Discover Silk Road: Beijing to Kashgar 14D

Welcome to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Beijing hotel, and take a break to get ready for the wonderful Silk Road tour.

Day trip to the stunning Mutianyu Great Wall, enjoy the ancient Chinese military construction. Great Wall, extending 5000 km, is the most popular spot for tourists. With a long history, the Wall near Beijing is very impressive to climb up the top.

You will visit the biggest city square in the world, the Tian'anmen Square. Then walk to the Forbidden City(close on Mondays), the biggest palace in the world. Explore the main buildings with a local guide in the palace. Then you will take about 5-hour bullet train to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Xi'an hotel.

Today we will visit the eighth wonder of the world, Terra Cotta Warriors. Well-preserved warrios and horses are exhibited in the exhibition hall, impressed you with a wonderful layout. Return to Xi'an, heading for Muslim Quarter to taste local food.

Later, you will visit to the renowned Old City Wall of Xi'an, which has a length about 14km, built 6 hundred years ago. The old City Wall of Xi'an is a perfect place to know the long history of China.

Take 3-hour bullet train to Lanzhou, then transfer to Binlinsi Grottos that is located on the other side of Liujiaxia Reservoir. Binglingsi Grottos was built beside Yellow River, the Grottos were carved from the mountain. Various Buddha Statues and the scenery around the Grottos are incredible.

Afterwards, move to Linxia City.

Take a car ride to Xiahe county where it is well-known for the Labrang Monastery, exploring the splendid culture of Tibetan Budhism.

Labrang Monastery is one of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, presents typical Tibetan Budhism culture.

Take a car ride to Lanzhou airport to catch a flight to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Vsiit the Singing Sand Dunes, view the Crescent Moon Spring in the dunes in the later afternoon. Minsha Dunes means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history. If the plane arrives too later, visit the Sand Dunes next day.

Visit Mogao Grottos, highlight of the Silk Road , though it was stolen many times in the history, Mogao Caves still are well preserved with frescos and colorful paintings that look like finished yesterday.

You can explore the night market or watch Dunhuang performance copied from Mogao Caves this evening.

In the morning, you will visit Jade Gate Pass that is situated in the desert for over 2000 years.

After lunch, you will take 2-hour car ride to Liuyuan station where you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. Turpan is a basin in Xinjiang province, and renowned for its hottest weather in China.

Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renown for its well-preserved conditions. Today you will visit Bezklik Grottos, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, and Karez Irrigation System wiith a local guide. You will taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food. Later, you will take 3-hour car ride to Urumqi.

This morning you will take 1-hour ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese, which is a high mountain lake with stunning scenery in the Tianshan Mountains, a world natural heritage.



Then you will catch 2-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.

Today is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret.

Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses, etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge music instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. Enter the mosque at non-praying time to appreciate its architecture and decor, please wear long pants and cover the shoulders for ladies while visiting this mosque.

Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc.

The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. So if it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar as well.

When your tour is finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renown friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains. Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. After lunch, you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise. Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.

Transferred to Kashagr airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.