Arriving Urumqi

Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport - Pick up from Diwopu International Airport or Urumqi Rail Station and transfer you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the streets of Urumqi.

Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi

Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan) - Visit Xinjiang Museum where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited(close on Mondays). The spectacular one stands 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 theTaklamakan when she was excavated in 1980.

Tianshan Tianchi Lake - Afterwards, head up to Heavenly Lake, located on the north side of the Bodga Shan range of the Tianshan Mountains t. Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.

Erdaoqiao Market - Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.

Urumqi - Turpan

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - 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. Visit Emin Minaret, the symbol of Turpan before your authentic local lunch at a Uyghur home under the grape vine in open air.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves - More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below.There are 77 rock-cut caves at the Bezeklik Caves. Most have rectangular spaces with rounded arch ceilings often divided into four sections, each with a mural of Buddha. The effect is of entire ceiling covers with hundreds of Buddha murals. Some ceilings in Bezeklik Caves are painted with a large Buddha surrounded by other figures, including Indians, Persians and Europeans. The quality of the murals varies, with some being artistically naive while others are masterpieces of religious art.

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.

Turpan - Liuyuan (via bullet train) - Dunhuang

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - Explore ruin of ancient Jiaohe city, the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. With Karez Irrigation System helps irrigating the oasis, Jiaohe was an important site along the Silk Road trade route leading west adjacent to Korla and Karasahr kingdoms.

Shazhou Nightly Market - Catch a bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang hotel. Visit the night market nearby the hotel if you like.

Dunhuang

Mogao Caves - 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.

Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain - Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring.

Crescent Moon Pool - The Crescent Lake is also known as the Crescent Spring, Crescent Moon Spring, or Yueya Spring. It can be considered a natural wonder of the Gobi Desert.

Departing Dunhuang

Dunhuang - Free explore before heading to Dunhuang Airport where this 6 days trip concludes.

• Experienced local guide for personalized insights
• Exclusive private tour for your group
• Delicious lunch included during the tour
• Comfortable accommodation according to the itinerary
• Daily breakfast to start your mornings right
• Scenic bullet train journey from Turpan to Liuyuan (Dunhuang)
• Convenient transportation in a private vehicle

• Gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks (available for purchase)

Embark on a five-night private journey that explores the Chinese segment of the historic Silk Road’s northern route, stretching from Urumqi to Dunhuang. Follow in the footsteps of countless traders and camel caravans from antiquity, while seeing its transformation in the contemporary era. This tour features notable attractions such as the Mogao Caves, the Turpan Oasis, the Loulan Mummies, and the Celestial Lake situated on Tianshan Mountain’s northern flank.

• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

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.