Grottos on the Silk Road

tourhub | Silk Road Trips | Grottos on the Silk Road | 45219 | Map

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18 Days From

~~$4299~~

$4095

Grottos on the Silk Road

18 Days Starting in Beijing, China and ending in Kashgar, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, China

Visiting: Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'An, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Xiahe County, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kuqa, Xinjiang, Kashgar

Tour operator:

Silk Road Trips

Tour code:

45219

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

VERY_EASY

Age range:

18-80

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $4299 $4095 Travel Club discount: -$204

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

There are various grottos on the Silk Road in China that witnessed the changes of time and human, while Buddha is always there to bless believers. Follow us, you can learn the amazing history on the Silk Road.ItineraryDay 1. Arrival BeijingMet and transferred to hotel.Overnight in Beijing 4 star hotelMeal: BDay 2. Sightsee in BeijingCity sightseeing in Beijing, including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Lama Temple- Tian'anmen Square: the biggest city square in the world which is located in the center of the city Beijing.- Forbidden City: It used to be the royal palace from 1420 to 1912. There were 24 emperors lived here, therefore numerous priceless relics are housed here.- Lama Temple: Built in 1694AD, it is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing.Note: Due to the daily visitors limitation of the Forbidden City, we will change to visit Temple of Heaven if no tickets are availed for it (it sells the entrance tickets 7 days before). As The Forbidden City closes on Mondays, we will switch the visiting day if it is Monday.Overnight in Beijing 4 star hotelMeal: BLDay 3. Beijing/LuoyangVisit Great Wall Badaling in the morning. Then you will be transferred to railway station to catch a bullet train to Luoyang. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel.Overnight in Luoyang 4 star hotelMeal: BLDay 4. Sightseeing in LuoyangToday you will visit Longmen Grottos, and Shaolin Temple in Luoyang.-Longmen Grottos: Site of UNESCO, has a huge statue of Buddha, and people believed it was the face of Wuzetian Empress in Tang Dynasty.-Shaolin Temple: a renowned temple for Chinese Kungfu.Overnight in Luoyang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 5. Luoyang/Xi'anTake a bullet train to Xi'an in the morning. Visit Old City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.-Old City Wall: Nearly 14km, build in 6 hundred years ago, the old City Wall of Xi'an is a perfect place to know the long history of China.-Big Wild Goose Pagoda: It was build 1500 years ago in Tang Dynasty, still well preserved. You can have a bird view of the city when you climb up.Overnight in Xi'an 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 6. Xi'anVisit the eighth wonder of the world, Terra Cotta Warriors Museum in the morning. And visit Smalll Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon.-Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered in 1974, it is a must-see in Xi'an. Various warriors exhibit in a original site will amaze you with their different features.Overnight in Xi'an 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 7. Xi'an/TianshuiTake a car ride to Famen Monastery to view the temple for the holy relic of Buddha, the finger of Sakyamuni(the relic is not always exhibited, you may not see it). Then drive or take bullet train to Tianshui depending on group size.Overnight in Tianshui 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 8. Tianshui/Lanzhou by vehicle/trainToday you will visit Maiji Grottos, where it is famous for the statues of the thousand Buddhas. Then head to Lanzhou by vehicle or train depending on group size.Overnight in Lanzhou 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 9. Lanzhou/Binglingsi/XiaheTake a ride to Binglinsi Temple, view the Buddha and stunning stone forest. Afterwards move to Xiahe, Labrang in Tibetan language.