Arrival in Xi’an. Overnight in Xi’an.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Upon landing, your local tour guide will greet you with a welcome sign displaying your name and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient city at your leisure. It is said that to see 800 years of China’s history, visit Beijing; to see 3000 years, go to Xi’an. Xi’an is the root of Chinese history and culture, having been the ancient capital of many dynasties and the starting point of the Silk Road in China.

Xi’an. Overnight in Xi’an.

Xi’an - In the morning, your tour guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer you to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, which is an 80-minute drive, 45 km away.

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Your guide will pre-book your tickets online to help you skip the line at the Museum entrance. Following your guide, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum by visiting the three excavated pits and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall. Despite being buried for over 2,200 years, the clay warriors and horses remain vivid with distinct appearances. You will spend at least two and a half hours at this remarkable site.

Small Goose Pagoda - Next, you will transfer to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda located inside Jianfu Temple, about one kilometer south of Xi’an city center. It is one of the two significant Buddhist pagodas erected during the Tang Dynasty about 1300 years ago. Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its larger counterpart, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, are two important Buddhist sites dating back to the Tang Dynasty, 1300 years ago.

The two pagodas symbolized Chang’an (Constant Peace) city. Xi’an (West Peace) was known as Chang’an until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when Beijing became the capital of China. Chang’an served as the capital for ten dynasties.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - After lunch, you will transfer to the city wall. You can walk or cycle around the wall, with bike rental fees paid locally if you choose to cycle. The first landmark visitors encounter in Xi’an is the ancient City Wall, which encircles the old city. It is one of the most famous attractions in Xi’an. Today, this wall is one of the oldest and best-preserved Chinese city walls and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Muslim Quarter - Your last stop will be the Muslim Bazaar, the city’s most vibrant area. If interested, you can explore the bazaar at your own pace and return to the hotel independently. Your guide will provide directions for returning to your hotel. The Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square are within walking distance of the Bazaar. There are many boutique stores with fair prices in the Bazaar and numerous excellent dining options for dinner.

Xi’an - Dunhuang by flight. Overnight in Dunhuang.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Today, you will take a morning flight to Dunhuang. Your driver and guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport, about 40 km from the city, taking approximately an hour by car.

Dunhuang Airport - Upon arrival in Dunhuang, you will be promptly picked up by your local guide and transferred to your Dunhuang hotel.

Crescent Moon Pool - After checking in, you will visit the Mysterious Crescent Lake, named for its crescent moon shape formed by a small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Here, you can slide down the Sounding sand dunes to see if you can hear the sound from the dunes. Known as “the first spring in the desert,” Crescent Lake is a geological marvel with clear, sweet water nestled in the vast desert for thousands of years.

Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain - Afterwards, visit the Singing Sand Mountains (Mingsha Mountain) where you can experience sand surfing and camel riding (at your own expense). Mingsha Mountain stretches from Mogao Caves in the east, 40 kilometers long from east to west, and 20 kilometers from south to north.

Dunhuang - Turpan by train. Overnight in Turpan.

Dunhuang - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the renowned Mogao Grottoes, a 30-minute ride away.

Mogao Caves - The Mogao Grottoes, constructed over a millennium ago from the 4th to 14th centuries, are also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves. They are one of the most notable grottoes in China and the best-preserved treasure house of Buddhist art, sutras, murals, and sculptures in the world.

Dunhuang Railway Station Parking Lot - After lunch, take the high-speed train to Turpan (16:35 pm-19:56 pm).

Turpan. Overnight in Turpan.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - Begin your exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became the capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. Enjoy exploring the ancient city for about an hour before moving on to Toyuq village, a beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here, you will visit several local families and have lunch with a local family at their home, which could be the highlight of your day tour.

Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan) - On the way back to the hotel, you will stop at the Flaming Mountains, claimed to be the hottest and driest along the Silk Road, where “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come.”

Turpan - At the end of the day, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

Turpan - Urumqi by car. Overnight in Urumqi.

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - After breakfast at the hotel, start another memorable day in Turpan. Today’s itinerary includes sightseeing in Turpan and a drive to Urumqi after lunch. First, visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings, government offices, workshops, and residential houses, still visible, offering a glimpse into a long-lost world.

Karez System - After an hour of exploring the ancient city, head to see the world-famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this region. The system is considered one of the three great projects in China, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Emin Pasa Camii (Emin Pasha Mosque) - Then visit the Emin Suliman Minaret, a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it the “pure tower.”

