17-Day China Adventure: Silk Road, Avatar Mountains & Panda Encounter

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi

   Welcome to the capital city of Xinjiang, Urumqi. Your personal tour guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in.

   You’re free to explore the city on your own for the rest of the day.

   Free time ideas:

   The Red Hill Park is frequented by locals. It’s free to the public and a great place for a leisurely hike. Follow the trail to the top of the hill. You’ll reach the Qing Dynasty Red Hill Pagoda and an observation tower with a panoramic view of the city skyline.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
2. Day 2: Urumqi Highlights
   Experience the Beautiful Landscapes and Culture of Urumqi

   Start your Xinjiang guided tour at the Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountains. This alpine lake is situated at the foot of Bogda Peak surrounded by mountains and valleys.

   The views are absolutely breathtaking in the summer. The lush green mountains are reflected in the azure lake water. Colorful wildflowers are in bloom over the meadows.

   The Legend of Xi Wangmu adds elements of mystery to this sacred land.

   

   The cable car can take you up to Maya Mountain where you can overlook the entire Heavenly Lake and Bogda Peak area.

   Return to the city center to visit Xinjiang Regional Museum after the visit. Learn about how different ethnic groups come together in local history. Famous artifacts in the museum collection include Han Dynasty brocade arm guard, 3,800-year-old mummy, and brocade paintings.

   In the evening, the Islamic buildings at Erdaoqiao International Bazaar are all lit up. Discover all kinds of traditional handicrafts like Uyghur embroidered hats, copperwares, and central Asian carpets.

   The bustling vibe will take you back to the time when the Silk Road merchants flocked into the markets thousands of years ago.

   

   Travel tips:

   • You can take a boat ride in the Heavenly Lake scenic area. Your tour guide can help you purchase tickets on site. Get close to where the sky meets the water.
   • The cable car of Maya Mountain is an optional activity.

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   4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
3. Day 3: Urumqi to Turpan by High-Speed Train
   Uncover the Historic Ruins and Ancient Culture of Turpan

   We’ll drive for three hours to reach China’s hottest city, Turpan.

   After lunch, visit the Karez Irrigation System. It’s an underground construction built by ancient people of Xinjiang. It became an important source of fresh water for the nearby arid region.

   Then, head to Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda), the largest pagoda in Xinjiang. With a height of 37 meters, it is entirely built with bricks. The outer walls have all kinds of patterns.

   

   Jiaohe Ruins is the world’s earliest, largest, and best-preserved earthen building city. Not a single brick or tile is used in its construction. The entire city was built by carving into the natural earth.

   With over 2,000 years of history, you can still clearly see the layout of structures like the government office zone and residences. You can imagine the city life back in the days.

   Travel tips:

   Jiaohe Ruins has almost no awnings or shading. Make sure you bring sun-protection products, water, and a coat or mask against the wind and sand.

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   4-Star Hotel in Turpan
4. Day 4: Turpan to Dunhuang by High-Speed Train
   Travel to the Desert City of Dunhuang and Experience Northwestern Culture

   You can sleep in till your 11 am train to Dunhuang. (Train No. D576, 11:09 am – 2:23 pm)

   After arrival, your local tour guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the city for check-in. Have a short rest at the hotel till it’s cooler outside, around 4 pm. Head to the Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake scenic area.

   The Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake are two famous desert wonders. How the two coexist in the same area fascinates every visitor. The lake surrounded by sand dunes has never been dry for thousands of years.

   

   Around dusk, witness the setting sun dye the desert sky orange. You can go on a guided camelback ride across the desert or hike over the sand dunes to experience sand slide.

   In the evening, go explore Dunhuang Night Market. You can taste all kinds of authentic Silk Road foods like scallion beef pancake, apricot peel water, and Dunhuang’s most representative yellow noodle with donkey meat.

   Optional activities:

   • Camelback riding is an optional activity. Your tour guide can help you purchase tickets on site. If you’re looking for something for exciting, you can consider a desert ATV ride.
   • In the summer, the desert temperature can get very high. Make sure you wear a hat, sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
5. Day 5: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by Private Vehicle
   Visit Ancient Buddhist Caves and Travel to Jiayuguan

   Often called the Pearl of Eastern Arts, Mogao Caves preserve the world’s most exquisite Buddhist art collection.

   Marvel at the delicate colored sculptures and the famous murals. Your tour guide will tell you about the stories they depict and the complex artistic process.

   After your visit, we’ll drive for four hours to Jiayuguan. We recommend bringing some snacks since the drive may be a little long. When we get there, check into your hotel.

