Mystical Silk Road

breakfast and lunch

Morning visit to Tian'anmen Square - the heart of Beijing. Tian’anmen Square was the locality of numerous major political and historical events. It is the witness of Chinese development. While strolling in Tian’anmen Square, looking up at the magnificent layout, you will feel the majestic momentum. Behind the imposing gates lies the today’ s highlight: the 600 years Forbidden City. It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, covering an area of over 720,000 m, owning more than 9,000 buildings. The Forbidden City is a treasure trove of movable cultural relics, is also the seat of the National Palace Museum. It has over 1.8 million movable cultural relics, including more than 1.68 million pieces of precious relics. There were 24 emperors ever living here.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, which was used to pray for harvest by the emperors. It’s China’s existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven. This Chinese monument is built entirely in wood, without using a single nail, which has become the symbol of Beijing.

Forbidden City

Temple of Heaven

breakfast and lunch

Today your journey continues with the high-speed train to another imperial city, Xian. When arrive and stow the luggage, you will start immediately with a bike ride on the largest, preserved city wall, which stretches round the old city and is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian. Today, this wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. You will be impressed by this first-hand experience!

Xian City Wall

breakfast and lunch

A visit to the well-known Terracotta Army of the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuangdi is a must! Terracotta Warriors in Xian, known as the eighth wonder of the world, now is a museum to display the terra-cotta warriors and horses which were made in Qin Dynasty. Qin terracotta warriors have guarded the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang for over 2000 years. You will find more than 7,000 soldiers, each of them is different.

Then you will visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved holy place for Buddhist with a history of over 1300 years. It is a seven-story pagoda, holding the sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler, Xuanzang. The Tang Emperor Gaozong built it to express his miss to his mother.

Finally visit the Great Mosque. It is the largest and best-preserved mosque in Xi'an. It fuses with Chinese and western architectural elements of the unique architectural style. You will be amazed at the typical Chinese style of this mosque. Afterwards, have a stroll in the lively old town of Xi'an to experience the local life.

Terracotta Warriors

breakfast and lunch

Today you will fly to Dunhuang, the hub of culture and trade exchange in the ancient Silk Road. After check in, we will drive on to the Crescent Spring. The crescent-like lake is surrounded by the desert but never buried by sand. The water in the lake is very clear all year around. Enjoy the magnificent oasis with its characteristic pagoda in the barren sand dunes.

Right next to it, you can hike over the Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill) which is 40km from east to west, and 20 from south to north. When people slide down along the slopes, a sound will be heard, hence the name. The Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill)  and Crescent Spring are twin sisters of natural beauty in the wild Gobi Desert. You will get thrilled and refresh no matter when you have a bird’s-eye-view of the beautiful sand dunes from the top of the mountain or wander beside the clear spring.

Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune

breakfast and lunch

We will set off today for the Mogao Grottoes, which are located precipice at on the east foot of the Mingsha Hill. First dug in 366 A.D., Mogao Grottoes is one of three noted grottoes in China for its fabulous frescos and statues. It is also the largest, oldest and the best-preserved Buddhist grottoes with the richest contents in the world today. In December 1987 the Mogao Grottoes have been included into the List of the World Cultural Heritages by the UNESCO. Today, the total number of Mogao Grottoes is 492 in which there are over 2,800 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals.

Later you will transfer to Liuyuan station and take the high-speed train to a beautiful city in Xinjiang, Turfan.

Mogao Grottoes

breakfast and lunch

In the morning you first visit a prime example of Uighur architecture - Emin Minaret. This 44-meter (144 feet) high minaret was built in 1777 in honor of a heroic Turpan general named Emin Khoja. The Emin Minaret is particularly beautiful in the morning, with the shadow of the minaret falling across the mosque.

Then go underground to unveil the secret of the Karez Well System. Tracing back over more than 2,000 years, this underground water conservancy project gathers melting snow and ice from mountains, and channels it underground to the places where it is employed for irrigation. Karez irrigation system turns the desert into an oasis.

Turpan is famous for its grapes so visit a local vineyard and relax under the grapevines.

Continue to the ruined city of Jiaohe. Historical records and excavation reveal evidence of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold from 1,600 years ago. Well preserved temples, pagodas and streets are dotted around, please allow at least one hour to explore this intriguing city.

Jiaohe Ancient City

breakfast and lunch

Today your private tour guide will pick you up to the thousand-Buddha Caves in Bezeklik, which is located in a gorgeous valley of the Flaming Mountains. More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below. At the beginning of 20 century, it was robbed and destroyed. Though it suffered severe damage, the rest Buddhist statues still gorgeous and elaborate, residual murals with rich contents are vivid and colorful. Bezeklik Caves is a large-scale cultural and art treasure.

In the afternoon, you will drive to Urumqi airport and fly to Kashgar.

Thousand-Buddha Caves in Bezeklik

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast in the hotel, plunge into the hustle and bustle of the famous bazaar in Kashgar! People take their livestock there for trade and shearing. You will hear people bargaining and different animal noises.

Then, move on to the fascinating Old City and visit the Id Kah Mosque. Many old Urughur style buildings also stand around the Id Kah Mosque. When stroll around in these streets, you can find all kinds of local handicrafts, street foods, fruits etc.

Next go to Abakh Khoja Tomb to learn about the Islamic mazar (shrine) culture. Built in 1640, it is the largest Islamic mausoleum in China.

Apak Hoja Tomb

breakfast

Today you fly to the capital of China. You have the rest of the day free at your disposal. Definitely make a discovery trip, because Beijing has a lot to offer!

Beijing

breakfast

Today you private tour guide will pick you up to airport for your homeward flight.