-Binglingsi Grottos: Built beside Yellow River, the Grottos were carved from the mountain. Various Buddha Statues and the scenery around the Grottos are incredible.Overnight in Xiahe 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 10. Xiahe/Lanzhou/DunhuangVisit Labrang Monastery in the morning, in the afternoon, transferred to Lanzhou airport to catch a flight heading for Dunhuang.-Labrang Monastery: One of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, presents typical Tibetan Buddhism culture.Overnight in Dunhuang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 11. DunhuangDunhuang is a highlight attraction on the ancient Silk Road. We will view various caves in Mogao Grottos and Yulin Grottos.-Mogao Caves: Though it was stolen many times in the history, Mogao Caves still has well preserved frescos with colorful paintings that look like finished yesterday.Overnight in Dunhuang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 12. Dunhuang/TurpanVisit Crescent Moon Spring, Mingsha Sand Dunes in the morning. Catch 3-hour fast train to Turpan from Liuyuan Railway Station.-Minsha Sand Dunes: It means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history.Overnight in Turpan 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 13. TurpanTurpan has fantastic culture, where you can visit Bezklik Caves, the ancient city of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Toyuk Valley, and Astana Ancient Cemetery etc.-Astana Ancient Tombs: It was a public cemetery 1000 years ago for the citizens of Gaochang Kingdom. You will see dried corpses and tomb paintings.-Ancient City of Jiaohe: Build on a 30 meter terrace, Jiaohe is a ruin to prove local splendid history.-Ancient City of Gaochang: It was build in the first century BC. Gaochang has huge city wall and various temples. Unfortunately it was abandoned in the cilvil war of Mongolians.-Toyuk Valley: A Uyghur village, has a famous cemetery for 7 holy beings.Overnight in Turpan 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 14. Turpan/KuqaVisit Emin Minaret and Karez Irrigation System. Then catch overnight train to Kuqa.-Karez Irrigation System: This underground tunnels provide enough water offering to the farmers and their field to support local civilization in the dry and hot oasis.-Emin Minaret: Built in 1777, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture.Overnight on the train softer sleeperMeals: BLDay 15. KuqaThis morning you will take one-hour ride along the ancient Silk Road to Kizil Caves, the earliest one in China, which was built 1700 years ago and still can see the colorful frescos and paintings in the caves. The Kizil is famous for its various Jataka stories that were painted on the diamond paintings.Later, you will head another one hour to explore the red Tianshan Mysterious Canyon, that is a 5-km long canyon in the southern Tianshan Mountains.Afterwards you will be transferred back to Kuqa hotel.Overnight in Kuqa 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 16. Kuqa/KashgarToday you will visit the Subash Temple ruin, which was a renowned Buddhism temple in Tang Dynasty 1300 years ago. There are pagodas, halls, rooms, and walls that can tell this site used to be a huge temple. The famous monk Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty had stayed in Subash and described the temple in his journey Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang.Then you will visit the old town of Kuqa and Kuqa Mosque, which are different from the new city. Later you can wander around the local bazaar to view the fresh fruits, tea, snacks, and clothes etc. Moreover, you will visit Kizilcara Beacon Tower that was built in Han Dynasty about 2000 years ago, which was the oldest well-protected beacon tower in Northern Silk Road.In the evening you will catch overnight train to Kashgar.Overnight on the train softer sleeperMeals: BLDay 17. KashgarExplore Kashgar today, you will visit Moer Pagoda, old town of Kashgar, Id Gar Mosque, and Apa Hoja Tomb.-Idkar Mosque: It is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. The mosque with its square is for local Uyghurs to pray.-Apa Hoja Tombs: It is a family cemetery, with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun.Overnight in Kashgar 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 18. Depart from KashgarTransferred to Kashagr airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.Meal: B

