Day 1 Home City - Beijing
The mysterious dragon beckons on board your transpacific flight to Beijing. Relax and enjoy the in-flight service.
Day 2 Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China and home to more than 15 million people. Transfer to the 4-star hotel.
Day 3 Beijing - Urumqi
We take the morning flight for Urumqi. It is a unique air route, as geographically it covers the two massive deserts, as well as many high red-rock or snow-capped mountains, valleys, and canyons. It's possible to imagine that you are flying over Mars. In the afternoon, we travel 70 km southwest to Nanshan Grassland, where we visit Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, Kyrgyzatanian minority families and chat with them in their yurts while drinking strong Milk Tea and local home-made snacks.
(B/L/D)Day 4 Urumqi
Today, we drive 120 km northeast to Heavenly Lake, which is at an elevation of 2600 meters. The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with melted clear waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Then we drive back and visit the Provincial Museum to see the incredible mummies from 2,000 years ago. If time permits, we'll visit the Red Hill Park and the Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in Xinjiang.
(B/L/D)Day 5 Urumqi - Turpan
This morning, we drive to Turpan - an oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Upon arrival, we visit the mysterious ruins of Jiaohe city, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military base sixteen-hundred years ago. We then visit Karez, its underground water supply and irrigation system, and its museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for its large, sweet grapes and gourds, so we will visit the grape valley and enjoy fruits there.
(B/L/D)Day 6 Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar
In the morning, we'll visit Sugong Pagoda, the Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes, and lunch with a local family. In the afternoon, we drive back to Urumqi and take the evening flight to Kashgar.
(B/L/D)Day 7 Kashgar - Urumqi
On Sunday morning we will watch as the Moslems pray. It is incredible to see thousands of Muslims kneeling down on the streets and squares. Then we'll visit the Sunday Bazaar - the largest outdoor market in mid-Asia. In the afternoon, we'll drive to see the tombs of the Fragrant Concubine and the old town of Kashgar, which will bring you back 500 years. Take the evening flight back to Urumqi.
(B/L/D)Day 8 Urumqi - Dunhuang
We take a morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon, visit the world heritage site - Mogao Grottoes. It is the world's most important site of ancient Buddhist Culture. The grottoes preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5th to 14th centuries.
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Dunhuang
Day 9 Dunhuang
Today we drive two hours west across the desert to Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass), which was the west terminal of the Great Wall built in Han Dynasty 2,100 years ago. Then we drive back and visit the Crescent Moon Lake and Sand Singing Dune. Ride a camel and enjoy the marvelous sunset.
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Mogao Art, Dunhuang
Day 10 Dunhuang - Xian
Fly to Xi'an in the morning. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, and Xi Guan Street.
(B/L/D)Day 11 Xian
Today's highlight is the 2000 year-old army of Terracotta Warriors guarding the tomb of China's first emperor. Afterwards, we tour the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Enjoy a Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Performance tonight.
(B/L/D)Day 12 Xian - Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai in the morning. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure
(B)Day 13 Shanghai
Today's sightseeing includes the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum and either People Square, Nanjing Road or Xintiandi. In the evening, enjoy the Shanghai Acrobatic Show - an unforgettable experience.
(B/L/D)Day 14 Shanghai - Home City
Finish your shopping in the morning and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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