Silk Road Explorers, Xinjiang China

On arrival at Xian airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure on your own.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sofitel On Renmin Square
• Tourist Class: Novotel Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Today we visit the exquisite Terracotta Warriors, considered the greatest archaeological discovery of the last century. The figures vary in height from 182cm to 195cm, according to their role; the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. It is estimated that 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses exist in the 3 pits of the excavation site, with the majority still buried in the pit 1. We return to the city and visit big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Great Mosque and Muslim quarter.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sofitel On Renmin Square
• Tourist Class: Novotel Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning transfer to the train station for bullet seat train D2671(0742-0924) to Tianshui. On arrival you will be met by our local guide and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit Maiji shan grottoes. The Maiji shan grottoes are a series of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Maiji shan in Tianshui. This example of rock cut architecture contains over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square meters of murals. Construction began in the Qin era (384-417 CE). The mountain, which is shaped like a haystack, gets its name from the Chinese for haystack, Although the area has experienced many earthquakes, it still contiains194 caves, 7200 sculptures and 1000 square M frescos which are excavated on the cliff at 30-80m above ground level. Then visit Fuxi Temple. The temple was initially built in the year 1483 to commemorate Fuxi, who was the earliest ancestors of ancient China. In particular, he first used Ba-gua in divination, a great contribution to human civilization.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mehood Lestie
• Tourist Class: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning we take bullet seat train D8961 0822-0959 to Lanzhou. After lunch city tour of Lanzhou includes visit to the water wheel, Yellow River, Mother Statue and White Pagoda Hill.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sunshine Plaza Hotel
• Tourist Class: Baiyuan Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning we drive to Linxia country to visit Bing Ling Cave which is located on the north bank of the Yellow River, Binglingsi Grottoes is one of the six famous Buddhist Caves started by some Buddhist monks from as early as the year of 265-316. After many years’ work, there are 183 caves with 694 stone statues, 82 earth statues and 900 square meters of murals. Later we drive to Xiahe. Xiahe is referred to a “Little Tibet”, a stunning town surrounded by mountains and bustling with pilgrims. It is a key passage on the ancient Silk Road between East and West.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Tianzhu International
• Tourist Class: ZuoGai Longzhong Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning visit Labrang monastery-built in 1709, it now has 1000 monks. It is one of the six most important Gelukpa (Yellow Sect) monasteries in all of Tibet. You will also able to see many Tibetan nomads who come here on pilgrimage. Later return to Lanzhou city.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sunshine Plaza
• Tourist Class: Baiyuan Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning transfer drive to Zhangye.  Afternoon visit Giant Buddha Temple Built in 1098 AD, and extended and renovated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Zhangye’s Giant Buddha Temple houses the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China—nearly 35 metres from head to toe. The reclining pose signifies entry into nirvana. We’ll also see a variety of architectural styles in the temple, with the Ming and Qing Dynasties represented, amongst others. Later visit Horse Hoof Temple and Caves.
The site of the Horse Hoof Temple has been in use since at least the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 AD), and the snowy Qilian Mountain range makes a beautiful backdrop. It’s best known for its Hanging Temple and grottoes, and is a little similar to the famous Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, although less-visited. Some caves and relics were damaged by treasure-hunters, and damage was also done during the Cultural Revolution.
Later in the evening before sunset we visit the Danxia landforms which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Danxia landforms are sandstone formations, known for being very dramatic and colourful. The landform near Zhangye City has colourful and magnificent cliffs in a hilly and mountainous land. Danxia refers to isolated peaks, steep pillars, ravines, mountains and hills that have formed after a long period of erosion by wind and running water. Unlike limestone karst, Danxia landforms are composed of red sandstone, which gives them their characteristic crimson colouration. Several Danxia Landforms are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites because of their profound natural and aesthetic value. The area we’re visiting boasts majestic, multi-coloured slopes that give you the sensation of walking into a painting.
The Zhangye Danxia Landform is characterized by magnificently multi-coloured sandstone hills and mountains that ripple away towards the horizon.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: QianXi Silu
• Tourist Class: XinShengYue Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning we drive to Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan is the westernmost end of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Later, we visit Jiayuguan Fortress, set between snow-capped Mountains of Qilian in south and the Mazong Mountain in North. Take a short climb on the western end of the Great Wall for some spectacular views over this wild and magnificent region.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Far East HuaLun Hotel
• Tourist Class: BaiLu Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning drive to the oasis town of Dunhuang surrounded by rolling sand dunes and home to countless camels.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel
• Tourist Class: Tianrun Yibai or LuYe Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Today we visit the spectacular Mogao Grottos-home to the world acclaimed Buddhist murals and sculptures dating back to 386AD. In the afternoon visit Crescent Moon Spring and camel ride or climb one of the sand dunes to enjoy the sunset.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel
• Tourist Class: Tianrun Yibai or LuYe Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Morning in Dunhuang, transfer by high speed bullet train D2701(1433-1911) to  Urumqi (in summer time there is train from Dunhuang to Urumqi but in other seasons we will have to take train from Liuyuan Station). Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transfer to your hotel.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Universal Hotel
• Tourist Class: Hoitak Cinda Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning drive to Tianchi. Tianchi (Heavenly lake in English) is a high-mountain (1980m above sea level) lake located in the central part of Tianshan Mountains, which was inscribed on the list of World Heritage by UNESCO in 2013. Optional boat trip on the lake. There is a picturesque Lesser Tianchi hidden in the forest, where there is waterfall running from the mountain with a fantastic scenery. Moreover, there are plenty of Kazakh yurts on the bank of the Tianchi, where is the home for the nomad Kazakhs.  After lunch return to Urumqi, visit Xinjiang Ethnic museum and Grand Bazar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Universal Hotel
• Tourist Class: Hoitak Cinda Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Morning drive to Turfan the oasis city in the province of Xinjiang. Turfan is inhabited mainly by Uighur people. We visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe, richly coloured Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and grape Valley. In the evening, enjoy the local Uyghur dance.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hapton by Hilton or LaQuinta by Wyndham
• Tourist Class: Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we drive to Korla, an oasis town on Peacock River, at the northern edge on the Taklamakan Desert. En-route we stop to visit the Iron Tianmen Pass (Iron Gate pass) It used to be the most important strategic pass from southern to northern parts of Xinjiang along the ancient Silk Road. Later continue driving to Korla upon arrival short boat trip on the Bosten Lake.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Garden Hotel
• Tourist Class: Silver Star Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Today we drive to Kuqa, Later visit the Grand Kuqa Mosque: It is the second biggest mosque in Xinjiang, first built in the 17th century, but after it was burnt down it was rebuilt in 1931. The great praying hall, which can accommodate 1000 prayers, is supported by 88 pillars, embellished with carved designs and in many colors, a fine example of Uygur architecture. Later we visit Subashi ruins which reflects the temple’s brilliance in the past. We also visit Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves is situated at the Kizil Township which is 67 kilometers southeast of Baicheng County and 73 kilometers west of Kuqa city. It has the most grottoes located in the west part of China.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Kuqa Hotel 5★ Wing
• Tourist Class: Kuqa Hotel 4★ Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

