Silk Road Tour 8D: Xian, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar

Welcome to Xi'an, the historical city on the Silk Road. Upon arrival Xi'an, you will be met and transferred to hotel in Xi'an.

Today you will take one-hour ride to the well-known Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. There are three pits in the museum where you will be impressed by the high-level art 2000 years ago. 

Afterwards, you will move back to Xi'an city to visit the 14-km old City Wall in Xian that was built 600 years ago in Ming Dynasty.

Later you will explore the interesting Muslim Quarter where there are markets, shops, restaurants, old houses and stands to sell all sorts of things.

Take an early morning flight to Dunhuang, and transferred to hotel upon arrival. 

In the afternoon, you will view the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring in the desert. It is a fun to ride the camel here, and climb up to the sand hill to view the entire area.

You can explore the renowned Dunhuang night market in the evening, or watch the Dunhuang Dancing and Singing show.

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be tracked back to the 4th century, and built many times in the history. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism. It is interesting to learn the Buddha stories in the caves with a local guide.

Afterwards you will take 2-hour car ride to Liuyuan station where you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. 

Turpan is a dry basin in Xinjiang Province, and renowned for its extremely hot weather in China in Summer.

Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renowned for its well-preserved conditions. 

Today you will visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide. 

Afterwards, you will take 3-hour car ride to Urumqi to check in the hotel.

Today you will visit Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays), the mummies are a must-see in it, particularly the Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty. 

Afterwards you will be transferred to visit the stunning Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese.

Then you will catch about 12 - 15 hours overnight hard sleeper train to Kashgar.  

It is a busy day today to explore Kashagr with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret. 

Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. You will also vistit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang in the old town. 

The Animal Bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.

When your tour is finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Transferred to Kashgar airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.