15-Day China Mysterious and Highlights Silk Road Private Tour

Destinations: Beijing- Urummqi -Turpan- Dunhuang -Lanzhou -Xian- Shanghai
Duration: 15 Days
Tour Type: Private Tour(Min 2 pax)

Itinerary Detail:

Day 01: Arrival in Beijing

Arrival in Beijing, met and transferred to your hotel in Beijing. In the afternoon, visit Temple of Heaven, the place where the emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for peace and harvest. You are at your leisure to take a good rest or explore the city for the remainer of the day.

Day 02: Beijing

Starting the day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the world largest square of this kind. You will be given the details of all the buildings in and around the square including Mao's mausaleum, the National Museum, the Parliament Building. Then go through an underground tunnel to the imperial palace, also known as the "Forbidden City", the complex of imperial palace, which was home to the Emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for over 500 years.After lunch, continue to visit Summer Palace, the largest and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. It is regarded as a museum of gardens in China.

Day 03: Beijing

After breakfast, drive to the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Mutainyu Great Wall is a massive military defense works which was left from the Ming dynasty. It is a green section of the great wall in Beijing with vegetation, green pines and cypresses covering 90 per cent of the section. It is a very spectacular view.After lunch, drive back to Beijing downtown and exterior visit the exterior of the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), iconic landmarks of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Take photos and learn about their architectural features.

Day 04:Beijing -Urumqi(by air)

Take morning flight from Beijing to Urumchi , the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Arrival in Urumchi, met by your local tour guide and have an excursion to Tianchi Lake situated on Tianshan Mountain. Boating on the Tianchi Lake. Then return to the city of Urumchi.

Day 05:Urumqi -Turpan

Drive 200km to Turpan and full day tour in Turpan

1. Jiaohe Ruins - The Jiaohe Ruins is the place of ancient Chinese ruins found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan. The city of Jiaohe was the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom, concurrent with the Han Dynasty, Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. It was finally abandoned after its destruction during an invasion by the Mongols led by Genghis Khan in the 13th century.

2.Karez Well - It is a loacal Turfan water system, called karez well in Turfan. It is a qanat system that has been regarded as one of the three greatest water projects of ancient China together with the Du Jiang Yan Irrigation System, and the Grand Canal.

3.Flaming Mountains - The Flaming Mountains are barren, eroded, red sandstone hills in the east of the city of Turfan. The mountain climate is harsh and the temperature is extremely hot in the summer, the hottest site in China.

4. Grape Valley - Situated in the Flaming Mountain 13 km east of Turpan, the Grape Valley is 8km long from north to south and 0.5km wide. This green paradise of 400 hektares is covered with layer upon layer of grapes.

Day 06: Turpan -Dunhuang (by train)

Half day tour Turpan and take train to Liuyuan and connect bus for Dunhuang

1. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves - Situated at the foot of Flaming Mountains lying 13km east of Turpan city, they are a group of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to the 9th centuries. There are 77 rock-cut caves at the site. Most have rectangular spaces with rounded arch ceilings often divided into four sections, each with a mural of Buddha.

2. Astana Grave - The Astana Graves are a group of underground tombs about 40 km to the southeast of Turpan. The tombs were the burial sites by the inhabitants of the ancient city of Gaochang, both officials and commoners.

Take train NO T70(11:45 19:21) for Liuuan and met by our tour guide and drive 150km to Dunhuang and transferred to your hotel in Dunhuang.

Day 07: Dunhuang

Full day tour in Dunhuang

1. Echoing-Sand Dune - Located 6 kilometers south of Dunhuang city, Singing Sand Hill which is also known as the sand dunes of Mingsha, offers fantastic desert scenery. The dune, surrounded by rolling ridges and precipitous cliffs, reaches a relative height of 250 meters.

2. Crescent Lake - Or called Yueyaquan in Chinese, is a crescent-shaped lake in the oasis, 5 km southwest of the city Dunhuang. It was named Yueyaquan since Qing Dynasty. The lake and the surrounding deserts are very popular with tourists, who are offered camel and 4x4 rides.

3. Mogao Grottoes - Mogao Grottoes oor he Mogao Caves are a group of 492 temples 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road. The caves house some of the finest examples of Buddhist art with a span of 1,000 years.

4. Dunhuang Museum - It is a local museum for housing the cultural relics that were excavated in the Dunhuang area.

Day 08: Dunhuang -Jiayuguan(by train)

This morning take day train No.K592 (09:32/14:11) for Jiayuguan. Afternoon tour in Jiayuguan.

1.Jiayuguan Pass - It is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, 6 kilometers southwest of the city of Jiayuguan. Along with Juyongguan and Shanhaiguan, it is one of the main three passes along the Great Wall. The pass is trapezoid-shaped with a perimeter of 733 meters and an area of more than 33,500 square meters.

2.Suspension Great Wall - 11 kilometers to the downtown Jiayuguan City, the Suspension Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368- 1644). It gets its name because there is a 231 meter long section, with an obliquity of 45 degrees, built onto a 150m high ridge. From a distance, it looks like a dragon about to extend its body towards the ground.

