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Follow in the footsteps of merchants on the Great Silk Road as they traveled from China to Europe across mountain passes and vast steppes, unveil the secrets behind this ancient land.
Itinerary at a glance
Your China vacation starts as you board the international flight bound for Beijing, China's bustling capital. Spend the night aboard the plane.
Arrive in Beijing. After clearing customs and retrieving your baggage, meet your guide at Beijing airport and relax with a convenient transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Land only package does not include airport transfers.
Travel by air to the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival at Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the world’s most “inland” city, visit the Nanshan Ranch* for the view of diverse landscapes and the Kazakhs traditional yurt. This evening enjoy a traditional roast lamb dinner.
Included: Breakfast, Special Dinner
Drive east of Urumqi to the crescent-shaped Heavenly Lake* (Tianchi), where cool alpine meadows offer a welcome respite from the desert heat. After a peaceful cruise* along the lake, we visit the Xinjiang Minority People’s Museum* and the international Bazaar. For dinner, Xinjiang specialty cuisine is served. (Due to the cold weather, the Heavenly Lake cruise is closed to the public in April.)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Depart by motorcoach to the legendary oasis town of Turpan. Situated over 500 feet below sea level, it is the second lowest depression in the world (after the Dead Sea) and the hottest spot in China. Drive by the Dabancheng City and Flaming Mountains*, visit the ancient Karez Underground Irrigation System* and the Jiaohe Ruins* . Turpan has long been the center of a fertil oasis and a very important trade center located along the Silk Road and is also well-known for its grapes and honeydew melons. Welcome to the Grape Valley* and taste some of the sweet fruits. Continue on our drive to Turpan. This evening enjoy a Turpan Minority Dance Show (It may be cancelled in the case of insufficient attendants).
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and show
Take a train ride to Liuyuan, then motorcoach to Dunhuang, one of China’s most historic cities that served as a rest stop for traders and as the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity entered China. Upon arrival in Dunhuang, start the city tour with a visit to the Dunhuang City Museum*. Tonight, attend a colorful Minority Show* following dinner. (The show season starts in May and it may be cancelled in the case of insufficient attendants.)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and show
Embark on a city tour beginning at the White Horse Pagoda*. Continue to visit the Singing Hill*, Crescent Moon Springs*, and the first highlight of our trip - Mogao Grottoes*, the largest and the most well preserved cave of arts in the world, listed as one of the World Cultural Heritages. The grottoes showcase the world’s most extensive collection of Buddhist paintings and sculptures and encompass a thousand years of superb Buddhist art.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Proceed to Jiayuguan, the western terminus of the Great Wall. Stand on top of the ancient fortress of Jiayu Pass*, the largest and most intact pass of the Great Wall, and the Great Wall Museum*, where we can better understand the architectural history of this huge defense line and have a look at the old weapons and paintings of the Great Wall.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, visit the second highlight of this trip - Zhangye Danxia Geopark. It is renowned for the stunning display of colors across hills and rock formations, one of the most amazing landscapes across China. Linze Danxia Scenic Area is the most popular and most developed area of the park. Afterwards, visit the mysterious Giant Buddha Temple*. Built in 1098, the temple is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. China’s largest reclining Buddha is well preserved in this temple. After the tour, proceed to Xining by train.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our full-day tour of Xining includes not-to-be-missed excursions to Riyue Mountain*, Daotang River*, and Qinghai Lake*, the largest inland salt-water lake in China. We will have an opportunity to cruise* on the Qinghai Lake. As night falls, we enjoy a delicious local beef hot pot for dinner.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
After breakfast, check out the hotel and continue the city tour in Xining, visit the magnificent Taer Monastery*, where the father of the Gelug Sect of Lamaism Tsongkhapa was born, and The Dongguan Mosque* before boarding the motorcoach to Lanzhou.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province with 2000 years of history. Enjoy a boat ride to visit the Liu Jia Xia Dam* and Binglingsi Grottoes*. From the top of the White Pagoda Mountain, get a panorama view of the Yellow River. Taste the famous local specialty- Lanzhou Noodles at dinner time.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
The Silk Road adventure is coming to an end. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.
Included: Breakfast
Bid a fond farewell to China as you board your homebound international flight. Re-cross the expansive Pacific Ocean once again to arrive back in the United States.
Included: Breakfast
Experienced and knowledgeable tour guide throughout China.
Fine meals as specified in itinerary including daily breakfast in hotels and local specialty cuisines:
Urumqi ..................................Roasted Lamb
Lanzhou ................................Lanzhou Handmade Noodles
Xining ....................................Beef Hot Pot
Daily comprehensive sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary.
Special entertainments:
Urumqi ....................Kazakhs Traditional Yurt Visit
Turpan .....................Turpan Ethnic Minority Dance Show
Dunhuang ..............Dunhuang Minority Show, Camel Back Ride
Air-conditioned tour coach with professional driver service.
Take train from Zhangye to Xining.
A bottle of mineral water is provided on the bus every day.
Easy recognized luggage tag, badge, and document holder are provided for your convenience.
Physician consultation strongly recommended for this tour.
Select City Packages are available for you to extend your trip before or after the tour. See City Packages for more information.
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Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong, a five-star international hotel with a distinctive exterior, is located in the heart of Beijing, China. A long history of exceptional service assured by the New Otani Hotel Management of Japan, your Beijing experience begins at the moment you enter the oriental garden designed courtyard adjacent to the lobby.
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Gary guan has tried very hard to manage 42 of us. He was very nice and courtesy. I just wish that you had 2 main tour managers. One for each group (21 people) and each bus. The trip I have attended last year(Yangtze River Adventure 14 days)had 2 main tour managers and worked wonderful. This arrangement will avoid poor communication, and let us feel being loved and cared more:)My experience with Yangtze River tour, our main tour manager always stayed behind the last person in the group while the local tour guy in the front guiding us and always made sure he has his group with him. There is no way for Gary to do so with such big group. He then had to spend time to look for people (42 of us) because some of us did not hear the instruction or could not find the team because the local tour guide walked too fast or we had lost track of time. Other issues was "carrying luggage", not once we had to do so with Yangtze River Tour, everything has been carried from Hotel to train station or airport and vice versa. Can you imagine carrying 2 luggage to train station and up to 50 steps of stairs??? Luckily our male teammates, of course including Gary got all of them to the train, then all these luggage has to be out within 3-4 minutes at destination. It was like a war racing with time and weights while other people from different travel co. watching us with nothing in their hands. Next time, I prefer you charge me more instead of going thru these torture again. Enough said, I still like your company and want your company to be liked as well.
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