11 DAYS HISTORICAL SILK ROAD: DUNHUANG TO XINJIANG

Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Arriving in Dunhuang Airport, we will transfer to your hotel to rest. Dunhuang is the westernmost outpost of West Han Dynasty where trade, culture and religion were exchanged during the Silk Road times. This evening, you can explore the night bazaar at your own leisure.

Best of Dunhuang

Embark on an exploration of the renowned Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our journey includes special access to caves typically closed to the public, allowing for a unique and immersive experience. If you wish, enjoy a camel ride to witness the breathtaking sunset over the Singing Sands Mountain.

Our adventure continues with a visit to the Crescent Moon Lake, a remarkable natural wonder nestled within the Gobi Desert. Here, take in the serene beauty of the surroundings before concluding the day with a sunset dinner set against the backdrop of the majestic dunes.

Dunhuang Museum

Enjoy some time to explore an artefact-rich journey from prehistoric to Qing Dynasty times at Dunhuang Museum (closed Mon).

Car Transfer: Hotel to Train Station

Afternoon we transfer to Liuyuan Nan Railway Station to take a high speed train to Turpan.

Train Transfer: Liuyuan to Turpan

Train                Liuyuan Nan / Turpan D575                   

1632/1956                   3hr24min

Car Transfer: Train Station to Hotel

Upon arrival be met your guide and transfer to hotel have a good rest.

Essence of Turpan

Visit Gao Chang ruins, an ancient Chinese Silk Road garrison town, where you will be taken by golf cart to visit the temple area. Immerse in the oasis-village of Toyuk Village in the Flaming Mountain gorge which has preserved its ancient Uyghur customs and culture. Marvel at the beautiful Bezeklik Caves, and if time permits, visit the Grape Valley.

Jiaohe Ruins

Embark on an excursion to the ancient city ruins of Jiaohe, a natural fortress atop a plateau that was an important stop on the Silk Road, and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jiaohe was founded by the Han Court in the 1st century B.C. and became an important garrison post, home to a cultural mix of Persian traders, Indian philosophers, Tibetan Warriors, Syrian Christians, and Han Chinese troops.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Train Station via Karez & Ermin

This morning we check out and transfer to Turpan Bei Railway station for a high speed train to Urumqi. On the way to the railway station, we will visit a few sights.

Karez Irrigation System & Ermin Minaret

We will visit Karez Irrigation System, a type of water conservancy system set up in the arid areas of Xinjiang and with water wells connected by underground channels. Appreciate the history of Ermin Minaret. It was built in 1778 and has a history of over 200 years.

Train Transfer: Turpan to Urumqi

Train                Turpan Bei / Urumqi                D8805

                                   1425/1520                    55min

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum

The museum’s standout exhibit features well-preserved corpses interred in ancient times. These bodies differ significantly from the embalmed mummies of Egypt, as they were naturally desiccated by the environment. Among them, the most renowned is the “Loulan Beauty,” dating back approximately 4,000 years.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You will be transferred to the airport for an early morning flight to Korla.

Flight: Urumqi to Korla

Flight               Urumqi / Korla            CZ6671                        0810/0919       1hr

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel with Sightseeing

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel with en-route sightseeing.

Local Scenery & Lives of Korla

Visit Bosten Lake Scenic Area. It is the region’s largest lake and one of the country’s largest inland freshwater lakes. The golden reed marsh and azure water create stunning scenery especially during autumn and early winter. We will also visit the Lop Nur people, one of the oldest ethnic groups to live in the Taklamakan Desert. They depend on fishing for their livelihood and developed a distinct culture of their own.

Car Transfer: Korla to Kuqa

After breakfast, we check out and drive to Kuqa (approx. 308 km/4 hrs).

Ancient Heritage of Kizil Caves & Kuqa

Today, we will visit the Kizil Caves. A large complex of rock-cut Buddhist caves, this area has historically been a thriving Silk Road commercial hub, reflected in the various artistic influences apparent in the cave murals. There are 236 grottoes within the compouned!

Continue approx. 80km/2h to Kuqa Ancient Town, once one of the great powers of ancient China and a major center of Buddhism. Time permitting, we can visit Kuqa King’s Mansion.

Car Transfer: Kuqa to Aksu via Wensu

After breakfast we check out and drive to Wensu Grand Canyon (approx. 225 km/2.5 hrs). Thereafter, continue to drive another 1 hour to Aksu.

Wensu Grand Canyon

Wensu Grand Canyon is the most beautiful Danxia geological wonders in western China. It is home to China’s largest rock salt karst, the peculiar Yadan. Set in the middle of the Tianshan Mountains, it was the only road to cross between the south and north of the Tianshan post.

Aksu Old Town

Early in Qin (221-206B.C.) and Han (202B.C.-220A.D.) dynasties, Aksu was called Gumo, which not to be used until Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is an important stop along the ancient Silk Road in Han Dynasty.

Car Transfer: Aksu to Kashgar

Today we have a long drive from Aksu to Kashgar (approx.460 km/6 hrs)

Upon arrival you can have a leisure time at hotel.

Sunday Markets

In the morning, we can visit the livestock market (open on Sunday only), a lively place to witness the traders in a traditional environment. Thereafter, if time permits and you are interested, we can visit the Sunday Market in the city.

Faces of Kashgar

Explore the Kashgar old town. Most of the houses are of built with adobe brick, it is China’s only labyrinthine city block characterized by Islamic culture. Walking through the intricate Islamic alleys of Kashgar’s old city, you can see the craftsmen who specialize in only one craft during their lifetime. If time permits, enjoy a pot of brick tea entertained by the elderlies in the old street of Ustang Boyi. Proceed to Id Kah Mosque (China’s largest mosque) and the Mausoleum of Abjak Hoja, tomb of Emperor Qianlong’s concubine.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to home.