Ürümqi - After lunch, drive to Urumqi, which is 180 km away and takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Urumqi - Kashgar by flight. Overnight in Kashgar.

Tianshan Tianchi Lake - Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and depart for Heavenly Lake after breakfast, which is 115 km (71 miles) and takes over two hours by vehicle. Your time at the Heavenly Lake is yours to ride horses, go boating (at your own expense), take photos, or simply trek around the lake for as long as you like. You can have lunch with a local Kazak family or just visit them! This is a great way to understand the life of the Kazak people in a short time. When you are finished at the lake, your driver will take you to Urumqi airport for your flight to Kashgar.

Airport Road Post Office - Upon arrival in Kashgar, you will be promptly picked up and transferred to your Kashgar hotel.

Kashgar. Overnight in Kashgar.

Abakh Hoja Tomb - Your private local guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 10:00 am Beijing time. You will start the city tour with a stop to view the entrance of Kashgar Old Town’s greeting performance, depending on the performance time. Then, visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum, built in 1640 by a local Imam for his father, later becoming a family graveyard for 72 people over 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style, including blue tiles, the dome, and the minaret.

Kashgar Live Stock Market - Next, visit Kashgar Old Town to explore the interesting area with old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakeries, and tea houses. It displays the long history and vibrant lifestyle in Kashgar from the ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge musical instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits, etc.

Kashgar - Tashkorgan. Overnight in Tashkorgan.

Kashgar - Today’s activities include driving along the Karakoram Highway and visiting Opal village, Bulongkol Lake, and Karakul Lake.

Tashkurgan - After breakfast, you will have the whole morning to hike around the lake or enjoy horse rides (at your own expense). You can visit local villages and homes of local people and start driving to Tashkorgan after lunch. For travelers, a journey along the KKH is a wonder and self-discovery. Its soaring peaks and untamed wilderness dramatize a sense of life without limits and promise more to come. Wake up along the whispering shores of a jewel among sleeping giants. On the way, drive through Subash Pass, where you can see better views of the valley and beautiful peaks of Muztagh Ata and Konger. If you prefer, your driver and guide will stop at Tagharma village to enjoy the beautiful grassland with colorful trees and a local Tajik family visit.

Tashkorgan - Kashgar. Overnight in Kashgar.

Tashkurgan - After breakfast, visit the town’s ancient Stone Fort, still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ means ‘Fort made out of stones.’ Later, hike on the grassland next to the Stone Fort. The Tashkurgan Tajik autonomous county was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Kunjerab Pass and the Wahan Corridor.

Kashgar - After lunch, drive back to Kashgar, and you can have stops at the missed scenes along the way if you like.

Kashgar. Overnight in Kashgar.

Kashgar Live Stock Market - Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First, enjoy the famous livestock market, which happens only every Sunday, where people bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels, cows, bulls, and other livestock to the market from all directions for sale. It provides a great opportunity to take photos of the faces of local people, enjoy the traditional local market culture, test-drive a donkey or a horse, or even make its shoes. Like opening a window, today is a real glimpse into a time lost in the annals of the Silk Road’s past and an opportunity not to be missed.

Kashgar Bazaar - Later, move to the Sunday market main Bazaar, considered one of the largest markets in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons, and buckets of locals. Everything, including plenty of kitchen sinks, is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.

Id Kah Mosque - After lunch, visit the Grand Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China, and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb, also known as the Fragrant Concubine Tomb. Enjoy walking through the Old Town of Kashgar. Walking is the best way to see and understand the ancient historical parts, streets, handicraft workshops, and more. Enjoy the atmosphere of a century-old Kashgar tea house for a short break. Sit with locals and try various medicinal teas, such as those containing rose, saffron, honey, and many other ingredients. Finally, wrap up the day tour with a dinner at a local family, offering a great opportunity to deeply understand the real local life, culture, and traditions of the Uighurs.

Kashgar departure. The tour ends.

Airport Road Post Office - Today marks the last day of your tour with us, but we hope it won’t be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us memorable.

• Exclusive private car and personal guide for an intimate experience
• Pre-arranged entrance tickets for hassle-free entry
• Economy-class flight tickets included for two segments of the journey
• Comfortable hotel accommodations provided
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner covered
• Air conditioning available in all vehicles for your comfort
• First-class train travel experience for one of your journeys

• Others not mentioned above
• Single Room Supplement

• This package tour NOT for the chinese new year festival and Chinese gold week festival(Oct 1-7), due to no room available and very expensive

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.