Cities in Silk Road & Tibet China Tour:
- Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar (Kashi), Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Xining, Lhasa, Gyantze, Xigaze, Chengdu (Leshan), Shanghai
Tentative Itinerary:
Day 1 – San Francisco / Beijing
Depart San Francisco for a pleasant non-stop flight via United Airlines or Air China.
Day 2 – Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the evening and transfer to Pullman West Wanda Hotel or same class hotel for a nice rest. (D)
Day 3 – Beijing
This morning you will be explore the Beijing famous Olympics stadium “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” then after lunch you will visit the Beijing Museum. ) Enjoy the welcome Peking Diner in the evening. (B/L/D)
Or optional tour to Hutong-surrounded by ancient Palaces, Temples, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Shishahai Lake area is the most beautiful among hundreds of historical scenic spots in old Beijing, you will walk from the Drum Tower to the Hutong area and then took a rickshaw tour around the Shichahai area. It was very interesting seeing the contrast to modern Beijing, Hmmm…interesting and fascinating adventure to see the true Beijing! It is a great experience to visit one of the local Siheyuan houses. That is fabulous to experience how most people in the hutong live. (Hutong tour will take around 3 hours) Enjoy the welcome Peking Diner in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 4 – Beijing / Urumqi
Morning fly to Urumqi-the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China’s most western province. The most “inland” city in the world & it means “beautiful pastures” in Mongolian. Stay at the Yin Du Hotel (5-star) or Hoitak Hotel (5-star). (B/L/D)
Day 5 – Urumqi
Whole day sightseeing tour to Tranquil heaven’s Pool, Urumqi Museum, People’s park and Khazakh commune. A special local cuisine-Mohammedan Banquet in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 6 – Urumqi / Kashgar (Kashi)
Morning flight to Kashgar, 665 miles west of Urumqi and 80 miles from the Russian border. Upon arrival, sightseeing tour to Great Id Kah Mosque and ruins of ancient Shule. Check-in Kashi International Hotel or same class Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7 – Kashgar / Urumqi
Whole day tour to Tomb of Abash Zhoja and the Sunday Bazaar etc. Evening flight back to Urumqi for overnight transit to Turpan. Stay at the Yin Du Hotel or Hoitak Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 8 – Urumqi / Turpan
Today you will take a bus ride to Turpan, the Chinese Turkestan, located 505 feet below sea level. This oasis town links the northern paths of the Silk Route leading to Europe & India. Visit the Ruins of An ancient city called Gao Chang and Karez Irrigation System. Special local cuisine Roast Lamb and Cultural Show in the evening. Stay at the Grand Turpan Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9 – Turpan / Dunhuang
Today bus ride across the desert where you will visit the Flaming Mountains and the Grape Valley before bus back to Urumqi and take the later evening flight to Dunhuang. Check in the Sunshine Villa Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 10 – Dunhuang
Dunhuang is located in the northwest desert corridor of Gansu Province. This over 2,000 year old town was once an important caravan stop on the Silk Road linking central Asia with China. Visit the Mogao Grottoes, sandstone caves whose walls are sculpted with statues of Buddha and Figures in Chinese mythology. Also today sightseeing tour to Mingsha Dune(known as Singing Sand Mountains, the dunes look like a poster of the Sahara)-820 feet height, a veritable mountain of sand that seemed endless task to scale; Crescent Moon Lake-a celebrated pool where Silk Road travelers, including Marco Polo, paused to drink and Municipal Museum. After dinner and enjoy the show in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 11 – Dunhuang / Jiayuguan
Coach to Jiayuguan-the unforgettable impressive Ming Fortress at the end of the Great Wall also know as “The Greatest Pass Under Heaven”. Upon arrival check in Jiayuguan Guest House. (B.L.D.)