   

   Free time ideas:

   At night, you can explore Tang Dynasty Night Market on your own. Its Tang architecture and lighting bring back the bustling vibe back in the days. You have to try the delicious lamb skewers, roasted pig trotters, and niangpizi.

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
6. Day 6: Jiayuguan to Zhangye by Private Vehicle
   Learn about the Military History of Jiayuguan and Explore Ancient Tombs

   Jiayuguan Fort is one of the most important historic sites of the Silk Road. It’s an ancient military fortress with a complete city wall defense system, including an inner city, Weng city, corner tower, and city gate.

   Take a walk along the city wall and learn about the city’s military layout. See the desert below you and Qilian snow mountains in the distance while you stand above this ancient structure.

   

   Pay a visit to Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum to learn more about the pass and the Great Wall.

   Before leaving Jiayuguan, have an exciting underground exploration at the Weijin Tombs where you’ll discover a large number of colorful murals. They vividly portray the social life and culture of Wei and Jin dynasties.

   After your Jiayuguan tour, drive for three hours to Zhangye and spend the night.

   

   Travel tips:

   • It tends to get pretty windy and sandy at Jiayuguan Pass. We recommend wearing a mask or a bandana.
   • In order to preserve the murals, photography, videos, and touching are forbidden at Weijin Tombs.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
7. Day 7: Zhangye Geological Wonders
   Marvel at the Natural Wonders of Zhangye

   Spend the whole day today at Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. It consists of two scenic areas, Binggou Scenic Area (Ice Valley) and the Colorful Danxia Scenic Area.

   Mornings are the best time to visit the Ice Valley Scenic Area. There tends to be less visitors, and the lighting is ideal. Xiaoxitian Scenic Area is known for having all kinds of strangely shaped rocks. Their grain appears more stark under the morning light.

   Daxitian Scenic Area is the highlight of Ice Valley with even more magnificent Danxia landforms. The Louvre Phantom is its most famous attraction. You can find the best photography spot on No. 4 viewing platform.

   

   In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Rainbow Mountains. The mountains here are more colorful.

   The sightseeing tour bus will take you to four different viewing platforms to see the landforms from different angles. Xianyuan Terrace will allow you to take close-up photos of the colorful mountains. Yunhai Terrace is the highest point to overlook the entire Danxia area. Jinxiu Terrace will take you deep into the mountains to observe the layers and grains of the rocks. Hongxia Terrace is the best spot for seeing the sunset. That’s when the colors of the mountains are the most pronounced.

   Return to your hotel to rest after your visit.

   Good to Know:

   • Expect a lot of walking today. A pair of comfortable shoes will be very helpful.
   • The best time for photographing the sunset at the Colorful Danxia Scenic Area is 7-8 pm during summer and 6-7 pm during winter.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
8. Day 8: Zhangye to Lanzhou by High-Speed Train
   Witness the Giant Reclining Buddha and Travel to Lanzhou

   The ancient Giant Buddha Temple was built over 1,000 years ago.

   There lies the largest existing indoor reclining Buddha of Asia with a length of 34.5 meters. The walls of the hall are also covered with murals depicting well-known stories from Journey to the West. You can learn about how Buddhism and various cultures came together on the Silk Road.

   

   After your Zhangye tour, take a high-speed train to Lanzhou. The journey will last about 3.5 hours.

   In the summer, the views outside the window will keep you enthralled, the golden seas of rapeseed flowers under the rolling Qilian mountains, snow-covered peaks in the distance. As you journey past the Shandan horse farm, you’ll see the green pastures and cattle roaming over them.

   When you reach Lanzhou, your tour guide and personal driver will take you to see the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line. It’s often called “the Bund of Lanzhou City.”

   Along the Yellow River, centered around Zhongshan Bridge, there are many attractions like the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Iron Bridge, and Waterwheel Garden.

   In the evening, we’ll take you to check in at the hotel.

   

   Night activities:

   At night, you can head to Dazhong Alley Night Market beloved by locals. There’s a wide range of local foods to try including milk egg laozao, Lanzhou beef noodles, and grilled meat.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lanzhou
9. Day 9: Lanzhou to Zhangjiajie by Flight
   Explore the Karst Caves and Have Your First Impression of Zhangjiajie

   Take a flight to Zhangjiajie, which inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in the Avatar series.

   After you arrive, your tour guide will take you to the Yellow Dragon Cave in Wulingyuan, a massive karst cave.

   Inside the cave, there are all kinds of amazing karst formations, naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites. The most famous sight is the Dinghai Shenzhen, tall 19.2 meters. What you see today is the result over 200,000 years.

