Day 1 Beijing
Your adventure begins with your transpacific flight to Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, meet your friendly guide and transfer to the 5-star Beijing International Hotel or similar. A free evening.
Day 3 Beijing
Visit Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City. Experience the local life on a Rickshaw tour of Beijing's old residential areas, known as Hutong. You'll meet a local family and see how traditional Chinese tea is prepared. Lunch will be at a Chinese Dim Sum restaurant which is very popular with the Beijing locals. Enjoy delicious Peking Duck Dinner.
(B/L/D)Day 4 Beijing
Climb the Great Wall of China, one of the world's seven wonders. Visit the Silk Market before returning to your hotel. Optional Legend of Kung Fu Show this evening is recommended.
(B/L)Day 5 Beijing - Dunhuang
Fly to Dunhuang. Delve into the history and culture of ancient China with a visit to the Provincial Museum. A local flavoured dinner is planned and you’ll stay at the 4-star Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building.
(B/D)Day 6 Dunhuang - Turpan
Marvel at one of the world's great wonders, the Mogao Grottoes, the best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. In the afternoon, visit Crescent Moon Lake and Singing Sand Dunes, named for the humming noise heard in windy weather. Overnight train to Turpan. (4 soft berth sleepers per one Private compartament).
(B/L/D)
Mogao Caves, Dunhuang
Day 7 Turpan
Turpan, an oasis town where Muslim Uyghurs make up nearly three-quarters of the population. Transfer to your hotel in the morning to freshen up and have breakfast. Visit the mysterious Ghost City--Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient garrison town which was once a prosperous trading centre and military stronghold. You'll also hear the Uyghur legend of the dragon linked with Flaming Mountain as you explore the Thousand Buddha Cave. Overnight at the 3-star Oasis Hotel.
(B/L/D)Day 8 Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar
Turpan is famous for its Grape Valley, which has the biggest, sweetest grapes and gourds in all of China. You’ll taste the sweet purity of the grape juice produced here and tour the Karez, an ancient underground irrigation system. Travel by coach to Urumqi and then fly to Kashgar. You’ll stay at the 4-star Qiniwake Hotel for two nights.
(B/L/D)Day 9 Kashgar
Located 1,200 metres above sea level, Kashgar is a vibrant kaleidoscope of Asian cultures. Travel the Karakoram Highway, the highest paved international road in the world, to Karakul Lake, which sits atop the towering peaks of the Pamir Mountains. You'll be in awe of the stunning scenery -- high mountain peaks and pastures dotted with camels, yaks and yurt-dwelling Tajiks.
(B/L/D)Day 10 Kashgar
Mingle with the locals as you visit a Muslim family and kindergarten. Discover one of China's largest and most active mosques, the Id Kah Mosque, and visit the Fragrant Concubine's Tomb, named for the wife of Emperor Qianlong. A local Flavoured Dinner is planned.
(B/L/D)Day 11 Kashgar - Urumqi
Kashgar's extraordinary Sunday market is one of the biggest outdoor markets in Central Asia. You'll fly to Urumqi later in the day and transfer to the 4-star Xingjiang Hotel or 5-star Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel.
(B/L/D)
Kashgar Market
Day 12 Urumqi
Explore Urumqi, with visits to the History Museum, a Carpet Factory and Red Hill Park, named for its reddish brown colour. Enjoy a colourful Cultural Dancing Show after dinner.
(B/L/D)Day 13 Urumqi - Xian
Morning flight to Xian. Visit the ancient City Wall, the Bell Tower and the classic Wild Goose Pagoda. Local flavoured Hot Pot lunch. Stay at the 5-star Sheraton Xian Hotel.
(B/L)Day 14 Xian
Marvel at the spectacular sight of the 8,000 life-size Terra Cotta Warriors and horses. Tour the Grand Mosque in the afternoon. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show after dinner.
(B/L/D)Day 15 Xian - Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai in the morning. Wander through the many corridors and pavilions of the Yu Garden and ascend the Oriental Pearl TV Tower to catch a bird's eye view of the city. Visit the historic Bund waterfront and Nanjing Road, China's premier shopping district. Enjoy a scrumptious Mongolian BBQ lunch where the chefs are not only the cooks but the performers. An Acrobatic Show follows dinner. Stay at the 5-star Jin Jang Hotel.
(B/L/D)Day 16 Shanghai
Enjoy a free day to shop and explore.
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Old Buildings, Shanghai
Day 17 Shanghai - Home City
Big farewell to China as you board your return flight, arriving home the same day.
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