Highlights

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

● Picturesque Heavenly Lake and Tianshan Mountain chains

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

● 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,

● Explore the splendid Danxia Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye

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 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

    Heavenly Lake

  • Grand internationla Bazaar

    Grand Internationla 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
  • Tuyoq Village

    Tuyoq Village

  • Karez Well

    Karez Well

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

    Echoing Sand Mountain

  • Shazhou night market

    Shazhou Night Market

Day 5Visit Mogao Grottoes and Drive to Jiayuguan (390 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 (390 kms)
Hotel: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1462m
  • Mogao Gottoes

    Mogao Gottoes

  • Mogao grottoes

    Mogao Grottoes

Day 6Jiayuguan City Tour and Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountain

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

    Jiayuguan Fortress

  • Zhangye Danxia

    Zhangye Danxia

Day 7Grand Buddha Temple, drive to Xining and visit Ta'er Monastery

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


Then we will drive to Xining and pay a visit to the Buddhist architectural masterpiece—Ta'er Monastery(kumbum Monastery),an ancient Tibetan gompa founded in 1583. You will be taken to catch a whole sight of this delicate complex and get close to the inner design knowing about its decoration, mural etc. Witness Buddhist believers undertaking religious activities is also a good experience.

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

    Giant Buddha Temple

  • Ta'er monastery

    Ta'er Monastery

Day 8Visit Qinghai Lake

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.


In the afternoon back to Xining, check in the hotel and have a good rest.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Qinghai Hotel Xingwang International Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3196m
  • Qinghai Lake

    Qinghai Lake

  • Qinghai Lake

    Qinghai Lake

Day 9Train to Tibet

Journey west to Tibet by train for 21hrs along the world's highest  Qinghai-Tibet railway. Some 960 kilometers of its tracks are located 4,000 meters above sea level and the highest point is 5,072 meters. You can experience stunning scenery along the road in the train


Tibet is called the“the roof of the world”with the Mount Everest, and you will travel in this unparalleled land for 4 days. 

Traffic: Train
Hotel: Overnight in train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 2261m

Day 10Arrive in Lhasa and Rest

After disembark the train at Lhasa station, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to check in the hotel. You must be tired after a long train ride, therefore, having a good rest and adapting to altitude stress at the average sea level of 3,658 meters. 


Then stroll along the must-visit Barkor Street with 1.5 kilometers length and 9 meters width where vendors sell various goods including snakes, gifts,and cosmetics.


In the evening, return to the hotel and refresh up.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Thangka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2261m
  • Barkor street

    Barkor Street

  • Barkor street

    Barkor Street

Day 11Potala Palace and Johkang Temple

A full day will arrange for you to explore Lhasa city. At 8.00, you will drive for 20mins to visit Potala Palace, which is the landmark of Tibet for its long history and delicate architecture. Standing at the top of the palace, you can take in everything of Lhasa city and plateau scenery far away at a glance. You will also see a lot of splendid artworks and religious treasures here. 


Afterwards, drive another 20mins to the Jokhang Temple, a building built in  7 century by absorbing the architecture style of Tibetan, India and Nepal. You will know something about the past Tibet through visiting various statues and wall paintings. 


Return to the hotel and have a good rest.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Thangka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 117m
  • Jokhang temple

    Jokhang Temple

  • Potala palace

    Potala Palace

Day 12Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery (altitude: 3600--3750m)

Today is another day to explore Lhasa. Budget 3hrs at Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet located at the foot of Mount Gephel. It is the Tibetan Buddhism(Gelug) monastery and one of the “great three” monasteries in Tibet. You will have an opportunity learning some history and culture of Gelug as well as the magnificent view of a large number of white buildings like a heap of rice lying in the hillside.


Then head to another Gelug monastery-Sera Monastery. There you will successively visit The Great Assembly Hall, Je Dratsang and Me Dratsang in this building. The most interesting activities here is watching monks debating at courtyard by listening them argue some knowledge about Buddhism.


Back to the hotel and enjoy a good night.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Thangka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3600--3750m
  • Drepung monastery

    Drepung Monastery

  • Sera monastery

    Sera Monastery

Day 13Gyantse and Visit Yamdrotso Lake (altitude: 4010-4050m)

Today you will head to next place Gyantse with a distance of 300kms for driving 4.5hrs. On the way, you will stop to visit Yamdrok Lake- a beautiful freshwater lake in the south of Tibet. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush meadows and lively animals. Wander around the lake, breath the fresh air and enjoy your leisure time at lakeside. Continue your trip and reach the beautiful Karola Glacier, take a short stop and get close to the natural overwhelming glaciers.


Then arrive in Gyantse to visit a different style of monastery in Tibet—Pelkor Monastery. You will explore the different Zhacangs to witness the life of monks. Later stroll to Gyantse Kumbum to see Buddha stupa where 100,000 images about major religious figure sculptures and wall paintings is here. If you want to have a better knowledge of Buddhist culture, you cannot miss this spot.


Afterwards drive for 1hr to Shigatse which is 100kms away from Gyantse. Check in the hotel and rest of day is free at leisure.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Thangka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 4010-4050m
  • Karola glacier

    Karola Glacier

  • Pelkor monastery

    Pelkor Monastery

Day 14Tashilunpo Monastery and Return to Lhasa

Today get up early to visit one of the four major monasteries in Tibet—Tashilunpo Monastery founded in 15th century by first Dalai Lama Gedun Dropa. There you can visit chapel Jampa, tomb stupas of fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and assemble halls etc. Then you will have a river view of Brahmaputra to experience the spectacular geological landscape.


In the afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa, which will take around 6 hours(Shigatse to Lhasa's transfer perhaps by train). Check in the hotel and prepare for your tomorrow's departure.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Thangka Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3650m
  • Brahmaputra

    Brahmaputra

  • Tashilunpo monastery

    Tashilunpo Monastery

Day 15End of Your Trip

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

Dates & Pirce

Dates 1 Person 2 Persons 3-6 Persons 7-9 Persons Single Supplyment
Dec.-Mar. 95 95 95 95 /
Apr.-Nov. 80 80 80 80 /

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 Lhasa 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 Lhasa 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.

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