Tripology

Hotel

Today you arrive in Beijing and are transferred to a 5* hotel for your first night in China!

Commercial Flight

Your morning flight to Urumqi flies a unique scenic route, geographically covering the world’s two biggest deserts, many dry red rock or snow capped mountains, valleys and canyons.

Sightseeing

Your afternoon excursion explores one of the many deep valleys along the whole Tianshan (Heavenly) Mountain Range-called Nanshan Grassland, where you visit the minority families of Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, and Kyrgyzatanian. Chat with them in their yurts while drinking the local drink, strong Milk Tea, and nibbling home-made snacks.

Hotel

Overnight is at a centrally located 5* hotel. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

By motorcoach travel to Heavenly Lake located on top of a mountain. The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with clear water reflecting the snow-capped highest and main peak, Boghanar. At an elevation of 5446 meters, this peak is regarded as “Holy Mountain” by all Turks and as the origin of the nations in mid Asia. You can both cruise on the lake or take a golf car around the lake to enjoy its beauty.

Museums

Returning back the city, visit the Provincial Museum which reveals incredible mummies from over 2,000 years ago.

Shopping

If time permits visit Red Hill Park by golf carts and then visit the Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in the province.

Food and Dining

Tonight is a special surprise dinner.

Hotel

Overnight is in Urumqu. (B, L, SD)

Bus

Travel by motorcoach to Turpan, an Uighur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains.

Sightseeing

Upon arrival, visit the mysterious ghost town of Jiaohe. See signs of a once prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold of 1600 years ago.

Sightseeing

Next visit ancient Karez, known for its underground water supply & irrigation system and its museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for its big, sweet grapes; you will have a chance to sample these great grapes in Grape Valley!

Hotel

Overnight is at a 3-4* hotel (best available in Turpan). (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

On the way back to Urumqi, visit Sugong (or Turpan) Pagoda, Flaming Mountain, and Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves & Grottoes.

Food and Dining

Eat lunch with a local family!

Commercial Flight

Arriving back in Urumqui in the afternoon, you will have a short hour flight to Kashigar.

Hotel

Overnight in Kashigar. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Observe the incredible sight of thousands of Moslems kneeling down to pray on the streets facing the temple. Then visit the Sunday Bazaar, which is the largest outdoor market in Mid-Asia.

Sightseeing

Next tour the Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb and the old section of Kashigar. The Old Town give visitors a glimpse how life was thousands of years ago.

Hotel

Overnight in Kashigar. (B, L, SD)

Commercial Flight

A morning flight takes you to Dunhuang via Urumqi.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon visit a world wonder – Mogao Caves. The caves, also known as Caves of the Thousands Buddha, preserve nearly a thousand years of impressive Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5th to 14th centuries. The over 426 caves contain more than 45,000 square meters of mural paintings which are national treasures.

Hotel

Overnight in Dunhuang. (B, L, D)

Bus

Today drive 2 hours westward across the desert to Yumen Guan (Jade Gate Pass), which was the western end of the Great Wall built in the Han Dynasty 2100 years ago.

Sightseeing

Then travel to Crescent Moon Lake across the desert by camels at sunset!

Hotel

Overnight again in Dunhuang. (B, L, D)

Commercial Flight

After breakfast fly to Xian.

Sightseeing

Then city tour includes the Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, and the main street in town, Xi Guan Da Jie.

Hotel

You spend the night in Xian. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Today’s tour begins with the incredible 2000 year old Terracotta Warriors and Bronze Chariots of Emperor Qin.

Museums

The Provincial Museum is your next stop.

Performing Arts

In the evening enjoy a traditional Chinese Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show.

Hotel

Overnight is in Xian once again. (B, L, SD)

Commercial Flight

Fly to Shanghai to have a city tour of this cosmopolitan, rapidly growing city.

Sightseeing

The tour includes: the famous Bund, the classical Yu Yuan Garden, and “old Shanghai.”

Performing Arts

Tonight enjoy a typical Chinese Acrobatic. (B, L, D)

Sightseeing

Tour the excellent, modern Shanghai Museum, People’s Square, and the bustling commercial Nanjing Road. Xin Tian Di, China’s finest historic stone building redevelopment project, with trendy boutiques and restaurants, is also visited.

Sightseeing

The afternoon and evening is yours to continue exploration of this wonderful city.

Hotel

Your last night in China is in beautiful Shanghai. (B, L )

One last morning is spent in fascinating China and then, sadly, it’s time to transfer to Pudong International Airport for your homeward flight. (B)