Kashgar Tours Silk Road Tours Turpan Tours Xinjiang Tours 16 Days China Silk Road Tour from Xi'an to Kashgar

Visit Terracotta Warriors, which were created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang di. This amazing but meglomaniac man conquered and united China from a collection of warring states to become its First Emperor. He built the Great Wall and amassed great works of art. Obsessed with a quest for the secret of immortality, 70,000 workers built his tomb said to be filled with legendary treasures. His 3000 wives and concubines followed him to the grave. Later visit Horses Museum. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda - symbol of the old-line Xian, is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Overnight at Hotel Grand Dynasty Culture.

This morning see the Great Mosque, one of China's largest and built in the Chinese style. Although founded in 742 the present layout dates from the 14th century and is made up of four courtyards which contain stone steles, many trees and ornate arches. It is reached by following several narrow passageways lined with many hawkers and artists. There will be time to walk through the neighbourhood which is very different from other parts of Han China. Finally, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This will help you to understand the journey that you have just undertaken and provide you, hopefully, with the information that you may need to fully appreciate your Silk Route journey. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Lanzhou. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel Legend

Morning visit Lanzhou Gansu Provincial Museum. The museum has an excellent selection of exhibits relating to Gansu and the Silk Road. Later we drive to Xiahe, on arrival check in to hotel . Overnight at Hotel Nirvana.

Morning visit Labrang monastery – one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat sect, founded in 1709, unique opportunity to see Tibet culture and way of life. Our guide will show you the impressive interior of the Assembly hall and other temples. You will be introduced to the Buddha images and numerous protective deities. You can explore the Tibetan antique shops as well as the shops providing for the needs of monks and the monastery. Afternoon drive 10 kilometers to the southwest of the Xiahe to see beautiful Sangke Grassland and visit a Tibetan Family. Sangke Grassland is bordered by the Daxia River and famous for its excellent pasture and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Lush green grass and colorful flowers form a natural carpet covering this expansive area. The prairie is named for the summer-blooming sangke flowers that form a natural carpet extending to the far horizons. Reflecting sky and mountains, the Daxia River twists through grass and earth like an undulating silk belt. Groups of sheep and yaks plus white tents form a beautiful picture.  You will be transferred back to hotel after the tour. Overnight at Hotel Nirvana

Morning drive back to Lanzhou en route visit famous Binglingshi caves (80 km from Lanzhou). Transfer by yacht via the artificial lake on the Yellow river to reach the Thousand Buddha caves of Binglinshi carved over the period of 1,500 years. Later proceed to Lanzhou. On arrival to Lanzhou transfer to the railway station to take an overnight train to Jiayugua.  Overnight: train

On arrival transfer to your pre-booked hotel, check in. In the afternoon travel outside the city to see the Overhanging Wall. This section is partly restored and partly un-restored, lies at the base of the Black mountains. This section is an extended part of the Jiayuguang pass and was once an important component in the military. defense system. A walk along it gives fine views of the surrounding area and its emptiness.

After breakfast visit the magnificently restored fort originally built in 1372. From the ramparts one can see the old wall fading gradually into the desert. Also see the Jiayuguan Museum. Transfer to hotel for overnight. Afternoon we are heading to Dunhuang. On arrival transfer to hotel. Check in. Overnight at Hotel Silk Road Dunhuang

Full day sightseeing tour in Dunhuang. Today we are going to have a trip to the Mogao Caves – the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statuary dated back to 4th up to 14th century onwards; created during nine dynasties they mark the height of Buddhist art. Later visit the nearby Mingsha (Singing) Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake.  Enjoy sunset view at the best desert scenery that travelers can see along the entire length of the Silk Road. Possible camel riding. ( to be paid at the spot)  Overnight at Hotel Silk Road Dunhuang.

Morning a visit will be made to the Western 1000 Buddha caves, although in reality there are only 22. The frescoes are similar to the ones found at Mogao and it is therefore mostly assumed that they are also Dunhuang Buddhist art. There age is unknown but they may pre-date those at the Mogao Grottoes. In addition to the frescoes there are several painted clay statues. Afternoon transfer to Liuyuan to take a bullet train to Turpan. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel Houzhou.

Full day sightseeing tour in and around Turpan: Morning visit picturesque Tuyoq ancient village (70 km) to see the oldest in Turpan area Buddhist caves dated back to the 4^th c. Visit local Uygur families enjoy beautiful mountain and grapes sceneries. Later get inside of Astana Tombs to see well preserved mummies and unique wall paintings dated back to 2AD. Later visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (56 km) on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains, there are 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368, Bezeklik was an important center for Buddhist worship. These are superb murals many depicting Buddhist Sutras and Jatakas which were the part of Hinayana and Mahayana beliefs. Bezekliq caves were part of Gaochang Kingdom present day ruins of Gaochang. Overnight at Hotel Houzhou.

Morning visit remarkable Karez system, an old engineering miracle designed to bring water to the dry desert town, the karez channels of Turpan have a history of more than 2000 years. Visit the notable Emin Minaret (44 meters high, completed in 1778) and Mosque.   Later visit famous ruined Jiaohe city - capital of the State of South Cheshi. It was on of the 36 kingdoms of the Western region during the Han Dynasty. First settlements appeared there in 2 BC. City is comparatively well preserved. Late afternoon transfer to the railway station to take an overnight train to Kashgar. Overnight: train

Arrive in Kashgar and transfer to hotel. Short rest at hotel. We start our tour today with a visit of a colorful unique chaotic Great Sunday bazaar where you will see numerous sections: silk and cotton, knives, hats, pots and pans, fresh vegetables and fruits, carpets and jewellery. There is a separate livestock and horse section located 6 km from the main market.  Afternoon visit the largest mosque in China - Idkah mosque (1442), grand Arabic structure located in the center of the city of Kashgar, has a history of more than five hundred years. Shakesimirzha, the ruler of Kashgar, had the mosque built here first in1442, where he would say prayers to the souls of his deceased relatives. Extended and renovated time and again through the ages, it has finally reached its present shape and size.  Visit Apak Khoja’s Tomb – the holiest place in Xinjiang for Sufis (1640), located outside Kashgar was built in 1640 and, in addition to encompassing a larger complex that includes a functioning mosque and Qur'anic school, houses the coffins of five generations of the Apak Khoja family, including what is purported to be the body of the Fragrant Concubine. Later walk through the colorful national Handicraft Street that has the verity of ceramic and wood carving workshops. Overnight at Hotel Qinibagh 5*.

Morning drive to Tashkorgan,  on the way, stop at Opal village, red mountain, corner lake, visit Karakul Lake located at the foothills of the beautiful Muztagata Mountain at 3600 meters above the sea level.   En route we visit Uygur traditional village Opal to see Mausoleum of the well-known 11 c. Uygur philologist Mohammed Kashgeri. At Karakul lake, Meet nomadic Kyrgyz ethnic people, who still live in felt yurts.  Overnight at hotel Crown Inn

Morning visit Golden grassland, local History Museum and ancient Stone Fortress (dated around 7th century). Afternoon transfer back to Kashgar again enjoying mountain scenery of Karakorum Highway. Overnight at Hotel Qinibagh 5*