13 Days Discover China and Silk Road Tour

Heavenly Lake

Tour Code: ctsr-3

Tour Type: Private Tour with Exclusive Tour Guide and Driver

Departure Date: Flexible

Tour Highlights:

There are many ways to discover the Silk Road, but the large parts of this ancient trade route are located in the Gobi Desert where tourist facilities are not as developed as in large cities. However, we design especially this tour for travelers who are interested in the great Western China and want to enjoy the extraordinary culture of the place.


Itinerary

  • Day1

    Beijing Arrival

    • No Meals
    • in Beijing
    Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China, rich in history and culture.
    Your private guide picks you up at the airport on time and takes you in a comfortable vehicle to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.
  • Day2

    Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and Hutongs by rickshaw

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Beijing
     Your visit to Beijing begins with the world's largest public square, Tiananmen Square. Walking through the square, you enter the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, where the 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). The Jingshan Hill, situated on the meridian line of the city of Beijing, provides a panoramic view of the capital.
    After lunch, continue to travel through Hutongs by rickshaw, and see houses and courtyards with 100-year history. A visit to a local family offers you an opportunity to understand the way of life of the Chinese.
  • Day3

    Beijing: Temple of Heaven and Mutianyu Great Wall

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Beijing
    Today's excursion will take you to Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped for the good harvest. Now the Chinese people exercise and practice martial arts there in the morning.
    After lunch in a restaurant near the Great Wall, visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, which are a less crowded section and known for best scenery among all sections. The cable car can help you up and down.
  • Day4

    Beijing: Summer Palace, Beijing to Xian by High Speed Train

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Xi'an
    Today you are going to visit Summer Palace, a luxury complex of the royal family for over a century. Now this park attracts many travellers and consists of classic buildings, large artificial Kunming Lake and hills, as well as delicate natural landscapes.
    After lunch you will go to Xian by high-speed train, the ancient heart of China. Upon arrival in Xian, your local guide will pick you up at the train station and transfer you to the hotel.
  • Day5

    Xian: Terracotta Army, Xian Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Xi'an
    Today its first destination is the incredible Terracotta Army, one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century. 6,000 life-size soldiers and battle horses have guarded the 2200-year-old Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang.
    After lunch, back to the city of Xian and take a tour of the ancient Ancient City Wall which was built in the 13th century. You can hear the echo of history and appreciate a complete view of the city. Finally visit the Muslim Quarter, where you can touch local life.
  • Day6

    Xian: Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian to Dunhuang by Fligh

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Dunhuang
    Today you first learn some history and see some of China's most precious historical items at the Shaanxi History Museum.
    Then visit the Chinese style architecture combined with dozens of historical Buddhist statues and murals in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is also the symbol of the city of Xian.
    Today ends with the flight to Dunhuang.
  • Day7

    Dunhuang: Mogao Caves, Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Moon Spring

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Dunhuang
    Today you will visit Mogao Caves. Mogao Caves, commonly known as "Thousand Buddha Grottoes", is located at the east foot of the Singing Sand Mountain and the west bank of Daquan River. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection and was awarded "The Certificate of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1991. It is a world famous Buddhist art treasure house. The Caves were carved on the bluffs of Singing Sand Mountain, with five layers which strew at random and row upon row. The Caves are 1,618 metres long from south to north, and have 491 well-preserved Caves which are linked by the plank road.
    In the afternoon you will visit to the Singing Sand Mountains (Mingsha Mountain) and Crescent Moon Spring where you can experience sand surfing and camel riding. Mingsha Mountain starts from Mogao Caves in the east, 40 kilometers long from east to west, and 20 kilometers from south to north. The shape of the mountain is very elegant. When many people slide down along the slopes, a thunderous sound will be heard, hence the name. The Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain, looking like a crescent moon. Over the past thousand years, the spring has never been buried by sands, and has never dried up. It is a miracle indeed.
  • Day8

