Highlights

The price is based on 2 persons in a private tour for 4star hotel

  • Visit the Local Uyghur Family in the ancient Tuyoq village in Turpan

  • Explore Mogao Grottoes, the home to the largest, best-preserved, and richest Buddhist art in the world—the first cave was carved here in 366 AD

  • Explore the splendid Danxia Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye

  • Mysterious Ta'er Monastery in Xining where also can enjoy the marvel Qinghai Lake

  • Go back 2,200 years and visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi' an

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Arrive in Urumqi

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and the farthest land from any ocean.  It is the heaven of travelers for its beautiful natural scenery, profound cultural deposits and special local customs and practices. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel and check in. The rest of day is free at leisure.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 918m

Day 2Visit Heavenly Lake (120 kms) and Grand International Bazaar

We will drive 1.5 hours to entrance of the Heavenly Lake about 08:30, following is the 40-minutes shuttle bus twisting through the picturesque Tianshan mountains to the edge of the Lake. Either Trek around the lake, enjoy the boating cruise, or even take the cable car to the explore the Maya Mountain for the incredible view of Bogoda Peak.


Lunch will be arranged in the Yurt of the local Kazakhs. Back to Urumqi and head to Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 918m
  • Heavenly Lake

  • Grand International Bazaar

Day 3Drive to Turpan (200 kms) and Adventure to Tuyoq village and Jiaohe Ruins

With an early start today at 08:00. Drive all the way to Oasis Turpan that we will pass by the wind power station and vast Gobi desert in 3hrs.


Our first stop is BezkIlik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the center of  Flaming Mountain.Then continue to Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uighur family before exploring this traditional village surrounded by the impressive grape trellis and the stories of the adventurers all of the world.


About 3pm, head up to the Karez Well irrigation system that produce the best melons and grapes in China. Following is the visiting to Sugong Minaret, a conduit for cultural exchange between different ethnic and religious groups. 


Today's tour end up with the 2hrs's exploration of Jiaohe Ruins,resembles Pompei,but 300 years older, a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan and a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys where you can experience the way of life of the Uighur ancestors.


If the group is less than 4 persons,we may use high-speed train for transfer. 


Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 36m
  • Bezkilik Thousand Buddha Caves

  • Tuyoq Village

Day 4Train to Dunhuang and Visit Echoing Sand Mountain

Morning after breakfast, 3hrs train ride to Dunhuang to visit Echoing Sand Mountain, where you can ride the camels for 40mins to experience the beautiful desert scenery in the sunset.


After an extraordinary day, freshen up and enjoy a good dinner, we continue to appreciate the bustling Shazhou Night Markets dotted with special commodities and souvenirs.


Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1138m
  • Echoing Sand Mountain

  • Shazhou Night Market

Day 5Visit Mogao Grottoes then Drive to Jiayuguan (350 kms)

Today we are going to appreciate the Holy Center of Buddhism Culture and Art-UNESCO of Mogao Grottoes, enjoying the 40mins 4D movie to learn the development of the grottoes and then we will be escorted by the professional guides from Mogao to enjoy the the 8 caves mainly.


Afterwards, say farewell to Dunhuang as we will drive 3-4hrs to Jiayuguan, a city with profound history and culture relics. Check in the hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.


Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1462m
  • Mogao Grottoes

  • Mogao Grottoes

Day 6Jiayuguan City Tour then Drive to Zhangye (223 kms)

Today we begin our journey to the Jiayuguan Fortress. Standing among vast desert and surrounded by rolling mountains,it looks like a dignified general guarding the grand land. It was constructed with the most integrated defensive system. It was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.


After that, you will explore the Great Wall Museum, which was opened to the public in October 1989 and it is the first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic way. Continue the sightseeing to renowned underground gallery Weijin Tombs. There we can enjoy lifelike and succinct wall paintings covering a wide range of subjects including politics, economics, culture, military affairs, folk customs, and science and technology during the Wei and Jin periods (4AD)


After lunch, we will drive 3hrs to the masterpiece of nature Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is situated in the north of Qilian mountains with a distance of 40 km from east Zhangye city. You will be marveled by the colorful layers of mountain ridges in the 4hr's adventure to the different platforms.

Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1400m
  • Jiayuguan Pass

  • Zhangye Danxia

Day 7Visit Grand Buddha Temple then High-speed Train to Xining

After 1hr's visiting to the 900-years old Grand Buddha Temple, it is one of the important temples along the silk road, experiencing the impressive Buddha culture and architectural treasures.


Then take a high-speed train to Xining. Upon arrival, transfer you to the hotel and check in

Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Xining
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2261m
  • Grand Buddha Temple

  • Grand Buddha Temple

Day 8Visit Qinghai Lake and Ta'er monastery, then Train to Lanzhou

Departure early around 07:00. we will drive 3hrs to Qinghai Lake with the stunning view along the way. You will be amazed by the scenery of this highland lake, it is also interesting to see the grazing animals - sheep, goats, duos, horses .You can ride a bike or cruise around the lake to taking in the wonderful landscape here. then we will take you to visit Ta'er monastery (Kumbum Monastery), which is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China, and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia.


Back to Xining and take a fast train to Lanzhou(2hrs). Check in the hotel and have a good rest.

Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1600m
  • Ta'er Monastery

  • Qinghai Lake

Day 9Lanzhou City Tour

With a early start today, we will arrive Binglings Temple at 09:30 after 1.5hrs' driving. Taking the 40mins fast boat to the inside of the park , enjoy the variety of artworks in different styles and observe the social situations and customs in ancient times when seeing the stone sculptures and appreciate the miracle of Buddha caves.

We will then head back to downtown to visit the the first bridge of the Yellow River's Mother Statue consisting of "a mother" and "a baby boy" which symbolizes the mother of the Yellow River nurturing the Chinese nation.


Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1600m
  • Binglings Temple

  • Yellow River's Mother Sculpture

Day 10Train to Xian and Have a City Tour

Say good bye to Lanzhou and take the 3hrs train ride to Xi'an. Greeted by the guide and visit Shaanxi Museum, one of the major museums in China. It is home to numerous unearthed cultural artifacts and represents the imposing image of a 13-dynasties capital. 


Afterwards, drive to the Ancient City Wall, the most well-preserved city wall and the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. You will have a bird's-eye view of panorama of Xi’an city when wandering along the city wall


In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and have a good rest in the hotel.


Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 400m
  • Ancient City Wall

  • Shaanxi Museum

Day 11Visit Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Today is an another day to explore the history and culture in Xi'an.


Tour starts at 08:00 and then drives about 1 hour to the countryside of the Xi'an city and visits the most imposing historic site Terracotta Warriors, the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century.


After lunch in the local restaurant, head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda with 7 floors in total. It is the traditional Chinese style decorated with some Buddha statues, where Tourists can see variety of Buddha statues and have panoramic Xi'an city at the top floor.


Continue our sightseeing of the popular Muslim Street, Relax with free wandering along the street when tasting he local delicacies and experiencing the local lifestyle. Then drive to the hotel and have a good rest.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 400m
  • Terracotta Warriors

  • Big Goose Pagoda

Day 12 End of Silk Road Tour

Today our journey comes to an end after a good breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport or train station based on your schedule.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: No accommodation
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDES

  • Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight info.

  • Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

  • All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary

  • 2nd class express train from Turpan to Dunhuang (Liuyuan Station), Zhangye to Xining, Xining to Lanzhou, Lanzhou to Xi'an listed in the itinerary

  • Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request)

  • Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

  • Travel and health insurance when travel with us.

  • 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

EXCLUDES

  • International flight arrive in Urumqi and leave from Xi'an not indicated.

  • Food, Lunch or dinner not specified

  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

  • Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned

TRIP NOTES

  • We will upgrade trains to 1st class where available if book the tour 5 months in advance of departure.

  • There is no problem to travel Silk Road during Ramadan.

  • Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

Transportation

We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and trains.

Accommodation

All the hotels we selected are 4-5star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.

Guides

Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from SRT.

Climate and Altitude

Generally speaking Mid March—End Oct are the best time to visit Silk Road. And we strongly suggest you come in May, June, October to avoid the heat and crowd. No need to worry about high altitude along the Silk Road. We will prepare Oxygen bags if the package includes Xiahe, Qinghai Lake and Taxkorgan County.

We offer beneficial Cancellation Policy to our customers.