Highlights

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

● Explore the splendid Danxia Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye 

● Discover the historic city of Dunhuang that is on the edge of the Gobi Desert

● Explore Dunhuang’s markets and soak up a very different culture to that of western China

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

● Enjoy the Fantastic landscape in Heavenly Lake, where the thick forest, vast grassland, magnificent snow mountain, experience the unique nomadic culture of local Kazakhs

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Lanzhou Arrival

Today your travel begins with a welcome meeting at airport. After checking in the hotel, rest of your time is free to explore Lanzhou with a long history and colorful culture. There are many historical sites worth visiting.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lanzhou
Altitude: 1600m

Day 2Grand Buddha Temple and Danxia, then drive to Jiayuguan (223 kms)

Breakfast at the hotel, then you will be transferred to the train station to catch the express train to Zhangye. Your guide will accompany you to the Grand Buddha Temple, which is the important place of the Silk Road. Midway in the Hexi Corridor along the Silk Road lies the historic city of Zhangye, the centerpiece of which is the mysterious Giant Buddha Temple. Located in the southwest corner of Zhangye in Gansu Province, the Giant Buddha Temple is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. you will see the largest and well-preserved reclining Buddha in this temple. Then we will head to visit the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park,Danxia National Geological Park which is the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. so many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain". after visiting, we will head to Jiayuguan for overnight stay.

Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1462m
  • Zhangye Danxia

  • Grand Buddha Temple

Day 3Jiayuguan City Tour, then drive to Dunhuang (350 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: an inner city, an outer city, and a moat. Besides functioning as a frontier military fortress, it was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.


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 visiting, 4hrs driving 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
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1138m
  • Jiayuguan Pass.jpeg

  • Echoing Sand Mountain

Day 4Visit Mogao Grottoes, then train to Turpan

After breakfast, let's visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes, which was designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1600 years accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures. There remains 492 cave temple and 45000 square meters of frescos. According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. After visiting, we will take the train to Turpan.

Traffic: Car+Train
Hotel: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 36m
  • Mogao Grottoes

  • Mogao Grottoes

Day 5Turpan City Tour,then drive to Urumqi (200 kms)

Our first stop is Bezkilik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the center of Flaming Mountains.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 Uygur ancestors.

Drive to the capital city of Xinjiang- Urumqi. Relax with free time for the rest of the day. If the group is less than 4 persons, we may use high-speed train for transfer.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 918m
  • Bezkilik Thousand Buddha Caves

  • Karez Well

Day 6Visit Heavenly Lake (120 kms) and Xinjiang International Bazaar

After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake on Tianshan (boat tour). The Mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. It a great pleasure to boat travel Heavenly Lake, with a layer of magical color covering the lake, and hearing many beautiful myths and legends. Then visit Xinjiang International Bazaar.

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

  • Xinjiang International Bazaar

Day 7End of Tour

Today our journey comes to a halt 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 form Dunhuang (Liuyuan Station) to Turpan 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 and domestic flights 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.