    Dunhuang Museum, Dunhuang to Turfan by High Speed Train

    • Breakfast
    • in Turpan
    After breakfast, you will visit Dunhuang Museum, a comprehensive local museum with historical relics as the mainstay. The main building has three stories, with a construction area of 2,400 square meters.
    You will be transferred to Liuyuan train station, which will take more than 2 hours driving, and then you will take high speed train to Turfan.
  • Day9

    Turfan: Karez System, Jiaohe Ancient City, Emin Minaret

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Turpan
    Today you will discover the essence of Turfan.
    The Karez irrigation system can be traced back 2,000 years. During spring and summer, melting snow and rainwater flow from lofty mountains in the north of Turpan Basin, and seep in deserts. Taking advantage of natural gradient of the mountains, local people skillfully invented the Karez irrigation system to pump underground water to drink and irrigate crops. Most of the existing Karez irrigation systems in Turpan were constructed after the Qing Dynasty, which are still in use.
    Nestling in Yarnaz Valley, 13 kilometers west of Turpan, the Ancient City of Jiaohe is known as the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. Constructed around the Qin and Han Dynasties, it has had a history of more than 2,000 years. So far, government offices, residences, pagodas and temples in the ancient city are well preserved. What makes the ancient city distinctive is that all caves, houses, temples and even streets were actually carved from the ground.
    Emin Minaret is the largest and most beautiful ancient Islamic-style tower in Xinjiang. Together with the nearby mosque that can accommodate 1,000 people, the tower forms a tourist attraction known far and near. The buildings are laid with yellow bricks, which reflect golden luster under the sun and coexist in harmony with the surroundings.
  • Day10

    Turfan to Urumqi by Car, Heavenly Lake

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Urumqi
    After tour we will drive you to Urumqi and visit Heavenly Lake. This lake is halfway up Mount Bogda in the Tianshan Mountains. It is 11,900 metres above sea level and ninety metres deep, and its water comes from melted snow on nearby mountains. The blue lake, the snow-capped mountains, the evergreens on the mountain slopes — together these form an idyllic scene. Legend says that fairies used to gather in this wonderland. In winter, Heavenly Lake becomes a unique natural skating rink and is used for various winter sports events.
  • Day11

    Urumqi: Xinjiang Regional Museum, Xinjiang International Bazaar, Urumqi to Shanghai by Flight

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Shanghai
    After breakfast you will visit Xinjiang Regional Museum. There are over two thousand ancient artifacts on display in the museum which was built in 1953. These artifacts are divided into eight periods: Stone Age; Warring States; Qin and Han Dynasties; Three Kingdoms; Eastern and Western Jin; Northern and Southern Dynasties; Sui and Tang; Song and Yuan Dynasties; Ming and Qing Dynasties. 
    Then continue to Xinjiang International Bazaar. A symbolic landmark in Urumqi, the bazaar appears like an ancient Islamic-style fortress, with a 3,000-square-meter square encircled by red brick walls. There are also a mosque, an outdoor theatrical stage, 55 automatic staircases and more than 3,000 shops, as well as a theatrical banquet hall that can accommodate nearly 1,000 diners. The entire bazaar covers nearly 40,000 square meters. A variety of commodities, including snacks, fruits and handicrafts, are sold there.
    Afterwards you will be transferred to airport for flight to Shanghai.
     
  • Day12

    Shanghai: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Shanghai Tower, The Bund

    • Breakfast, Lunch
    • in Shanghai
    Today’s first visit is to a large-scale Chinese art museum - Shanghai Museum, where you can discover beautiful collections of bronze, porcelain, sculptures and calligraphy.
    Continue to Yu Garden, a private garden showcasing the architecture and design style of classic Chinese gardens, and take a stroll down nearby Shanghai Old Street.
    After lunch, advance to the highest building in China - Shanghai Tower, a super high skyscraper with breathtaking views of old and new Shanghai. The Bund is a must-see for tourists coming to Shanghai. The structures that coexist, classic and modernist style, have become the symbol of Shanghai.
  • Day13

    Shanghai Departure

    • Breakfast
    Pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the airport. Our service ends here and your trip in China will remain in your mind forever.

