OVERVIEW

This 14-day Silk Road tour takes you to explore the ancient Silk Road from Kashgar to Xian on Budget by taking car, hard sleeper etc. You will travel to Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Kumbum & Labrang Monastery, Lanzhou, and Xian etc.

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 Karakul Lake day trip

Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renowned friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains.
Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. 
Afterwards you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise.
Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3Kashgar explore before taking overnight train to Turpan

It is a busy day today to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will visit Apa Hoja Mausoleum this morning, which is a family cemetery with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun. Then you will visit the Grand Bazaar that is the biggest market in central Asia to sell all sorts of things. Later, you will visit the Kashgar old town where you will view the traditional houses and shops, workshop etc. 

Afterwards you will wander along the handicraft street in the Kashgar old town where there are music instruments, utensils and caps etc. Visit the Id Ghar Mosque, which is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. 

If it is Sunday, you will visit Animal Bazaar that opens only on Sundays.

Later, you will be transferred to Kashgar Railway Station to catch 13-15 hour overnight train to Turpan.

Transport: Car/Taxi + Train
Accommodation: Overnight on the hard sleeper train
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4Explore Turpan

Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renowned for its well-preserved conditions. 

Today you will visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide. 

You may taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food on your own cost for lunch.

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

Day 5Turpan to Tianchi by car, then overnight train to Dunhuang

Drive 4 hours to Heavenly Lake, visit this stunning mountain lake before transferring to catch overnight train to Dunhuang(15 hours). (Note: sometimes there are no direct trains, you will take train to Liuyuan Station where you catch a car to Dunhuang.)

Transport: Private Vehicle + Overnight train
Accommodation: Overnight on the hard sleeper train
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be traced back to the 4th century, and built many times in the history. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by vehicle, then visit Jiayuguan Fort

Today you will take 5-hour car ride from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan along the highway, enjoying the snow-capped mountains, oasis towns, lake, gobi desert, and grassland. 

Upon arrival, you will visit the Jiayuguan Fort that is the western end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty about 600 years ago.

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

Day 8Jiayuguan to Zhangye Danxia by car

Drive 3 hours to Zhangye Danxia where you will view the fantastic and colorful Danxia Mountains in Zhangye. Afterwards you will be transferred to hotel in Zhangye.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9Zhangye to Xining by bullet train, visit Kumbum Monastery

Take 2-hour bullet train from Zhangye to Xining, then drive one hour to visit Kumbum Monastery that is one of six biggest Tibetan Buddhism Monasteries, where the yak butter carvings are must-see with its colorful and vivid characteristics. 

Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Xining
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10Xining to Labrang by car

Drive to Xiahe (or Labrang in Tibetan language) for about 5 hours, visit the Tibetan temples in Tongren on the way. Visit the well preserved Labrang Monastery this afternoon, which is a Tibetan Buddhism college to teach monks art,  philosophy, medicine etc.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Labrang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11Labrang to Lanzhou, then overnight train to Xian

Drive 4 hours to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Visit the Yellow River, Zhongshan Bridge, Waterwheel park before catching overnight train to Xian (8 hours).

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight on the hard sleeper train
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12Xian Tour: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall and Muslim Quarter

Today you will explore the Terra-cotta Warriors, which was built 600 years ago with a length of 14km. 

Then you can walk or ride bike on the old City Wall in Xian

Moreover, you will wander around the renowned Muslim Quarter where there are shops, markets, restaurants, and old houses etc. to explore.

Transport: Private transfer + bus
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi'an

Day 13Free Explore in Xi'an

Free explore in the historical city, Xi'an.

Transport: None
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14Departure from Xi'an

Today is departure day, and you will be transferred to Xi'an airport to catch your flight to next destination, where the wonderful tour concludes.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

Group Size: 1--15 pax 

Travel Season: Year around

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Transport: Chartered car or public bus

Train: 

  Harder sleeper Kashgar/Turpan

  Harder sleeper Turpan/Dunhuang

  Buillet train Zhangye/Xining

  Harder sleeper Lanzhou/Xian

Meals: Breakfasts listed

Guide: English-speaking local guides

Entrance fees: Sites listed 

EXCLUDED

Gratuities

TRIP NOTES

China Visa required

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