China Ancient Silk Road Adventure

Your journey begins in the historic Xi'an, the start of the ancient trading route of the Silk Road. On arrival at Xi'an airport, you'll be greeted by your guide and transferred via private vehicle into the city to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing at the hotel after your long-haul flight, or going outside to explore your new surroundings.

This morning, drive out of the city to explore one of the world's man-made wonders - Terracotta Warriors, a massive collection of life-size clay soldiers, chariots, and horses created to guard China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang, in his afterlife. Next, soak in the historic atmosphere as you walk leisurely along the well-preserved Ancient City Wall of Xi'an, eat your way down the vibrant Muslim Street, serve up local snacks and Islamic food, and a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of Chinese Muslims.

Start your today's exploration from the impressive Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which houses Buddha figures and sutras brought from the cradle of Buddhism - India by the famous monk Xuan Zang, whose 18-year-long pilgrim journey along the Silk Road inspired the fictionalized Journey to the West. Move forward to visit Hanyang Tomb - home to tens of thousands of buried pottery figures depicting the detailed scenes of social life 2,200 years ago.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jiayuguan. Upon arriving, meet your local guide and drive to your hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Jiayuguan -a city built near the historically-important Jiayuguan Pass- is where the Great Wall and the Silk Road meet in China's northwest Gansu Province. Spend the day exploring some of the significant sites related to the two wonders. A visit to the majestical Jiayuguan Pass of the Great Wall -built with rammed earth instead of stones or bricks- grants panoramic views over the starkly beautiful Gobi Desert. Within the nearby Great Wall Museum, get acquainted with the wall's over 2000-year construction history through authentic artifacts, models, pictures, etc. Afterward, make your journey further to the First Fire Tower of the Great Wall and the Overhanging Great Wall.

Today, kick off with a morning visit to Wei-Jin Art Gallery, actually an ancient tomb group with over 1,400 tombs boasting a large number of colorful murals dating back to the 3rd century. This world's largest underground art gallery gifts you with the chance to gain an insight into ancient Chinese society, diet, customs, music, etc. After your visit, travel onward by 5-hours drive to your next destination on the Silk Road - Dunhuang. Settle into a local hotel for the night.

This morning is reserved for an important lesson on the city's cultural highlights. Set out to first explore the UNESCO-listed Moga Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddha, which exhibit wonderful examples of Buddhist paintings and statues spanning 1,000 years. Afterward, head to Dunhuang Museum to gain some knowledge about Dunhuang and the ancient Silk Road, followed by a relaxing stroll around the Ancient City of Dunhuang Movie Set where you may feel like traveling back in time.

Focus the day on an insightful visit to Dunhuang Research Academy, where you can sit down to listen to the story behind the murals and appreciate the painting skills. If you like, try your hands at making your mural which you can take home as a souvenir. Later on, enjoy an organic vegetarian lunch at the academy before continuing your journey to the remarkable Singing Sand Dunes on the edge of the Gobi desert. Once arriving there, you could ride a camel in search of Crescent Moon Spring, a desert oasis nestled amongst rolling dunes; plus, get more excitement with optional activities like sand sliding or paragliding from the top of the dunes, then spend time relaxing by the water.

Set off to visit the awe-inspiring Yulin Caves, widely considered the sister caves to the Mogao Caves, a network of 42 Buddhist caves containing a great number of colored statues and wall paintings. Afterward, transfer to Liuyuan Railway Station for a high-speed train to Turpan, about 3.5 hours away. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for the night.

Start your tour in Turpan at Emin Minaret (Sugong Tower), the tallest minaret in China, at a height of 44 meters (144 ft). When marveling at the extraordinary design, you can find its combination of traditional Islamic features and local Uyghur building traditions. The Turpan Water System (Karez Irrigation Site) fully proves ancient people's infinite creative ability in a harsh environment.

Next, don't miss Jiaohe Ruins, an important stop along the ancient Silk Road. Distributed on a willow-shaped island platform and surrounded by deep river valleys, Jiaohe Ruins is one of the oldest earthen cities in the world, and a famous specimen for studying ancient city ruins. Pass by Flaming Mountain, famed from Journey to the West, and continue to an ancient oasis village in the Turpan Basin, glimpse the Uyghur way of life, and try the seedless grapes there.

Have breakfast at the hotel, and then take a 2.5-hour car ride to Urumqi. After a brief rest at the hotel, continue to Heaven Lake of Tianshan, famed as the "pearl of the Tianshan Mountains". Cruise across Heaven Lake and take in the breathtaking alpine scenery, where the calm waters mirror the snow-capped peaks.

In the early evening, step into the International Grand Bazaar at the liveliest time of the day, where glowing lights, traditional Uyghur performances, delicious street food, and bustling shops create a vibrant atmosphere for locals and travelers.

This morning, step into the Xinjiang Museum and explore the cultural exchanges recorded along the Silk Road. The highlight is a preserved 3,800-year-old ancient corpse that symbolizes the advanced civilization of the ancient Western Regions. Later, transfer to the airport and enjoy a 2-hour flight to Kashgar.

Learn the long and checkered history of Id Kah Mosque from your guide, and fully appreciate the elegance of the largest mosque in Xinjiang. Find the stories behind the Abakh Khoja Tomb, the mausoleum of an Islamic saint, where 72 people from five generations of the same family are buried.

Afterwards, your guide will lead you to Kashgar's bustling bazaars, each day featuring a different market, and each offering its own distinct charm. Conclude your day at Kashgar Ancient Town, lined with Uyghur-style buildings. Wander along the Ancient Art Street, where artisans weave carpets and embroidery, offering a glimpse into the Silk Road's ancient artistry.

Spend some time by yourself in the morning before your flight to your next destination.