Day 1 Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing airport, you are met and transferred to the
hotel in downtown. Get a briefing from your tour manager at the Evening Reception.
Grand Hotel Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
First take a walk on Tiananmen Square, the world's
largest. Then move on to the Forbidden City, magnificent imperial palaces of
the Ming and Qing.
Embark on an excursion to the Great Wall, which represents
ancient Chinese engineering and craftsmanship.
Return to Beijing and enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner tonight.
Grand Hotel Beijing <B-L-D>
Day 3 Beijing g Xi'an
This morning, explore some of Beijing's old 'Hutongs'
- the traditional courtyard residences cut into blocks by narrow alleyways.
Get a snapshot in front of the classic Drum & Bell Towers.
Then fly to Xi'an, an ancient capital of China.
Pay a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, one of the best
in China.
Later, enjoy a colorful Tang Style Dinner Show.
Hyatt Regency Xi'an <B-D>
Day 4 Xi'an
Visit the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors
unearthed in 1974. Inside the museum, three exhibition halls house the continuing
excavation of an army of 7,000 terracotta soldiers and horses that guard the tomb of
China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang.
Upon returning to the city, tour the Great Mosque
and the market in the Muslim quarters.
Enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner in a
local restaurant.
Hyatt Regency Xi'an <B-D>
Day 5 Xi'an g Dunhuang |
|
 |
Fly to Dunhuang on an early morning
flight. Check in at the hotel for some rest upon arrival.
You go out to visit the legendary White Horse Pagoda
and the Western Thousand Buddha Caves, which contain some
of the finest pieces of Dunhuang Buddhist art. Enjoy a local
cuisine dinner tonight.
Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 6 Dunhuang
Spend half a day exploring the fascinating Buddhist art at the
Mogao
Caves, carved on a cliff facing the desert. Many of the murals, sculptures, and
reliefs were created over 1,500 years ago. A research institute was established over 40
years ago on the site to study and to protect these precious art and archaeological
treasures.
In the afternoon, tour the surprising Crescent Spring Lake, and
Singing Sand Dunes in
the Gobi Desert. Optional Camel ride over the sand dunes is available.
Dinner is on your own.
Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel <B-L>
 |
|
Day 7 Dunhuang g Turpan
Transfer to airport and fly to Urumqi.
Upon arrival, met and transfer by vehicle to Turpan.
Turpan is a Uygur town in a large oasis surrounded by desert and
mountains. Upon arrival, visit the site of ancient Jiaohe City. It
was built on a strategic high ground and now the remains of some structures are still
standing. The view is spectacular.
Stop by the 200-year-old Emin Minaret,
the tallest structure in the city.
Turpan Oasis Hotel <B-L-D>
|
Day 8 Turpan
You begin today's sightseeing at
Gaochang Ruins, which reveals traces of a prosperous
ancient trading center and military stronghold.
Take an excursion to the Beziklik Caves, which
implies the flourishing of Buddhism in western China before Islam became the dominant
religion in the 15th century. Also stop at the Flaming Mountains –
a fascinating geological phenomenon.
|
Turpan is famous throughout China for its big and sweet grapes. The
visit to the Grape Valley is an extraordinary experience. You will
have the opportunity to walk through the vineyards, stop by homes of Uygur farmers, and get down deep into
Karez Wells – an under-ground
irrigation system that has been efficiently keeping all the greens alive in the scorching
summer heat.
Turpan Oasis Hotel <B-L>
Day 9 Turpan g Kashgar
Depart Turpan and travel to Urumqi by road or train. Upon
arrival, visit the Xinjiang Museum, where
several ancient mummies on display attract visitors from around the
world.
Transfer to the airport after dinner and fly to Kashgar.
Barony Hotel <B-L-D> |
|
 |
 |
|
Day 10 Kashgar
Start your exploration in Kashgar by visiting the
centrally located Id Kah Mosque,
the largest in the region, and Izlati Road - an old
and narrow street filled with shops where craftsmen are hammering
out traditional wares.
In the afternoon, visit the visit the Tomb of Abakh Hoja Family,
whose great granddaughter was the famous "Fragrant Concubine" of Qing Emperor
Qianlong.
Travel out of town to the grounds of Hannoyi Ruins
and the standing remains of the Moer Pagoda, both are
remnants from the powerful and prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Enjoy a Uygur Song & Dance Show tonight
after dinner.
Barony Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 11 Kashgar
Kashgar is home to one of the world's largest
outdoor markets - the Sunday Bazaar. Tens of
thousands of donkey carts, tractors, trucks, horses, sheep, and
human beings from all around central Asia congregate each Sunday to
trade in Kashgar's fair ground. The scene itself is just an
impressive sight! The atmosphere is great!
|
Visit the Tomb of Yusup Hazi Hajup, a
great Uygur poet and philosopher in the middle ages.
Rest of the day is free.
Barony Hotel <B-L>
Day 12 Kashgar g Urumqi
Travel to Urumqi by air and you are met
upon arrival. Then take an excursion to the
beautiful Heavenly Lake set among the alpine peaks of Tianshan
Mountain. The snow-capped Mt. Bogda is reflected in the clear water of the
lake.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the yurt homes
of the local Kazakh people. Muslim Cuisine Dinner
for tonight.
Sheraton Hotel Urumqi <B-L-D>
Day 13 Urumqi g Beijing |
|
 |
Fly to Beijing and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon is free for your own exploration.
Enjoy a farewell dinner featuring the Imperial Cuisine
in
the evening.
Grand Hotel Beijing <B-D>
Day 14 Return Home
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.
<B>
==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==
Hong Kong Extension: add a two-night extension to Hong Kong and explore the
wonders of this former British colony and financial center of Asia. Price includes air
from Beijing to Hong Kong and a private half-day guided Hong Kong island tour. Call
1-800-788-1399 for your extension rate. |
