Highlights

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

● Picturesque Heavenly Lake and Tianshan Mountain chains

● Wonder city of Turpan along old Silk Road

● Ride camels up the dunes Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake of Dunhuang

● Discover the famous Mogao Caves which was built up from 4th Century AD

● Explore the splendid Danxia Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye 

● Meet Buddhist monks and nomads in the Qinghai of China’s wild west

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Urumqi Arrival

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
Altitude: 918m

Day 2Urumqi - Heavenly Lake (120 kms)

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 Xinjiang Regional Museum, where are many archaeological treasures of the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. You will learn about the history of Xinjiang and its peculiar ethnic customs. If time allowed, you will visit Grand International Bazaar and have dinner there.

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

  • Grand International Bazaar

Day 3Drive to Turpan and Have City Tour (200 kms)

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 Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uygur 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.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 36m
  • Karez Well

  • Tuyoq Village

Day 4Train to Dunhuang and Visit Echoing Sand Mountain, Shazhou Night Market

Say goodbye to Turpan then 4 hours train ride to Liuyuan Station. Another 2hrs to Echoing Sand Mountain, where you can ride the camels for 40mins to experience the beautiful dessert scenery.


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. First, you will watch two movies to get a rough idea of the history of the Silk Road and the Mogao Grottoes. Then take the sightseeing bus to the original cave area, where a professional expositor will lead you to visit seven caves.

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

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
Hotel: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1400m
  • Jiayuguan Fortress

  • Zhangye Danxia

Day 7Visit Grand Buddha Temple then Train to Xining

After 1hr's visiting to the 900-years old Grand Buddha Temple, experiencing the impressive Buddha culture and architectural treasures.


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

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

  • Grand Buddha Temple

Day 8Visit Ta'er Temple and Qinghai Lake 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
  • Qinghai Lake

  • Ta'er Monstery

Day 9Lanzhou City Tour

Breakfast in the hotel, drive you to Liujiaxia Reservoir, we will take a speedboat to Binglingsi Thousand Buddha Caves, On the way, you will see the green water connects to the yellow water while the blue sky connects to the yellow earth. Perhaps this can only be experienced in Liujiaxia. Upon arrival, head to visit the Binglingsi Thousand Buddha Caves which is close to Liujiaxia Reservoir, These caves stretch for 200 meters, were built during the Western Qin, North Wei, Sui, Tang, and Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties (between the 3rd and 18th centuries). then transfer to Yellow River's Mother Statue, explore the ancient history and culture of Gansu Province.

After the visiting, transfer you to the hotel check in.

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

  • Yellow River's Mother Statue

Day 10Lanzhou Departure

It's time to say farewell to Lanzhou. After a pleasant breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for the flight back to your hometown or next destination. Bon voyage!

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 Dunhuag (Liuyuan Station), Zhangye to Xining, Xining to Lanzhou 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 Lanzhou 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.