6-Night Private Silk Road Trip from Urumqi to Dunhuang and Jiayuguan with Accommodations

Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving Urumqi

Pass By: Silkroadtrips, Urumqi 830000 China
tour operator

Stop At: Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport, 1341 Yingbin Rd, Xinshi Qu, Wulumuqi Shi, Xinjiang Weiwuerzizhiqu, China, 830000
Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport or Urumqi Rail Station, your guide will send you to the hotel for check-in.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 5-Star Mirage 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. Among which, you will find the spectacular one standing out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan".
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Within Tianshan Scenic Resort, Urumqi 830002 China
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.
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 Erdaoqiao Bazaar.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 5-Star Mirage Hotel, Urumqi

Day 3: Urumqi - Turpan

Stop At: Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta), Munage Village, Putao Country, Turpan 838000 China
Take a 3 hours ride to Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road. You will visit Emin Minaret which is the symbol of Turpan before sampling an authentic local lunch at a Uyghur home under the grape vine in open air.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja), Sanpu Country, Turpan 838000 China
Later in the afternoon, you will 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.
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 Huozhou Hotel, Turpan

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 that was once the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. but abandoned in the 15th century. 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
Then, catch a bullet train to Liuyuan arriving in approximately 4 hours and be transferred to Dunhuang hotel in about two hours. Be sure to explore the night market nearby the hotel in the evening!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Dunhuang Silk Road 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). 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: Crescent Moon Pool, 5km South of Dunhuang, Dunhuang 736200 China
After lunch, enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring.
Duration: 2 hours

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

Day 6: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan

Stop At: Jiayuguan Fortress, Within Yuquan Town, Yuquan Town, Jiayuguan 735100 China
Catch 4-hour train/ride to Jiayuguan, the western end of the Great Wall for Ming Dynasty. Visit Jiayuguan Fort that is called The First Pass Under Heaven. Climb up the Overhanging Great Wall (reconstructed in 1980s based on the original site with a wonderful view).
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-Star Jiayuguan Great Wall Hotel

Day 7: Departing Jiayuguan

Stop At: 嘉峪关国际机场, Jiayuguan, China
If time allows, visit Wei and Jin Tombs before heading to Jiayuguan Airport where the tour concludes.
Duration: 2 hours

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