A long but rewarding full day’s drive (700km) across the Taklamakan desert and along the Hotan River to the oasis town of Hotan.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hampton by Hilton or Jianguo Puyin Hotel
• Tourist Class: West Lake International Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Visit the local museum, the jade carving factory, the ruins of the old town and stroll along the Hotan River, where jade was found on the river bed. Today the locals are still trying their luck there!

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hampton by Hilton or Jianguo Puyin Hotel
• Tourist Class: West Lake International Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Today we drive to Kashgar, with a stop en route in Yarkent. During the Han Dynasty, Yarkand was one of the key outposts in the Western Regions a term used by the Han to describe the area west of Yumenguan, encompassing present-day Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia playing an important role in the development of the Silk Road.

In the Tang Dynasty, the famous Italian traveler and merchant Marco Polo (1254–1324) traveled thousands of kilometers to Yarkand, documenting his experiences and observations along the way.

In Yarkent, we will visit the ancient tombs of the Yarkand kings, as well as the tomb of the founder of the Uigur classical opera, The Twelve Muqams. After our visit, we will continue our journey and drive onward to Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Qini Bagh New Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Today we drive to Karakul Lake along the famous Karakorum highway. The scenery along the way is breath-taking. We will be stopping at the lake where you can enjoy the view of Muztagh-ata Mountains. Optional camel ride or walk around the lake. Later we continue to Tashkurgan the last Tajik Chinese town between China and Pakistan.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Banlan Hotel or Vienna Hotel
• Tourist Class: Tashkorgan Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning explore around Tashkurgan, an important hub on the ancient Silk Road. The name Tashkurgan means ‘Stone Fort.’ This whole area around this Tajik town borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and is connected to them via the Khunjerab Pass. On the way into Tashkurgan there are many Tajik villages and nomadic herdsman. In Tashkurgan, we explore the town’s ancient stone fort – still standing after 1800 years! We also visit the Tashkurgan Historical and Cultural Museum and walk around this historic town. Later return to Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Qini Bagh New Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

This day is planned to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar where everything from carpets, blankets, foods, horses, donkeys, sheep and even camels are for sale! Wonderful assortments of people come from all over the region, and the population of the town swells by 100,000! This is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia, and a photographer’s paradise. Later visit Ed-Gah Mosque, and Apak Khoja’s tomb.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton, or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Qini Bagh New Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Our service will end with airport transfer.

Meals Included: Breakfast