9 Days China Silk Route Culture Exploration Tour

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.