18 DAY SILK ROAD ADVENTURE

TOUR CODE: SR

Featuring: SHANGHAI, URUMQI, KASHI, TURPAN, DUNHUANG, JIAYUGUAN, LANZHOU, XIAN, BEIJING

More than 2,000 years ago, Chinese and foreign merchants shipped silk and other goods from the ancient Chinese capital of Chang抋n (now Xian) to Central Asia and the coasts of the Mediterranean, paving a channel for exchanges of oriental and western goods and cultures. The Silk Road in China is 4,000 km long. Along this golden route live peoples from more than 40 ethnic groups. Travelers visiting the Silk Road will gain insight into the colorful local customs and natural scenery of northwest China.
　
DAY01 HOME CITY - SHANGHAI

DAY02 SHANGHAI
Arrive Shanghai. Welcome to Shanghai, the largest gateway city of China. Your national guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to 3-star East China Hotel.
　
DAY03 SHANGHAI
Whole day free at leisure. (B)
　
DAY04 SHANGHAI - URUMUQI
Today you will tour Yu Garden and the Bund, European style waterfront. Depart via XO9502 at 14:20, arrive at 19:30 and transfer to Universal Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY05 URUMQI
Today's highlights include a tour of the Provincial Museum and the Heavenly Lake amid mountain peaks. Visit a local Uigur family in the afternoon. A tour of an interesting carpet factory is also on the agenda. (B/L/D)
　
DAY06 URUMQI - KASHI
This morning you will watch an exciting Nanshan Horse Race and visit a local free market. Depart via flight XO9903 at 18:50, arrive at 20:45. Transfer to Seman Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY07 KASHI
Kashi is the westernmost city in China. Almost all residents are Uigurs. Sunday Bazaar has been a very important event in the daily life of local people for over 2,000 years. You will also visit the Aitika Grand Mosque and the Fragrant Concubine's Tomb. A delicious local flavor dinner is planned. (B/L/D)
　
DAY08 KASHI - URUMQI
See the 17th century Abakh Hoja Mausoleum and visit a local family. Depart via flight XO9902 at 21:15, arrive at 22:55. Transfer to the Universal Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY09 URUMQI - TURPAN
After breakfast, you will take off to enjoy a scenic coach ride to Turpan. 504 feet below sea level, Turpan is an oasis in the gobi desert. Tour the ancient burial grounds where mummies of 3,000 years were excavated. Visit the Thousand Buddha Caves in the Flaming Mountains. Enjoy a performance of the Minority Nationals Folk Dance after dinner (on availability). Overnight at Oasis Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY10 TURPAN - LIUYUAN
An extraordinary day of sightseeing of the underground irrigation system, which has been in use for over 2,000 years. It still carries water from the surrounding snow capped mountains to the fields of the oasis that produces Chine's best grapes and melons. Your tour also includes the Grape Valley. Board train #70 at 23:40. (Soft sleeper class/4 berths in one private compartment). (B/L/D)
　
DAY11 LIUYUAN - DUNHUANG
Arrive Liuyuan, the nearest train stop to Dunhuang, at 10:48. Enjoy a scenic coach ride to Dunhuang, where the silk route splits into north and south roads and ends 7,000 kilometers away on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. You will tour the amazing Sand Dunes. Overnight at Dunhuang Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY12 DUNHUANG
Mogao Grottos in Dunhuang are world famous for their rich archaeological findings and vividly colored mural paintings of more than 1,000 years old. Flashlight is needed to see details of the mural paintings as these caves are not lit due to preservation reasons. You will also tour the Crescent Moon lake. (B/L/D)
　
DAY13 DUNHUANG - JIAYUGUAN
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic coach ride to Jiayuguan. Upon arrival visit the famous Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the Great Wall. Stay at the Great Wall Hotel. (B/L/D)
　
DAY14 JIAYUGUAN - LANZHOU
Depart via WH22:45 at 10:00, arrive at 11:40 and transfer to Jincheng Hotel. Take a boat ride on the Yellow River to see Bingling Temple on the river. (B/L/D)
　
DAY15 LANZHOU - XIAN
Fly China Northwest Airlines H4168 at 12:45, arrive at 13:40 and transfer to 4-star Jianguo Hotel. Visit the ancient City Wall and the Wild Goose Pagoda. (B/L/D)
　
DAY16 XIAN
Full day tour of the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, the Huaqing Hot Springs and the Bangpo Neolithic Commune Museum. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Music Show after dinner. (B/L/D)
　
DAY17 XIAN - BEIJING
Depart via WH2101 at 08:00, arrive Beijing at 09:30 and transfer to 4-star Int'l Hotel. A half day Great Wall sightseeing is arranged. (B/L/D)
　
DAY18 BEIJING - HOME CITY
Free morning to relax or pack up your bargains. Transfer to airport. Say good-bye to China as you board return flight home. (B)

SPECIAL NOTE
Clients should be aware there may be different living standards and practices outside North America, including but not limited to provision of utilities such as water, electricity, accommodation, food preparations and services of all kinds