9 Days China Silk Route Culture Exploration Tour
Destination:Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Turpan, Urumqi, Xi'an
Tour Code: SKGT04
Tour Duration: 9 Days
- Tour overview:
- Tour Dates: May 28-Jun 05, 2020; Price: USD2799; Single Room Supplement: USD1150 (available tour date with reversed itinerary: May 24-Jun 01, 2020); Tour Dates: Sep 09-Sep 17, 2020; Price: USD2899; Single Room Supplement: USD1260 (available tour date with reversed itinerary: Aug 28-Sep 05, 2020) Minimum persons per booking: 2pax
Free Inquiry From $2799
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 |
Xi’an
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Arrive in Xi’an, you will be greeted by our guide at the airport and transferred to hotel.
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Day 2 |
Xi'an
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Visit the famous The Terracotta Army and Horses , Huaqing Palace .
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Day 3 |
Xi’an/Lanzhou/Jiayuguan
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After breakfast transfer to train station for high-speed train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival visit the 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 leisure tour to visit Jiayuguan Fort , Overhanging Great Wall .
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Day 5 |
Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
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Take the ‘China Orient Express’ train to Dunhuang in the morning. After arriving visit the beautiful Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan (Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring) . After dinner move to Shazhou Night Market.
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Day 6 |
Dunhuang/Turpan
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In the morning visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes . Late afternoon board the 'China Orient Express' train 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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Today visit the Heavenly Lake , 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) | $2899 | $2899 | $1260 |
Shoulder Season | 5*(First Class) | $2799 | $2799 | $1150 |
-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 ManagersOur 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 Xi’an
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Arrive in Xi’an, you will be greeted by our guide at the airport and transferred to hotel. Xi’an is a city with over 3,000 years’ history and it was also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
Day 2
Xi'an (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van
Sightseeing: Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, Huaqing Palace
Dinner: Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
In the morning 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.
This evening enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, it will be a unique experience to watch the show while having dinner.
Day 3
Xi’an/Lanzhou/Jiayuguan (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, high-speed train, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Waterwheel Garden
After breakfast, we will transfer to train station for high-speed train to Lanzhou. It takes only three hours to complete the 700-kilometer distance on China’s fastest and comfortable bullet train. Upon arrival, meet your Lanzhou guide 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 22:00, we board the train of China Orient Express to Jiayuguan. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside.
Day 4
Jiayuguan (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall
This morning 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.
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 ‘China Orient Express’ train 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 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 6
Dunhuang/Turpan (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Coach/Van, Train of China Orient Express
Sightseeing: Mogao Grottoes
In the 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 'China Orient Express' train 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 the 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 the 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 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.
Dear Nora,Thank you again for such excellent arrangement under the rushed condition. I enjoyed the tour with excellent English guide. Whenever I visit historical cities, I usually join guided tour. In the guided tour especially in European countries, the guider usually prepares a presentation with picture files or using notepad for audience' better understanding. Sometime oral explanation is not sufficient. Anyway i have not seen such presentations from other tour groups around today. Again, my guider today was excellent to give me overall and essential points in the history. Driving was also gentle. All the best for your business. Ki Seob
- Booking Code:VOC-20230717
- Tour Starting Date:Monday, 17 July 2023
- Client's information:Ki Seob Sim, Canadian
Dear Nora Thank you so much for having arranged great tour for us! The visits were well arranged and we wish if we had more time then we can visit more attractions.All guides are super! Knowledgeable and have good commands of English, good sense of humor. We like them all!Transportations were ok but can not give them max points due to their ages! Drivers were all nice. Hotels in Beijing, Xi’an and Nanjing are great! Great location, well equipped, nice room and good breakfast. Hotel in Luoyang is an old style, simple breakfast, but we understand that they are in the same situation as the city. Near the Peony Hotel, I saw a new small hotel near by but I did not come in to check. I am thinking it may be better to use new small hotel than big old ones.In Shanghai, we are very disappointed about hotel. Room small, dirty, poor facilities. Breakfast is poor. Location is so so, not so convenience. I think you should find another option for your future bookings in Shanghai. Meals: the guide helped us to choose dishes and we really enjoyed. Except in Beijing, because of timing inconvenience due to traffic, we ask the guide to arrange the near by restaurants for quick food, all others were great. In General, we are all happy with your services. Hope will have the chance to come back with you for more tours in China and surely, I will recommend you and your company for my tour company friends! Nora, once again, thank you for your great work! My best regards Bich Ha
- Booking Code:VOC-20230702
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 2 July 2023
- Client's information:Bich Ha, Vietnam
Dear Nora, My apologies! All went very well today and I’m delighted. Can I please say how very impressed by the service I received from you, the guide, and the driver. It was absolutely superb in every respect. If it would be helpful, I would be very glad to write to your manager to say how I pleased I was, and that I will use and recommend Visit Our China in the future. Best wishes, Cameron
- Booking Code:VOC-20230520
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 20 May 2023
- Client's information:Dr Cameron Pyke, UK

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
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