Highlights:
Kashgar Sunday Market, Registan Square Samarkand, Taklamakan Desert, Gobi Desert, Terracotta Army, Great Wall, Tian Shan and Pamir Mountain Ranges.
Major Cities/Towns:
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian and Beijing.
Variety of Transport:
bus/van/local taxi, rickshaw, boat, train, camels
Activity:
Easy walks for sightseeing and a moderate walk along the Great Wall of China.
Unique Local Experiences:
From big cities to small towns the tour is packed with a number of experiences that will get you closer to the culture and people. Witness cultural shows, dances, unique markets and experience a variety of local food.
D-01 Arrive – Tashkent
D-02 Tashkent – Bukhara
D-03 Bukhara – Samarkand
D-04 Samarkand
D-05 Samarkand – Tashkent
D-06 Tashkent – Fergana
D-07 Fergana – Osh – Sarytash
D-08 Sarytash – Irkishtam – Kashgar
D-09 Kashgar
D-10 Kashgar
D-11 Train: Kashgar – Turpan
D-12 Turpan
D-13 Turpan – Urumqi
D-14 Visit Heavenly Lake
D-15 Urumqi – Dunhuang
D-16 Dunuang
D-17 Excursion: Yadan & Jade Gate
D-18 Dunhuang – Jiayguan - Zhangye
D-19 Zhangye
D-21 Train: Zhangye – Xian
D-22 Xian
D-23 Xian – Departure
Day 1: Arrival Kashgar / Overnight in Kashgar
Have a rest and adjust yourself to the new environment.
Day 2: Day tour to visit places in Kashgar city: Sunday market, Kashgar ancient city, Idkah
Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum / Overnight in Kashgar
In the far west of Xinjiang, the Silk Road town of Kashgar lies at the foot of the Pamir mountains, with the Taklamakan Desert to the east. As the meeting point of the northern and southern Silk Roads and the gateway to the West, it was once a place of great significance. Today you will have a day trip to visit the Sunday market (only available on Sunday), Kashgar ancient city, Idkah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum. The Sunday livestock bazaar outside Kashgar is a main attraction in the city. The day begins with Uyghur farmers and herders trekking into the city from the nearby village. By lunchtime just about every sellable sheep, camel, horse, cow and donkey within 50km has been squeezed through the Bazaar gates. Trading is swift and boisterous between the swarthy old traders; animals are carefully inspected and haggling is done with finger motions. Happy buyers then stuff their sheep in the back of a taxi or truck and lurch away. It’s dusty, smelly, crowded, disorientating and wonderful all at once. More than 600 folk houses built along the slopes, the gracefully set old town Uyghur folk houses have been formed scattering on the 400-meter-high slopes. Narrow alleys are lined with adobe houses ranging in age from 50 to 500 years old, and the lanes twist haphazardly through neighborhoods where Kashgaris have lived and worked for centuries. It is a great place for strolling, peeking through gates, chatting up the locals and admiring the craftsmen as they create their wares. Old town is especially known for the local potteryworkshops. As the largest mosque in Xinjiang, Id Kah Mosque is built in the Central Asian style and altered over the centuries. Built in the 17th century, the Aba Khoja Mausoleum and nearby buildings form one of the best examples of Islamic architectures in China.
Day 3: Drive along the famed Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan via Lake Karakul. / Overnight
in Tashkurgan Today you will have a "driving day" from Kashgar to visit Karakul lake, then we drive to Tashkurgan. Tashkurgan is a small and cosy town, near to the Pakistan and Tajik borders, situated in the east of Pamirs. On the way from Kashgar to Tashkurgan, you will see Karakuli Lake, which means "Black sea" and has the charming scenery. The lake is at an altitude of 3600 m, situated at the foot of Mount Muztagata. It is surrounded by mountains and in front of the lake, there is grassland with flocks and herds.
Day 4: Visiting in Tashkurgan, then transfer back to Kashgar. / Overnight in Kashgar
Today you will see some places in Tushkurgan, then we drive back to Kashgar. Stone city is located in the north of Tashkurgan county and already more than 2000 years old. It was an important strategic place and was famous for its location at the junction of the middle and southern route of the ancient Silk Road. Now the remains of the stone city are parts of the periphery of the city. The golden grass beach is located next to the Stone City in Tashkurgan, you can take a walk through the grassland, maybe you can meet local Tajik people, herds of animals etc.
