Yunnan    Silk Road

CHINA - 8 days on the Silk Road

Xian, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi

Day 1  Hong Kong - Xian

Hong Kong / Xi’an
Upon arrival in Xi’an you will be met by our local representative and then transferred to hotel for overnight stay. Overnight in Xian.

Day 2  Xian – Dunhuang (B,L)

In the morning you will visit one of the top historical sights in China, the Teracotta Warriors.  Here you will see thousands of life-size terracotta warriors who had been standing guard by the tomb of the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for over 2,000 years.

After luncheon you will continue your visit to the Greater Wild Goose Pagoda, which is located about four kilometers south of Xi’an. The first five storeys of the pagoda was constructed in AD652 by Monk Xuan Zang who personally designed it and suggested to Emperor Gaozong that it should be built to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India. A further two storeys were added during later reconstruction. Next is to visit the Great Mosque. This mosque was first built in AD742. It is a combination of traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic architectural style and it is one of the four major mosques in China. You will also visit the City Wall. In fact, Xian is one of the few cities in China where ancient city walls are still visible.
Depart for Xian airport and take an evening flight to Dunhuang. Overnight in Dunhuang

Day 3 Dunhuang (B,L)

After breakfast, visit the County Museum where you will see a collection of exhibits that includes utensils and clothing from the Western Han Period as well as stone carvings and silk fragments from the Mogao Caves and then follow up with visit to The White Horse Pagoda.
In the afternoon you will continue your visit to the Yangguan Pass and the Western Thousand Buddha Caves. Currently there are 16 caves still intact in Western Thousand Buddha Caves in which 10 of them are opened to the public. Normally, many travelers skip these caves because of the popularity of the impressive caves at Mogao. However, the paintings are in fact in good condition and it is worth to go for a visit.

Tonight enjoy a camp-fire party with song & dance performance by some minorities.
Overnight in Dunhuang.

Day 4 Dunhuang - Liuyuan – Turpan (B,L)

This morning you will begin a visit to the world-renowned Mogao Caves. The Mogao Caves were put into the “World Heritages” by the UNESCO since Dec 1987. From Mogao Caves your next stop is to Mingsha Hill. Here you can try out different activities (own expenses)which range from sledding down the slopes of the sand dunes to more adventurous sports such as paragliding or simply enjoy a stunning view of nature in the middle of the desert, The Crescent Moon Lake. After dinner transfer to Liuyuan Station for overnight train to Turpan.

Overnight: Overnight train from Liuyuan to Turpan  – soft sleeper, 4 persons per compartment.

Day 5  Turpan (L)

Arrive Turpan in the morning. Turpan is the lowest spot in China and the second lowest depression in the world after the Dead Sea. In addition, here it is also famous for its grapes and is an important producer of sultanas and wines.

After breakfast at hotel, you will start to visit Beizikelik Thousand Buddha Cave by driving through the Flaming Mountain. Today you will also visit Kraz Well and Grape Valley.
Evening enjoy a Uygur dance performance.

Overnight in Turpan

Day 6  Turpan - Urumqi (B,L)

Before driving to Urumqi, you will first visit the Emin Minaret and the Ancient City of Jiaohe or the ruins of the city. Upon arrival in Urumqi you will visit the Erdao Qiao Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets and a good place for experiencing Uygur atmosphere and city life.
Overnight in Urumqi.

Day 7     Urumqi (B,L)

Today you will visit Tianchi or Heavenly Lake. This is a small, deep-blue lake located halfway up of a mountain in the middle of a desert. Around the area of Tianchi, it is densely covered with fir trees and scattered around are yurts of the Kazak people who inhabit the mountains.
After lunch your next visit is to the Xinjiang Regional Museum. In this museum there is a fascinating collection of at least 13 different minority groups in Xinjiang. Among the collection, you should find such as minority clothing, musical instruments, textiles, jewellery, cooking and farming utensils as well as tools for hunting. Aside from the above collection, the museum also has another section devoted to the history of early settlements along the Silk Road, which includes a fine collection of ceramics, tools, tapestries, bronze figures and preserved bodies of nearly a dozen men, women and babies found in tombs in Xinjiang. Overnight stay in Urumqi.

Day 8   Urumqi - Xian - Hong Kong (B)

After an early breakfast, depart for Urumqi airport and return to Hong Kong via Xian.

The above itinerary is subject to final itinerary.  This is subject to change without giving prior notice.

Bon Voyage!

Meal Code: B = Breakfast L = Lunch

ALL INFORMATION ABOVE IS GIVEN FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

 Please contact us for a free proposal, consultancy and tailor made itinerary.

By email at : Travel Consultant or by phone : +852 2526 0336