Golden Silk Road

Today you will land in Xi'an, our local tour guide will pick you up and transfer to hotel for check-in. Time to relax or explore around.

Good to Know:

• You can book your own flight or train to enter Xi'an, we will be happy to offer help. Just contact us for our latest airfare deals.

Dating back to over 2,000 years ago, Terracotta Army is an important historic relics that marks the power and majesty as Qin Shi Huang had. Take a drive outside the city and spend a couple of hours at this marvelous site. Do you know how the Terracotta Warriors was made? We will learn how to make Terracotta Army at a cave dwelling and have a nice interact wiht the local people.

In the afternoon, we will get back to the city. Take a walk along the Ancient City Wall to admire the beautiful sunset.

Free time explore idea:

• Option for dinner, you can find a noolde house that claims itself to be the First Noodle Under the Sun.

Rich in history, Shaanxi History Museum is a highlight to your Xi'an tour. Continue our trip to Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India.

In the afternoon, we will walk around Muslim Quaters which lies 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi'an. The 500 meters long avenue paved by bluestones are dotted with many unique stall, souvenir shop, café and bars which are mostly run by Muslim people. Tourists, especially from overseas come and shop here.

Free time explore idea:

• Book a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with a dumpling banquet if you'd like to know how the kings used to spend their nights.

Have some free time in Xi'an for the morning.

Later, fly to Dunhuang, a sparking pearl in the desert. Check in upon arrival.

In the afternoon, we will tour the legendary Mogao Grottoes. The grottoes are world-widly known for the Buhdda figures and frescoes.

Good to Know:

• We'd suggest you bring sun glasses, long-sleeve clothes and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• For protection, no photo-taking allowed inside the caves of Mogao Grettoes.
• Get out of your hotel room, walk among the locals at Shazhou Night Market.

Today we will reach the desert at Mingshan Mountain and Crescent Lake. Crescent Spring (Yueya Quan) is in the Singing Sand Mountains (Mingsha Shan), 6 km (4 mi) south of Dunhuang. It is an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent-shaped lake formed by the spring water between two huge sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect.

In the afternoon, we will take High-speed train to Turpan. Enjoy your night!

The first stop for today is Jiaohe Ancient Ruins, which used to be the capital of Near Cheshi Country, one of the thirty-six countries in the west region in the ancient times. Later, visit the ancient irrigation system that is Karez Wells.

In the afternoon, we will visit a local family to gain a deeper insight into Uygur culture and local customs.

Good to Know:

• Please bring your sun glasses when visiting Jiaohe Ancient Ruins.

After breakfast, our local tour guide will escort you to Urumqi.

We take Urumqi just as a transmit city and yet the interesting Xinjiang Museum is definitely worthy a visit. You can see thousand-year-old yummies in good shape, learn about the living habit of different ethnic groups. And then we will visit the Erdaoqiao Bazaar which is a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts and other traditional trinkets.

Good to Know:

• The drive from Turpan to Urumqi takes about 2 hours.

Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi) is a beautiful blue mountain lake. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forested hills, high meadows and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can walk, take electric carts, cable cars and a boat cruise on the lake.

You will be transferred to the city's airport in time for your flight home