17 Days Silk Road Archaeological Tour

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You will be greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing Hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. Afternoon sightseeing features the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. On the way back to the hotel, you will have an overlook of the major Olympic Stadium and the Olympic village.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

he highlight today is a visit to Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization. After lunch, you will visit Ming Tombs, the burial grounds for the 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.

Day 04 Beijing / Urumqi (B, D)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Check into the Xinjiang Grand Hotel. Enjoy a good rest tonight.

Day 05 Urumqi / Kashgar (B, L)

The highlight of our visit to Urumqi is an excursion to Heavenly Lake. Only one hour and a half drive from the city, it lies on snow-capped Mount Bogda at almost 2000 meters above sea level. The sapphire-blue lake is set in deep slope of pine forests and meadows of wild flowers where Kazak nomads camp. The views from the cruise boat are breathtaking. After lunch at carefully-selected restaurant, you will drive back to Urumqi. Proceed to visit the Regional Museum and excursion to Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar. Board a short flight to Kashigar this evening. Check in the local best Kashigar Barony Hotel.

Day 06 Kashgar (B, L)

No visitors to Kashigar should miss the Sunday Bazaar. In this teeming market, you can buy anything from herbal medicines to carpets, from a cradle to a camel. In the afternoon you may enjoy an exploration to the downtown. A tour will bring you to visit the vast Id Kah Mosque and the tomb of Abakh Khoja in the country lanes.

Day 07 Kashgar / Urumqi (B, L)

Kashgar is a fabled city with a rich mix of people and cultures. Mosques and veiled women feature strong Middle Eastern characteristics. In the morning, you will visit a Kinder garden, old city district - a typical Uygur nationality houses with local building material and a workshop where traditional carpet are made, a warren of twisting alleys and whitewashed walls, in a donkey cart taxi, at last you will have a chance to visit the Uygur family. Fly back to Urumqi this evening. Enjoy a good rest at the Xinjiang Grand Hotel.

Day 08 Urumqi / Turpan (B, L)

Today’s highlight is the Nanshan Pastures where nomadic tribesmen herd their yaks and sheep. You will have the opportunity to visit a family in their tent for a taste of traditional nomadic hospitality. A short coach journey takes you through the desert to the Oasis town of Turpan, famous for its melons and vineyards. Check into the local best Hotel Tuha Petroleum.

Day 09 Turpan / Dunhuang (B, L)

Today's tour includes visits to the ruined city of Gaochang by donkey cart, and the underground tombs of Astana, the legendary Flaming Mountains, and Bezeklik Caves whose walls are adorned with Buddhists frescoes. You will also see the Emin Minaret, one of the finest buildings on the Silk Road, and Karez Well - an underground irrigation system. Board the overnight train to Dunhuang. Over night on the train.

Day 10 Dunhuang (B, L)

Arrive in Dunhuang in the morning. Enjoy breakfast in the Dunhuang Hotel. Dunhuang was a strategic post on the Silk Road and frontier town of the ancient. A leisurely day includes visits to Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Moon Lake set in an amphitheater of sand dunes and has a camel ride. Stay at the local best Dunhuang Hotel this evening.

Day 11 Dunhuang (B, L)

You will visit the most famous monument of Dunhuang-the Mogao Caves, popularly known as "Thousand Buddha Caves". An art gallery in the desert, the walls of the caves are lined with Buddhist frescoes and sculpted figures, is said to be the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world. Mixing Indian and Chinese styles, they are a remarkable record of Silk Road civilization. You will enjoy delicious local flavor fro today’s lunch. Afternoon program will take you to visit the County museum and White Horse Pagoda.

Day 12 Dunhuang / Xian (B)

Enjoy your free time in the morning. Fly to Xian later. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the Aurum International Hotel. Enjoy a good rest tonight.

Day 13 Xian (B, L)

A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient Xian as you visit the burial site of the incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta soldiers, the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall.

Day 14 Xian / Shanghai (B, D)

After breakfast, you will visit the only underground museum in China, Yangling Mausoleum. Yangling Mausoleum will bring you to one of the most prosperous dynasty, Han Dynasty in Chinese history. Fly to Shanghai. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the Shanghai Hotel.

Day 15 Shanghai (B, L)

Have full day sightseeing to the major attractions of the city including the Yu Garden at the Old Quarter, the French concession, Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Road at the shopping center.

Day 16 Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai (B, L)

After breakfast, drive to Suzhou to visit the beautiful traditional Chinese gardens. You will visit the famous Lingering Garden and Fishing Net Garden. You will have a try of local flavor for today’s lunch. Drive back to Shanghai 1n the late afternoon. Enjoy a good rest today.

Day 17 Shanghai (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination. The whole tour ends with a memorable experience.