   

   Take a boat ride along Xiangshui River and see the “river of stars” effect created by the atmospheric lights on the ceiling.

   At the end of your visit, we’ll take you to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

   Travel tips:

   We recommend wearing non-slip shoes for your visit to the Yellow Dragon Cave. It’s always humid and wet inside the cave, and the temperature remains around 16 °C (61 °F) all year, so a light jacket may also come in handy.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
10. Day 10: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park & Glass Bridge
    Visit the Highlights of Zhangjiajie and Have a Day of Outdoor Adventures

    Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first national forest park in China. It’s been listed as a World Natural Heritage site.

    Huangshi Village is a key sightseeing platform within the scenic area. It’s a hill flat at the top, a great spot for a panoramic view of the countless peaks and stone pillars.

    Take a cable car to reach the top of the mountains in no time. Walk amongst the strange peaks that rise from the deep valleys and reach into the sky.

    Afterwards, go on a hike along the Golden Whip Stream. Pause along the way if you wish to dip your hands into the water, observe fish swimming in and out between the pebbles. You might even encounter wild monkeys.

    

    You’ll take a sightseeing tour bus out of the forest park. In 40 minutes, you’ll reach Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.

    Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is the world’s longest and highest glass bridge with a total length of 430 meters. It’s of great challenge and thrill to walk over the transparent glass bridge and see the grand canyon below you.

    The bridge may appear intimidating at first, but once you set foot on it, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of waterfalls, forests, and mountain streams.

    Travel Tips:

    • Do no feed the monkeys. They may scratch or hurt you.
    • When you’re hiking by the Golden Whip Stream, you can bring an extra pair of flip-flops so you can dip your feet in.

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    4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
11. Day 11: Tianzi Mountain & Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
    Be Amazed by Tianzi Mountain and the Real-Life Hallelujah Mountains

    Tianzi Mountain is another must-visit attraction of Zhangjiajie known for its stone pinnacles and the amazing phenomenon of sea of clouds. It’s often referred to as the Kingdom of Peaks.

    A cable car service is also available to take you up the mountain. You can overlook the scenic area from various perspectives at different viewing platforms. Highlights to see include Imperial Brush Peaks and strange rocks like Fairy Presenting Flowers.

    

    Continue your exploration in Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. It’s the real-life inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in the Avatar movies.

    Take the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, Bailong Elevator, into the clouds. You’ll be shocked that it only takes 66 seconds to bring you to the top of the peaks.

    From the top, marvel at the strange rock formations from the World’s No.1 Bridge (a naturally formed stone bridge), the Enchanting Platform, to the Hallelujah Mountains, and the Back Garden.

    After a whole day of magnificent sceneries, you’ll be transferred back to Zhangjiajie city center to spend the night.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
12. Day 12: Zhangjiajie to Xi'an by Flight
    See the Natural Wonder of Tianmen Mountain and Travel to Xi'an

    Tianmen Mountain Forest Park is known for its awe-inspiring natural wonder, Tianmen Cave. Take the world's longest cable car to the top. Then make your way to Guigu Plank Road, the cliffside glass skywalk, and Tianmen Mountain temple.

    You can take the escalator down to Tianmen Cave, the world’s highest natural cave through a mountain. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can walk 999 steps to reach the cave.

    

    This will conclude your Zhangjiajie tour. You’ll then take a flight to Xi’an. When you arrive at the airport, your local driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel.

    Evening free time:

    Datang Everbright City is one of the best places to go to in Xi'an at night. Its architecture and beautiful lighting aim to recreate the city's golden days back in Tang Dynasty. There’s a music fountain show on the North square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda as well as free street performances.

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    4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
13. Day 13: Best of Xi'an
    Explore the Highlights of the Ancient Capital Xi’an

    Your first stop in Xi’an will be the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the underground army guarding the burial site of China’s first emperor.

    The No. 1 Pit has the most highlights. Thousands of life-sized clay warriors were unearthed, each with different expression, armor, and hairstyle. Your tour guide will tell you about the stories behind them, the history of Qin Dynasty, and why this army was made.

    

    After lunch, we’ll return to downtown Xi’an and visit the ancient City Wall. You can take a bike ride over it. On one side, you’ll see historical architecture and old residences. On the other side is the busy metropolitan scene.

    The Bell and Drum Tower Square is the central landmark of Xi’an city connecting the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, two Ming-Dynasty buildings. When the night falls, they are lit up by colorful lights.

