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Day 1 Arrive in Urumqi
Your China Silk Road Tour starts with a warm greeting upon arrival at Urumqi airport, and then a transfer to your hotel.
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Day 2 Urumqi
In the morning, enjoy a relaxing drive to the beautiful Lake of Heaven where you will see breathtaking views of a crystal clear lake with the backdrop of the spectacular Tianshan Mountain Range, scattered with traditional yurts. In the afternoon take a tour of Xinjiang Regional Museum to learn the culture and histroy of Uyghur and many other ethnic groups and to see a large collection of pottery, jewelry, stone tools, woven items discovered in the region. This evening, sample a local specialty Uyghur meal of lamb skewers. (B/D)
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Day 3 Kashgar
After a morning flight to the frontier town of Kashgar, visit the
magnificent Islamic architecture at China’s largest
mosque, Id Kah Mosque, on the Silk Road tour. Wander through the back
streets of the old tow then enjoy a local specialty
dinner. (B/D)
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Day 4 Kashgar Sunday Market
Explore the fascinating Sunday Bazaar and its animal trading market, where goods have been traded for more than two thousand years. Experience a comfortable overnight train to Turpan - an oasis city on the ancient Silk Road.
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Day 5 Turpan
In the morning arrive in Turpan then transfer to your hotel. Visit one of the
world’s architectural wonders - the ruined city of
Jiaohe on the ancient Silk Road of China. (D)
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Day 6 Turpan
In the morning take a tour of the richly coloured Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Visit local families at Grape Valley, enjoy a homemade lunch and witness the amazing 2000 year old Irrigation Canals that are still in use today. Take an overnight train to Dunhuang - the hub of the middle and eastern Silk Road in ancient times. (B/L)
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Day 7 Dunhuang
Arrive in Liuyuan in the morning and transfer to your hotel in Dunhuang. In the afternoon enjoy a camel ride at Crescent Moon Spring and Singing Sang Dunes, and view the magnificent desert scenery. Visit Dunhuang Museum to learn the ancient history of the Silk Road on the tour. Sample a local cuisine dinner at a farmer’s house. (B/D)
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Day 8 Dunhuang Mogao Caves
Today is one of the highlights on your Silk Road tour to visit the UNESCO listed World Heritage site of the splendid Mogao Caves – home to the world acclaimed Buddhist murals and sculptures dating back to 386AD. In the afternoon take a train to Jiayuguan, the western starting point of the Great Wall. (B)
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Day 9 Jiayuguan
Visit the ancient frontier Jiayuguan Fortress, which is
set between the mountains of Qilian to the South
and Mazong Mountain to the North. Visit the Great Wall Museum and climb to the Western
end on the Great Wall for spectacular views over
this wild and magnificent region. Fly to Lanzhou,
once a major transport hub and garrison on the China Silk
Road trading route. (B)
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Day 10 Lanzhou
Take a morning stroll along the banks of the Yellow River overlooking Lanzhou city’s landmark of the Iron Bridge of Yellow River, and then climb up
to the peak of White Pagoda Hill for incredible
views of the city. Take a short stop at Waterwheel Garden to see giant steel and wood, once used to lift precious water from the Yellow River to supply the needs of this dry region. There is also a chance to ride on a raft of inflated sheep skins. Sample the local specialty – “Hand
Stretched Noodles Dinner” before flying to Xian. (B/D)
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Day 11 Xian
Spend the last day visiting the historically significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, where you will find 7000 individually crafted clay soldiers standing on guard. You will get a chance to learn how to make these warriors at a workshop. See the intricately carved murals and feel the Buddhists chanting at Big Wild Goose Pagoda, take an afternoon stroll (or even a bike ride) on the original City Wall, the most complete city wall that has survived through history and is also one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Explore the Old Muslim Quarter and Old Mosque, home to a large Chinese Muslim population and a hybridity of traditional Chinese temple architecture with Middle Eastern influences. Taste the authentic local speciality dumplings for dinner before enjoying an extraordinary Tang Dynasty culture show. (B/D)
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Day 12 Depart Xian
This adventure tour of the China Silk Road ends with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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