3. Wei-jin Mural Tombs - Located about 15 kilometers northeast of Jiayuguan, Wei-Jin Mural Tomb is a big tomb group with over 1,400 tombs built between the 3rd Century and 5th Century during the Wei and Jin dynasties. It is the largest subterranean art gallery in the world, containing a large number of colorful murals, attracting tourists from both home and abroad.

Day 09: Jiayuguan- Lanzhou(by train)

After breakfast, take the morning train to Lanzhou. The afternoon tour in Lanzhou includes:

1. Gansu Provincial Museum - The Gansu Provincial Museum is a local comprehensive museum. The Museum has five exhibition halls, which boasts 75,000 cultural relics ranging from natural specimens to historical, revolutionary and national heritages.

2. Walking along the bank of Yellow River acrossing the city.

Day 10: Lanzhou -Xian(by train)

Full day excursion to Binglingsi Grottoes and take train for Xian.

Binglingsi Grottoes - "Bingling" means "thousand Buddhas" or "ten-thousand Buddhas" in the Tibetan language. Also known as Bingling Temple, the grottoes are carved on Jishi Hill 75 km from Lanzhou. Bingling Temple Grottoes are famous for stone sculptures of Budda Buddhist pagodas in relief and murals of Esoteric Buddhism. Take the later afternoon train to Xian and check into your hotel in Xian.

Day 11:Xian

After breakfast, you have a free and leisure morning. The afternoon tour starts around 13:30.  Visit the Terra-cotta Army - a lifetime viewing of the extraordinary 2200-year-old terra-cotta Army of China's First Emperor-Qin Shihuang. The emperor Qin Shi Huang who was the first emperor to unite China in 221 BC started to build his own mausoleum 35 years before his death. His son finished the mausoleum after his death. The Terracotta Army was to protect him after his death. Only a small part of the Terracotta Army has been restored. The museum shows different stages in the slow restoration process. Then, you will take a short visit to the Pottery-making House.

Then enjoy Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. Transferred back to your hotel.

Day 12: Xian

City tour begins with a visit to the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum - a large modern museum of the national level where you will see the artifacts that have been collected in Shaanxi Province since the upper Cave Man 18,000 years ago. Then move on to Big Goose Pagoda ( Ascending the pagoda is optional). The Pagoda is over 1000 years old and has 6 levels. It was used to store and protect Buddhist writings in the past.

Afternoon visit the Great Mosque, the biggest and most preserved complete Chinese existent mosque. It was first built at the Tianbao first year (742 years) during Tang Dynasty. Then visit the Xian City Wall, a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xian.  Bicycles can be rented to ride. The wall encloses a city area of 36 square kilometers. Transferred back to your hotel.

Day 13: Xian -Shanghai(by air)

Take a morning flight to Shanghai, afternoon visit Yu yuan Garden, the famous gardens in Shanghai where you will see how a large beautiful garden was made by a rich rice merchant 400 years ago. Adjoining these gardens is an old shopping area with narrow streets and buildings that were of a typically old Chinese style. There are many small streets and lanes where vendors sell their products and food stuffs to the tourists and local people. Shopping at a local silk store.

Finally visit the new development zone in Pudong - Lujiazui, which is teeming with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings - Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Building, Bank of China Tower. Taking the elevator to the 88-storey Observation Deck of Jinmao Tower where you will have a spectacular view of the whole city.

Day 14: Shanghai

First visit Shanghai Museum, the selection of over 112,000 Chinese cultural relics from the Old Stone Age to modern times. You will be amazed to see the pottery that is over 10,000 years old. You have to go quickly though all the 4 floors. Then proceed to visit the pedestrians only Nanjing Pedestrian Road, a walking bustling street that is always packed with people watching other people. Then move on to the Bund, one of the most noted waterfront and architectural symbols of Shanghai. Then visit a Silk Factory, where you can bargain for silk products and China's traditional silk arts.

After lunch, take one hour cruising on Huang Pu River. You start with the Hangpu River Cruise that will take you along the skyscrapers on the new area known as Pudong. Then you ruise to the west side of the river that has many skyscrapers and the famous Bund that has a row of the early 20th century buildings near the river. Back to your hotel.

Day 15: Exit From Shanghai 

Transfer to airport for departure or free on your own and end your pleasant China trip.

Price inclusion:

1.All transfers and city transportation for your own use
2.Entrance fees and meals as mentioned
3.Private car or van with English speaking guide
4.Hotels with 4* and breakfast both at Beijing, Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Xian and Shanghai
5.Beijing-Urumqi, Dunhuan-Lanzhou-Xian-Shanghai train or air-ticket ( economic class or Second Class Seat )
6.The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group.

Price exclusion:

1.Tips to your tour guide
2.Travel insurance for your coverage of injury or accident

Important Notes :

1. Prepare sunscreen, hats, and comfortable shoes for long days outdoors.

2. Respect local traditions and religious customs during visits.

3. Carry your passport and keep personal valuables safe.