10 Days Silk Road Tour From Xi'an

• Arrive in Xi'an and transfer to the hotel
• 4+ stars Hotel
• None

Welcome to Xi'an, which is known as the ancient capital of the 13th dynasty.

Our professional tour guide will be waiting at the airport and arrange a comfortable car to transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival, you can take a short break to recover from jet lag.

If you would like to explore the surroundings in advance, your guide will provide you with practical advice.

Recommend for Free Time

1. Enjoy a wonderful Tang Dynasty Palace Dance Performance. This performance is usually held from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.
2. You can also visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in Xi'an, which are beautifully illuminated at night.

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses - Da Ci'en Temple - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

In the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel and drive about 40 kilometers to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These Terracotta Warriors were built by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional culture by making a miniature pottery figurine.

After lunch, we will return to downtown Xi'an and visit the Da Ci'en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site for Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. If you are interested in Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can climb it (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city. Then you can also try on the Chinese traditional dress for free to experience the solemnity and elegance of ancient China.

As night falls, we will take you to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. This is a great place to enjoy the charming night view where you can reminisce the prosperity and splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

• Xi'an Museum - Small Wild Goose Pagoda - Ancient City Wall - Muslim Quarter
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

In the morning we will visit XI'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda learn learn about the profound historical and cultural heritage of Xi'an.

In the afternoon, we will go to the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. You can rent a bicycle (extra charge applies) for a leisurely ride on the ancient city wall and enjoy the panoramic view of Xi'an.

Then we will also take you to visit the bustling Muslim Quarter to taste the authentic local snacks and experience the different cultural atmosphere.

• Xi'an - Flight to Dunhuang - Mingsha Mountain - Crescent Lake
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

Early in the morning, your guide will transfer you at the airport for your flight to Dunhuang (about 2.5 hours). Upon arrival at Dunhuang airport, you will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for a short rest.

Afterward, you will head to Mingsha Mountain . Mingsha Mountain (also known as the Echoing Sand Mountain) and the Crescent Lake together form a unique scenic spot. Even if there is no wind, on a sunny day the sand hill echoes sounds like orchestra music. You can clearly hear the echoes as you slide down the sand hill.

There are many exciting activities for you to try (at your own expense) such as sandboarding, viewing by glider or helicopter, and motorcycle riding. Camel riding across the desert is a very popular activity.

Optional Activities

If you wish, you can choose to do desert camping for one night at the Mingsha Mountain. This will be a unique experience to get closer to the desert. During the camping, there are abundant activities and programs for you to have fun, such as sandboarding, desert motorcycle, campfire and so on.

• Mogao Caves - Flight to Turpan
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will go to visit the Mogao Caves. Known as the "Louvre of the East", it's famous for their exquisite murals and statues.
You will visit the grottoes (usually 7 to 8 grottoes during April to November and 12 grottoes during December to March) and the guide will give you a detailed introduction. After that, you are free to choose or follow another guide if you want to visit more other caves. There are also 10 special grottoes (extra charge) for you to visit extensively.

In the afternoon, you will be transfered to the airport for your flight to Turpan. Upon arrival in Turpan, you will be picked up by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free for you to organize as you wish.

• the Flaming Mountain - Tuyu Valley - the Village of Mazar - the Karez Well - The Ruins of Jiaohe
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Flaming Mountain. It is a fiery peak that the monk Xuanzang must pass through in the classic Chinese novel《Journey to the West》.
After a long winding road, you will reach Tuyu, a migratory valley with many historical sites. The village of Mazar, the oldest surviving Uyghur village with more than 2,600 years of history, is one of the highlights of the valley.
Next, you will explore the splendid project of the Karez Well, which is an important ancient irrigation system that is still used in Turpan.
Your last stop is the famous ruins of Jiaoha, an ancient city located along the ancient Silk Road and now is known as the best-preserved earthen structure in the world.
After visiting Turpan, you will drive about 3.5 hours to Urumqi.

• Xinjiang Museum - Tianchi lake
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you will visit the Xinjiang Museum. This is China's most important museum on the theme of the Ancient Silk Road. The most unique exhibit of all is the Hall of Mummies. It collects 10 mummies from more than 4,000 years ago, most of which were found almost intact in the remains of the ancient kingdom of Loulan.

After leaving the museum, you will explore Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (or Tianchi lake in Chinese) At an altitude of 1,980 meters, Tianchi boasts serene alpine lakes, rugged slopes, snow-capped mountains, pristine glaciers, wild forests, vast grasslands, and unique ethnic cultures, which truly provide a heavenly feast for your eyes.

Recommend for Activities

There are generally three ways to explore Tianchi. You can take a walk around the lake, take a boat tour, or ride the cable car to the top of the mountain. If time permits, you can even enjoy all experiences. Boat trips and cable cars cost extra. Let your guide know your preferences and they will make arrangements for you accordingly.

• Urumqi - Flight to Kashgar - Apakhoga Tomb - The Etigar Mosque - Old Town of Kashgar
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

Early this morning, you will take a flight (approximately 2 hours) to Kashgar, which was once a center of regional trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road for more than 2,000 years.

After rest in the hotel, you will start to visit the Apakhoga Tomb, which is not a simple mausoleum but an exquisite complex of buildings including chapels, gardens, arches, etc.

Next, you will visit Kashgar's landmark--The Etigar Mosque, which is considered a holy place for Muslims. Every day, thousands of Muslims worship here.

A few minutes' walk from the mosque is the exotic Old Town of Kashgar, where you can experience the authentic Uyghur way of life. This is a great place to buy some interesting souvenirs for your family and friends. You will also take a break and enjoy a cup of local tea at an old tea house that is over 100 years old.

• Baisha Lake (White Sand Lake) - Karakul Lake
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

Today, you will visit Karakul Lake. on the way to Karakul Lake, you will stop at the White Sand Lake (Baisha Lake), a serene lake beneath the towering snow-capped mountains of the Pamir Plateau.

You will arrive at Karakul Lake around noon. After lunch, you can soak in the breathtaking views of the lake and its surroundings. At an altitude of 3,600 meters, Karakul Lake is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Central Asia.
It is a mix of endless grasslands, deserts and valleys. Some Kyrgyz nomads keep yurts by the lake and graze herds of sheep, horses and camels. You can spend some time walking around the lake, enjoying the scenery and taking photos until it is time to return.

• Kashgar Bazaar - livestock Bazaar - Kashgar Departure
• None
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will embark on a voyage of discovery to the Kashgar Bazaar. In Uyghur, bazaar means a grand marketplace. You'll find everything here, from Muslim mills and authentic Iranian saffron, to Pashmina wool and fine carpets, to fresh fruits, spices, cradles and even camels.

If you're lucky enough to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, don't miss the livestock Bazaar experience. At midday, Uyghur farmers and herders drive herds of sheep, camels, horses, cows and donkeys through the gates of the market to trade. The scene is dusty, smelly and crowded, but it offers a unique and exotic experience for most people.

Once you have enjoyed your visit, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Or if you plan to leave China via the land border, we will arrange a vehicle to take you straight to the border.