Silk Road In-depth

China Tours, Beijing Hotels, Shanghai Travel, China Tourist Information

Silk Road In-depth - 19 days

Beijing → Xi'an → Lanzhou → Dunhuang → Turpan → Korla → Kuqa → Minfeng → Hotan → Kashgar → Urumqi

Nowadays silk can be found easily all over the world and is transported conveniently by rail, ship and air. This was not always so. Early trade in silk was carried on in great caravans which traveled slowly at great risk across harsh terrain. Not only did they transport silk but also gems, spices, incense and other valuable commodities. Thieves frequently attacked the caravans and thus competitors banded together into huge armed groups to make the trip. While the camels have been replaced by modern transport, the culture and scenery of the Silk Road can still be seen.

Length

19 Days

Tour Code

Silk-Road-1

Our Advantages

• Zero shopping stops at ripoff commission factories.
Your time and money is better spent.
• Flexible time schedule to suit your pace.
No rush and can cater to children's needs.
• Guides selected and trained by American management.
Excellent English, accommodating, family friendly.
• Meals are in quality local restaurants.
We order according to your tastes and diet.
• Western style service.
Our agents and guides are there to make you happy.

Hotel

We offer many hotel options to suit your style and budget. For families we can suggest hotel suites and serviced apartments. Breakfasts shown in the itinerary are assumed to be part of the hotel package. You may arrange your own hotel if you prefer.

Dates

As this is a private tour you can select dates best for your schedule.

Get a quote or customize this tour

E-mail: travel@thechinaguide.com
Phone: (+8610) 8532-1860
Tour Code: Silk-Road-1

Tour Itinerary

Location

Schedule

Meals

Day
1

Arrive Beijing

Beijing airport pickup
Transfer to your hotel

Day
2

Beijing

Check out of your hotel
Ming Tombs and the Sacred Way
Standard Chinese lunch
Transfer to Jinshanling Great Wall
Have dinner at the base of the Wall
Overnight camping on the Great Wall, sleep under stars.

B, L, D

Day
3

Beijing

Breakfast on the Wall
Morning hike towards Simatai, exit from Erchu.
Standard Chinese lunch
Return to the city and check into your hotel

B, L

Day
4

Beijing

Free day, explore the city on your own.
Driver pick you up at your hotel lobby along with your luggage
Transfer to the Acrobat show at the Chaoyang Theater, 5:15 show budget ticket.
Flexible dinner
Transfer to the train station
Take an overnight soft sleeper train to Xi'an, depart around 9:30pm

B, D

Day
5

Xi'an

Pick up at train station in the morning
Terracotta Warriors
Standard lunch
Big Goose Pagoda
Bike on the Old City Wall
Muslim District (you may find your own dinner there, at your own expense)
Check-in a hostel for a quick shower and rest
Transfer to train station, take an overnight train to Lanzhou.

Day
6

Lanzhou

Pick up at train station in the morning
Breakfast on the way
City orientation tour
Museum of Gansu
Zhongshan Bridge
Standard local lunch
Return to your hotel and rest
Explore the city on your own (free afternoon and night)

B, L

Day
7

Lanzhou

Transfer to Yongjing in the morning
Visit Caves of Bingling Temple (including a boat ride)
Lunch on the way
Transfer to the train station
Take an overnight train to Jiayuguan

B, L

Day
8

Jiayuguan

Pick up from train station in the morning
Breakfast on the way
Visit Jiayuguan Tower of the Great Wall
Lunch on the way
Transfer to Dunhuang
Check in hotel

B, L

Day
9

Dunhuang

Mogao Caves
Lunch on the way
Transfer back to the city
Visit Shazhou Market (local bazaar)
Return to your hotel in Dunhuang

B, L

Day
10

Dunhuang

Hike around Dunes of Singing Sand.
Visit Crescent Moon Lake
Lunch on the way
Optional camel rides, please speak to your guide to arrange
Enjoy sunset in the dunes
Transfer to the train station
Take an overnight train to Turpan

B, L

Day
11

Turpan

Pick up at train station in the morning
Breakfast on the way
Visit the Ruins of Ancient City Gaochang, Ancient Astana Tombs, Beziklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes, The Flaming Mountains
Lunch on the way
Ancient Uygur architecture, Emin Minerret and Jiahe Ruins, The ancient Karez Irrigation System
Local dinner
Enjoy the Uygur dancing and singing under the grape trellis
Stay overnight in Turpan

B, L, D

Day
12

Korla

Transfer to Korla, the famous oil city of China
Bosten Lake
Lunch on the way
Tie Men Guan Pass
Overnight in Korla

B, L

Day
13

Kuqa

Transfer to Kuqa
Subashi Ruins of Ancient Qiuci State
Lunch on the way
Kuqa Mosque
Overnight in Kuqa

B, L

Day
14

Kuqa

Transfer to Baicheng County
Visit Kizil Grottoes
Lunch on the way
The Great Kuqa Valley
Beacon Tower

B, L

Day
15

Minfeng

Pass through "the Sea of Death" Taklamakan Desert
Arrive in Minfeng County in the afternoon (lunch included)
Overnight in Minfeng

B, L

Day
16

Hotan

Transfer you to Hotan
Visit Malikwat Ruins and Bazzar
Local lunch
Hotan Museum

B, L

Day
17

Kashgar

Transfer to Kashgar via Yekent
Lunch on the way
The Tomb of King.
Overnight in Kashgar

B, L

Day
18

Kashgar

Idkah Mosque
Apak Hoja Tombs
Local lunch
Local Bazaar
Visit Uygur family
Overnight in Kashgar

B, L

Day
19

Urumqi and departure

Visit the Old City
Local lunch
Transfer to the train
Overnight train to Urumqi
Arrive Urumqi next day in the afternoon
End of tour

B, L

Your Private Tour Includes	Not Included	TripAdvisor
No shopping factory stops. Private English speaking guide. Private vehicle and driver. Meals listed include unlimited Coke, Sprite, bottled water or Chinese tea. Also one local beer per meal. Free bottled water provided in your vehicle. Entrance tickets to sights specified. Hotels as specified in your quotation. Economy class air tickets and train tickets as specified in your quotation.	Tips for your guide and driver for good service. International travel and medical insurance. Personal expenses, laundry, extra hotel services. Changes to your itinerary which involve additional expenses.	17 avis pour The China Guide à Pékin (Beijing)

© 2013 The China Guide
A division of the Beijing Freedom Travel Agency, an American owned and managed, Beijing based travel agency.