22 Days China Private Silk Road Tour in Depth

Summary

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing: Tian'an men Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Hutong Bicycle Tour
Day 3 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tomb, The National Stadium and The Water Cube
Day 4 Beijing--Xi'an by Bullet Train: Temple of Heaven, take train to Xi'an
Day 5 Xi'an: Qin Terracotta Army, Shaanxi History Museum, Drum Tower
Day 6 Xi'an--Urumqi by Flight: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, fly to Urumqi
Day 7 Urumqi: Heaven Lake (Tianchi Lake), Erdaoqiao Market
Day 8 Urumqi--Korla, Tiemen Pass (Iron Gate Pass)
Day 9  Korla--Kupa, Grand Kupa Mosque, Subashi Temple
Day 10  Kupa--Aksu, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
Day 11 Aksu--Kashar 
Day 12 Kashar: Karakul Lake
Day 13 Kashar: Sunday Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb
Day 14 Kashar--Korla
Day 15 Korla--Turpan:
Day 16 Turpan: Jiaohe Ruins, the Karez Well, Turpan Water Museum, the Sugong Pagoda
Day 17 Turpan--Dunhuang by Flight, Mogao Grottos
Day 18 Dunhuang--Jiayuguan by Bullet Train: Ride a Camel, Echoing-San Dune, Lake Crescent, Jiayu Pass
Day 19 Jiayuguan to Lanzhou by Flgiht, Wei-jin Mural Brick Tomb, Gansu Provincial Museum
Day 20: Lanzhou to Shanghai by Flight, Binglingsi Grottoes
Day 21: Shanghai: Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple
Day 22: Departure Shanghai

DAY 1

Welcome to Beijing! After arrived in Beijing, you are greeted by your guide at the exit of the airport with a welcome signage displayed and escorted you to your hotel directly. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag. 

DAY 2

Today: If you get up very early in the morning and arrives at the Tian' an men Square before sunrise, you can go to see the dawn flag raising ceremony in the Square. And you can have a relaxing time in Tiananmen Square and take some photos. 

Tian'an men Square

The next stop is the Forbidden City, you will notice the dominant color in the Forbidden City is yellow as yellow is the symbol of the royal family. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow in special process. However, there is one exception. Wenyuange, the royal library, has a black roof. Because it was believed black represented water in the ancient China which could extinguish fire. 

Forbidden City

Have lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. 

Then you have the chance to visit the Temple of Heaven, you are recommended to visit the Three Echo Stones, which is outside of the gate of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. If you speak facing the Vault while standing on the first stone, you will hear one echo. Standing on the second and then the third stone, you will hear two and three echoes respectively. Another interesting and famous place for you to visit is called Echo Wall owning special feature. The wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven and its perimeter is 193 meters long. If you and your friend stand at the east and the west roots of the wall respectively and you whisper a word, then your friend will hear clearly what you say.

Temple of Heaven  

At last, we will help you rent a bike, and you can explore the traditional Hutong, which tells the story of growth and change and daily local life from ancient to present in old Beijing. Or you can talk with the local people and know more about their local conditions and customs. 

Then our guide will take you to restaurant to try the Beijing roast duck and other authentic food and after dinner, drive you back to your hotel.

DAY 3

Today: One of the most important activities for the entire Beijing trip is the brief hiking at the Great Wall, Mutianyu section. No words can tell its amazement to the world. It is the must place you should visit in China. Its tremendous influence is well-known around the world. The Mutianyu stretch of the Great Wall is 22 kilometers long and has 22 watchtowers - the highest of which reaches an altitude of 540 meters above sea level, thanks to the mountain peak on which it is erected - making it the most densely packed section of the Great Wall as far as watchtowers go. 

  
 Great Wall

After lunch, you will continue the visit to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. The Ming Tomb was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhuli and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors built their tombs around Changling. We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers. The atmosphere and dull lighting can be a problem. As always, do not hesitate to consult your guide, who will be able to offer advice. 

Ming Tombs

On the way back to your hotel, you are fortunately to pass by the famous Bird's nest and the Water Cube. You can take their exterior photography photographs to keep track of the two grand constructions and leave a pleasant memory here. And you can enjoy your meal in your hotel and have a rest for your tomorrow’s tour.

