10-Day Highlights of the China Silk Road Tour

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang
Crescent Lake in Dunhuang
The Jiaohe Ruins in Turpan
Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar
Camp in Taklamakan Desert and Enjoy the Sunrise
Karakul Lake

Tour Outline: Dunhuang - on the train - Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar - Taklamakan Desert Camp - Kashgar - Urumqi

Overview
Itinerary
Service Inclusion
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Trip Overview

The Xinjiang Silk Road tour is one of the most common tours for visitors to travel on Silk Road from Dunhuang via Turpan and Urumqi to Kashgar. In the tour, you will experience the culture and custom of various ethnic groups who are living in the mountains and cities of Xinjiang. Especially, it also allows you to camp one night in the Taklamakan Desert and return next day by riding a camel. It will bring a unforgettable travel experience for your silk road tour.

[Dunhuang] Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake;
[Turpan] Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, Bezeklik Buddha Caves, Sugong Pagoda, Astana Tombs;
[Urumqi] Xinjiang Museum, Erdaoqiao Market;
[Kashgar] Karakul Lake, Apak Hoja Tomb, Sunday Bazaar/ Market, Id Kah Mosque, Taklamakan Desert

Best Time to Visit

All year round
Physical Demands

Leisure tour; physical demand for camping in desert

Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival

Upon your arrival in Dunhuang from other cities in China, our guide will meet you and transferred to your hotel in Dunhuang downtown. Then you will have an evening visit to Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market. The night market is held on the main thoroughfare, Dong Dajie in the centre of Dunhuang.

Drive 14km from the airport to hotel
High Altitude: Dunhuang (1139m)
Internet & Wifi
Dunhuang business hotel
Meal: No

Day 2 Dunhuang, overnight train to Turpan

The Crescent Lake in Dunhuang

Sugong Pagoda

Today after breakfast, we will drive to visit Mogao Grottoes, known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road. It houses the ancient buddhas and mural painting from the 4th to the 14th centuries. The move on to visit Echoing-Sand Mountain where you can ride on the backs of camels and climb to get to the top of the dune. Along the way, there are splendid sights: golden sand, the rolling desert, a tranquil lake and the beautiful sunset. Also, you'll never miss out on the Crescent Lake, a crescent-shaped lake in an oasis, 6km south of the city of Dunhuang. Afterward, be transferred to take an overnight train to Turpan.

Drive in Dunhuang city, overnight train to Turpan
High Altitude: Dunhuang (1139m)
Internet & Wifi: No
overnight on the train
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Turpan

Jiaohe Ruins

The Hottest Flaming Mountain

Upon your arrival at Turpan railway station, met and transferred to have breakfast. Then we will go to visit Jiaohe Ruins, the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom. It includes city gates, streets and lanes, government office, temples, domestic houses, cave houses, and underground temple. Then move on to visit Karez Well, a local Turpan water system, which has been regarded as one of the greatest water projects of ancient China, together with Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Grand Canal.

In the afternoon, we will drive to visit the Flaming Mountains, which are barren, eroded, red sandstone hills. The climate of the mountains is harsh and the temperature is extremely hot in the Summer, the hottest site in China. Afterwards, transfer to visit Grape Valley, which is one of most famous scenic spots in Turpan.

Drive in Turpan
High Altitude: Turpan (-154m)
Internet & Wifi
Turpan business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Turpan, transfer to Urumqi

Bozeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Sugong Pagoda

Today after breakfast, we will visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a group of Buddhist cave grottoes dating from the 5th to the 9th centuries, in which there a mural of Buddha. Then move on to Sugong Pagoda, an embodiment of the ancient architectural arts of the Uygur nationality. It is 37 meters high and 10 meters in diameter at the base.

In the afternoon, we go to visit Astana Tombs which covers an area of 10 square kilometers and is known as "the Underground Museum" with ten thousands of cultural relics. It is the graveyard of the residents who lived in the Gaochang City in the Jin-Tang period. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to Urumqi, and check in your hotel in Urumqi.

Drive in Turpan, and 200km to Urumqi
High Altitude: Urumqi (680m)
Internet & Wifi
Urumqi business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Urumqi, flight to Kashgar

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum

Erdaoqiao Market of Urumqi

Today after breakfast, we will drive to visit Xinjiang Museum, a museum mainly collecting and investigating the unearthed cultural relics and specimens in Xinjiang, including stone steles, coins and currency, wooden articles, and paintings. It the best place to know the culture and history of minority groups in Xinjiang, and also along the ancient Silk Road. Then move on to visit Erdaoqiao Market, the biggest market in Urumqi where many commodities are sold, such as fruits, clothing, crafts, and carpets.

In the afternoon, you will take a flight from Urumqi to Kashgar. Upon your arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Kashgar.

