Arriving Dunhuang

Silkroadtrips - tour operator

Shazhou Nightly Market - Upon arrival at Dunhuang Airport or Dunhuang Rail Station, meet your guide at arrival lobby and go to the hotel for check-in. You may spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the streets of Dunhuang. Be sure to explore the night market nearby the hotel in the evening!

Dunhuang - Liuyuan (via bullet train) - Turpan

Mogao Caves - You will visit the highlight of Silk Road today. Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas), where you will be impressed by the fresco and statues in the caves. These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details. In the afternoon, you will catch a bullet train to Turpan arriving in approximately 4 hours and be transferred to hotel in about 30 minutes.

Turpan

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - After breakfast, you will start to visit Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road that was once adjacent to the kingdoms of Kroran and Yanqi. You will visit Emin Minaret which is the symbol of Turpan before sampling an authentic local lunch at a Uyghur home under the grape vine in open air.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - Later in the afternoon, you will explore the Ancient City of Gaochang

Astana-Karakhoja Tombs - The Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs are part of the Underground Museum of Turpan and the Living Archives of Gaochang. Astana means capital in Uigur; Karakhoja was a Uigur hero who protected his people from a vicious dragon.

Karez System - Karez Irrigation System was created by ancient Uygur people at the second half of 18th century. It can mainly be found in the area of Turpan, Hami and Helei. If connecting all these underground channels together, the total length will reach more than 5000 km, so it is regarded as one of ancient China’s greatest public projects.

Turpan - Urumqi

Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan) - After breakfast, you will take a 3-h ride to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The impressive stop of the day is Xinjiang Museum where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. Among which, you will find the spectacular one standing out from the rest named “Beauty of Loulan,” who was buried 4,000 years ago near the town of Loulan in Taklimakan Desert. “Beauty of Loulan” was remarkably preserved in an open coffin under hot desert sands of the Takliamakan when she was excavated.

Erdaoqiao Market - Later, you will head to stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.

Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi

Tianshan Tianchi Lake - Today you will take a one hour ride to Heavenly Lake, which is located on the north side of the Bodga Shan range of the Tianshan Mountains to enjoy fantastic mountain views and serene lake scenery. Then you will be taken back hotel.

Departing Urumqi

?mqi Diwopu International Airport - Transferred to?Urumqi Airport where the tour ends.

• Accompanied by a local guide
• Delicious lunch included
• Travel swiftly via bullet train from Liuyuan (Dunhuang) to Turpan
• Cozy accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
• Daily breakfast provided
• Transportation in a comfortable private vehicle

• Alcoholic drinks (available for purchase)
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Airfare for flight to/from Urumqi/Dunhuang
• China Visa
• Gratuities

This 5 nights classic private tour takes you to explore Chinese section of ancient Silk Road northern route from Dunhuang to Urumqi. You will travel the path of thousands of merchants and camel caravans and witness its changes in modern days. Attractions you will visit during this tour includes Mogao Grottos, Turpan Oasis, Loulan Mummies, and Heavenly Lake located on the northern side of Tianshan Mountains.

• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes
• Passport name and number is required at time of booking for all participants
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers over 3 year old

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.