Day 12 – Jiayuguan / Lanzhou
Today tour of Jiayuguan Fortress; the Great Wall and Ancient Tomb before a late afternoon flight to Lanzhou-the capital of Gansu Province. It is situated on the upper reaches of the Yellow River known as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Enjoy the special local cuisine Shish Kebab and Beef Noodles. Stay at the Grand Soluxe Hotel. (5-star) (B/L/D)
Day 13 – Lanzhou / Xining
Today you take a train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Upon arrival, you will visit Majestic temple and Golden Altars. Marvel at the Jeweled Pagodas of Mosque and Temple of Tar. Stay at the Yinglong hotel (5-star) or same class hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 14 – Xining: Day trip to Qinghai Lake
Today full day tour takes a excursion to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China where you never forget the turquoise blue water, blue sky, the jade green pastures, the reed tents, the black Yaks and the colorful Tibetan Costumes . We’ll have an opportunity to cruise on the lake. As night falls, You will experience the unique flavor of this boarder city where many different ethnic, cultural and religious groups live in peacefully and harmony. Enjoy a delicious local beef hot pot cuisine. (B/L/D)
Day 15 – Xining / Qinghai Tibet Railway
This whole day is free for relax and after early dinner you will be transferred to the railway station to board the world famous Qinghai-Tibet Train. The Qinghai Tibet Railway has attracted many tourists since its construction was completed in 2006. prepare on board the over prepare in the evening. (B.D.)
Day 16 – Qinghai Tibet Railway / Lhasa, Tibet
The day is spent relaxing on board our new high-altitude train as we embark on a 12- hour daylight journey into the Tibetan Capital of Lhasa cresting the 16,640 ft Tangula Pass 6 hours after leaving Golmud. This is the world’s highest scenic railway pass – over 3 miles above sea level and is certainly a once in a lifetime experience. Due to the high altitude, extra oxygen is pumped in through the ventilation system, and personal oxygen masks are available if required to make the journey as comfortable as possible. The elevation of Lhasa is 12,000 ft above sea level. To adjust our bodies to the thin air, we check into the hotel upon arrival. Accommodation: Jardin Secret Hotel (5-star) or St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star)
Day 17 – Lhasa
Lhasa, the city of Sun, nestled high in Tibet’s Gyi Qu Valley. Relax this day as you adjust to the high altitude of this mysterious city. Welcome dinner in the evening (B.D.)
Day 18 – Lhasa
Whole day sightseeing tour of Potala Palace, Norbulingka park and Jokhang Temple and the Bargor Bazaar and so on. (B/L/D)
Day 19 – Lhasa / Gyantze / Xigaze
Travel 150 miles by motor coach to Gyantze, visit the Kumbun Stupa with 10,000 Buddha figures. And travel through spectacular mountain to Xigaze, Stay at The Jiumu Yamei Hotel (the best hotel in town) (B/L/D)
Day 20 – Xigaze / Lhasa
Morning visit Tashilhunpo Monastery then after lunch drive through mountains back to Lhasa. Stay at Jardin Secret Hotel (5-star) or St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star). (B/L/D)
Day 21 – Lhasa
Whole day visit the Lalai Lama’s Summer Palace and Dazhan Temple. Dazhen Temple etc. (B/L/D)
Day 22 – Lhasa / Chengdu
Depart for Chengdu. Enjoy the gardens surrounding the Zhu Geliang Shrine and Du Fu Cottage, once the home of the great Tang poet. Also located in a park, the River View Pavilion is renowned for its bamboo forests. Complete this city tour with a stop at the Precious Light Monastery. Stay at the Crown Plaza Hotel or Shangri-la Hotel for rest. (B.L.D.)
Day 23 – Chengdu (Leshan)
A one-day excursion take you to Leshan, which is famous for the large sitting Buddha, carving out of the river bank. Special local Cuisine in the evening & enjoy Sichuan Opera is one of the particularly famous for its unique skills in “Changing Countenance” (B.L.D.)
Day 24 – Chengdu / Shanghai
This morning take you to Chengdu Zoo where you may take a photo with the Panda Bear. And then after lunch flight to Shanghai, the fifth largest city in the world, is one of the China’s most cosmopolitan area-virtually the only one which strikes an immediately familiar chord with most Western visitors. Upon arrival, transfer to the five-star deluxe Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel for rest, Farwell dinner in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 25 – Shanghai / U.S.A.
Wrap up your memories and bid farewell to the orient and return to the United States re-crossing the International Date Line for same day arrival. (B.)
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