Highlights

There are various grottos on the Silk Road in China that witnessed the changes of time and human, while Buddha is always there to bless believers
Follow us, you can learn the amazing history on the Silk Road
ItineraryDay 1
Arrival BeijingMet and transferred to hotel
Overnight in Beijing 4 star hotelMeal: BDay 2
Sightsee in BeijingCity sightseeing in Beijing, including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Lama Temple- Tian'anmen Square: the biggest city square in the world which is located in the center of the city Beijing
- Forbidden City: It used to be the royal palace from 1420 to 1912
There were 24 emperors lived here, therefore numerous priceless relics are housed here
- Lama Temple: Built in 1694AD, it is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing
Note: Due to the daily visitors limitation of the Forbidden City, we will change to visit Temple of Heaven if no tickets are availed for it (it sells the entrance tickets 7 days before)
As The Forbidden City closes on Mondays, we will switch the visiting day if it is Monday
Overnight in Beijing 4 star hotelMeal: BLDay 3
Beijing/LuoyangVisit Great Wall Badaling in the morning
Then you will be transferred to railway station to catch a bullet train to Luoyang
Upon arrival, transferred to hotel
Overnight in Luoyang 4 star hotelMeal: BLDay 4
Sightseeing in LuoyangToday you will visit Longmen Grottos, and Shaolin Temple in Luoyang
-Longmen Grottos: Site of UNESCO, has a huge statue of Buddha, and people believed it was the face of Wuzetian Empress in Tang Dynasty
-Shaolin Temple: a renowned temple for Chinese Kungfu
Overnight in Luoyang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 5
Luoyang/Xi'anTake a bullet train to Xi'an in the morning
Visit Old City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
-Old City Wall: Nearly 14km, build in 6 hundred years ago, the old City Wall of Xi'an is a perfect place to know the long history of China
-Big Wild Goose Pagoda: It was build 1500 years ago in Tang Dynasty, still well preserved
You can have a bird view of the city when you climb up
Overnight in Xi'an 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 6
Xi'anVisit the eighth wonder of the world, Terra Cotta Warriors Museum in the morning
And visit Smalll Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon
-Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered in 1974, it is a must-see in Xi'an
Various warriors exhibit in a original site will amaze you with their different features
Overnight in Xi'an 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 7
Xi'an/TianshuiTake a car ride to Famen Monastery to view the temple for the holy relic of Buddha, the finger of Sakyamuni(the relic is not always exhibited, you may not see it)
Then drive or take bullet train to Tianshui depending on group size
Overnight in Tianshui 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 8
Tianshui/Lanzhou by vehicle/trainToday you will visit Maiji Grottos, where it is famous for the statues of the thousand Buddhas
Then head to Lanzhou by vehicle or train depending on group size
Overnight in Lanzhou 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 9
Lanzhou/Binglingsi/XiaheTake a ride to Binglinsi Temple, view the Buddha and stunning stone forest
Afterwards move to Xiahe, Labrang in Tibetan language
-Binglingsi Grottos: Built beside Yellow River, the Grottos were carved from the mountain
Various Buddha Statues and the scenery around the Grottos are incredible
Overnight in Xiahe 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 10
Xiahe/Lanzhou/DunhuangVisit Labrang Monastery in the morning, in the afternoon, transferred to Lanzhou airport to catch a flight heading for Dunhuang
-Labrang Monastery: One of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, presents typical Tibetan Buddhism culture
Overnight in Dunhuang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 11
DunhuangDunhuang is a highlight attraction on the ancient Silk Road
We will view various caves in Mogao Grottos and Yulin Grottos
-Mogao Caves: Though it was stolen many times in the history, Mogao Caves still has well preserved frescos with colorful paintings that look like finished yesterday
Overnight in Dunhuang 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 12
Dunhuang/TurpanVisit Crescent Moon Spring, Mingsha Sand Dunes in the morning
Catch 3-hour fast train to Turpan from Liuyuan Railway Station
-Minsha Sand Dunes: It means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history
Overnight in Turpan 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 13
TurpanTurpan has fantastic culture, where you can visit Bezklik Caves, the ancient city of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Toyuk Valley, and Astana Ancient Cemetery etc
-Astana Ancient Tombs: It was a public cemetery 1000 years ago for the citizens of Gaochang Kingdom
You will see dried corpses and tomb paintings
-Ancient City of Jiaohe: Build on a 30 meter terrace, Jiaohe is a ruin to prove local splendid history
-Ancient City of Gaochang: It was build in the first century BC
Gaochang has huge city wall and various temples
Unfortunately it was abandoned in the cilvil war of Mongolians
-Toyuk Valley: A Uyghur village, has a famous cemetery for 7 holy beings
Overnight in Turpan 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 14
Turpan/KuqaVisit Emin Minaret and Karez Irrigation System
Then catch overnight train to Kuqa
-Karez Irrigation System: This underground tunnels provide enough water offering to the farmers and their field to support local civilization in the dry and hot oasis
-Emin Minaret: Built in 1777, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture
Overnight on the train softer sleeperMeals: BLDay 15
KuqaThis morning you will take one-hour ride along the ancient Silk Road to Kizil Caves, the earliest one in China, which was built 1700 years ago and still can see the colorful frescos and paintings in the caves
The Kizil is famous for its various Jataka stories that were painted on the diamond paintings
Later, you will head another one hour to explore the red Tianshan Mysterious Canyon, that is a 5-km long canyon in the southern Tianshan Mountains
Afterwards you will be transferred back to Kuqa hotel
Overnight in Kuqa 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 16
Kuqa/KashgarToday you will visit the Subash Temple ruin, which was a renowned Buddhism temple in Tang Dynasty 1300 years ago
There are pagodas, halls, rooms, and walls that can tell this site used to be a huge temple
The famous monk Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty had stayed in Subash and described the temple in his journey Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang
Then you will visit the old town of Kuqa and Kuqa Mosque, which are different from the new city
Later you can wander around the local bazaar to view the fresh fruits, tea, snacks, and clothes etc
Moreover, you will visit Kizilcara Beacon Tower that was built in Han Dynasty about 2000 years ago, which was the oldest well-protected beacon tower in Northern Silk Road
In the evening you will catch overnight train to Kashgar
Overnight on the train softer sleeperMeals: BLDay 17
KashgarExplore Kashgar today, you will visit Moer Pagoda, old town of Kashgar, Id Gar Mosque, and Apa Hoja Tomb
-Idkar Mosque: It is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang
The mosque with its square is for local Uyghurs to pray
-Apa Hoja Tombs: It is a family cemetery, with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun
Overnight in Kashgar 4 star hotelMeals: BLDay 18
Depart from KashgarTransferred to Kashagr airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes
Meal: B

