Journey along one of the most famous trade routes in the world, the Silk Road. Encounter the thousands of miles that connected the East to the West when Chinese silk was more precious than gold. Experience the array of cultures and attractive scenery along the way.

Beijing Local Culture Great Wall Tiananmen Square Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) Ming Tombs Summer Palace Temple of Heaven Urumqi City Tour Kashgar Id Kah Mosque Sunday Bazaar Abakh Khoja Tomb Lake Karakuli Turpan Jiaohe Ruins Karez Well Sugong Pagoda Gaochang Ruins Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Cave Flaming Hill

Dunhuang Echoing-Sand Dune Crescent Lake Mogao Grottoes Jiayuguan Jiayuan Pass Overhanging Great Wall Lanzhou Gansu Provincial Museum White Pagoda Park Xian City Wall Provincial History Museum Big Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Shanghai Yuyuan Garden

Day 1 - Arrival into Beijing

Arrive in Beijing to be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to spend at your leisure to soak in the atmosphere.
(D)

Day 2 - Beijing

After breakfast embark on a guided tour starting at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest square of its kind encompassing 440,000m2. Next you will visit the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. This landmark symbolizes both the imperial and traditional China. After lunch continue onto the Temple of Heaven, the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped heaven, praying for both peace and good harvest. Then enjoy the sites and chaos of the city on your trip back to the hotel. After a succulent Peking Duck dinner, you will enjoy a Peking Opera Show.
(B,L,D)

Day 3 - Beijing

Today you will visit one of the eight wonders of the world, the Great Wall. It is a symbol of Chinese civilization, history and heritage. After lunch, continue your guided tour as you visit the Ming Tombs, where 13 emperors were buried during the Ming Dynasty.
(B,L)

Day 4 - Beijing After breakfast you will commence your pedicab tour of the famous Hutong district. A visit to Prince Gong’s Mansion will transport you back 250 years to an Imperial time. After a typical courtyard lunch with the locals, you will visit one of the only operational Temples in Beijing. (B,L)

Day 5 - Beijing to Urumqi by Air

Today you will have free time in the morning before taking the afternoon flight to Urumqi where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
(B,L,D)

Day 6 - Urumqi

After breakfast visit Tianchi Lake where you can enjoy the splendid scenery and tranquil waters. Return to the city centre where you will have a glimpse of the major sites of this north western city populated by more than thirteen ethnic minorities. Enjoy the shopping amongst the diversity of cultures whilst visiting the Middle Eastern Bazaar renowned for its jade. Enjoy a local dinner before returning to your hotel.
(B,L,D)

Day 7 - Urumqi to Kashgar by Air

A full day excursion to the pastures of the Southern Mountains. Take the evening flight to Kashgar.
(B,L,D)

Day 8 - Kashgar to Urumchi

After breakfast experience a full day excursion to the Great Bazaar, alive with storybook scenes of merchants haggling for camels, carpets and other local goods. Take the evening flight back to Urumchi.
(B,L,D)

Day 9 - Urumchi to Turpan by Road This morning take a coach to Turpan where you will see Gaochang, the ancient walled city of the Uighurs. Continue on to see the famous Suliman’s Minaret and the ruins of Jiaohe City. Attend a music and dance performance in the evening before returning to your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 -Turpan to Dunhuang by Road

Continue on with your journey as you see grape growing valleys and taste the unique Turpan’s grapes. Along the way visit the ancient underground irrigation projects before taking an overnight train to Dunhuang.
(B,L,D)

Day 11 - Dunhuang Arrive in Dunhuang on the early morning train and be met and transferred to your hotel. After settling in you will visit the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Cave of the One- Thousand Buddhas which was built in 366 A.D. The 492 grottoes boast 45000 m2 of mural paintings and 2000 painted figurines. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by Train

This morning, after breakfast, tour Ming Sha and Cresent Moon Hill. Take an afternoon train to Jiayuguan and be met and transferred to your hotel.
(B,L,D)

Day 13 - Jiayuguan to Lanzhou by Air

Climb the Jiayuguan Tower for a panoramic view of the western most section of the Great Wall. Though not functioning today, the tower is a stark reminder of the battles in ancient times. In the afternoon take the afternoon flight to Lanzhou and be met and transferred to your hotel.
(B,L,D)

Day 14 - Lanzhou to Xian by Air After breakfast enjoy a morning excursion to the White Pagoda Park and Provincial Museum. In the afternoon take a flight to Xian and be transferred to your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Xian

Your tour begins with the once flamboyant and sophisticated Tang Dynasty Capital, Xian. You will visit the Shaanxi Museum, followed by a visit to the famous Big Goose Pagoda. Then visit the Xian City Wall before returning to your hotel.
(B,L)

Day 16 - Xian

Today come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors. The extraordinary 2200 year old lifelike reproduction of the army of China’s First Emperor Qin. After lunch you will visit the Banpo Museum, a village set up by the late Neolithic people. Attend dinner by tasting the traditional Xian dumplings.
(B,L,D)

Day 17 - Xian to Shanghai by Air After breakfast take an excursion to the Bell Tower dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Also see the Stone Steles Forest Museum. Take a flight to Shanghai to be met and transferred to your hotel. (B,L,)

Day 18 - Leave Shanghai

Transfer to the airport for departure.
(B)

(B) - Breakfast (L) - Lunch (D) - Dinner

Duration :    18 days

Departs : Daily

Tour type :  private, fully guided

Transport :  private car, air

Inclusions : All transfers and tours by private vehicle, All sightseeing and entrance fees,  3 star hotels and meals listed, Experienced English speaking guide, Air tickets (Beijing to Urumqi, Urumqi to Kashgar (return), Jiayuguan to Lanzhou, Lanzhou to Xian, Xian to Shanghai), Train tickets (Dunhuang to Jiayuguan),  Road transfers (Urumchi to Turpang).

Exclusions: Tips to your tour guide and driver, overwight baggage charges by airlines, if any, Sundries such as phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.

* land only price and subject to Brochure Conditions
* Price subject to fluctuating exchange rate from USD to AUD
* Price based on 3 star accommodation, options to upgrade to 4 & 5 star available
* All prices are based on 2-4 Adults. Single supplements apply. Reduced pricing for 6+ people available
* Price listed is land only packages. Contact us today for quote including return airfares and taxes from Australia Airfares with any choice of airline at competitive prices

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