13 Days Silk Road Tour of China from Xining to Urumqi

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xining Arrival

   Upon your arrival at Xining airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board and the you will be sent to the downtown hotel for check-in. For the rest of the day, you can explore the city on your own.

   You can go to Well Lane, which was established in the 1950s. Here, you can taste local ethnic snacks and purchase some Qinghai-Tibetan specialties such as yak meat jerky.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xining
2. Day 2: Xining to Lanzhou by High-speed Train
   Ta’er Monastery, Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line

   You will explore the amazing Xining by visiting Ta’er Monastery. As one of the “Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect”, Ta’er Monastery is another site in Xining, Qinghai Province, sharing the same popularity as Qinghai Lake. Ta’er Monastery has a profound historical origin, as it is the birthplace of famous Tsongkhapa, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect. Not only bearing the divine position in religious followers, the monastery is also a Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher education. Beneath the glorious decorations on surface fascinating your eyes, the rich accumulations in history, culture, religion and arts of Ta’er Monastery excite your souls deeply especially when meeting those devout followers trudged for pilgrimage here.

   

   In the afternoon, take a 2-hour high-speed train to Lanzhou. When you arrive at Lanzhou train station, the local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate.

   After checking into your hotel, you can stroll along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line on your own, which is considered “the Bund of Lanzhou City”, taking Zhongshan Bridge as the axis to stretch out along the Yellow River. The sites to visit are distributed on the Road River, including Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, Waterwheel Park and so on.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lanzhou
3. Day 3: Lanzhou to Xiahe
   Binglingsi Grottoes

   After breakfast, drive around 1.5 hours to visit Binglingsi Grottoes, a series of grotto complexes featuring Buddhist elements and engraved on the mountain cliffs. Considering it stands on the cliff along Liujiaxia reservoir, people need to take a speedboat to approach the grottoes to have a better visit. The boat thrilling travels through the breath-taking landscape offering a delicious appetizer for travelers, later on, the climax is coming when you walking closely to those giant statues with vivid shapes and walling paintings in bright color, deeply dazzling each visitor.

   After the visit, continue to drive to Xiahe for the night. Xiahe County is the gateway to Gannan known for its Tibetan Buddhist culture and rich folk customs. It is often called the "Second Tibet".

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xiahe
4. Day 4: Xiahe Back to Lanzhou
   Labrang Monastery, Sangka Grasslands

   Today you will visit the must-see sights in Xiahe. The first one will be the amazing Labrang Monastery. You will regret that you didn’t pay an earlier visit to Labrang Monastery if you hear the loud titles of it: one of the “Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect”, a famous Tibetan Buddhist college with the best complete teaching system of Tibetan Buddhism, the longest corridor of turning scriptures in the world… It does deserve the titles. The grand temple complex housing elegant Buddhist images and statues, wall paintings and other treasures receives devout worship from those Tibetans who are pilgriming from the misty valley in each dawn, telling you the moving power of belief from their hearts.

   

   In the afternoon, moving on to Sangke Grasslands would definitely refresh you. Distinct from the spiritous touch at Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grasslands is filled with aesthetic taste, appealing to endless people to cry out mental pressure built up from busy life. Lush grass waves green carpets here stretching distantly on the plateau with altitude of 3,000 meters while flocks and herds are spotted on it to add more vitality, which forms awesome idyllic sights, bewildering travelers to crazily click the shutters. More “wow” moments here is from those interesting activities at local families, like having local foods and appreciating their ethnic dances.

   Friendly tip: The best visit time to Sangke Grasslands is from June to September.

   After the tour, drive back to Lanzhou for today's night stay.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lanzhou
5. Day 5: Lanzhou to Wuwei
   Leitai Han Tombs, Wuwei Confucius Temple

   After breakfast, drive for around 3.5 hours to visit the highlights of Wuwei. The first stop will be Leitai Han Tombs. China is never short in history, even in its wilder western regions, which could be readily found at Leitai Han Tombs in Wuwei, the site we’re going to visit. We could trace back to the history of this site about 1,700 years ago, earning its reputation mainly in unearthing the famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow which is taken as Chinese National Tourist Symbol. The tombs were discovered by local farmers in 1969 when they were digging the combat tunnels, henceforth we have more material to shed light on the Han Dynasty’s culture, history, economy and politics.