DAY 4

Today the first stop is Royal Summer Palace in the morning. Covering an area of 4,300 mu 290 hectares, the park in Beijing is an outstanding example of imperial gardens. The landscape architect utilized Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake to create a paradise of hills and waters. Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China and combined them to create a harmonious atmosphere. This ancient royal garden is beautifully composed of palaces, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes and corridors fully radiating the natural beauty and the grandeur of imperial gardens. As the largest garden in China, the Summer Palace is today the center of interests of all tourists coming to visit Beijing and its many cultural and historical relics. 

Summer Palace

After lunch, our guide will take you to train station to Xi’an. Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the exit of the train station with a welcome signage and you will be transferred to your hotel directly. The rest of the day is on your own, you can relax and prepare for the trip next day.

DAY 5

TODAY Your trip in Xi'an begin in the Qin Terracotta Army Museum. Built on the site of the terra-cotta warriors and horse’s pits in the Emperor Qin's Mausoleum, the museum is located at the northern piedmont of Lishan Mountain 7.5 kilometers east of Lingtong County in Shaanxi Province and 37.5 kilometers west of Xi'an City. Excavation of the vault revealed thousands of terra-cotta warriors and their horses, an entire army designed to follow its emperor into eternity. The emperor's terra cotta army was found in three underground timber lined vaults. The life-sized terracotta figures vary in height, uniform, and hairstyle in accordance with rank, which will surely leave you deep impression. 

Qin Terracotta Army

After lunch, continue your tour visit Shaanxi History Museum to know more about the glorious history. The building covers an area of over 70,000 square meters and houses more than 370,000 historical items excavated from all over Shaanxi Province, including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. The modern museum was built between 1983 and 2001 and its appearance recalls the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty.

Bell Tower

After the tour of Shaanxi History Museum, then you will pay a visit to Xi'an Drum Tower is the largest one of its kind in China, facing the Bell Tower at east, which was beat to tell the time to citizens, hence the name. Standing on the towering above the city center and appreciate incredible view of Xi'an. Besides, in the Drum Tower, there are many larges drums hang on a hall with beautiful Chinese writing, which means good luck, besides, there is a drum museum where you can appreciate lots of drums, some of which has thousands of history. Between the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower, there is a square with grass, dotted with greenbelt beautiful acouto-optic fountain, which is a good place for leisure and entertainment for citizens. 

Enjoy your dinner with delicious dishes, you will be taken back to your hotel.

DAY 6

After breakfast, you will head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Walk up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda's spiral staircase for an excellent view of Xi'an and countryside. Do this early or late in the day during the tourist season to avoid long waits. In ancient times,successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations always left their signature in the tower which was called Superscription of the Wild Goose Tower. In addition, many celebrities left poems or some other literature works.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

After that, you can visit the Ancient City Wall. This wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Now it is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide over14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. You can walk, or even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing. 

Xi'an Ancient City Wall

The last stop is Muslim Quarter, you can stroll along the Muslim Quarter which offers a wide range of bargains. The Muslim Quarter is the main gathering place of the local Muslim community and offers a great deal of exotic shops and savory restaurants. Xi'an is a city with a tolerant mind in religious culture and here you will find the harmonious getting-along of Buddhist culture and Muslim culture. Besides, you can taste various authentic local snacks here. The most sacred part in this community is without doubt the Great Mosque, featuring a great mixed architecture of Chinese and Arabic styles. You may happen to meet with some Muslim followers coming for worship. 

Muslim Quarter

After finished that, transfer you to the airport for your flight to Urumqi. Once you arrived in Urumqi, you will be picked up by our tour guide and escorted to the hotel directly.

DAY 7

In the morning, you will start your tour with Heaven Lake, also named Tianchi Lake on Tianshan. The Mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. In ancient Chinese literature, Tianchi also refers to Nanming. Some other well-known lakes named Tianchi include those in Xinjiang and Taiwan. North Korean propaganda claims that Kim Jong-il was born near the lake on the mountain. In accordance with this, North Korean news agencies reported that on his death, the ice on the lake cracked "so loud, it seemed to shake the heavens and the Earth." 

  
Heaven Lake

After lunch, continue your tour to Erdaoqiao Market, which has the history of over 130 years. It now becomes an important commercial center where foods and handicrafts are sold and you can see them dancing. Extending over 330 meters long, colorful bazaar offers traditional food and handicrafts all goes, all on almost 7,000 square meters. It's good to walk along the market to do window shopping or buy some gifts for your friends and family. 

After the tour of Erdaoqiao Market, drive you back to your hotel and you can enjoy dinner at your hotel.

DAY 8

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby and you will be transferred to Korla by car.  (You will have a simple lunch one the way to Korla. 

