15　Day　Xian　Hexi　Corridor　Turpan　Urumqi　Kashgar　To

 Silk Road – Core Tour

Day 1  Hong Kong - Xian   

 Take a direct flight to Xian– the capital of 13 dynasties in Chinese history and starting point for the great trade caravans of the ancient Silk  Road.  The importance and prosperity of this ancient capital left behind a wealth of valuable historical sites and fabulous archaeological discoveries. Dinner will be served at local restaurant.

Accommodation at the Sofitel on Renmin Square or similar (5-Star)  (D)

 Day 2      Xian

In the morning, visit the Terracotta Warriors – a world famous archaeological site.  After lunch, visit the Banpo Museum, one of the largest and most complete Neolithic sites in the world, belonging to the Yangshao Culture (5000- 4000 BC). The site contains the foundations of round and square dwellings, a communal meeting place , storage pots, pottery kilns and more than 200 graves. Visit the Old City Wall, one of the well-preserved ancient military systems of defense in the world. Onwards to the Big Mosque. The distribution of pavilions, halls, towers and platforms in the mosque is compact and exquisite, blending the traditional architectural styles of Islam and Han. Enjoy a dumpling dinner, specialty of Xian, at the renowned Defachang Restaurant.

Accommodation at the Sofitel on Renmin Square or similar (5-Star) (B,L&D)

Day 3                  Xian-Lanzhou                                  HU7852       1715-1815

 Visit the Big Goose Pagoda, built in AD652 by Emperor Gaozong at the request of the intrepid Buddhist monk, Xuan Zang after his pilgrimage toIndia.  Then visit the Shaanxi History Museum, a large-scale national museum. The exhibition room is divided into 7 parts for exhibitions of the prehistoric age, the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Wei Jin Nanbei Dynasies, the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Song Yuan Ming Qing Dynasties, and showed the history of Shaanxi from 1,150,000 years ago to 1840. After lunch, take a flight to Lanzhou – the capital city of Gansu Province.

Accommodation at the Sunshine Plaza Hotel or similar (5-star)          (B,L&D)

Day 4                  Lanzhou -Wuwei (220km)              By coach approx. 4 hrs

Visit the Yellow River  Bridge and the Waterwheel of yellow River. Then drive to Wuwei. Visit the Leitai Tombs of Han Dynasty. The town's single most famous bronze sculpture, the Han-dynasty “Galloping Horse Overtaking Flying Swallow” (Flying Horse of Wuwei), was unearthed in 1969. Followed by a visit to the White Pagoda Temple, where a historic meeting was held between the Chinese government and a Tibetan religious and political leader in 1247. Afterwards visit to the Haicang Temple, which is surrounded by river, lake and age-old trees, making the temple a quiet spot with its spectacular scenery.

Accommodation at the Tianma Hotel or similar (3-star)                     (B,L&D)

Day 5                  Wuwei- Zhangye (220km)             By coach approx. 4 hrs

Drive to Zhangye. Visit the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple which housesChina’s largest 34.5 metres reclining Buddha and the Matisi Scenery Zone & Grottoes. Then visit the Wooden Pagoda.  At night, explore the night market.

Accommodation at the Huachen International Hotel or similar (4-star)       (B,L&D)

Day 6                  Zhangye –Jiuquan (200km)             By flight approx. 4 hrs 

 Drive to Jiuquan. Visit the Fortress of Jiayuguan Pass – an impressive site along the Hexi Corridor and the Overhanging Great Wall, believed to have been constructed in 1539.  The Overhanging Wall gains its name because there is a 231m long section, with an obliquity of 45 degrees, built onto a 150m high ridge. Climb up the wall to enjoy a panorama view of the desert, the oasis of Jiayuguan and the glittering snow-capped peaks in the distance. 

