This tour will take you to two major stops along the ancient Silk Road, Turpan and Urumqi. Turpan is home to many ancient city ruins and other historical relics. The ruins will tell you the glorious past of the west boundary of ancient China. The Heavenly Lake will show you the pure and fresh beauty of plateau lake. And the Xinjiang Regional Museum will enable you to learn about past Xinjiang from various aspects. Accompanied by professional guide, you will have a smooth and wonderful journey.
Urumqi
Urumqi
Day 1 Turpan arrival: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda
Day 2 Turpan- Urumqi by Car: Flaming Hill, Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cave, Grape Valley
Day 3 Urumqi: Heavenly Lake
Day 4 Urumqi departure: Xinjiang Regional Museum
Upon your arrival in Turpan, our local driver and guide will meet you at train station by holding a welcome board with your name and then transfer to pay a visit to the Karez Well— an amazing irrigation system which made Turpan a rich oasis which is honored as the “Underground Great Wall”. So it is regarded as the pride of Turpan. The next stop will be Jiaohe Ruins which was once the biggest and oldest city built on rammed earth, dating back to 2nd century BC. Concludes today’s tour with Sugong Pagoda, the largest existed ancient Islamic pagoda in Xinjiang which is also known as the Turpan Pagoda among local residents. Transfer to hotel in Turpan. Accommodation: Turpan
The first stop of today will be the hottest place in China– the Flaming Hill, situated at the north of ancient Silk Road. The temperature is so high that nothing grows on the hill. The record highest temperature of summer could reach 47.8 ℃ (118 ℉). Then we will pay a visit to Grape Valley to see how grapes are grown and processed there. If you visit in August or September, you will have chance to try some freshest grapes. At last drive to visit Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cave, a series of caves with thousands of Buddhism murals. The vivid murals show many Buddhism figures, stories, and the social life about 1,000 years ago. Drive back to Urumqi. Accommodation: Urumqi
Today we will do a full day tour to Heavenly Lake. 100 kilometers away from city of Urumqi, Heavenly Lake gives the impression of nobleness, elegance and beauty. Clear lake, snow mountains and soaring trees compose the charming scenery of the Heavenly Lake.Come to Heavenly Lake, and you will find words are so weak for the surrounding. It will make you totally relaxed no matter you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake. Then back to hotel in Urumqi. Accommodation: Urumqi
After breakfast, pick up by your driver and guide and transfer to Xinjiang Regional Museum to have a glimpse of Xinjiang history and costume. Then transfer to Urumqi airport for flight departing Urumqi.