Upon arrival, you will visit Tiemen Pass, also named Iron Gate Pass. The Iron Gate Pass was of historical strategical significance because it formed a vulnerable bottle-neck on the Silk Road. A military checkpoint was established at the pass during the Tang Dynasty. At present, the pass is no longer part of the road infrastructure of the region and is preserved as a scenic and historical area. The modern road (G218) from Yanqi to Korla passes through the mountains to the east of the gorge.

Tiemen Pass

After finished that, drive you to your hotel in Korla, our tour guide will help you check in and you can enjoy your dinner at your hotel.

DAY 9

In the morning, you will be transferred to Kupa (3 hours). Upon arrival, you will start your tour with Grand Kuqa Mosque. Grand Kuqa Mosque is made up of Xuanli Minaret, it is the second largest mosque in Xinjiang, right after the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar.  It was rebuilt since the Kupa Mosque was ruined in 1931. Now Kuqa Mosque is the only mosque in China having preserved the Shariya (Islamic Court) System. 

Enjoy your lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. 

Then move on to the Subashi Temple, is a ruined Buddhist temple near Kucha in the Taklamakan Desert, on the ancient Silk Road, in Xinjiang, China. The city was partly excavated by the Japanese archaeologist Count Otani. A sarira, a Buddhist relic box of the 6th-7th century, discovered in Subashi shows Central Asian men in long tunics, reminiscent of other friezes which have been called Tocharian. 

Subashi Temple

After that, you will be taken to your hotel in Kupa.

DAY 10

Today you will be transferred to Aksu, one the way to there, you will stop and visit Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, The Kizil Caves, also named Qizil Caves, which are a set of Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Baicheng County, Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 65 kilometres (75 km by road) west of Kucha. This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries.

 Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves

After lunch, you will be transferred to your hotel in Aksu.

DAY 11

Today enjoy your free time till our guide pick you up at the hotel lobby and you will be transferred to Kashar, it takes around 6 hours.

Upon arrival, our guide will help you check in and the rest of the day is free on your own.

DAY 12

After breakfast, drive you to Karakul Lake (3 hours).

The Karakul Lake is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges with an altitude of 3,600 m. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztagh Ata (7,546 m), Kongur Tagh (7,649 m) and Kongur Tiube (7,530 m). The lake is popular among travellers for its beautiful scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue.

Karakul Lake

After finished that, you will be taken back to Kashar and have a rest.

DAY 13

In the morning, meet you at your hotel and you will start your tour with Sunday Bazaar where you could experience the real daily life in Xinjiang. On the market, there are various kinds of local goods, such as fresh fruit, snacks, colorful clothes, delicate handicrafts as well as livestock. 

Then continue your tour to Id Kah Mosque located in the city center. It is the largest mosque in China originally built in 1142 and the center of Moslem activities in Xinjiang. 

Id Kah Mosque

Later, visit Abakh Khoja Tomb which is a large and unsophisticated family graveyard of the local leaders in the 17th century. The graveyard consists of gate tower, tombs, pond, garden and mosques, looking like a typical Islamic palace.

Kashar Abakh Khoja Tomb

Drive you back to your hotel and today’s tour ends.

DAY 14

Today free on your own till our guide take you to Korla. After arrived, our tour guide will help you check in, the rest of the day is free on your own.

DAY 15

In The morning, you will be transferred to Turpan. It takes around 6 hours for one way. Turpan is a city which has a 400-year recorded history, Turpan has played as a transportation and cultural communication hub on the Silk Road. 

You will be taken to your hotel once arrived in Turpan.

DAY 16

Today the first stop is Jiaohe Ruins, was once the biggest and oldest city built on rammed earth, dating back to 2nd century BC. It is a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys.

Jiaohe Ruins

The word karez means "well" in the local Uyghur language. Turpan has the Turpan Water Museum (a Protected Area of the People's Republic of China) dedicated to demonstrating its karez water system, as well as exhibiting other historical artifacts.   

Turpan's well system was crucial in Turpan's development as an important oasis stopover on the ancient Silk Road skirting the barren and hostile Taklamakan Desert. Turpan owes its prosperity to the water provided by its karez well system. 

Turpan's Well System

After lunch, continue your tour to Sugong Pagoda. Sugong Pagoda, also named Emin Minaret or Turpan Pagoda by local residents, which is the largest extant ancient pagoda in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is one of the most popular Islamic construction and the only Islamic style pagoda and now it is inscribed on the list of key cultural relics under the protection of the Xinjiang government.