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Day 1 : Arrive Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation: Hotel

Welcome to Beijing, the capital of P.R.China. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Beijing hotel.

Day 2 : Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation: Hotel

City sightseeing in Beijing, including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Lama Temple

- Tian'anmen Square: the biggest city square in the world, which is located in the center of the city Beijing.

- Forbidden City: It used to be the royal palace from 1420 to 1912. There were 24 emperors lived here, therefore numerous priceless relics are housed here.

- Lama Temple: Built in 1694AD, it is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing,

Note: Due to the daily visitors limitation of the Forbidden City, we will change to visit Temple of Heaven if no tickets are availed for it (it sells the entrance tickets 7 days before). Because The Forbidden City closes on Mondays, we will switch the visiting day if it is Monday.

Day 3 : Beijing - Luoyang

Location: Luoyang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Great Wall Badaling in the morning. Then you will be transferred to railway station to catch a bullet train to Luoyang. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel.

Day 4 : Luoyang

Location: Luoyang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit Longmen Grottos, and Shaolin Temple in Luoyang.

-Longmen Grottos: Site of UNESCO, has a huge statue of Buddha, and people believed it was the face of Wuzetian Empress in Tang Dynasty.

-Shaolin Temple: a renowned temple for Chinese Kungfu.

Day 5 : Luoyang - Xi'an By Bullet Train

Location: Xi'An

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Take 2-hour bullet train to Xi'an in the morning. Visit Old City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.

-Old City Wall: Nearly 14km, build in 6 hundred years ago, the old City Wall of Xi'an is a perfect place to know the long history of China.

-Big Wild Goose Pagoda: It was build 1500 years ago in Tang Dynasty, still well preserved. You can have a bird view of the city when you climb up.

Day 6 : Xi'an

Location: Xi'An

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning you will take the fantastic tour to Terra-cotta warriors that is one-hour car ride from Xian. There are 4 exhibition halls presenting various warriors and horses that were make 2200 years ago.

This afternoon you will move to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon, which was constructed in 707AD in early Tang Dynasty.

Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 7 : Xi'an - Tianshui

Location: Tianshui

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Take a car ride to Famen Monastery to view the temple for the holy relic of Buddha, the finger of Sakyamuni(the relic is not always exhibited, you may not see it). Then drive or take bullet train to Tianshui depending on group size.

Day 8 : Tianshui - Lanzhou By Vehicle/Train

Location: Lanzhou

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit Maiji Grottos, where it is famous for the statues of the thousand Buddhas. Then head to Lanzhou by vehicle or train depending on group size.

Day 9 : Lanzhou - Xiahe

Location: Xiahe County

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Take a 2-hour car ride to Binglinsi Temple, view the Buddha and stunning stone forest. Afterwards move to Xiahe, Labrang in Tibetan language.

-Binglingsi Grottos: Built beside Yellow River, the Grottos were carved from the mountain. Various Buddha Statues and the scenery around the Grottos are incredible.

Day 10 : Xiahe - Lanzhou - Dunhuang

Location: Dunhuang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Labrang Monastery in the morning, in the afternoon, transferred to Lanzhou airport to catch a flight heading for Dunhuang.

