Cities in Sunlight’s Silk Road Experience:
- Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Zhujiajiao and Shanghai
Tour Price Includes:
- Round/Trip airfare from San Francisco to Beijing and return from Shanghai
- First/Deluxe Class hotel accommodation based on double occupancy.
- Meals as in the itinerary (B=Breakfast * L=Lunch * D=Dinner)
- Transportation and all China domestic airfares as mentioned in the itinerary
- English & Chinese Guided sightseeing tours.
Scheduled Itinerary for this Tour:
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 Hotel for a nice rest.
Day 3 – Beijing / Urumqi
Morning visit to the famous Olympics stadium “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube”. Lunch after this visit then proceed to 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 4 – Urumqi
Whole day sightseeing tour to Tranquil Heaven’s Pool, Urumqi Museum, People’s Park and Khazakh Commune. A special local cuisine in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 5 – 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 6 – 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 Hotel Yin Du or Hoitak Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7 – 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. Stay at the Grand Turpan Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 8 – Turpan / Dunhuang
Start off with a bus ride across the desert where you will visit the Flaming Mountains and the Grape Valley before busing back to Urumqi and taking the later evening flight to Dunhuang. Check into the Sunshine Villa Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9 – 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. Proceed afterwards to Mingsha Dune (known as Singing Sand Mountains, the dunes look like a poster of the Sahara)-820 ft. high, a veritable mountain of sand that seems like an 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, enjoy the show in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 10 – Dunhuang / Jiayuguan
Coach to Jiayuguan-the unforgettable impressive Ming Fortress at the end of the Great Wall also known as “The Greatest Pass Under Heaven”. Upon arrival check in Jiayuguan Guest House. (B.L.D.)
Day 11 – Jiayuguan / Lanzhou
Today’s tour starts with 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. *if air service is not available an overnight train will be used.* Stay at Grand Soluxe Hotel Gansu (B/L/D)
Day 12 – Lanzhou / Shanghai
Today we will visit the Lanzhou Museum, Flying House of Gansu, White Pagoda Mountain, Five Spring Park and the Yellow River Bridge. Afternoon 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. (B/L/D)
Day 13 – One Day Excursion-Zhujiajiao
Visit Zhujiajiao which has a long history stretching back 1700 years when the village was first formed and grew into a town during the Wanli Period of the Ming Dynasty. So far there are the ancients and tools people used 5000 years ago found in Zhujiajiao. It is famous for its rice market and flourishes with the Daqing Post Office, oil shops, banks, electronics factories, and old real estate. The town is also on the water. There are several rivers across the river, nine long streets along the river, thousands of architectural remnants from the Ming and Qing Dynasty stand by the river, 36 stone bridges across the rivers. You will enjoy a boat ride on the river to explore this Ancient town with natural scenery of little bridges spanning bubbling streams. In the afternoon you will visit Shanghai Museum, one of the largest museums in China and Nanking Road. Special local cuisine in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 14 – 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.)