Day 5: Visit Grand Bazaar and then take night train to Turpan. / Overnight on the train
Busiest on Sunday, the Great Bazaar of Kashgar is the largest of its kind in Xinjiang. Thousand of stalls sell almost every kind of merchandise. Step carefully through the jam-packed entrance and allow your five senses guide you through the market; the pungent smell of cumin, the sight of scorpions in a jar, the sound of muqam from tinny radios, the taste of hot samsas and the feel of soft sheepskin caps are delightful, and overwhelming. A section of the market contains everything of interest to tourists, including the spice market, musical instruments, fur caps, kitschy souvenirs and carpet. After the tour, go to train station to take the night train Kashgar-Turpan, there are 4 persons in 1 room on softsleeper compartment, please kindly note the guide will leave at train station and won’t accompany on the trains.
Day 6: Arrive Turpan and city tour in Turpan. / Overnight in Turpan
Guide will wait for you at exit of Turpan train station, you can have some breakfast (pay on spot) with help of guide, then starts the day trip in Turpan: Asitana Ancient Mausoleum, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Tuyu Valley. Turpan is an important city along the ancient Silk Road with long history, it is also know as Huozhou, meaning that the place is as hot as fire. In Uygur language, it means the lowest place. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is a site forming of ancient religious caves and shrines dating back to AD 400 to AD 1,300. The grottoes earn its reputation by being an architectural complex with 83 artificial caves, however only 57 of them preserved, in which more than 40 caves were painted about Buddha on the walls. Visitors could feel the glorious history while watching those vivid murals as well as elaborate Buddha statues.
Day 7: Visit in Turpan and take day train to Urumqi. / Overnight in Urumqi
Morning visit Karez and the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe, then transfer to Turpan Bei train station to take high speed day train to Urumqi. The ruins of Jiaohe city is just ten kilometers (6 miles) west of Turpan, in the Yarnaz valley, perched atop a narrow terrace like an island above two rivers – the city’s Chinese and Uygur names both mean “confluence of river”. The cliffs rise more than 30 meters abovethe riverbeds, forming a natural defense.
Day 8: Day tour to visit Heavenly Lake. / Overnight in Urumqi
Today you will have day tour to visit Heavenly lake in Urumqi. The heavenly lake lies in the east of Urumqi, about 110 km from the city. It deserves its name for the crescent-shaped water area, also enjoys the crystal water as its source which come from the melted snow from Heavenly Mountain. Just sit on the boat to enjoy the nice view of the lake ! (after the winter time)
Day 9：Take train Urumqi-Liuyuan and then head for Dunhuang. / Overnight in Dunhuang
When you arrive at Liuyuan train station, guide will wait for you and take you to Dunhuang by car.
Day 10: Day trip in Dunhuang. / Overnight in Dunhuang
Today you will have a day trip to visit Mogao caves, Sing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake. The Mogao Caves , also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes , form a system of 492 caves 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road. Singing Sand Dune is 40km from east to west, and 20 from south to north,7 kilometers away from downtown Dunhuang and cover a total area of around 200 square kilometers. the crescent lake is surrounded by it and it is called as "the wonder of the dersert".
Day 11: Day trip to visit Yadan NP and Jade gate./ Overnight in Dunhuang
Yadan National Geological Park, located at 180 km northwest to Dunhuang, is one of the world's largest area of yardang landform. The site has the natural heritage significance, being the largest known area of yardan formation in the world. The Jade gate, we call Yumen Pass, is a beacon tower fort of the Han Great Wall. It was inevitably a strategic passage of the famous Silk Road in ancient China.
Day 12: Transfer Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye. / Overnight in Zhangye Beijing
Charmission Travel Today you will leave Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Fort and Overhanging Great Wall, then transfer to stay in Zhangye. Overhanging Great Wall is named for its position on the mountain ridge of 45 degrees, resembling hanging upside down in the sky. As the northern extension of Jiayuguan Fort, it is an important part of ancient military defense system of Jiayuguan.
Day 13: Day tour in Zhangye. / Overnight in Zhangye
Today you will visit Danxia Landform and Giant Buddha Temple Danxia landforn is known for its colorful rock formations, it has been voted by Chinese media outlets as one of the most beautiful landforms in China. With its majestic table mountain terrain, odd-shaped Danxia cliffs, and dynamic, dramatic colors, Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is one of the most beautiful corner on earth and displays a unique type of petrographic geomorphology found in China.
Day 14: Take train Zhangye-Xi’an. / Overnight in Xi’an
Today you will depart for Xi’an by high speed day train. Xi'an, called "Chang'an in ancient times which means the eternal city, has won a reputation all over the world as it is the starting point of the Silk Road and also the site of Terra Cotta Army. It is also one of the most important transportation hubs in central and western China.
