Silk Road by Bullet Train and Flight 12D: Xian, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar etc.

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.

This morning you will take the fantastic tour to Terra-cotta Warriors that is one-hour car ride from Xian. There are 3 exhibition halls presenting various warriors and horses that were made 2200 years ago, and each warrior has unique face.

This afternoon you will move to visit the 14-km old City Wall in Xian, which was built in Ming Dynasty and still well preserved. You can walk, or ride bike on the wall to view the old city and modern city in and out of the city wall. 

Later, you will visit the Muslim Quarter in the city center, which is situated near Bell and Drum Tower. There are shops, snack stands, market, and restaurants in this area, and it is nice to view the bustling street here.

Take 4-hour bullet train from Xi'an to Xining. Upon arrival, you will head to visit the Tibetan Buddhism temple, Kumbum Monastery, which is one of the six main monasteires for Tibetan temples. There are spectacular sculptures, frescos, and paintings in the monastery. Then check in the hotel.

This morning you will take 2-hour bullet train to Zhangye. Then head to visit Mati Temple Caves, which was firstly built about 1500 years ago. Mati Temple (Horse's Hoof Temple) is nestled in Linsong Mountain near Zhangye City. There are about 70 caves nowadays in Mati Temple.

Later, you will head to hotel to check in.

Today you will head to the colorful Rainbow Danxia in Zhangye in the morning, which is very colorful and pretty under the sunshine. Then you will take 2.5-hour ride to Jiayuguan City to visit the imposing Jiayuguan Fortress, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. 

Afterwards, you will check in the hotel in Jiayuguan.

Take 5-hour ride to Dunhuang in the morning, and view the stunning snow-capped Qilian Mountains, Gobi Desert and Oasis towns on the way. Then wander around the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in the afternoon. You have opportunity to ride camel at the sand dunes. 

You can explore the night market or watch Dunhuang performance copied from Mogao Caves this evening.

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao Caves can be tracked back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.
After lunch, 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 basin in Xinjiang Province, and renowned for its hottest weather in China.

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, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide. 

You may taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food at the lunchtime.

You will take a 3-hour ride to Urumqi where you will visit Xinjiang Museum(Close on Mondays), mummies are a must-see in it, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty. 

Afterwards you will be transferred to visit the stunning Heavenly Lake.

Then you will be transferred to the hotel in Urumqi for a rest. 

Today it is a busy day, you will take an early flight to Kashagr. You will take the city tour by 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 might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. 

Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc. 

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

Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renowned friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains. Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. After lunch, you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise. 

Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.

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