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Welcome to Lanzhou! Upon your arrival at the airport or train station, Our local driver will greet and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore at your leisure.
Stay in Lanzhou
Start the day at your leisure. Meet your tour guide later. Visit the Water Wheel Garden(水车园) along the Yellow River. See the iconic waterwheel, a traditional Ming Dynasty irrigation device.
Next, take a cable car to the top of White Pagoda Hill(白塔山). Enjoy a panoramic view of Lanzhou. Walk down the hill to the Iron Bridge. The bridge was built by Germans in the 1900s. It spans the Yellow River and is a landmark in Lanzhou.
After lunch, visit the Gansu Provincial Museum(甘肃省博物馆). View hundreds of artifacts that tell the Silk Road story. After the tour, a private car will take you back to your hotel in Lanzhou.
B, L, D, Stay in Lanzhou
After breakfast, we drive to Binglingsi Grottoes(炳灵寺石窟), a 2.5-hour journey. Enjoy a cruise at Liujiaxia Gorge. At Binglingsi, see 776 Buddha statues, 1,076 square yards of murals, and 6 ancient stone sculptures.
Next, we drive 3 hours to Sangke Grassland(桑科草原), located over 3,000 meters above sea level. The best time to visit is summer when the grass is green and flowers bloom. You can enjoy horseback riding, watch traditional performances, and join bonfire parties (at an additional cost).
B, L, D, Stay in Xiahe
In the early morning, visit Labrang Monastery(拉卜楞寺) in Xiahe, which is about half an hour away. It is the largest Buddhist institute of Tibetan Buddhism. You can see thousands of Buddha statues made from different materials.
In the afternoon, drive 3 hours to Lanzhou train station. Afterward, we drive 4 to 4.5 hours to Jiayuguan. Upon arrival, rest at your hotel.
B, L, D, Stay in Jiayuguan
After breakfast, visit Jiayuguan Pass(嘉峪关). This historic fort is from the Ming Dynasty. It protects the Jiayuguan Pass, which is the westernmost point of the Great Wall.
Next, visit the Great Wall Museum(长城博物馆). It presents the history and culture of the Great Wall.
In the late afternoon, take a high-speed train to Dunhuang. The journey lasts 3 hours.
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
Start your day in Dunhuang with a visit to the Mogao Caves(莫高窟), one of China’s four most renowned cave complexes. The caves stretch across 1,700 meters of cliffs and include 735 caves. The southern area has 492 caves with murals and sculptures. The northern area has 243 caves used for monastic living and meditation.
In the afternoon, visit Echo Sand Mountain(鸣沙山). It gets its name from the sound the shifting sand makes. The mountain stretches 40 kilometers east to west and is 20 kilometers wide. Its peak is 1,715 meters high. At the foot of the mountain is Crescent Spring, a clear oasis surrounded by dunes. You can enjoy sand sliding or camel riding (at an extra cost).
Then, transfer to the train station for your overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan.
B, L, D, On the Soft Sleeper Train
Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you at the train station and take you to the hotel.
Next, visit the Jiaohe Ruins(交河故城), an important Silk Road settlement. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen structure in the world. Then, explore the Astana Tombs(阿斯塔那古墓群), known as the “Underground Museum of Turpan.” Afterward, head to Tuyogou Valley(吐峪沟), famous for its ancient caves.
End your day with a visit to Flaming Mountain(火焰山), China’s hottest place in summer.
B, L, D, Stay in Turpan
In the morning, we will visit the Karez Well(坎儿井), an ancient irrigation system that helped turn Turpan into an oasis. It channels water from underground aquifers. Next, we will go to Sugong Pagoda(苏公塔), the largest and most important Islamic pagoda in Xinjiang.
Afterward, we will take you to Urumqi airport for your flight to Kashgar (2 hours). Upon arrival in Kashgar, our driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You can relax and rest after your journey.
B, L, D, Stay in Kashgar
Your tour begins with a visit to the Id Kah Mosque(艾提尕尔清真寺), a beautiful example of Islamic architecture with domes, minarets, and arches. You can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of prayers there. Next, we drive to Karakul Lake(喀拉库勒湖), located at 3,600 meters. The lake offers stunning views and reflections of the surrounding landscape.
Afterward, we return to Kashgar to visit the Mausoleum of Apakh Khoja(香妃墓). It is an important Islamic site and a cemetery where five generations of Islamic scholars are buried. If time allows, we will take a walk through Ancient City of Kashgar(喀什古城). The area has narrow alleys and traditional mud-brick houses, giving a glimpse of the past.
B, L, D, Stay in Kashgar
In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Sunday Market(周末集市). It is the largest international trade market at China’s northwest border. After exploring the market, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. This concludes your 10-day Silk Road tour. Safe travels!
B, Kashgar Departure
Vegetarian, halal, and other dietary requirements can be arranged with advance notice to our culinary coordinator.
Pre-identified medical stations along route (Dunhang, Jiayuguan) + 24/7 telemedicine connection to Xi'an international clinic.
Most activities require moderate walking, with optional shuttle services available at Jiayuguan and Mogao Caves for seniors or those with mobility concerns.
Our itinerary gradually acclimatizes travelers, with oxygen supplies available on vehicles during the Xiahe portion of the journey.
Our guides will advise on specific photography policies at each location, with special photography permits included for restricted areas at Mogao Caves.
Lanzhou - Hezuo - Diebu County - Tangke County - Aba County - Hezuo - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Zhangye - Dunhuang - Golmud - Chaka - Xining - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Xining - Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Jiuquan - Zhangye - Wuwei - Lanzhou
Urumqi - Korla - Kuqa - Aral - Hotan - Shache - Kashgar - Taxkorgan - Kashgar
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Happy!
Makcik Siti –
Good food, good company.
No rush, just pure enjoyment.
Lim –
A well-paced tour for seniors like us. No rush, just pure enjoyment. The Dunhuang caves were mesmerizing, and the guides took great care of us!