   Later, continue your visit to Wuwei Confucius Temple, which was built in the Ming Dynasty with large scale and with a high historical status, about 500 years ago, for people to worship the greatest spiritual mentor of Chinese, Confucius. The temple also houses the Wuwei Museum to allow visitors not only learn the thoughts and history of Confucius but also appreciate the historic relics of Wuwei City. The architecture of antique flavor in the temple is ideal for photography. You will have about 1.5 hours here.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Wuwei
6. Day 6: Wuwei to Zhangye
   Tiantishan Caves

   Today you will head to the amazing Tiantishan Caves which has a loud title: Father of All Chinese Grottoes. It was one of the earliest engraved grottoes in China with a history dating back to 1,600 years ago. Today, there are wall paintings of hundreds of square meters, three-floor caves, seventeen shrines, and hundreds of statues as well as Buddhist scriptures well preserved with mixed features of Western Xia, Northern Wei Dynasty, Sui and Tang Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty as well as Ming Dynasty.

   In the afternoon, drive around 3 hours to Zhangye and check in local hotel. In the evening, Ganquan Park is a good place to relax where the mountains and waters complement each other. The moonlight and lights make this park more beautiful. You may see locals dancing and join them if you're interested.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
7. Day 7: Zhangye Highlights
   Giant Buddhist Temple, The Rainbow Mountain

   Today, we will go to an essential Silk Road viewpoint - the Giant Buddhist Temple. It features its largest indoor clay sculpture which displays a reclining Buddha that extends 34.5 meters in length. You can appreciate both beautiful murals and smaller sculptures which are located beside the Buddha statue. The guide will show you the mural content while explaining the history of significant sculptures.

   After lunch, we drive for one hour to reach one of the highlights of our whole trip: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. The Rainbow Mountain will be your afternoon visit because the park contains two main scenic areas which both offer distinct attractions. The scenic spot displays its most vibrant colors during sunset. The high platforms provide a view of mountains which display different levels of red and orange colors that shine under rosy sunlight.

   Tips:

   1. The best time for taking bright mountains is during sunset from 7 to 8 pm (June - August); from 6 to 7 pm (December - January).
   2. If you visit on a sunny day you need to bring sun protection items which include a hat sunglasses and a sun umbrella.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
8. Day 8: Zhangye to Jiayuguan
   Jiayuguan Pass, Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, Weijin Tombs

   Your journey will begin at a 2.5-hour drive to Jiayuguan where you will visit one of the most important historical sites of Silk Road. Jiayuguan Pass is known by two names the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven" and "the Throat of Hexi Corridor". Served as a western boundary of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, it was a vital military defense while it functions as an ancient Silk Road trade and cultural exchange hub which has operated for hundreds of years. The fort provides a complete view which you can access by climbing to its top.

   Next, continue your visit to Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum. The first Great Wall themed museum operates inside Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area which contains 7 exhibition halls that present advanced knowledge about this Chinese engineering achievement.

   

   Afterward, proceed to Weijin Tombs. The site presentation shows wall paintings as the main element which you will experience at this location. The desert conceals 1400 ancient tombs which exist beneath its yellow sand yet only No.6 tomb permit public access at this time. The colorful paintings show Weijin Time scholars and officials through their life activities. Your guide explains historical, cultural, political and economic knowledge about the site.

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
9. Day 9: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
   Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake

   You will need to drive approximately five hours to reach Dunhuang after you complete your breakfast. You should choose comfortable footwear and pack snacks for this extended travel period.

   First, have lunch in Dunhuang and then take a rest until the temperature decreases which will allow you to visit Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. The natural beauty of Echo Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring exists as a miraculous pair that has shone like a pearl along the Silk Road for thousands of years.

