with a total area of more than 10,000 square meters. The diamond grid pattern is the most impressive feature. There is a story about Buddha's reincarnation in every gird. Each story was portrayed by a single picture instead of a series of pictures as that in Mogao Grottoes.

After the tour take the China Orient Express train to Turpan.

Day 7

Turpan/Dunhuang (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Karez Well System, Flaming Mountain, Jiaohe Ancient City

It’s a day for Turpan sightseeing! Visit Karez Well System to witness the wisdom of Uygur people. The irrigation system is especially designed for desert. If connecting all these underground channels, the total length will reach more than 5000 km, so it is regarded as one of the three engineering miracles of ancient China, along with the Great Wall and the Jinghang Grand Canal.

After that we will move to Flaming Mountain, well known by Chinese people because of the legendary story 'Journey to the West'. It is regarded as the hottest place in China. Then we drive to Jiaohe Ancient City, an island-shaped plateau situated at Yar Town. It is the largest and oldest earth-structured city in the world, with a history of 2,000-2,300 years.

After dinner, take the train of China Orient Express to Dunhuang at 20:30. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside.

Day 8

Dunhuang (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van
Sightseeing: Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Mountains, Shazhou Night Market

After a pleasant breakfast, we specially arrange Dunhuang experts and professors who'll introduce this exotic city in detail to you. After arriving in Dunhuang, we will visit the beautiful Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Mountains. The Crescent Lake scenic spot is an oasis Gobi desert, surrounded by numerous sand dunes, reaching a relative height of 250 meters. The Singing Sand Mountains is so named for the sound of the wind whipping off the dunes. After dinner, we move to Dunhuang night market -bustling Shazhou Night Market. Never miss its tasty snacks, local specialties, and crafts etc.

Day 9

Dunhuang/Jiayuguan (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Mogao Grottoes

This morning let's visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes, which was designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1,600 years accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures. There remains 492 cave temple and 45,000 square meters of frescos. According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddha under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddha.

After lunch, we embark the train of China Orient Express to Jiayuguan at 15:00 and arrive there at about 20:00.

Day 10

Jiayuguan/Lanzhou (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall

After breakfast, have a visit to the Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass), the western end of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty. It is known as 'the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven', the best preserved and most magnificent military fort in China.

Then we drive 7 miles away for the Overhanging Great Wall. It got the name for riding on a mountain ridge that is 45 degrees from vertical and resembling a huge dragon.

At 20:30, we take the train of China Orient Express to Lanzhou.

Day 11

Lanzhou/Xi’an (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van, high-speed train (second class soft seat)
Sightseeing: Waterwheel Garden

In the morning, we will visit the Waterwheel Garden, originated from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the waterwheel is the oldest irrigation tool in Yellow River area of Lanzhou. The Waterwheel Garden is a theme garden displaying the waterwheel culture. Here, we could appreciate the waterwheel driven by the flowing water all year round to collect water from the river or cofferdam.

After lunch, we will transfer to train station for high-speed train to Xi’an. It takes only three hours to complete the 700-kilometer distance on China’s fastest and comfortable bullet train. Upon arrival, meet your Xi’an guide and transfer to hotel.

Day 12

Xi'an (B,L,D)

Transfer via: Coach/Van
Sightseeing: Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Huaqing Palace

Have breakfast in the hotel, then we drive to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, one of the eight wonders of the world. Be excited to observe China's first emperor -Emperor Qin's great army of 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses in three burial pits.

Afterwards, we continue to Huaqing Palace in Mt Lishan. In ancient time, emperors used to come here to bathe and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It has become a favorite spa since the Tang Dynasty.

Day 13

Depart Xi’an (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Today is the day of farewell to your memorable Silk Road trip. After a pleasant breakfast, free at your own leisure till the assemble time for the transferring to airport for the flight back to your hometown or next destination.