9 Days Amdo Tibetan Region and Silk Road Adventure on the Rail
Destination:Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Turpan, Urumqi, Xiahe
Tour Code: SKGT02
Tour Duration: 9 Days
- Tour overview:
- Tour Dates: May 28-Jun 05, 2020; Price: USD2699; Single Room Supplement: USD1170 (available tour date with reversed itinerary: May 24-Jun 01, 2020); Tour Dates: Sep 09-Sep 17, 2020; Price: USD2799; Single Room Supplement: USD1149 (available tour date with reversed itinerary: Aug 28-Sep 05, 2020); Minimum persons per booking: 2pax
Free Inquiry From $2699
Tour Summary
Day by Day Itinerary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
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Day 1 |
Lanzhou
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Arrive in Lanzhou, you will be greeted by our guide at the airport and transferred to hotel.
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Day 2 |
Lanzhou/Linxia/Xiahe
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Today you will be driven to Linxia to visit Bingling Temple Caves , after the tour you will be driven to Xiahe.
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Day 3 |
Xiahe/Lanzhou/Jiayuguan
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This morning you will visit Labrang Temple/Labrang Monastery , then you will be driven to Lanzhou and visit Ancient Water Mill . At night board the train of China Orient Express to Jiayuguan.
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Day 4 |
Jiayuguan
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Have a full day in Jiayuguan. You will visit Jiayuguan Fort and Overhanging Great Wall .
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Day 5 |
Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
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After breakfast take the train of China Orient Express to Dunhuang. Visit Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan (Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring) , and Shazhou Night Market.
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Day 6 |
Dunhuang/Turpan
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This morning visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes . Afternoon board the train of China Orient Express to Turpan.
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Day 7 |
Turpan/Urumqi
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It’s a day for Turpan sightseeing. Visit Karez Well System, Turpan , Flaming Mountain, Turpan , Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) . After the sightseeing tour board the train of China Orient Express to Urumqi.
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Day 8 |
Urumqi
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Visit Heavenly Lake and Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar .
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Day 9 |
Urumqi
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After breakfast free at leisure till the assemble time for the transferring to airport for the flight back to your hometown or next destination. |
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Price
Season | Tour Class | Group Size | Single Room Supplement |
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2-5pax | 6-9pax | |||
Peak Season | 5*(First Class) | $2799 | $2799 | $1149 |
Shoulder Season | 5*(First Class) | $2699 | $2699 | $1170 |
-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
1. Experienced Tour Managers
Our experienced tour managers and their assistants on train are selected for their travel knowledge and organizational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your tour of a lifetime.
2. Arrival and Departure Transfers
Arrival and departure transfers are included.
3. Hotel and Onboard Accommodation
Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. Hotel and onboard accommodation as described in your individual tour itinerary are included in the tour price. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost.
4. Route Guide, Itinerary and Information Pack
When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will give brief introductions on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a program for the next day’s touring schedule.
5. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily
All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train.
6. Drinks with Meals Onboard
A drink allowance is included with lunch and dinner.
7. On Board Service
Throughout your tour you can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unobtrusive. The high ratio of staff to passengers means there is always someone available should you need assistance.
8. On Board Doctor and Medical Facilities
To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required.
9. 24 Hour Service Attendant Onboard
Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Day 1
Arrive Lanzhou
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Arrive in Lanzhou, you will be greeted by our guide at the airport and transferred to hotel. Lanzhou is a city with over 2,000 years’ history and it was once a key point on the ancient Silk Road.
Day 2
Lanzhou/Linxia/Xiahe (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van
Sightseeing: Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves
Today you will be driven to Linxia to visit Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves. 'Bingling' means 'tens of thousands of Buddha' in Tibetan language, for there are many stone Buddha sculptures here. Due to good natural conditions and less artificial destruction, the site is well-preserved, including 183 caves, 776 Buddha statues, more than 900 square meters' mural painting and 6 pieces of calligraphy or carving inscriptions. Among the caves, Cave No.169 is worthy of a particular mention. Made in the Northern Dynasties (386-581), it is the most imposing and delicate one which holds the clay sculptures of Kwan-yin, Dali Buddha (Dali means powerful strength in Chinese), etc.
After the tour you will be driven to Xiahe.
Day 3
Xiahe/Lanzhou/Jiayuguan (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Labrang Monastery, Waterwheel Garden
The tour today will focus on the Labrang Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism and cultures of Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan provinces. The monastery mainly consists of six grand halls, 84 temples, 31 Tibetan-style buildings and 30 Buddhist palaces. In the morning, an English-speaking monk guide from the monastery will show you around some main chapels of this monastery and you will also watch Lamas doing morning practice when touring the monastery. Then, our guide will accompany you to see the printing temple where the sutras are still printed by using wooden blocks.
Afterwards, you will be driven to Lanzhou and 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 exhibiting the waterwheel culture.
At 22:30, we board the train of China Orient Express to Jiayuguan.
Day 4
Jiayuguan (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall
Begin today’s tour 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.
Day 5
Jiayuguan/Dunhuang (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Mountains, Shazhou Night Market
After a pleasant breakfast, take the train of China Orient Express to Dunhuang at 10:00. We specially arrange Dunhuang experts and professors who'll introduce this exotic city in detail to you.