   

   The incredible co-existence between spring water and sand mountains always amazes visitors at first sight here: the sand mountains meander like a huge dragon and roar when wings are blowing, while the Crescent Spring, like a gentle maiden, is embraced in the arms of mountains without being smudged. The optional activity at this location provides visitors with a lifetime experience through camel rides at Echo Sand Mountain. Your tour guide will help to purchase tickets.

   You will explore the Shazhou Night Market for culinary discoveries during the evening hours. The Dunhuang city center area becomes a Silk Road dining district after sunset. The authentic Silk Road experience allows you to taste apricot peel water and scallion beef patties.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
10. Day 10: Dunhuang to Turpan by High-speed Train
    Mogao Caves

    You will visit the breathtaking Mogao Grottoes today. The Mogao Caves which display the largest collection of Buddhist art preserves the best artifacts in the world functions as "the pearls of oriental art" according to its worldwide recognition. The site contains 735 caves which cover approximately 45,000 square kilometers and display 2,415 painted sculptures and more than 4,000 flying Apsaras. The guide will take you to visit some important grottoes and explain how they were built and the stories depicted in the murals.

    You will be taken to Dunhuang train station in the afternoon so that you can board the afternoon high-speed train which travels to Turpan. You can have a nap on the train since it takes 3.5 hours’ train riding. The local driver will meet you at the exit gate in Turpan while he holds a welcome board. Then be escorted to your hotel.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Turpan
11. Day 11: Turpan to Urumqi
    Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda, Tuyu Valley, Jiaohe Ruins

    The first attraction of today's activities will be the Karez Well which serves as an underground irrigation system developed by the ancient Xinjiang people. The project is the vital water source that sustains life throughout the dry northwestern region. Then the Sugong Pagoda will show you Islamic architectural design and it is the biggest pagoda in all of Xinjiang. The tower is cylindrical in shape, with a total height of 37 meters. It is entirely made of bricks, with various patterns on the outside.

    Next, come to Tuyu Valley. The village is the oldest Uyghur settlement in Xinjiang which offers you a chance to experience both Buddhist and Islamic cultural heritage. The Jiaohe Ruins represent the oldest, largest and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world which dates back more than 2,000 years. The ancient city allows you to explore its streets which lead you through time to discover its historical civilizations.

    At the end of the tour, drive for 3 hours to Urumqi for the night.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
12. Day 12: Urumqi's Essence
    Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum, Erdaoqiao International Bazaar

    Drive from your breakfast at your hotel to the breathtaking Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain, 1.5 hours away for a visit. This alpine lake lies at the base of the snowcapped Bodga Mountain in a lush valley surrounded by towering peaks. The summer season is rarely hot in this area due to its elevation.

    This truly is one of nature’s wonders; the reflection of the surrounding mountain peaks in the green water of the lake and the colourful wild flowers on the grasslands will mesmerize you as it truly is a peaceful and beautiful place to visit. The guide will share the story of how the Queen Mother of the West ‘painted’ this place with the mythology. It will be a trip you will not forget!

    Tip: The scenic area offers a boat-riding experience. You can pay on the spot to take a cruise boat and immerse yourself in the scene of water and sky merging together.

    

    Afterwards, go back to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum. The museum displays more than 40000 artifacts which include various relics and specimens across its five exhibition halls. It displays various treasures that have continuously shone throughout history on the famous Silk Road.

    In the late afternoon, stroll around the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar. The market operates at a worldwide scale while its architectural design maintains a deep Islamic cultural heritage. The Urumqi market offers you a unique experience that transcends shopping because it showcases authentic ethnic traditions. Here you can find excessive range of products which creates visual confusion for you to experience the historical Silk Road area and witness the prosperous international trade activities.

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    4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
13. Day 13: Urumqi Departure

    The 13 days amazing Silk Road trip will end today. Your driver will transfer you to the airport and wish you a pleasant journey home! If you want to visit more places along the Silk Road or other Chinese cities, please feel free to contact us. We will be very happy to be helpful to you. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour.

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