Day 15: Day tour in Xi’an city. / Overnight in Xi’an
Day tour to visit Terra Cotta Army Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and city wall. It takes about 1 hour from city center to Terra Cotta Army, the figures lie underground for more than 2000 years. Excavation of the underground vaults of earth and timber revealed thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Army in battle formation. Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is one of the most famous Chinese ancient structures and has been viewed as the landmark of Xi'an. Originally built in 652 AD , it functioned to collect Buddhist materials
that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. Xi'an City Wall has a history of more than 1,400 years, it is the most complete city wall that has survived in China and also one of the oldest and best preserved military defense systems in China and world. There are four main gates to the Xi’an City Wall and when you are on the wall, you can hire bikes to cycle on the wall to feel like dating back to ancient times.
Day 16: Take train Xi’an-Beijing, the capital of China. / Overnight in Beijing
Today you will leave Xi'an for Beijing by high speed day train (about 5.5 hours on the train).
Beijing is the capital city of China, you can visit the Forbidden City, where the emperors used to live and work. Be impressed by the holy Temple of Heaven, walk through Hutongs(allies with courtyards) where local Beijingers live and even have a lunch with them.
Day 17: Day tour in Beijing city. / Overnight in Beijing
Day tour to visit Lama tempel, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City (Forbidden city will be closed on Monday, it can be changed with next day if needed).
Temple of Heaven. It was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing would pray to heaven for good harvests. It has been described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design". After lunch, have a stroll on the world's largest city center square, Tiananmen Square. Then, pass through the Golden Water Bridge and enter the well preserved imperial palace complex, the Forbidden City (also called Palace Museum).
Day 18: Day tour to visit Mutianyu Greatwall and Summer Palace./ Overnight in Beijing
The Mutianyu Great Wall is a bit further than Badaling and Juyongguan Great Wall and so is less crowded, which enables you to enjoy a more peaceful and free exploration on the Wall. Standing on top of the wall brings a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and mountains. Many people describe the visit to Great Wall as their best memory in China. Check whether it is true for you. The Summer Palace is the largest royal garden. In 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value."
Day 19: Depart for home from Beijing. / no service of accommodation
Today you will leave Beijing for home, our driver and guide will take you from hotel to Beijing airport for your flight.
Kashgar Sunday Market, Registan Square Samarkand, Taklamakan Desert, Gobi Desert, Terracotta Army, Great Wall, Tian Shan and Pamir Mountain Ranges.
Major Cities/Towns:
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xian and Beijing.
Variety of Transport:
bus/van/local taxi, rickshaw, boat, train, camels
Activity:
Easy walks for sightseeing and a moderate walk along the Great Wall of China.
Unique Local Experiences:
From big cities to small towns the tour is packed with a number of experiences that will get you closer to the culture and people. Witness cultural shows, dances, unique markets and experience a variety of local food.
D-01 Arrive – Tashkent
D-02 Tashkent – Bukhara
D-03 Bukhara – Samarkand
D-04 Samarkand
D-05 Samarkand – Tashkent
D-06 Tashkent – Fergana
D-07 Fergana – Osh – Sarytash
D-08 Sarytash – Irkishtam – Kashgar
D-09 Kashgar
D-10 Kashgar
D-11 Train: Kashgar – Turpan
D-12 Turpan
D-13 Turpan – Urumqi
D-14 Visit Heavenly Lake
D-15 Urumqi – Dunhuang
D-16 Dunuang
D-17 Excursion: Yadan & Jade Gate
D-18 Dunhuang – Jiayguan - Zhangye
D-19 Zhangye
D-21 Train: Zhangye – Xian
D-22 Xian
D-23 Xian – Departure
Day 1: Arrival Kashgar / Overnight in Kashgar
Have a rest and adjust yourself to the new environment.