Later, dining in the local Chinese restaurant and drive you back to your hotel after dinner.

DAY 17

Today our guide will take you to the airport and you will fly to Dunhuang. Our local guide will meet you at the exit with a welcome signage once you arrived in Dunhuang. 

Then you will visit Mogao Grottos directly, which are also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (16 mi) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China. The caves may also be known as the Dunhuang Caves. The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China.

Mogao Grottos

After lunch, drive you to your hotel and today’s tour ends.

DAY 18

After breakfast, you will have the chance to ride a camel along the Echoing-Sand Dune to Lake Crescent, a miracle in the Gobi desert. Lake Crescent is known for its brilliant blue waters and exceptional clarity, caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water which inhibits the growth of algae. You will be able to reach the top from one side of the dunes and slide down the other to see the fantastic view. (Plz prepare your sunglasses to keep out the dust). 

   
Ride a Camel

After lunch, drive you to the train station for your train to Jiayuguan. Your will be greeted by our guide at the exit  of train station with a welcome signage once you arrived in Jiayuguan. 

Then start your tour to Jiayu Pass. Jiayu Pass is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, near the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu province. Along with Juyong Pass and Shanhai Pass, it is one of the main passes of the Great Wall. 

DAY 19

In the morning, your first is Wei-jin Mural Brick Tomb is a big tomb group with over 1,400 tombs built between the 3rd Century and 5th Century during the Wei and Jin dynasties. It renowed as the largest subterranean art gallery in the world, housing a great deal of colorful murals, the gallery has attracted tourists from both home and abroad since 1972 when it was excavated. Most tombs are of families, housing bodies of there or four generations. 

Wei-Jin Mural Brick Tomb

Then you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Lanzhou. You will be greeted by our local guide with a welcome signage. 

After lunch, you will vist Gansu Provincial Museum is a museum in Lanzhou. Its collections include over 350,000 artefacts, in two main sections: history and natural science. Since its foundation, the museum has held almost 300 exhibitions, and items from its collections have been exhibited worldwide. The museum was originally only for the history of Gansu itself, but was re-purposed in 1956 to be a natural history museum, after three years of renovations. 

   
 Yellow River

Walk along the Yellow River or Huang He, which is the third longest river in Asia, after the Yangtze River and Yenisei River, and the sixth-longest river system in the world at the estimated length of 5,464 km (3,395 mi). Its basin was the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilization, and it was the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. It also has the names China's Sorrow and 'Scourge of the Han People'. 

Drive you to your hotel in Lanzhou and your today’s tour ends.

DAY 20

Today our guide will take you to visit Binglingsi Grottoes. The Binglingsi Grottoes are located some 40 km southwest of the Yongjing county seat; they are carved into the steep cliff of Dasigou Gorge in the Lesser Jishi Mountain. The grottoes manifest profound influence of the Pure Land, Huayan and Zen schools of Buddhism, as well as influence of the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) and Sakya sects of Tibetan Buddhism. It was listed as a key cultural site under state protection by the State Council. 

Bingling Temple

After lunch, transfer you to the airport and you fly to Shanghai. You will be greeted by our local guide at the exit of the airport with a welcome signage and be escorted to your hotel directly. The rest of the day is on your own.

DAY 21

First stop, you will visit famous Bund area, which is teemed with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings - Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Building, Bank of China Tower. Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favorite sight for tourists in Shanghai. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. On the TV Tower, to have a bird's eye view of Shanghai City. 

Shanghai Bund

Enjoy your pleasant lunch at a local Chinese restaurant recommend by your tour guide.

Later, visit the 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden – the representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden is expressing the quintessence of South China landscape design from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Over forty spots, divided by dragon walls, wound corridors and beautiful flowers, form a unique picture featuring "one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty". Out from Yuyuan Garden, move to Yuyuan Bazaar to explore how elaborate and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and savor some local flavor snacks here.

Yuyuan Garden

Then continue your tour to Jade Buddha Temple to admire the largest jade Buddha in the world and exquisite religious artifacts. The essence of the temple is the two jade Buddhist statues brought back from Burma by the Monk Huigen for Putuo Mountain during the Qing Dynasty. 

   
Jade Buddha Temple

Move on to popular Chinese local restaurant to try the authentic food for dinner, after that, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

DAY 22

Enjoy your free time till our guide transfer you to the airport and you fly back home. Then your 22-day China Silk Road Cultural Tour come to the ends.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.