OVERVIEW

Silk Road or Silk Route used to be an important trading route between east and west in the history. Nowadays it becomes a historical tour route that offers great landscape, colorful cultures, and interesting history. This 14-day tour will let you explore all the must-see attractions from Kashgar to Lanzhou, then to Xiahe(Labrang), then back to Lanzhou where the tour concludes. On the ancient Silk Road, you will view the profound history and enjoy the stunning scenery. 

ITINERARY

Day 1Kashgar Arrival Transfer

Welcome to Kashgar, the historical city on the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Enjoy your free time if you arrive early.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

Day 2Kashgar to Tashkurgan, visit Karakul Lake en route

Today you will take a 4-hour car ride to the pretty Karakul Lake which is situated by the renowned China-Pakistan friendship highway. Karakul Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3600 meters, it is an imposing picture to view the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the same time. The Muztagata(7546m) is just standing beside the Karakul Lake, creating a stunning picture. You will also visit the White Sand Lake on the way, and view the yurts spreading on the grassland.

Afterwards, you will drive on to Tashkurgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3Tashkurgan back to Kashgar(320KM 6H)

Today you will visit the Stone City that was built 2000 years ago in Tashkurgan, and the ruin still can trace back its original style. Enjoy the grassland view outside the town.

Later, you will take the car ride back to Kashgar.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4Kashgar explore, then fly to Urumqi

Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret. 

Next, you will visit Kashgar Old Town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge music instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang.

Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc. 

The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.

Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar airport to catch flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel. 

Transport: Private Vehicle + Flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5Urumqi to Heavenly Lake, then back to Urumqi by car

Today you will take 1-hour car ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese. It is a high-mountain lake sitting in the Tianshan Mountains, and inscribed on the world heritage list by UNESCO. The lake looks like a crystal mirror to reflect the snow-capped mountains.  There are some kazak yurts on the hills, these white tents make a stunning picture with the green lake and mountains.

Later, you will get back to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays), which displays the relics excavated in Xinjiang on the ancient Silk Road. The museum is renowned for the mummies and monority costumes. 

Then, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6Urumqi to Turpan by car, sighteeing in Turpan

Today you will take 3-hour car ride to Turpan, which used to be a hub on the ancient Silk Road in the history.  

In Turpan, you will visit the Ancient City of Jiaohe that is a huge city ruin built on a big terrace being protected by two rivers. Then you will visit the Karez Irrigation System, which supplies the water to the people living in the dry Turpan Depression by the underground system. Moreover, you will view Emin Minaret, the token of the city of Turpan with typical Uyghur architecture, which was built in 1777AD. 

Moreover you will visit the impressive Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves where you will learn the history of Turpan on the ancient Silk Road.  The caves are situated in the amazing Flaming Mountain valley, it is a wonderful place to take photos.

Tasting the yummy Uyghur lunch is another fun in Turpan. 

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7Turpan to Liuyuan by bullet train, then head to Dunhuang

Take 3.5-hour bullet train from Turpan to Liuyuan, where you will take 2-hour car ride to Dunhuang. Wander around the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes this afternoon, and view the crescent spring in the dunes. 
It is nice to eat or wander around the Dunhuang night market this evening. Or you can watch the performance copied from Mogao Caves.

Transport: Private vehicle + Bullet train
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by vehicle

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be tracked back to the 4th century, and built many times in the past. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.
After lunch, you will take 5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan via the western Hexi Corridor. Enjoy the scenery on the way for Gobi Desert, oasis towns, and snow-capped Qilian Mountains. 

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9Jiayuguan to Zhangye by car after sightseeing

Today you will visit the western end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan Fortress, which was built on the narrowest area in the Hexi Corridor between Qilian Mountain and Black Mountain. Afterwards you will climb up the Overhanging Greal Wall to enjoy the amazing mountain view. 

Later, you will be transferred to visit the tomb brick painting in the Wei and Jin Ancient Cemetery, where the fresh colors painted on the brick are very impressive.

Then you will take 2.5-hour car ride to Zhangye. 

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10Zhangye Day Tour to Mati Temple and Mount Danxia

Today you will head to Mati Monastery to view the Tibetan Buddhism monastery.

Afterwards you will take one-hour ride to Zhangye Rainbow Danxia to view the colorful Rainbow mountains this afternoon. This is very popular site recent years on the Silk Road for its impressive red, yellow, white and black clay on the mountains. 

Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Zhangye.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11Zhangye to Lanzhou by bullet train, city tour in Lanzhou

Today you will take 3-hour bullet train from Zhangye to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, you will visit Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, which is built along the Yellow River.

Gansu is famous for the Silk Road history, today you can visit Gansu Provincial Museum (close on Monday ) if the tickets are available.

You will visit Zhangshan Iron Bridge, Water Wheel Park by the Yellow River, and White Pagoda Hill etc.

Check in the hotel later in Lanzhou.

Transport: Private vehicle + fast train
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12Lanzhou to Bingling Temple, then to Xiahe by car

Today you will take a 2-hour car ride to Linxia where you will take ferry to sail across the Liujiaxia Reservoir to view the Binglingsi Grottos that was built beside the Yellow River. There are various Buddha Statues with the stunning scenery around the Grottos are amazing.

Afterwards, you will be transferred for another 2 hours to the hotel in Xiahe (Labrang).

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Xiahe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13Labrang to Lanzhou after sightseeing

Today you will visit the Labrang Monastery with a local lama guide to learn the history and the culture about the Tibetan Buddhism in Labrang. The colorful paintings, statues, and carvings in the temples are very interesting to explore.

Afterwards, you will take 4-hour car ride back to Lanzhou to check in the hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14Depart from Lanzhou

Today you will say good bye to Lanzhou, transferred to Lanzhou Airport as per your flight time where the tour concludes.

Transport: Private transfer
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

Accommodation: 4-star hotel (3 star in Tashkurgan)

Transport: Chartered car or bus

Fast Train(Economy Class): 

   Turpan/Liuyuan, Zhangye/Lanzhou

Flight: Kashgar/Urumqi(Economy)

Meals: Listed in the itinerary

Guide: English-speaking local guides

Entrance Fees: Entrance for the attractions listed

EXCLUDED

Gratuities

TRIP NOTES

Group Size: 2--15 pax 

Travel Season: Year around 

China Visa is required.

Tour duration: 14 days 13 nights

Difficulty: Easy

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