Accommodation at the Jiuquan Hotel-VIP Tower or similar (4-star) (B,L&D)

Day 7               Jiuquan -Jiayuguan-Dunhuang  (500km)    By coach approx. 6 hrs

Visit the Brick Murals of Wei and Jin Dynasties Tombs, about 700 rare brick paintings unearthed in a unique style and mainly reflect the society of that time, for example, politics, economy, military, customs, farming and so on.  These rich materials provide us a reliable basis for studying the situation in Hexi Corridor and also fill the painting blank of that time. So it wins the name –“ the Underground Gallery”. Then drive directly to Dunhuang – a national historic and cultural city. Enjoy Dunhuang dance performance at hotel.

Accommodation at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel (B,L&D)

Day 8                  Dunhuang                                     By coach

                                                Spend the morning at the Mogao  Caves – the world’s richest treasure – trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statuary.  After lunch, try sand surfing or camel riding around the Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring. 

Accommodation at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel   (B,L&D)

Day 9                  Dunhuang-Turpan                         By train Y5012140-0641 (+1)

After breakfast, visit the Yangguan  Pass, south-west of Dunhuang with eroded Han Dynasty beacon towers. After lunch, visit the local market. After dinner, transfer to the train station followed by an overnight train to Turpan.

Accommodation on the Train (4-berth soft sleeper)                        (B,L&D)

Day 10                Turpan                                            By coach

Take a donkey cart ride around the Ancient City of Gaochang which contains traces of Nestorian, Christian, Persian and Manichean influences. Then drive past the Flaming Mountains, made famous by the story of the Monkey King and visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. After lunch, visit the Emin Minaret, a typical Uygur architecture and the Karez Well – an amazing irrigation system which made Turpan a rich oasis.  Be the guest of a Uygur family and savour specialties like milk tea, nan, shish kebabs and poluo rice etc. Onwards to visit the Ancient City of Jiaohe. Return to the hotel for the Uygur performance.

Accommodation at the Silk Road Turpan Oasis Hotel or similar (3-star)       (B,L&D)

Day 11                Turpan-Urumqi                                 By coach 

 After breakfast, drive to Urumqi – the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum with exhibits on Xinjiang’s ethnic culture and archaeological treasures from the Silk Road including 3000-year-old mummies.  Enjoy shopping at the International Grand Bazaar.

Accommodation at the Hoi Tak Hotel or similar (5-star)                    (B,L&D)

Day 12                Urumqi-Kashgar                               CZ6801       2030-2215

Cruise around the Heavenly  Lake which is surrounded by alpine meadows and rugged snow-capped mountains densely covered in fir, pine and cypress. After dinner, take a flight to Kashgar.

Accommodation at the Barony Hotel or similar (4-star)                     (B,L&D)

Day 13                Kashgar                                          By coach

Full day tour to the Karakuli  Lake, a pristine spot 196 kilometres from Kashgar.  Horses, yaks and camels graze on the rich pasturage.  Return to Kashgar.

Accommodation at the Barony Hotel or similar (4-star) (B,L&D)

Day 14                Kashgar-Urumqi                            CZ6806       1705-1835

Visit the famous Sunday Bazaar where thousand of farmers driving carts flock from the countryside; where Tajik andKirghizhorsemen show off their riding skills as they put the horses through their paces.  Hundred of traders parade their animals around the large dusty corral.  Throughout the chaotic Sunday market are stalls selling all kinds of everything: saddles, bridles and rope, silk and cotton patterns, knives, hats, pots and pans, mountains of stacked Hami melons, baskets of peaches and apricots, noodles, fresh nan, yoghurt etc…

Then visit the Abakh Khoja’s Tomb – reminiscent of the Central Asian artistic style of Samarkand or Isfahan and the Aidkah Mosque – the largest inChina. Move on to take a flight back to  Urumqi.

Accommodation at the Hoi Tak Hotel or similar (5-star)                (B,L&D)

*****

Option A

Day 15                Urumqi-Xian                                     HU7809       0935-1230

                            Xian-Hong Kong                                MU203         1430-1700

Fly to Xian for connecting a flight back to Hong Kong.                       (B)

Option B

Day 15                Urumqi-Shanghai                             CZ6995       0940-1415

                                                Fly to Shanghai and visit the Bund, Nanjing Road, Jade  Buddha Temple,

Accommodation at the Holiday Inn Vista or similar (4-star)                (B,L&D)

Itinerary is subject to change