    A short walk from Drum Tower will take you to the Muslim Quarter. You’ll suddenly be surrounded by vibrant local life. The narrow alleys are lit up by lanterns, the air filled with delicious smell from the food stalls.

    

    Optional activities:

    • At a factory nearby the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, you can make your own mini clay figure to bring home as a meaningful souvenir.
    • There are all kinds of local foods at the Muslim Quarter. You can communicate with your tour guide about what you want to try. He or she will take you to the hidden stalls deep in the alleys that locals like to go to.

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    4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
14. Day 14: Exploration of Guanzhong Folk Customs
    Wander Through Busy Local Markets and Experience Cultural Activities

    In the morning, you will visit the Tang Dynasty imperial temple, Daci’en Temple. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is its landmark that was built to preserve Buddhist scriptures.

    The Buddhist architecture and ancient trees here seem to be from another world stepping in from the modern city square outside. Have a serene tour in the temple and learn about the history behind Xuanzang’s journey bringing back the scriptures.

    If you climb up to the seventh floor of the pagoda, you’ll have a great view of the city below.

    

    From the city, we’ll drive for an hour and a half to get to Yuanjiacun. It’s a Guanzhong folk culture village that reenacts traditional country life and busy markets.

    Walk down the stone-paved alleys lined with traditional houses. See how traditional products are handmade at workshops and stalls like oil making and tofu grinding. Try different kinds of Guanzhong snacks like Mahua (fried dough twists) and Youpo Noodles.

    You can also experience for yourself how to grind soybeans for milk or arts and crafts like papercutting.

    Travel tips:

    • Ascending to the top of Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an optional activity. If you’re interested, your tour guide can help you purchase tickets on site.
    • There are many different foods to try at Yuanjiacun. Do not fill up on just one dish, order a small portion of each and try as many different types as possible.

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    4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
15. Day 15: Xi'an to Chengdu by High-Speed Train
    Walk Down the Streets of Chengdu and Feel the Slow Local Lifestyle

    Take a high-speed train to the hometown of giant pandas, Chengdu. When you arrive, check into your hotel and take a short rest.

    Experience the leisurely Chengdu lifestyle at People’s Park. Taste a cup of tea, snack on some sunflower seeds, and simply enjoy yourselves chatting away, people watching. See little boats sailing by over the lake, people sitting in the shade, having an ear cleaning session. The entire park is filled with the simple joy of slow life.

    

    Jinli Pedestrian Street is a commercial street themed on the Three Kingdoms and Sichuan folk culture. You can try authentic local snacks like Dan Dan Noodles, enjoy tea while watching face-changing Sichuan Opera at a tea house. or discover traditional crafts like sugar painting and shadow puppets.

    Optional activities:

    • Cai er (ear cleaning) is a unique Chengdu leisurely activity. If you’re interested in experiencing it, we can help you arrange a session at People’s Park.
    • Face-changing is a special dramatic technique of Sichuan Opera. It’s been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. It uses masks to manifest different emotions. Artists can change their masks in an instant which is very impressive to see. Watching a face-changing opera a highly recommended optional activity.

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    4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
16. Day 16: Chengdu Panda & Food Experience
    Witness Famous Giant Pandas and Enjoy a Chengdu Food Tour

    For first-time visitors to Chengdu, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a must-visit attraction. The base recreates the natural environment for giant pandas. There is a total of 260 pandas at the research center.

    You can observe pandas eating bamboos, climbing trees, and sleeping. Your tour guide will take you on the best route to explore this large area, tell you about these adorable animals, and help you take great photos of and with them in the background.

    

    Wenshu Temple is a quiet religious site in the center of the city. As you step onto the temple ground, all the noises of the city will be left outside the red walls. The scent of incense is in the air. You can see people praying or chatting in a low voice.

    The red walls and green bamboos make the temple a classic photography spot for shooting in Chengdu city.

    In the afternoon, we’ll shift our focus to the delicious foods of Sichuan. Sichuan Cuisine Museum showcases a wide range of dishes as well as cooking wares.

    The highlight of this museum visit will be to learn how to make a few famous Sichuan dishes under the guidance of a local chef, including Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken. After the learning session, you can taste your own dishes.

    

    Travel tips:

    If possible, we recommend getting to the panda research base as early as you can. Pandas are the most active in the morning (8-10 am). It’ll also be less crowded.

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    4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
17. Day 17: Departure from Chengdu

    After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport or train station according to your departure time. Your China Silk Road tour will conclude here. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour.

    More travel ideas:

    If you’d like to extend your Chengdu tour to Jiuzhaigou or the “8D city” of Chongqing, we’re happy to customize an itinerary for you.

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