Welcome to China! Upon arrival, receive a warm greeting from your local guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel and then release from the jet lag after long-time flight.

Chengdu arrival

Day 1

In the morning, catch the flight to Kashgar, the second largest city of Xinjiang Uyghur Prefecture. As it is a long distance, you will arrive there in the afternoon. Your private tour guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area and also the driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. Have a nice rest after days of flight. If you feel energetic you can explore Kashgar in the late afternoon and get prepared for the following Silk Road tours. 

Chengdu to Kashgar

Day 2

After breakfast, drive for about 3 hours to see one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakuli Lake. Enjoy the breathtaking Pamir Highland landscape all along the way. On arrival, just embrace this sparkling glacial lake with Muztagata Mountains to be its background. The fresh air and pure atmosphere around Karakuli Lake make your excursion memorable. Transfer back to downtown Kashgar in the late afternoon. 

Kashgar tour

Day 3

A full day to explore the rich culture of Uyghur. If this day happens on Sunday, the famous livestock market will have people bring their horses, goats, camels, cows and other livestock from all the directions for sale. Later move on to Bazaar, everything that you can imagine is for sale in it. Visit the Grand Id Kah Mosque, you will be marvel at the intricate architecture of Apak Hoja Tomb, also known as Fragrant Concubine Tomb. Hang out in the Kashgar Old Town. 

Kashgar tour

Day 4

Take a morning flight to Urumqi. Be greeted at the airport and then transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum. Housing a collection of over 1,000 pieces of precious relics dating from four to five thousand years ago until modern times, its Uyghur and Russian style also attracts travelers. Move steps to Erdaoqiao Market, the largest bazaar in Urumqi filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, carpets that you can select some souvenirs.

Kashgar to Urumqi, Urumqi tour

Day 5

Leave for Heavenly Lake in the morning. It takes around two hours to get to this crystal-clear lake guarded by the Tianshan mountains. I is out of world by seeing the snowy peaks of Tianshan Mountains reflecting on the dazzlingly blue water surface. You can choose to go boating on the lake, or simply trekking in the valleys, or take the cable car up to the top of the mountain for a whole view of the lake from high. Later drive for about 4 hours to Turpan. Check into hotel.

Heavenly Lake excursion, drive to Turpan

Day 6

Start your tour in Turpan with a visit to ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). Continue visiting to Bizeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Astana Tombs. The well-preserved mummy shows you the usual burial way of local people in the old times.Admire the Flaming Mountain, which has been claimed to be the hottest and driest area on the Silk Road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”. In the evening, board the night train from Turpan to Liuyuan.

Turpan tour, board the night train to Liuyuan

Day 7

In morning arrive in Liuyuan Railway Station. Be picked up and transfer to Dunhuang in about 1 hour. Today go sightseeing to Dunhuang's highlights including Mogao Caves (Mogao Grottoes), Crescent Lake and Echo Sand Mountain. Here you’ll have a chance to ride camels on the sand. To stay until sunset is highly recommended while you can enjoy the colorful view of sand dunes. Send to hotel for rest.  

Liuyuan to Dunhuang, Dunhuang tour

Day 8

In the morning, drive from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, en route have a great view of deserts landscape. Be marvel at the Overhanging Great Wall, which was built in 1539AD, with stones and rammed dirt. After that, visit Jiayuguan Fort. You will ascend Jiayuguan Gates and walk along the ancient city wall, learning more about the smartly-designed military defense system. Continue driving to Zhangye, be sent to the hotel and check in. 

Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan tour, Jiayuguan to Zhangye

Day 9

Pay a visit to the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park known for the unusual colors of the rocks, which are smooth, sharp and several hundred meters tall. This landform, considered as the most beautiful one in China, is a result of sandstone and other minerals that occurred more than 24 million years ago. After sightseeing, be sent to railway station for the bullet train to Lanzhou. On arrival, transfer to hotel and check in.

Zhangye tour, Zhangye to Lanzhou

Day 10

Drive to Xiahe  County today, have a stop at Liujiaxia, a small town to visit Bingling Grottoes which is filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. You will ride a boat between Liujiaxia town and Bingling Temple through Liujiaxia Reservoir to view the outstanding Buddhist artwork. Arrive in Xiahe in the late afternoon, check into hotel.

Lanzhou to Xiahe, Bingling Temple

Day 11

Labrang Monastery, the largest monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is where you can find peace in mind with walking along the longest prayer wheel corridor in the world. Meanwhile you will appreciate a good collection of treasures like Thangka, statues, etc. Afterwards, hug the magnificent Sangke Grassland with refreshment. Make a visit to a local Tibetan family to learn more about Tibetan culture. Transfer back to Lanzhou.

Xiahe tour, Xiahe back to Lanzhou

Day 12

After breakfast, catch the bullet train to Xi'an, the capital city of 13 dynasties in ancient China. Have a leisure walk on the Ancient City Wall. Built in Ming Dynasty, this old architecture has an honored history of over 600 years and is the best preserved ancient city wall in China. There is a Muslim Quarter near the Great Mosque that you should never miss. Have fun by bargaining with the strollers, or taste some local snacks. 

Lanzhou to Xi'an, Xi'an tour

Day 13

In the morning, transfer to visit the Terracotta Army, which is now the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It is a must-see place when you travelled to Xi'an. Even 2000 years has passed, the wood protects of the warriors are still clear to see. Return to downtown Xi'an, learning China's long history in Shaanxi History Museum followed by visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of Xi’an City.

Xi'an tour

Day 14

Today you will take a bullet train back to Chengdu. In the afternoon, transfer to People's Park, visit the traditional old tea house and experience Chengdu's slow pace, leisure lifestyle. There are many old people doing morning exercises group by group. Some of them are practicing sword, some are playing Tai Chi. Kuanzhai Alley, the so-called Narrow and Wide Alley, shows what old Chengdu was like.

Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu tour

Day 15

As the hometown of Giant Panda, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding should not be missed when you come to Chengdu. Strolling through the bamboo groves, you will find lovely pandas eating bamboo, playing or sleeping. After a nice time in the park-like panda base, you will be dropped off at the airport for flight back sweet home. Recollect wonderful pieces happening these days. China, Zai Jian(Goodbye)!

Chengdu tour, Chengdu departure

Day 16