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7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye

7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye

tourhub | Silk Road Trips | 7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye | 36701 | Map

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~~$2459~~

$2342

7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye

7 Days Starting in Urumqi, China and ending in Zhangye, China

Visiting: Ürümqi, Turpan, Dunhuang, Zhangye

Tour operator:

Silk Road Trips

Tour code:

36701

Group Type:

Private

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

EASY

Age range:

0-90

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Private Available:

From: $2459 $2342 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$117

NB: Prices correct on 18-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 7-day private journey along the ancient Silk Road, starting in Urumqi and culminating in Zhangye. This adventure begins with a visit to the Xinjiang Museum and the serene Heavenly Lake, followed by a trip to Turpan to explore the Karez Irrigation System and the ancient ruins of Gaochang and Jiaohe. Travel by bullet train to Dunhuang, where you'll hike the sand dunes to Crescent Spring Lake and visit the renowned Mogao Grottoes. Continue to Jiayuguan to see the historic Jiayuguan Fort, then marvel at the vibrant Zhangye Rainbow Danxia. Conclude your journey with a visit to the Dafo Temple, if time permits, before departing from Zhangye. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, private transport, and guided tours throughout this unforgettable exploration of China's rich history and stunning landscapes.

Highlights

Visit the Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi to see well-preserved Chinese mummies, including the "Beauty of Loulan."
Enjoy the serene lake scenery and fantastic mountain views at Heavenly Lake, located on the north side of the Tianshan Mountains.
Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang and the ruins of Jiaohe City in Turpan, significant sites along the Silk Road.
Hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake in Dunhuang.
Discover the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, a highlight of the Silk Road.
Visit Jiayuguan Fort, known as The First Pass Under Heaven, marking the western end of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty.
Marvel at the colorful clay mountains of Zhangye Rainbow Danxia.

Itinerary

tourhub | Silk Road Trips | 7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye | 36701 | Route Map

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Day 1 : Arriving Urumqi

Location: Ürümqi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Urumqi

Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport or Urumqi Rail Station, your guide will send you to the hotel for check-in.

Day 2 : Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi By Vehicle

Location: Ürümqi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Urumqi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays) where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. Among which, you will find the spectacular one standing out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan". After lunch, take a one hour ride to Heavenly Lake, which is located on the north side of the Tianshan Mountains to enjoy fantastic mountain views and serene lake scenery. Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the Erdaoqiao Bazaar.

Day 3 : Urumqi - Turpan By Vehicle

Location: Turpan

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 5 or 4-star hotel, Turpan

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Take a 3-hour car ride to Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road. You will visit Karez Irrigation System that is old canal system to water the farm in Turpan. Then you will head to explore the Ancient City of Gaochang, Bezklik Grottos, ruin of ancient Jiaohe City that was once the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. but abandoned in the 15th century.

Day 4 : Turpan - Liuyuan (Via Bullet Train) - Dunhuang

Location: Dunhuang

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Dunhuang

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang in about two hours. Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake this afternoon.Be sure to explore the night market nearby the hotel in the evening!

Day 5 : Dunhuang - Jiayuguan By Vehicle

Location: Dunhuang

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Jiayuguan

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit the highlight of Silk Road today, Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas). These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details. After lunch, you will take 5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan.

Accommodation: 5-star hotel,.Dunhuang

Day 6 : Jiayuguan - Zhangye By Vehicle

Location: Zhangye

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star hotel, Zhangye

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit Jiayuguan Fort that is called The First Pass Under Heaven, the western end of the Great Wall for Ming Dynasty. Then you will catch 2-hour car ride to Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, which is very colorful clay mountain.

Day 7 : Departing Zhangye

Location: Zhangye

Meals Included: Breakfast

If time allows, visit Dafo Temple before heading to Zhangye Airport or station where the tour concludes.

What's Included

Accommodation

Accommodation as per itinerary is included.
Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to various attractions are included.
Meals

Meals as per itinerary are included (B=breakfast, L=lunch).
Local Guide

A local guide is included for the tour.
Private Tour

The tour is conducted as a private tour.
Transport

Transport by private vehicle is included.
Bullet Train

Bullet train from Turpan to Liuyuan (Second Class) is included.

What's Not Included

PassportA valid passport is required and not included in the tour package.

Requirements

Passport

Mode of Transport

Travel in style with private vehicles for city transfers, a 3-hour bullet train ride from Turpan to Liuyuan, and scenic car rides between destinations, offering a seamless and comfortable journey along the Silk Road.

Accommodation

Enjoy luxurious stays in 5-star hotels in Urumqi, Dunhuang, and Jiayuguan, with a choice of 4 or 5-star accommodations in Turpan and Zhangye, ensuring comfort throughout your Silk Road journey.

Check out our Q&As

What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

The tour provides accommodation in 4-star and 5-star hotels as per the itinerary.
Are entrance fees included in the tour package?

Yes, entrance fees are included in the tour package.
Is there a local guide available during the tour?

Yes, a local guide is included as part of the tour.
What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

The tour includes transport by private vehicle and a bullet train ride from Turpan to Liuyuan.
What meals are included in the tour?

Meals are provided as per the itinerary, with breakfast and some lunches included.

Is the tour conducted in a private setting?

Yes, the tour is a private tour.
What is the highlight of the visit to Dunhuang?

The highlight of the visit to Dunhuang is the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas.
What can I expect to see at the Zhangye Rainbow Danxia?

At the Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, you can expect to see very colorful clay mountains.
Tipping in China

If you're happy with the services provided then a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. Tipping is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across China and other Asian countries. We recommend that any tips are given to the intended recipient by a member of your group, rather than collected and passed on by the group leader. The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers: Restaurants: Tipping is not common practice at restaurants in China or Tibet. Tour guides: Throughout your tour you may at times have local guides or national guide. We suggest CNY20-50 per person per day for guides. Porters: In some hotels a porter may offer to carry your bag to your room. We suggest CNY10 per bag for porters. Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest that you tip only those more involved with the group (for example those that help you with your bags etc). CNY10-30 per person per day is generally appropriate.
Can I travel to China without a visa?

US/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Canada citizens(actually most western country citizens) planning to visit China's mainland must apply for an entry visa through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. ... WithUS/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Canadapassport, citizens do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong, but travelers who plan to visit China's mainland while in the region will need a visa to travel from Hong Kong to China. However, some cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing etc. that allow 24-hour/72-hour direct transit in China, also called the 24-hour/72-hour transit without visa, regulates that visa is not required for air, train, and ship passengers transiting in mainland China for a stay of no more than 24 hours/72 hours before heading for a third country or region formost western country citizens.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

All of our tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travellers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation. Silkroadtrips are pleased to offer travellers the option of pre-booking a guaranteed single room. Kindly note our single supplement do not include sharing cabins on the overnight trains or cruises.
Trains

Aboard the overnight sleeper train, berths are usually in 1st class ‘soft sleeper’ lockable compartments for 4 which have 2 sets of bunks with clean bedding provided. WC and washbasins are provided for shared use at the end of each carriage. Hot meals and snacks are sold to your berth on all overnight journeys. In times of large demand we may have to travel in 2nd class ‘hard sleeper’ which consists of sectioned off compartments for 6,leading off an open plan carriage. Bullet trains are getting popular, it is very modern with a high velocity of 300km per hour. There are western toilets, dinning car on the bullet trains, and normally for short distance running 1—8 hours.

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Jan 21, 2025 - Jan 27, 2025

~~$2459~~ $2342 (USD)