Day 2: Day tour to visit places in Kashgar city: Sunday market, Kashgar ancient city, Idkah
Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum / Overnight in Kashgar
In the far west of Xinjiang, the Silk Road town of Kashgar lies at the foot of the Pamir mountains, with the Taklamakan Desert to the east. As the meeting point of the northern and southern Silk Roads and the gateway to the West, it was once a place of great significance. Today you will have a day trip to visit the Sunday market (only available on Sunday), Kashgar ancient city, Idkah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum. The Sunday livestock bazaar outside Kashgar is a main attraction in the city. The day begins with Uyghur farmers and herders trekking into the city from the nearby village. By lunchtime just about every sellable sheep, camel, horse, cow and donkey within 50km has been squeezed through the Bazaar gates. Trading is swift and boisterous between the swarthy old traders; animals are carefully inspected and haggling is done with finger motions. Happy buyers then stuff their sheep in the back of a taxi or truck and lurch away. It’s dusty, smelly, crowded, disorientating and wonderful all at once. More than 600 folk houses built along the slopes, the gracefully set old town Uyghur folk houses have been formed scattering on the 400-meter-high slopes. Narrow alleys are lined with adobe houses ranging in age from 50 to 500 years old, and the lanes twist haphazardly through neighborhoods where Kashgaris have lived and worked for centuries. It is a great place for strolling, peeking through gates, chatting up the locals and admiring the craftsmen as they create their wares. Old town is especially known for the local potteryworkshops. As the largest mosque in Xinjiang, Id Kah Mosque is built in the Central Asian style and altered over the centuries. Built in the 17th century, the Aba Khoja Mausoleum and nearby buildings form one of the best examples of Islamic architectures in China.
Day 3: Drive along the famed Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan via Lake Karakul. / Overnight
in Tashkurgan Today you will have a "driving day" from Kashgar to visit Karakul lake, then we drive to Tashkurgan. Tashkurgan is a small and cosy town, near to the Pakistan and Tajik borders, situated in the east of Pamirs. On the way from Kashgar to Tashkurgan, you will see Karakuli Lake, which means "Black sea" and has the charming scenery. The lake is at an altitude of 3600 m, situated at the foot of Mount Muztagata. It is surrounded by mountains and in front of the lake, there is grassland with flocks and herds.
Day 4: Visiting in Tashkurgan, then transfer back to Kashgar. / Overnight in Kashgar
Today you will see some places in Tushkurgan, then we drive back to Kashgar. Stone city is located in the north of Tashkurgan county and already more than 2000 years old. It was an important strategic place and was famous for its location at the junction of the middle and southern route of the ancient Silk Road. Now the remains of the stone city are parts of the periphery of the city. The golden grass beach is located next to the Stone City in Tashkurgan, you can take a walk through the grassland, maybe you can meet local Tajik people, herds of animals etc.
Day 5: Visit Grand Bazaar and then take night train to Turpan. / Overnight on the train
Busiest on Sunday, the Great Bazaar of Kashgar is the largest of its kind in Xinjiang. Thousand of stalls sell almost every kind of merchandise. Step carefully through the jam-packed entrance and allow your five senses guide you through the market; the pungent smell of cumin, the sight of scorpions in a jar, the sound of muqam from tinny radios, the taste of hot samsas and the feel of soft sheepskin caps are delightful, and overwhelming. A section of the market contains everything of interest to tourists, including the spice market, musical instruments, fur caps, kitschy souvenirs and carpet. After the tour, go to train station to take the night train Kashgar-Turpan, there are 4 persons in 1 room on softsleeper compartment, please kindly note the guide will leave at train station and won’t accompany on the trains.
Day 6: Arrive Turpan and city tour in Turpan. / Overnight in Turpan
Guide will wait for you at exit of Turpan train station, you can have some breakfast (pay on spot) with help of guide, then starts the day trip in Turpan: Asitana Ancient Mausoleum, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Tuyu Valley. Turpan is an important city along the ancient Silk Road with long history, it is also know as Huozhou, meaning that the place is as hot as fire. In Uygur language, it means the lowest place. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is a site forming of ancient religious caves and shrines dating back to AD 400 to AD 1,300. The grottoes earn its reputation by being an architectural complex with 83 artificial caves, however only 57 of them preserved, in which more than 40 caves were painted about Buddha on the walls. Visitors could feel the glorious history while watching those vivid murals as well as elaborate Buddha statues.
Day 7: Visit in Turpan and take day train to Urumqi. / Overnight in Urumqi
Morning visit Karez and the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe, then transfer to Turpan Bei train station to take high speed day train to Urumqi. The ruins of Jiaohe city is just ten kilometers (6 miles) west of Turpan, in the Yarnaz valley, perched atop a narrow terrace like an island above two rivers – the city’s Chinese and Uygur names both mean “confluence of river”. The cliffs rise more than 30 meters abovethe riverbeds, forming a natural defense.
Day 8: Day tour to visit Heavenly Lake. / Overnight in Urumqi
Today you will have day tour to visit Heavenly lake in Urumqi. The heavenly lake lies in the east of Urumqi, about 110 km from the city. It deserves its name for the crescent-shaped water area, also enjoys the crystal water as its source which come from the melted snow from Heavenly Mountain. Just sit on the boat to enjoy the nice view of the lake ! (after the winter time)
Day 9：Take train Urumqi-Liuyuan and then head for Dunhuang. / Overnight in Dunhuang
When you arrive at Liuyuan train station, guide will wait for you and take you to Dunhuang by car.