Drive in Urumqi, flight to Kashgar
High Altitude: Urumqi (680m), Kashgar (1290m)
Internet & Wifi
Kashgar business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Kashgar

Apak Hoja Tomb

Id Kah Mosque

Today you will begin your trip by visiting the Apak Hoja Tomb, also called Xingfei Mu in Chinese, which is a very tranquil place and a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic architecture. Then move on to the lively Sunday Bazaar/ Market, which is renowned as the biggest market in Central Asia. It is said that you can buy anything you want here except chicken milk and Cow eggs.

After lunch, we will wander through the narrow winding streets of the historic old town to visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Step into it to know a bit more about the Islamic life of the Uyghur people.

Drive in Kashgar
High Altitude: Kashgar (1290m)
Internet & Wifi
Kashgar business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Kashgar - Taklamakan Desert (130km)

Drive to Taklamakan Desert Camp Base

Camp in the Taklamakan Desert

Today, we will drive from Kashgar to Taklamakan Desert, the second largest shifting sands desert in the world. It is known as "the Sea of Death" among the Silk Road traders because many traders entered the desert lost their way and never to be seen again. On the way, you will prepare food supplies for the trip in Yopurga village. The evening is spent with the guide and camel man, sitting around the campfire.

Drive 130km to Taklamakan Desert
High Altitude: Kashgar (1290m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Camp in the tents in the desert
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Taklamakan Desert - Kashgar (130km)

Camp in Taklamakan Desert and Enjoy the Sunrise

Camels Riding in Taklamakan Desert

Get up early in the morning, and enjoy the sunrise of the desert. We will return on the camels to our desert entry point at noon. Our vehicles will be awaiting for us to back to Kashgar.

Drive 130km to Kashgar
High Altitude: Kashgar (1290m)
Internet & Wifi
Kashgar business hotel
Meal: No

Day 9 Kashgar - Karakul Lake - Kashgar (400km)

Karakul Lake

The Tent beside the Karakul Lake

Today after breakfast, we will drive to visit Karakul Lake on Karakoram highway (renowned as the highest paved border crossing in the World and one of the World's most beautiful highways). Well-known as "the father of glaciers", Karakul Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in China, with beautiful natural scenery around and mirror-like peaceful waters. Seen from different distance, you can witness different colors of the water, changing from light to dark.

Drive 400km round trip to Karakul Lake from Kashgar
High Altitude: Kashgar (1290m), Karakul Lake (3600m)
Internet & Wifi
Kashgar business hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Kashgar flight to Urumqi, Urumqi Departure

Today, you will be escorted to airport to take a flight first to Urumqi, and then depart.

Kashgar flight to Urumqi
High Altitude: Urumqi (680m)
Internet & Wifi: No
Hotel: No
Breakfast

Price Details & Guide

Price Inclusions

Private transportation to the destinations and sites listed in the itinerary; ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route; car gasoline, road toll and in-transport refreshments (free bottles of water, air pillow and headscarf) are included;
Lodging: one night in Dunhuang business hotel, one night in Turpan business hotel, one night in Urumqi business hotel, three nights in Kashgar business hotel, one night camp in Taklamakan Desert;
Private experienced English-speaking trip leader;
Airport/railway station pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
Meals listed in the itinerary ( 8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 1 Dinner);
First aid kit;
A coverage of 300,000RMB Chartis travel insurance;

Price Exclusions

International and domestic flight/train to Dunhuang (Note: we accept the domestic flight/train tickets booking to Dunhuang from other cities in advance, check the updated ticket availibility and cost with your travel consultant);
Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in the 3rdpole region cost 3~10USD per person);
Tips and gratuities for the trip leader and driver;
The expense of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc;
Optional activities and excursions not specified in the itinerary;
China Entry visa fees;

Itinerary Alteration

Once we receive your tour deposit, which is followed by signing the contract, your reservation is secured with legitimacy. Our staff will reserve the accommodation, vehicle, site tickets, meals and more, and pay the deposit for our suppliers. So if you want to alter to another itinerary, you need to cover the deposit we've paid, while no service charge is needed if you make some changes on the itinerary you booked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you cancel the tour beacuse of your personal issues, you will be liable to pay cancellation charges that are bounded by 3rdpoletour.com cancellation policy as follows:

1.) If you cancel the tour more than 30 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 10% of the total land cost per person;
2.) If you cancel the tour 15-30 days prior to your trip start date, 20% of your total land tour cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
3.) If you cancel the tour 7-15 days before the trip starts, you will forfeit 30% of land cost.
4.) If you cancel the tour 7 days prior to your tour start date, you will forfeit 50% of land cost.
5.) If you fail to show up or cancel at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice or later than that, you will forfeit 100% of the land cost.

If the tour has to be cancelled because of the natural disaster or the government restrictions that is beyond both parties control, we will charge only USD50 per person, this is just the service fee and larbor fee during the preparation. This is a rare occurrence!