Legendary Silk Road
Beijing, Urumqi, Turpan, Kashigar, Dunhuang, Xi'an & Shanghai

13 days/ 12 nights, 12 departures only, limited to 26 passengers maximum per departure

Tour Code: SILK

Day 1
Arrive in Beijing (Tuesday)
Welcome to Beijing-the capital of China and home to many wonders. On arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your hotel.
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Day 2
Beijing/Urumqi Flight
Today, we fly to Urumqi. It is a unique air route, geographically covers the 2nd world biggest deserts, we will pass through many high & dry red rock or snow capped mountains, valleys and canyons. Afternoon we drive 70 km southwest to one of the eighth major deep valleys and passage ways along the whole Mountain called Nanshan Grassland, where we visit the minority families of Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, Kyrgyzatanian and chat with them in their yurts while drink strong Milk Tea & home-made snacks. [B/L/D]
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Day 3
Urumqi
We drive 120 km northeast to Heavenly Lake, with an elevation of 2600 meters. The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with melted clear waters reflecting the surrounding of snow capped Heavenly Mountain-Peak of Boghanar at an elevation of 5446 meters. The peak is always regarded as the holy mountain by all Turks in the Mid-Asia. We cruise on the lake and take a golf cart around the lake. Then we return back the city and visit the Provincial Museum to view the incredible mummies from over 2,000 years ago, which really tells us mystery history unwritten in the books. If time permits, we visit the Redhill Park and visit Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest out-door market in the region. [B/L/D]
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Day 4
Urumqi/Turpan Overland
Today we drive for 2 hours and a half southeast from Urumqi to Turpan in the morning. Turpan is a Uygur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Upon arrival, we visit the mysterious Death City-Jiaohe Ruins, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1600 years ago, and it used to be the most frontal barrier in the west for centuries. And then we visit the Ancient Karez, underground water supply & irrigation system and its Museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for its big and sweet grapes and gourds, and we will visit the grape valley and enjoy fruits there. [B/L/D]
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Day 5
Turpan/Urumqi/Kashigar Overland/Flight
Morning visit Sugong Pagoda, The Flaming Mountain & Bezelik Thousand Buddha Grottoes and have lunch at local family. Then, we drive back to Urumqi and take flight to Kashigar. [B/L/D]
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Day 6
Kashigar/ Urumqi                      Flight
We visit Sunday Morning Moslems Pray. It is incredible that thousands of Moslems kneel down on the streets and the squares facing to the temple. Then we visit the Sunday Bazaar, which is the largest out-door market in the Mid-Asia. We visit Temple & the tombs of the Fragrant Concubine in the afternoon. And the Old Town of Kashigar will bring you back 1500 years with its coagulate history at Mia Asia. In the evening we take a flight back to Urumqi. [B/L/D]
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Day 7
Urumqi/Dunhuang Flight 
We take morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon visit the world wonder – Mogao Grottos. The grottoes honeycomb a 1600 meters long cliff overlooking a river valley, located 25 km southwest from Dunhuang. It is the world's most important sites of ancient Buddhist Culture. The grottoes, also known as Caves of the Thousands Buddha, preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5th to 14th centuries. Over 426 caves are very enormously in size and contain numberless clay sculptures and more than 45,000 square meters of mural paintings, all are national treasures. [B/L/D]
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Day 8
Dunhuang
Today we drive 2 hours west forward across the desert to Yumen Guan (Jade Gate Pass), which was the west terminus of Great Wall built in Han Dynasty 2100 years ago. In the afternoon, we return back to the city and visit Crescent Moon Lake & Sounding Dune with a camel ride to see the sunset. [B/L/D]
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Day 9
Dunhuang/Xi'an Flight
Today, we fly to Xi’an. Over a period of more than 2000 years, Xian was the capital for eleven dynasties. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city was a world leader in culture and trade and played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. After lunch, visit the Large Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city, it is said to have been built to house and protect Buddhist scriptures collected by the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang. We will visit the Bell Tower and walk along Xi Guan Street, the oldest area of Xi’an city. [B/L/D]
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Day 10
Xi'an
Today we will visit the spectacular sight of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang guarded by 8,000 Terra Cotta Warriors and Bronze Chariots in battle formation. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world” and among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century.  Later visit Shanxi Provincial History Museum or Neolithic Museum. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner& Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [B/L/SD]
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Day 11
Xi'an/Shanghai Flight
Today, we fly to Shanghai, the cosmopolitan port city of Shanghai is a treat to the senses with its mix of ancient and modern influence. You will meet with your local guide upon arrival. Transfer to hotel and free at leisure. [B]
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Day 12
Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration from The Bund, Old Downtown and classical Yu Garden. Another UNESCO site, the Yu Garden, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch, we will visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. After that, we stroll to the People Square. The surroundings are the best collection of modern architecture. Visit China’s # 1 shopping street, Nanjing Road or fashionable Xintiandi Area. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. [B/L/D]
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Day 13
Depart Shanghai (Sunday)
Today, you will be transferred to airport for flight to your sweet home. [B]
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Package Price

Arrive in Beijing
Tuesday

Exit Shanghai
Sunday

Package Rate
Per Person

Single Supplement

Extra Night Per Room in Beijing

Extra Night Per Room in Shanghai

2010. 4.20

2010. 5. 02

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

5. 04

5. 16

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

5. 25

6. 06

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

6. 08

6. 20

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

6. 22

7. 04

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

7. 06

7. 12

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

7. 20

8. 01

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

8. 03

8. 15

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

8. 17

8. 29

USD $2639

USD $529

USD $85

USD $75

9. 07

9. 19

USD $2699

USD $589

USD $99

USD $85

9. 21

10. 03

USD $2699

USD $589

USD $99

USD $85

10. 05

10. 17

USD $2699

USD $589

USD $99

USD $85

*Price per person in US dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together
*Canadian travelers please click here (www.xe.com)  for price in Canadian dollars
Includes:
  • 12 nights accommodation based on twin sharing with buffet breakfast
    • Beijing: Chang An Grand Hotel or similar (Superior first class )
    • Urumqi: Hoi Tak Hotel or similar (First class )
    • Turpan: Oasis Hotel VIP building or similar (Tourist class, local best)
    • Kashigar: Qinibagh Hotel or similar (Tourist class, local best )
    • Dunhuang: Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building ( First class, local best )
    • Xi’an: Aurum International Hotel or similar ( First class )
    • Shanghai: Galaxy Hotel or similar ( First class )
  • Sightseeing tours with lunch and dinner as listed in the above itinerary, including
    • Culture performance in Xinjiang
    • Chinese Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show in Xi’an
    • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
    • B: Full board western buffet breakfast at hotel
    • L/D: Lunch & dinner in selected restaurants with one glass of soft drinks
    • SD: Chinese special dinner in selected restaurants with soft drinks & local wine
    • SL: Chinese special cuisine lunch with one glass of soft drinks
  • Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
  • Admission to sightseeing spots listed in itinerary
  • Round trip airport/hotel transfers in each city
  • Domestic airfare Beijing/Urumqi/Kashagar/Urumqi/Dunhuang/Xi’an/Shanghai with airport tax and fuel surcharge
Excludes:
  • International flights & airport taxes
  • Domestic flight fuel surcharge is based on government published price in August 2009, if any increase afterwards, we keep right to adjust it accordingly
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fee
  • Personal expenses, e.g. laundry, telephone, minibar…
  • Gratuities to guide, driver & porter