Day 10: Day trip in Dunhuang. / Overnight in Dunhuang
Today you will have a day trip to visit Mogao caves, Sing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake. The Mogao Caves , also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes , form a system of 492 caves 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road. Singing Sand Dune is 40km from east to west, and 20 from south to north,7 kilometers away from downtown Dunhuang and cover a total area of around 200 square kilometers. the crescent lake is surrounded by it and it is called as "the wonder of the dersert".
Day 11: Day trip to visit Yadan NP and Jade gate./ Overnight in Dunhuang
Yadan National Geological Park, located at 180 km northwest to Dunhuang, is one of the world's largest area of yardang landform. The site has the natural heritage significance, being the largest known area of yardan formation in the world. The Jade gate, we call Yumen Pass, is a beacon tower fort of the Han Great Wall. It was inevitably a strategic passage of the famous Silk Road in ancient China.
Day 12: Transfer Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye. / Overnight in Zhangye Beijing
Charmission Travel Today you will leave Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Fort and Overhanging Great Wall, then transfer to stay in Zhangye. Overhanging Great Wall is named for its position on the mountain ridge of 45 degrees, resembling hanging upside down in the sky. As the northern extension of Jiayuguan Fort, it is an important part of ancient military defense system of Jiayuguan.
Day 13: Day tour in Zhangye. / Overnight in Zhangye
Today you will visit Danxia Landform and Giant Buddha Temple Danxia landforn is known for its colorful rock formations, it has been voted by Chinese media outlets as one of the most beautiful landforms in China. With its majestic table mountain terrain, odd-shaped Danxia cliffs, and dynamic, dramatic colors, Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is one of the most beautiful corner on earth and displays a unique type of petrographic geomorphology found in China.
Day 14: Take train Zhangye-Xi’an. / Overnight in Xi’an
Today you will depart for Xi’an by high speed day train. Xi'an, called "Chang'an in ancient times which means the eternal city, has won a reputation all over the world as it is the starting point of the Silk Road and also the site of Terra Cotta Army. It is also one of the most important transportation hubs in central and western China.
Day 15: Day tour in Xi’an city. / Overnight in Xi’an
Day tour to visit Terra Cotta Army Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and city wall. It takes about 1 hour from city center to Terra Cotta Army, the figures lie underground for more than 2000 years. Excavation of the underground vaults of earth and timber revealed thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta Army in battle formation. Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is one of the most famous Chinese ancient structures and has been viewed as the landmark of Xi'an. Originally built in 652 AD , it functioned to collect Buddhist materials
that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. Xi'an City Wall has a history of more than 1,400 years, it is the most complete city wall that has survived in China and also one of the oldest and best preserved military defense systems in China and world. There are four main gates to the Xi’an City Wall and when you are on the wall, you can hire bikes to cycle on the wall to feel like dating back to ancient times.
Day 16: Take train Xi’an-Beijing, the capital of China. / Overnight in Beijing
Today you will leave Xi'an for Beijing by high speed day train (about 5.5 hours on the train).
Beijing is the capital city of China, you can visit the Forbidden City, where the emperors used to live and work. Be impressed by the holy Temple of Heaven, walk through Hutongs(allies with courtyards) where local Beijingers live and even have a lunch with them.
Day 17: Day tour in Beijing city. / Overnight in Beijing
Day tour to visit Lama tempel, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City (Forbidden city will be closed on Monday, it can be changed with next day if needed).
Temple of Heaven. It was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing would pray to heaven for good harvests. It has been described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design". After lunch, have a stroll on the world's largest city center square, Tiananmen Square. Then, pass through the Golden Water Bridge and enter the well preserved imperial palace complex, the Forbidden City (also called Palace Museum).
Day 18: Day tour to visit Mutianyu Greatwall and Summer Palace./ Overnight in Beijing
The Mutianyu Great Wall is a bit further than Badaling and Juyongguan Great Wall and so is less crowded, which enables you to enjoy a more peaceful and free exploration on the Wall. Standing on top of the wall brings a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and mountains. Many people describe the visit to Great Wall as their best memory in China. Check whether it is true for you. The Summer Palace is the largest royal garden. In 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value."
Day 19: Depart for home from Beijing. / no service of accommodation
Today you will leave Beijing for home, our driver and guide will take you from hotel to Beijing airport for your flight.