Price Inclusion&Exclusion

Price Inclusion

•    Transportation within China: Domestic flight (economy class) or train on the Itinerary.
•    Tickets: Entrance fees of all attractions listed in the itinerary.
•    Meals: All meals are specified in the itinerary. Breakfast is usually a Western-style buffet at the hotel, or could be a Chinese breakfast in some remote areas. Chinese lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant.
•    Hotels: All rooms have air conditioning and private bathroom, unless specified.
•    Private Transfers: A private driver and a private tour guide will transfer you to airport/railway station, hotel and attractions in the cities in private air-conditioned vehicle.
•    Private Guide: We provide professional licensed tour guides who speaks English or other langauges  acorrding to your requirement. They are responsible, knowledgeable and have a sense of humor to accompany you throughout your journey.
•    Service Expenses (includes planning, handling, operating and communication expenses) and Government Taxes.
•    Insurance: China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
•    Baggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
Price Exclusion

•    International air tickets to enter and leave China
•    Chinese visa fees.
•    Personal Expenses: For example cost of excess luggage, laundry, beverages, fax, telephone, optional activities etc.
•    Dietary expenses other than meals in price inclusion are not included in the itinerary.
•    The cost of the attraction not listed in the itinerary is not included.
•    Single Room Supplement
•    Tips to tour guides, drivers etc.

Trip Notes

Meals of Global Tour Travels•     Meals
In your itinerary, it normally offers two meals each day: breakfast and lunch. You will have the freedom to choose your own dinner. If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, please let us know in advance. We will try our best to satisfy your special needs.
Breakfast
Normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, breakfast is Western style, Chinese style or a combination.
Lunch - A la Carte 
In order to have our customers to taste authentic Chinese food and avoid tourist menus, we take food quality, dining environment and travel convenience into consideration when planning your lunch. Therefore , we will arrange a la carte lunch at a local restaurant whenever possible. Lunch a la carte is varied with different recommended restaurants and different cities. You could order the dishes according to your taste under the instructions of your guide. However, in some remote regions where it is difficult to find a non-tourist restaurant, you could have lunch at a local tourist restaurant or in a local family.
Your Own Dinner Option
Dinner is not included in our China travel package, unless you have this requirement. Looking for food by yourself could also be one of your best experiences in China. Therefore we offer you this flexibility of food choice. You can ask for your private guide to gain good suggestions.

•   Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private guide, private driver and an air-conditioned vehicle to accompany you at each destination of your trip, which will provide you with maximum personal care, security and flexibility.
All our guides are qualified and responsible professionals. All our vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, crewed with licensed drivers.
Private Tour Guide
In each city, we have a professional local guide. Our guide picks you up punctually at your arrival from the airport/railway station/spring of each destination. On your way out of that city, your guide will stay by your side until you have checked in and passed through security. All our travel guides in each destination are local and responsible, who know this area well. They accompany you visiting this city during 8 working hours of each day and they will tell background stories of the tourist places, and show you the secret places to take your best Vehicles of Global Tour Travels pictures.
When it is necessary to change your itinerary for unexpected reasons, your private travel guide will suggest alternatives to ensure that you still have an excellent experience.

Private Transfer
With our comfortable and safe private transfer, your trip will be more relaxing and less tiring, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most of your experience in China. In all destinations visited, your vehicle is air-conditioned, clean and expertly maintained. Your private driver is licensed, insured and experienced.
Normally we will arrange vehicles with more space for you and your luggages. Depending on the number of passengers, we generally use sedans or minivans (7 seats) for 4 people or less, large vans or small buses (12-22 seats) for 5 to 12 people, medium cars (33-37 seats) for 13 - 25 people and large buses (more than 45 seats) for more than 25 people.

•     Remarks 
We reserve the right to modify the price due to exchange rate fluctuation
If you have special requirements, please tell us in advance.
We reserve the right of final explanation for any change due to the reasons beyond our control.