Silk Road

Tour Code: BKTUSJX

Cites: Beijing, Kashgar, Kuqa, Turpan, Urumqi, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Xian

Duration: 12 Days

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

You will meet your guide at the airport, and then go to the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Forbidden City is the Imperial Palace for Ming and Qing emperors. There is totally 24 emperors lived and ruled China in the Forbidden City for more than 500 years. Lots of historical events were took place in Summer Palace which is also political and diplomatic center of the late Qing Dynasty. It reflects the high standard of Chinese traditional gardening art that is "natural". We will enjoy the Peking duck in the evening.

Attractions & Activities: Forbidden City, Summer Palace , Peking duck

Accommodation: Grand View Garden Hotel, Beijing (or similar)

Day 2: Beijing - Urumqi - Kashgar

We take morning flight to Urumqi, and then fly to Kashgar. Kashgar is located in the northwest border of China, which also one of the most important ancient Silk Road city and was known as the "land of song and dance". More than 1,000 years ago the dance and song of Kashgar were spread to the capital of China. For the unique climate condition, the fruit is very sweet. Exploring the city in the remaindering day, you will find lots of funs and see the beautiful night sighting. (B+L)

Accommodation: Xin Long Hotel, Kashgar (or similar)

Day 3: Kashgar

This morning you will walk around the Bazaar which is the largest international trade markets of Northwest China. The businessman from Xi'an which is the starting of the Silk Road was converging in this Bazaar. The Bazaar with more than 2,000 years history which also named as "Asia's largest market", and more than 5,000 market stalls and nearly 10,000 kinds of commodities are here. After lunch we will visit Kashgar Mosque which was found in 1442. This is the largest mosque in Xinjiang which is also the characterize Islam building. Many traditional houses have been over 1,000 years of history in Kashgar, and the old streets are the typical Islamic cultural style. Some of the residents make pottery for living which as an old handcraft for over 800 years. Chatting with a local family and watching the process of making a pottery. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Bazaar, Kashgar Mosque, Old Town, Local Family

Accommodation: Xin Long Hotel, Kashgar (or similar)

Day 4: Kashgar - Kuqa

The Abak hoja Tomb is like a magnificent and luxurious palace where was buried an important concubine from Qing Dynasty, and is a typical ancient tomb of Islamic-style architecture. After lunch we will take a train to Kuqa, local guide will meet us in the railway station. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: The Abak Hoja Tomb

Accommodation: Kuqa International Hotel, Kuqa (or similar)

Day 5: Kuqa

With the greatest artistic level, Kizil Thousand Buddha started at 3th century is one of the four major Buddhist Grottoes in China. Totally 236 existing grottoes, 135 complete caves and 80 murals. The beautiful murals show the farming, hunting, dancing and the Silk Road business, reflecting the scene of ancient Silk Road. After lunch we will visit the Subashi Ruins. The extent of the ruins reflects the temple's past brilliant. The pagodas, murals, walls and archaeological discoveries bear witness to the years of change, the stories of Buddhism and the development of civilization in this vast land. Take over night train to Turpan. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Kizil Thousand Buddha, Subashi Ruins

Accommodation: On the train

Day6: Kuqa - Turpan - Urumqi

Jiaohe Old Town was built in more than 3,000 years ago and destroyed in the war at the end of 13 th century, a large, old and well-preserved ancient city in the Silk Road. During the rule of 1,500 years, Jiaohe always as the leader of politic, economic, military in Western Region and play an important part in the exchange of culture and trade. Astana Tomb totally has more than 500 tombs with burial officials and residents from Xi Jin Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, abounds with sacrificial articles, such as painting, amanuensis and many warriors of different variety and exquisite workmanship which be well-preserved. It's really amazing that the Tang Dynasty dumplings have no differences from the present, especially the dumpling's stuffing are preserved well. Then we will take coach to Urumqi. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Jaohe Old Town, Astana Tomb

Accommodation: Xinjiang Grand Hotel, Urumqi (or similar)

Day7: Urumqi

We will visit Tianshan Mountain with a short cruise on the Tianchi (Heavenly pond) in the morning. Tianchi is also called Yao-lake, and Chinese myths are considered Yao-lake as the resident of West Queen. We will have a full day to explore the wonderful place and enjoy the magnificence of Tianshan Mountain. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Tianshan, Tianchi

Accommodation: Xinjiang Grand Hotel, Urumqi (or similar)

Day8: Urumqi-Dunhuang

We will take morning flight to Dunhuang and viewing the magnificent Mogao Grottoes. Dunhuang, as an ancient Buddhist sacred land, is an important place on the Silk Road. The find of Dunhuang Caves containing Buddhist sutra shocked the academic circles both at home and aboard. From Mogao Grottoes, the archeologist also discovered the ancient silk goods and murals which reflect the social life of ancient times. Then we will view the gorgeous sunset in Mingsha Mountain (Singing Sand Mountain). (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain

Accommodation: The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang (or similar)

Day9: Dunhuang-jiayuguan-Xian

Embark on a coach to Jiayuguan which is an important military fortress located in the west end of Great Wall, and also is a necessary way to the Silk Road, known as "The First Passing under heaven". Weijin Tomb is another place that you should never miss. As the Chinese outstanding tradition art Brick Relief, holds the immortal status by its unique style in the Chinese art history. The Brick Relief in Weijin Tomb reflects the politics, economic, culture and technology, and earlier than Mogao murals. Take flights to Xian. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Jiayuguan, Weijin Tomb

Accommodation: Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian (or similar)

Day 10: Xian

Terracotta Army is an amazing place that you will never missing. For the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty to build a terracotta army-array on such a large scale the gist of his doing so is very clear. It is obviously to show that he is such an emperor who ever ruled over a large country with a big population and his great achievements would benefit the country for a long, long time to come. After visiting the Terracotta Army, we will back to the city and have lunch in a local restaurant. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is also the symbol of Xian. The children who started to learn painting is begin from drawing The Big Wild Goose Pagoda. You will enjoy the Tang Dynasty Banquet and Tang Dynasty Dance Show in the evening which will take you back to the flourishing period-Tang Dynasty. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Banquet, Tang Dynasty Dance Show.

Accommodation: Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian (or similar)

Day 11: Xian-Beijing

City Wall is not only the most intact and well preserved built-up of an ancient city in China but also an existing military citadel of ancient times, the largest in scale and the most complete of its kind in the world. A professor of Chinese Kong Fu-Tai Chi will give you a lesson on the City Wall. Han Yang Mausoleum is an imperial Tomb of Liu Qi who is the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. With the tomb wall we have found 81 accompanying burial pits that are laid out in a tight and orderly way. They consists of cavalry guards of honor, warriors and all kinds of war-chariots, weapons, bridles, tools, utensils, food storage and all sorts of other objects. Then we will take flights to Beijing. (B+L+D)

Attractions & Activities: City Wall, Tai Chi Lesson, Han Yang Mausoleum

Accommodation: Grand View Garden Hotel, Beijing (or similar)

Day 12: Departure from Beijing

2012 PRICE

Price Excludes:

• Tips to guide and driver

• Fees for passports, visas and immunizations

• Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature

• International Flight

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.