Yangguan Pass, Dunhuang

Day 01Arrival in Dunhuang

Our guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area at Dunhuang Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Explore the city on your own the rest of the day.(B)

Hotel: Dunhuang Hotel - Building No. 8 (4 star)

Tips: Dunhuang Museum lies very near to your hotel. You may have a visit there by yourself if you are interested. You can ask the bell boy or your guide for its right direction. In Dunhuang, it is advisable to savor the preserved apricots and bergamot pears. The preserved apricots are luscious and have delicate taste, while the pears are sweet and full of water. May to September with pleasant weather is the best time for visiting.

Day 02Dunhuang - Turpan

You will experience a short camel-riding along the Echoing-Sand Dune to reach the Crescent Lake and visit the Mogao Grottoes. Take an overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan.(B+L+D)

Hotel: Oasis Hotel (3 star)

Tips: On your way to the Mogao Grottoes, you may be able to enjoy the rare mirage if you are with good luck. Since the annual rainfall of Dunhuang is only about 40 millimeters (2 inches), you will be very fortunate if it rains during your stay. 
 
Descriptions: 
Mogao Grottoes - The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes is one of the most important treasure houses of splendid ancient Chinese culture. In 1987, it was listed as one of the world's heritage by UNESCO, which makes it not only a national treasure of China but also a cultural legacy of the mankind.
 
Echoing-Sand Dune - The whole Echoing-Sand Dune is composed of rice-like yellow sands. The name of Echoing-Sand Dune in Kazakh means "the voice of desert". When strong wind blows, the dune roars like thunder. If it is just breezing, sands can also sound like light music. Climbing up the dune and sliding downward from the summit, visitors can also hear a peal of sound. This phenomenon has been regarded as a riddle since ancient times and is waiting for your discovery.

Our clients with the local Uigur pupils, Xinjiang Photo by our client Ms. Lynn Hurst

Day 03Turpan

Our guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel. After having breakfast at the hotel, visit the Jiaohe Ruins, the Karez Well and the Sugong Pagoda.

Hotel: Oasis Hotel (3 star)

Tips: In August, the maximum temperature in Turpan can nearly reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Air conditioners may not work because it is too hot. So heatstroke prevention is very important. However, due to the great temperature difference, you should also bring a jacket or sweater even if in summer. Please do not wear contact lenses as weather is too dry. It is a pleasure to enjoy Hami melon and grapes here, but never drink tea when you just finish your fruit to avoid diarrhea. Melons in Turpan have higher sugar content, thus you had better gargle after you savor them to prevent tooth decay.

Day 04Turpan - Urumqi

Visit the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Gaochang Ruins and the Flaming Hill. Drive to Urumqi and transfer to the hotel.(B+L)

Hotel: Ramada Tunhe Hotel Urumqi (4 star)

Tips: During your Silk Road adventure, you will have a chance to visit the Sunday Market in Kashgar. There is bazaar everyday in Kashgar but the Sunday Bazaar is the most vivid one. In Sunday Bazaar, the most attractive part is the cattle market, which doesn't appear in any other markets in China. You will find hundreds of sheep, cattle, horses and kinds of livestock standing in rows there. Please wear a mouth mask to keep away from the smelly odor of the market. The bazaar is definitely a highlight of your whole Silk Road journey. We do suggest you adjust your travel dates to meet it.

A free market in Urumqi

Day 05Urumqi - Kashgar

You will take a morning flight to Kashgar - "the pearl on the Ancient Silk Road". Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the local best hotel. Visit the famous Sunday Market.(B+L)

Hotel: the local best hotel

Descriptions: 
Sunday Market - The Kashgar Sunday Market is the grand International Trade Market in Central Asia and West Asia. The market offers a large variety of home-made and imported goods for sale, such as special local products, handicraft, household articles, dried fruits, vegetables and livestock; therefore, it is dubbed a "kingdom of small commodities." On Sundays, the market is bustling with heavy traffic and crowds of people. It is the excellent place displaying the favor of Uygur folk-custom in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Day 06Kashgar

Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the Old Street and the Abakh Khoja Tomb.(B+L)

Hotel: the local best hotel

Day 07Kashgar - Torugart Pass - Tash Rabat

Drive to Kyrgyzstan via Torugart pass and transfer to Tash Rabat(B+L+D)

Hotel: Yurta

Day 08Naryn

Visit Tash Rabat and then drive to Naryn. Check in at the hotel.(B+L+D)

Hotel: Issyk Kol Avrora Resort

Silk making in Hetian Photo by our client Ms. Lynn Hurst

Day 09Naryn - Bishkek

Drive to visit Song Kol, the Issyk Kol and Excursion on comfortable motor ship around Issyk Kol. Check in at the hotel.(B+L+D)

Hotel: Bishkek Ak-keme Hotel (4 star)

Day 10Bishkek

Visit the Ala Too Square, the Historical Museum, the Victory Square and the Kyrgyz Philarmony around Bishkek and Folklore Show.(B+L+D)

Hotel: Bishkek Ak-keme Hotel (4 star)

Day 11Bishkek

Visit the Ala Archa Gorge. Drive back to Bishkek in the evening.(B+L+D)

Hotel: Bishkek Ak-keme Hotel (4 star)

Day 12Departure from Bishkek

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight.(B)

B-- Breakfast     L-- Lunch     D-- Dinner