6 Days China Silk Road Tour from Urumqi to Dunhuang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

   Welcome to our 6 days China Silk Road tour! After your arrival, our local private driver will meet you at airport by holding the board with "China Xian Tour" on it. Then you will be transferred to your well-selected hotel and enjoy your free time.

   The Xinjiang Museum allows you to explore its facilities after your arrival which occurs before noon. The museum displays 32000 artifacts which include beautiful embroidery, wood carvings, clay figurines, flower and bird paintings, bronze ware and clothing and handicrafts from different Xinjiang ethnic groups. The Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar which is a must stop for tourists to Xinjiang provides an opportunity to experience the area's diverse cultural heritage while tasting local dishes and traditional ethnic crafts.

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   4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
2. Day 2: Urumqi to Turpan
   Heavenly Lake with Optional Boat Ride

   After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide and then drive for 1.5 hours to the Tianshan Heavenly Lake. It gives the impression of nobleness, elegance, and beauty. Clear lake, snow mountains, and soaring pine trees compose the charming scenery of the Heavenly Lake Scenic Area. You will find words are so weak for the surroundings when you are touring. It will make you totally relaxed no matter whether you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake.

   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.

   After the visit, continue driving for 3.5 hours to Turpan and check in local hotel. In the evening, you can sample some local food recommended by your tour guide.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Turpan
3. Day 3: Turpan Highlights
   Sugong Pagoda, Karez Well, Beziklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes, Astana Tombs

   In the morning, have an exploration of Karez Well, the gigantic underground irrigation system created by the ancient Xinjiang people. There are over 1,100 Karez Wells in Turpan, providing a precious water source to this dry and hot area for the past 400 years. After that, go admire the largest ancient pagoda in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda. The tower is cylindrical in shape, with a total height of 37 meters. It is entirely made of bricks, with various patterns stacked on the outside. Its top is dome-shaped with cast iron decorations.

   

   In the afternoon, drive for 40 mins to Beziklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes whose construction lasted for 7 centuries from the Tang to the Yuan Dynasty. 57 of the 83 caves are preserved in good condition. It is the grotto group with the richest mural content, including paintings of Buddha, Bodhisattva and other revered figures, as well as portraits of offerings, landscape paintings of flowers and birds, and decorative patterns. The last stop of today will be Astana Tombs which covers an area of 10km². Due to the dry climate, 80% of the bodies buried here became mummies. And the mortuary objects are of high historical value. After all visits, drive back to the Turpan downtown area.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Turpan
4. Day 4: Turpan to Dunhuang by Bullet Train
   Shazhou Night Market

   At the confirmed time, the driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the train station for the bullet train to Dunhuang (about 3.5 hours). Get off the train at Liuyuan Station and meet your local driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the downtown area.

   As the night falls, you can explore the Shazhou Night Market on your own. It is centered around Silk Road cuisine, divided into five major areas including snacks, handicrafts, and local specialties, and is particularly lively at night. Must-try delicacies include apricot peel water featuring sour and sweet taste and scallion beef patties.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
5. Day 5: Dunhuang Classics
   Mogao Grottoes, Echoing Sand Hill, Crescent Lake

   Today you will explore the pinnacle of Buddhist art at the Mogao Grottoes, one of the four most famous caves in China and a rare pearl on the Silk Road. Aka the Thousand Buddha Caves, it was constantly constructed in the many dynasties - the Sui, the Tang, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Yuan... Thus today you can see a huge scale of 735 caves, 2,415 painted sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals. Cave 45 is definitely worth a visit, known for its Tang Dynasty sculptures and exquisite details; Cave 285 depicts scenes of early Buddhist art; In Cave 249, you can see the famous flying Apsaras murals.

   In the afternoon, have a desert fun time at the Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. When you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands, hence the name. A short camel ride (optional, at your own expense) will leave you with an unforgettable memory. Riding along the mountain to reach Crescent Lake, your eyes will be feasted on the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert. It has not dried up over the past one thousand years and still gushes with fresh current.

   Travel Tips: If you happen to come here in summer, which is in July and August, you can visit the "Starry Sky Concert" at night, where tourists wave glow sticks like stars adorning Mingsha Mountains. Above the sky, drones change their formation - Crescent Spring, Camel, and Nine Colored Deer - , accompanied by popular classic songs.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
6. Day 6: Dunhuang Departure

   Enjoy your free time till the confirmed hotel pickup time. Then your driver will escort you to the train station or airport for your departure. It marks the end of this 6-day short Silk Road tour service. Hope you have a rewarding experience with China Xian Tour! If you would like to extend your trip to more Silk Route cities, we are happy to help you customize an exclusive itinerary!

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