General Information
Tour Code:
Duration: 12 Days/ 11 nights
Start/ End: Xining / Urumqi
Tour Route: Xining – Zhangye – Alxa Youqi – Zhangye – Jiayuguan – Dunhuang- Turpan – Urumqi
Tour Type: Explore and Experience
Tour Categories: China Silk Road Tours
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Xining Arrival (L, D)
Day 2: Xining (B, L)
Day 3: Xining – Zhangye (B, L)
Day 4: Zhangye – Alxa Youqi (B, L, D)
Day 5: Alxa Youqi – Zhangye (B, L)
Day 6: Zhangye (B, L)
Day 7: Zhangye – Jiayuguan (B, L)
Day 8: Jiayuguan – Dunhuang (B, L)
Day 9: Dunhuang – Turpan (B, L)
Day 10: Turpan (B, L)
Day 11: Turpan – Urumqi (B, L)
Day 12: Urumqi Departure (B)
Full Itinerary of China Silk Road Tour
Day 1: Xining Arrival (L, D)
Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by our local tour guide then transferred to the well- prearranged hotel. Finish the check-in process and feast on lunch before heading to the Kumbum Monastery, or Ta’er si Temple in Chinese, which is a great monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1583, the sacred structure has an enormous historical significance and houses various collections of impressive artwork and architecture.
Afterward, enjoy local dinner and drive back to the hotel for a good rest.
Day 2: Xining (B, L)
After the savory breakfast at the hotel, follow the tour guide to the Qinghai Lake, which is about 152 kilometers to the west of the provincial capital of Xining. Known as China’s largest lake, Qinghai is also famous for its marvelous natural beauty. It is not an exaggeration to praise the landscape as in the fairyland with the crystal water adorned with beautiful islands as well as the surrounding spectacular mountains and green grasslands.
Take some refreshments then let our driver escort you back to the Xining city. In the afternoon, continue with a visit to one of four northwestern China’s most important mosques – Dongguan Mosque.
Transfer back to the hotel and relax.
Day 3: Xining – Zhangye (B, L)
Savor breakfast before taking a drive to the Xining station to board the train to Zhangye. On the way, immerse yourself into the sea of rape flowers and natural forest on the northern and southern slope of the mighty Qilian Mountains, which are coated with snow all year round. Once stepping your foot in Zhangye, enjoy the welcome lunch in the city. Next, get on our private air-conditioned car to Matisi Grottoes or the Horse’s Hoof Temple. Take in the magnificent views, marvel at Buddhist cave art and gain insights into the folk customs of Yuhu minority group before returning to the hotel in Zhangye for leisure.
Day 4: Zhangye – Alxa Youqi (B, L, D)
Get ready for a new adventure day with hearty breakfast. Today, you will be escorted to the next destination, AlxaYouqi where lunch is served. Then drive further to the entrance gate of the renowned Bardain Jaran desert. Known as the most beautiful desert in China, Bardain Jaran holds many splendid lakes and the world’s highest dune. As the night falls, travel to the camping site to have a stroll along the lake bank and a visit to the Bardain Jaran monastery. It will be fascinating to enjoy a night in the desert under the beautiful shining stars. Goodnight.
Day 5: Alxa Youqi – Zhangye (B, L)
Wake up and have a tasty breakfast. This morning, admire more enchanting scenery of the lakes and dunes along the drive across the Bardain Jaran desert to the entrance gate. After the lunch at Alxa Youqi, transfer to the Zhangye and pay a visit to the National Wetland Park to the north of the city.
Afterward, back to the hotel in Zhangye and have leisure time.
Day 6: Zhangye (B, L)
Get ready for a full itinerary discovering the highlighted places of Zhangye with a flavorful breakfast. Follow the tour guide to the Giant Buddha Temple, a landmark structure of the city where houses the important cultural relics under the national protection – China’s biggest Sleeping Buddha. Explore the temple whose history can date back 900 years ago before heading to the Binggou Danxia Landform. Nominated as the World’s top ten magical geographical wonders by National Geographic Magazine in 2000, the place provides the tourists a unique view in China with various sandstone wall, stone stele, hills, and aiguille, some of which look like castles, pagodas, and even human beings.
After lunch, pay a visit to the well-known Danixa Landform.
Be impressed by the extraordinary scenery of rainbow mountain ridges stretching to the horizon and precipitous red cliffs at the height of several hundred meters. It is no doubt a masterpiece of nature. Tourists can take gorgeous pictures of the area, especially at the sunset.
Back to the hotel and relax well.
Day 7: Zhangye – Jiayuguan (B, L)
After the breakfast, check out from the hotel and take the morning drive to the next city of this exciting Silk Road exploration, Jiayuguan. Upon arrival, feast on the hearty lunch and continue with the visit to spectacular Jiayuguan Pass which is the western end of the global-renowned Great Wall as well as one of the most important passes along this humankind engineering feat.
Later, head to the Wei Jin Tombs to admire the enchanting art gallery of vivid murals and wonderful layout inside before transferring back to your comfortable hotel room.
Day 8: Jiayuguan – Dunhuang (B, L)
Fill up the energy with a delicious breakfast before taking a three-hour drive from Jiayuguan to Guazhou city. Witness the vast Gobi desert, the massive windfarms, and oasis on the way traveling. On arrival of Guazhou, enjoy the well-deserved lunch before going further to the Yulin Grottoes – a China’s Buddhist cave temple site. Continue the drive to Dunhuang and pay a visit Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake.
Follow the tour guide to pre-arranged hotel and relax.
Day 9: Dunhuang – Turpan (B, L)
After breakfast, start the cultural journey with a visit to Mogao Grottoes which preserves one of the most important Buddhist art collections in the world. Then, enjoy local food before driving 130 kilometers away from the Dunhuang city to the Liuyuan train station, where you board the speed train to Turpan. Once you arrive in Turpan, be picked up and transferred to the hotel by our local guide and driver. Relax at leisure.
Day 10: Turpan (B, L)
Savor buffet breakfast at the hotel then get on the road to the mysterious ruined ancient city, Jiaohe. As the site is disappearing, this very opportunity to witness and take pictures of this Turpan’s best highlight according to most tourists is a memorable experience. Continue with the visit to the Emin Minaret or Sugong Pagoda– Xinjiang’s biggest ancient pagoda, and Karez Well- one of three major construction projects of ancient China.
As lunchtime is over, head to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves– a complex of Buddhist cave grottos, whose history dated back from the 5th to 14th century.
In the evening, return to your hotel and have a good rest.
Day 11: Turpan – Urumqi (B, L)
The drive to the Heavenly Lake will follow the hearty breakfast at the hotel. Located about 110 km away from the city of Urumqi, this crystal mountain lake is surrounded by magnificent snow-capped peaks, forests, and flowers. Immerse yourself into the fabulous natural scenery of the lake while enjoying lunch.
In the evening, transfer to the Urumqi city and rest in the hotel.
Day 12: Urumqi Departure (B)
After breakfast, our tour guide will help you to finish the check-out process. Get escorted to the airport and say goodbye to Urumqi. The 12-day Silk Road exploration comes to an end. We hope that you had an unforgettable time with the China Local Tours.
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