-Labrang Monastery: One of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, presents typical Tibetan Buddhism culture.

Day 11 : Dunhuang: Visit Mogao And Yulin Grottos

Location: Dunhuang

Accommodation: Hotel

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 track back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Yulin Grottos in Guazhou County, which has less frescos but interesting to view.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.

Day 12 : Dunhuang - Turpan By Bullet Train

Location: Turpan

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Crescent Moon Spring, Mingsha Sand Dunes in the morning. Catch 3-hour fast train to Turpan from Liuyuan Railway Station.

-Minsha Sand Dunes: It means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history.

Day 13 : Turpan

Location: Turpan

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Turpan has fantastic culture, where you can visit Bezklik Caves, the ancient city of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Toyuk Valley, and Astana Ancient Cemetery etc.

-Ancient City of Jiaohe: Build on a 30 meter terrace, Jiaohe is a ruin to prove local splendid history.

-Ancient City of Gaochang: It was build in the first century BC. Gaochang has huge city wall and various temples. Unfortunately it was abandoned in the cilvil war of Mongolians.

-Toyuk Valley: A Uyghur village, has a famous cemetery for 7 holy beings.

-Astana Ancient Tombs: It was a public cemetery 1000 years ago for the citizens of Gaochang Kingdom. You will see dried corpses and tomb paintings.

Day 14 : Turpan - Kuqa

Location: Kuqa, Xinjiang

Accommodation: Overnight on the soft sleeper train

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Emin Minaret and Karez Irrigation System. Then catch overnight train to Kuqa.

-Karez Irrigation System: This underground tunnels provide enough water offering to the farmers and their field to support local civilization in the dry and hot oasis.

-Emin Minaret: Built in 1777, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture.

Overnight on the train softer sleeper

Day 15 : Kuqa

Location: Kuqa, Xinjiang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning you will take one-hour ride along the ancient Silk Road to Kizil Caves, the earliest one in China, which was built 1700 years ago and still can see the colorful frescos and paintings in the caves. The Kizil is famous for its various Jataka stories that were painted on the diamond paintings.

Later, you will head another one hour to explore the red Tianshan Mysterious Canyon, that is a 5-km long canyon in the southern Tianshan Mountains.

Afterwards you will be transferred back to Kuqa hotel.

Day 16 : Kuqa - Kashgar

Location: Kashgar

Accommodation: Overnight on the soft sleeper train

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit the Subash Temple ruin, which was a renowned Buddhism temple in Tang Dynasty 1300 years ago. There are pagodas, halls, rooms, and walls that can tell this site used to be a huge temple. The famous monk Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty had stayed in Subash and described the temple in his journey Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang.

Then you will visit the old town of Kuqa and Kuqa Mosque, which are different from the new city. Later you can wander around the local bazaar to view the fresh fruits, tea, snacks, and clothes etc. Moreover, you will visit Kizilcara Beacon Tower that was built in Han Dynasty about 2000 years ago, which was the oldest well-protected beacon tower in Northern Silk Road.

In the evening you will catch overnight train to Kashgar.

Day 17 : Kashgar

Location: Kashgar

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Explore in Kashgar today, you will visit Moer Pagoda, old town of Kashgar, Id Gar Mosque, and Apa Hoja Tomb.

-Idkar Mosque: It is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. The mosque with its square is for local Uyghurs to pray.

-Apa Hoja Tombs: It is a family cemetery, with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun.

Day 18 : Depart Kashgar

Location: Kashgar

Meals Included: Breakfast

End of Tour

What's Included

Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Transport: Car or bus

Bullet Train (Economy Class)

Soft sleeper Turpan/Kuqa/Kashgar

Flights (economy)

Lanzhou/Dunhuang

Meals: Listed

Guide: Local guides

Entrance: Sites stated

What's Not Included

Insurance
International Travel
Gratuities

Requirements

Passport

Check out our Q&As

Are flights included in this tour?

Fllights between Lanzhou and Dunhuang are included. International flights are not included.
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes
Are all entrance fees included in the price?

Entrance fees are included for the sites stated in the itinerary
What is the maximum group size?

15 people
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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Nov 25, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024

~~$4299~~ $4095