After arriving in Dunhuang, we 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 6
Dunhuang/Turpan (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. At 17:00 we board the train of China Orient Express to Turpan.
Day 7
Turpan/Urumqi (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 5,000 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.
Go ahead to Flaming Mountain, which is 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 the sightseeing tour we board the train of China Orient Express to Urumqi.
Day 8
Urumqi (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van
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 a great experience to boat travel Heavenly Lake, with a layer of magical color covering the lake, and hearing many beautiful myths and legends. Then head for Urumqi, and visit Xinjiang International Bazaar.
Day 9
Depart Urumqi (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.

I hope this letter finds you well. We finally arrived home from our trip last Thursday the 17th. As promised I am writing to you about our experience in China and we thank you very much for your organizing. On the whole we had a wonderful time and were very well looked after by both guides and drivers we would especially like to thank Linda and Cynthia which we would highly recommend. They both gave really excellent service in every way including punctuality, information and restaurants that were chosen for lunches, the food was delicious. The cruise on the Huangpu River was cancelled because of bad weather which couldn't be helped so the guide offered us an Acrobatic Show which we enjoyed very much. We had a lovely time on day 3 to Tongli water town. Our stay in China was wonderful. Best regards, Kathleen Pam
- Booking Code:VOC-20190905-S
- Tour Starting Date:Thursday, 5 September 2019
- Client's information:Kathleen & Pam, Australia
Dear Molly, Hope you have been well. We will be returning to Singapore in a couple of hours. Would like to commend on the tour guides, drivers and accommodation that VOC has arranged for us. The guides and drivers are very professional,very helpful, thoughtful, caring and experienced. They practised good ethics as well. We definitely have a wonderful touring experience and I will definitely recommend your company to my friends. Regards, Mrs Wee
- Booking Code:VOC-20190605-M
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 5 June 2019
- Client's information:Chew Huay Huay, Singapore

Hi Sandy, Thank you for a great first tour together. I appreciate that it was a big commitment for you to be away from your office family for such a long time. I know you would have missed your young son a lot. I am also very grateful for your huge personal effort that you put into the detailed planning. The local guides were all great - Sally, Amanda Benny. Regarding the itinerary, I think we have an excellent itinerary for the beginning and the end, but the middle of the tour needs to be changed. Thank you again for all your excellent work. I look forward to visiting you in your home town for our first Tibet tour in August 2020. Jo I might travel up one day ahead of the group to meet you and have dinner with you. Best regards, Brod
- Booking Code:VOC-20190528-S
- Tour Starting Date:Tuesday, 28 May 2019
- Client's information:Brod, Australia
Van and I thought you put together a wonderful itinerary for our two-week vacation in China. Even though we missed a day in Beijing due to bad weather, our guide was very accommodating and helped us see as much as possible in the two remaining days. We enjoyed our guides, the food, and the hotels. Thank you for all of your help in putting together this trip. Best, Jayne
- Booking Code:VOC-20190517-S
- Tour Starting Date:Friday, 17 May 2019
- Client's information:Jayne Ellen Wilgus, USA
Dear friends of visitourchina, We went to visit Nanning between April 28th and May 3rd 2019 with my wife and my daughter. For us, it would be the first visit to China and we needed some support to organise this as I wanted to organise it all by myself (hotel, plane, visa, …). But as I was organising everything I felt the need of some extra support and help from people of China (for instance English talking guide, English talking organiser in China to take us around in a personal tour). “By accident” we get contact with visitourchina. And they “give” us Molly Mo as contact person. It was a winning number from the lottery ! Molly took care of us like “a real mother” ! No question I’ve asked her, she answered them immediately with her advice and experience. Always in a very friendly and positive way, adding a human sense so we were even more longing to visit Nanning and it’s people. Molly organised our guide in Nanning, Wendy, who was TOP for us. Wendy took care of us, from early morning till evening with a very professional view on guiding adding a good human sense to her work. We were so good prepared we had one day on our own and we could fill in without problems. It has been one of the best trips we ever had, we’ve learned very much of this part of China, enjoying the people we’ve met and with who we’ve got contact. It give us a real view of Chinese people and community and for us, a new world opened. A very good society, well organised, Nanning very good organised concerning environment and climate. So, we came back from Nanning after a too short stay with very positive feelings, hoping once more to visit China again. We’re very grateful to Molly in the first place. She is the ideal person to represent Visitourchina. She take care of my many, many questions with a great heart, she had many patience with us and she never disappointed us, her answers give us the extra love for China and it’s people. Visitourchina m...
- Booking Code:VOC-20190428-M
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 28 April 2019
- Client's information:Arnold Demeyere, Belgium
Hi Molly, The tour was great. Both guide and driver are very friendly and helpful. For the meals on the trip, so much food and delicious dishes. We loved the trip. Thanks for all your help. Best wishes, Brandon
- Booking Code:VOC-20190426-M(A)
- Tour Starting Date:Friday, 26 April 2019
- Client's information:Brandon Michael Driggs,USA
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