5-Night Private Silk Road Trip from Urumqi to Dunhuang including Hotel Accommodations

Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving Urumqi

Pass By: Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport, 1341 Yingbin Rd, Xinshi Qu, Wulumuqi Shi, Xinjiang Weiwuerzizhiqu, China, 830000
Pick up from Diwopu International Airport or Urumqi Rail Station and transfer you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the streets of Urumqi.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi

Day 2: Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi

Stop At: Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan), No.132 Xibei Road, Urumqi 830000 China
Visit Xinjiang Museum where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. The spectacular one stands out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan," who was buried 4,000 years ago near the town of Loulan in Taklimakan Desert. "Beauty of Loulan" was remarkably preserved in an open coffin under hot desert sands of theTaklamakan when she was excavated in 1980. 
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Within Tianshan Scenic Resort, Urumqi 830002 China
Afterwards, head up to Heavenly Lake, located on the north side of the Bodga Shan range of the Tianshan Mountains t. Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Erdaoqiao Market, Erdaoqiao Folkway St, Tianshan Qu, Wulumuqi Shi, Xinjiang Weiwuerzizhiqu, China
Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi

Day 3: Urumqi - Turpan

Stop At: Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta), Munage Village, Putao Country, Turpan 838000 China
Visit Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road that was once adjacent to the kingdoms of Kroran and Yanqi. Visit Emin Minaret, the symbol of Turpan before your authentic local lunch at a Uyghur home under the grape vine in open air.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja), Sanpu Country, Turpan 838000 China
Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Shengjin Country, Turpan 838000 China
More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below.There are 77 rock-cut caves at the Bezeklik Caves. Most have rectangular spaces with rounded arch ceilings often divided into four sections, each with a mural of Buddha. The effect is of entire ceiling covers with hundreds of Buddha murals. Some ceilings in Bezeklik Caves are painted with a large Buddha surrounded by other figures, including Indians, Persians and Europeans. The quality of the murals varies, with some being artistically naive while others are masterpieces of religious art.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Astana-Karakhoja Tombs, Asitana Village, Huoyanshan Country, Turpan 838000 China
The Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs are part of the Underground Museum of Turpan and the Living Archives of Gaochang. Astana means capital in Uigur; Karakhoja was a Uigur hero who protected his people from a vicious dragon.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi

Day 4: Turpan - Liuyuan (via bullet train) - Dunhuang

Stop At: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), Jianggelemaisi Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000 China
Explore ruin of ancient Jiaohe city, the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. With Karez Irrigation System helps irrigating the oasis, Jiaohe was an important site along the Silk Road trade route leading west adjacent to Korla and Karasahr kingdoms.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Shazhou Nightly Market, Yangguan East Road, Dunhuang China
Catch a bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang hotel. Visit the night market nearby the hotel if you like.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Dunhuang Hotel

Day 5: Dunhuang

Stop At: Mogao Caves, West of Hexi Zoulang, Dunhuang 736200 China
Visit the highlight of Silk Road today, Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas), where you will be impressed by the fresco and statues in the caves. These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain, Three miles from Dunhuang, Dunhuang 831900 China
Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Crescent Moon Pool, 5km South of Dunhuang, Dunhuang 736200 China
The Crescent Lake is also known as the Crescent Spring, Crescent Moon Spring, or Yueya Spring. It can be considered a natural wonder of the Gobi Desert.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Dunhuang Hotel

Day 6: Departing Dunhuang

Stop At: Dunhuang Museum, No.1390 North MingShaShan Road, Dunhuang China
If time allows, visit Dunhuang Museum before heading to Dunhuang Airport where this 6 days trip concludes.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.