This tour begins with the famous Dunhuang and heads west to Turpan, Urumqi and finally get to the border city Kashgar, showing you the splendid cultural and historical fruit of the world noble Silk Road. You will experience totally different appearances of the cities in not only natural views but also local folk life. Crescent Lake-Echo sand Hill, Mogao Grottoes, Gaochang Ruins, Heavenly Lake, Sunday Market, Id Kah Mosque, what you see, hear and experience will draw you a colorful painting and enrich your life.
Dunhuang
Urumqi
Day 1 Dunhuang Arrival: Echoing Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake
Day 2 Dunhuang – Turpan by Train: Mogao Grottoes
Day 3 Turpan – Urumqi by Car: Gaochang Ruins, Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cave, Flaming Hill
Day 4 Urumqi – Kashgar by Flight: Kazak People Family, Heavenly Lake
Day 5 Kashgar: Sunday Market, Abakh Khoja Tomb
Day 6 Kashgar – Urumqi by Flight: Id Kah Mosque
Day 7 Urumqi Departure
Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver and guide and go to visit one of the most famous attractions along the Silk Road- the Echoing-Sand Mountain which surrounds Crescent Lake where the blown sand could make the sound just like that made by Chinese orchestral musical instruments when it is windy. When you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands. A short camel ride will leave you a unforgettable memory. Riding along the mountain to reach the Crescent Lake, your eyes will be feasted on the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert. It has not dried up over the past one thousand years and still gushes with fresh current.
Accommodation: Dunhuang
After breakfast, you will travel to the famous Mogao Grottoes, one of the most remarkable attractions of Silk Road tour, which displays a very colorful and descriptive world in the paintings. It is known as one of the four most famous caves in China. After dinner, we will take overnight soft-sleeper train to Turpan.
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Today we will visit four famous sites all together. First is another famous ruin in Turpan, Gaochang Ruins, which used to be the capital of ancient Gaochang Kingdom and the important transportation hub of western end of China in the Han Dynasty. Then you will go to the 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 in Ancient Gaochang Kingdom. Then you will have an exploration of Jiaohe Ruins, which is one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road. It is also the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. The last stop 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 ℉). And then go to Urumqi, check in Hotel. Accommodation: Urumqi
After breakfast, you will be invited to visit warm-hearted Kazak People Family to talk with local Kazak People in close distance and to learn about the daily life of them. They will offer fried cookies, milk tea dried grapes which are local specialty. Then, we will visit 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 pinaster 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. At last drive to airport for flight to Kashgar. Accommodation: Kashgar
After hotel breakfast, you will visit the famous Sunday Market, namely Sunday Bazaar, which used to be the largest international trade market in northwest China. Traders at home and abroad come to exchange all kinds of goods, such as Silk, salt, fur, perfume, ivory. The bazaar opens everyday in Kashgar, but the one on Sunday is the liveliest for the whole community will get together. The last stop in Kashgar will be the Abakh Khoja Tomb, which is an ancient Islamic building complex and a cemetery. Five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried here. It is considered as the largest dome architecture in the east of the cemetery. Accommodation: Kashgar
After the breakfast, we will visit the Id Kah Mosque, a typical Islamic architecture like domes, minarets and arches, as well as pious prayers. This 500 years old Mosque is the largest mosque in China where 2000-3000 Muslim do their prayers every day. Then take the night fight to Urumqi.
Accommodation: Urumqi
After breakfast, our guide will see you off at the airport for your homeward flight. Hope our dedicated service leaves you a pleasant memory for this comprehensive Silk Road tour.