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Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 7-day journey along the ancient Silk Road from Kashgar to Jiayuguan, China. This cultural tour offers a blend of history, breathtaking landscapes, and local experiences. Begin in Kashgar, exploring the vibrant Animal Bazaar and the historic Id Ghar Mosque. Discover the ancient City of Gaochang and the ingenious Karez Irrigation System in Turpan. Marvel at the stunning Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains and the renowned Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Experience the awe-inspiring Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring. Conclude your adventure at the significant Jiayuguan Fort. Travel in comfort with a mix of chartered cars, high-speed trains, and flights, staying in luxurious 4 or 5-star hotels. With English-speaking local guides, this tour promises an enriching exploration of China's Silk Road heritage. ...more ...less
Highlights
Explore the stunning Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains.
Visit the bustling Animal Bazaar and historic Id Ghar Mosque in Kashgar.
Discover the ancient City of Gaochang and the Karez Irrigation System in Turpan.
Experience the breathtaking Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in Dunhuang.
Marvel at the Mogao Grottoes, a gem of the ancient Silk Road.
Visit Jiayuguan Fort, a significant historical site on the Silk Road.
Itinerary
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Accommodation Name: Urumqi Sheraton Hotel or Similar
Welcome to Kashgar, the historical city on the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Enjoy your free time if you arrive early.
Day 2
:
Kashgar City Tour, then fly to Urumqi
Location: Kashgar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kashgar Tianyuan International 5-star Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret.
Next, you will visit Kashgar Old Town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge music instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. Enter the mosque at non-praying time to appreciate its architecture and decor, please wear long pants and cover the shoulders for ladies while visiting this mosque.
Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc.
The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.
When your tour is finished, you will be transferred back to Kashgar airport to catch flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel.
Day 3
:
Urumqi to Xinjiang Museum and Tianchi, then drive to Turpan
Location: Urumqi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Urumqi Sheraton Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning you will take 1-hour ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese, which is a high mountain lake with stunning scenery in the Tianshan Mountains. After lunch, you will visit the renowned Xinjiang Museum that is famous for the well-preserved mummies, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Princess.
Day 4
:
Turpan City Day Tour
Location: Turpan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Turpan Huozhou Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renowned for its well-preserved conditions.
Today you will visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide.
You may taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food at the lunchtime.
Day 5
:
Turpan to Liuyuan by bullet train, then drive to Dunhuang
Location: Dunhuang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Take 3.5-hour bullet train from Turpan to Liuyuan, where you will take 2-hour car ride to Dunhuang. Wander around the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes this afternoon, and view the crescent spring in the dunes.
It is nice to eat or wander around the Dunhuang night market this evening. Or you can watch the performance copied from Mogao Caves.
Transport: Private vehicle + Bullet train
Day 6
:
Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by car
Location: Dunhuang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jiayuguan Holiday Plaza Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be tracked back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.
After lunch, you will take 5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan via the western Hexi Corridor. Enjoy the sceney on the way for Gobi Desert, oasis towns, and snow-capped Qilian Mountains.
Day 7
:
Departing from Jiayuguan
Location: Jiayuguan
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will isit Jiayuguan Fortress in the morning to learn the splendid history on the Silk Road in the past. Then you will be transferred to Jiayuguan airport to catch your flight back to your destination.
Note: Please book the flight departing after 1 pm from Jiayuguan.
What's Included
Travel Season
The tour is available year-round.
Transport
Transport is provided by chartered car or bus.
Train
High speed train from Turpan to Liuyuan is included.
Flight
Flights between Urumqi and Kashgar are included.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary are included.
Guide
English-speaking local guides are provided.
What's Not Included
Passport
A passport is required for the tour.
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses are not included in the tour.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
Meals Not Listed
Meals not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions are not included.
Know Before You Go
Passport Required
Requirements
Passport
Please Note
Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a combination of chartered cars or buses, high-speed trains from Turpan to Liuyuan, and flights between Urumqi and Kashgar, providing a seamless and efficient journey along the Silk Road.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at 5 or 4-star hotels throughout the tour, including the Urumqi Sheraton Hotel, Kashgar Tianyuan International Hotel, Turpan Huozhou Hotel, Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel, and Jiayuguan Holiday Plaza Hotel, ensuring a relaxing and luxurious experience.
Check out our Q&As
What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides accommodation in 5 or 4-star hotels, ensuring a relaxing and luxurious experience.
Are meals included in the tour package?
Meals listed in the itinerary are included in the tour package.
What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes a combination of chartered cars or buses, high-speed trains from Turpan to Liuyuan, and flights between Urumqi and Kashgar.
Is there a local guide provided during the tour?
Yes, English-speaking local guides are provided throughout the tour.
Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour price?
Yes, entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price.
What should I wear when visiting the Id Ghar Mosque?
When visiting the Id Ghar Mosque, it is recommended to wear long pants and for ladies to cover their shoulders.
Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
Travel insurance is not included in the tour package and is recommended.
What is the recommended departure time for flights from Jiayuguan?
It is recommended to book flights departing after 1 pm from Jiayuguan.
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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Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
Travel more exclusively
Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group
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Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of
55%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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