Early traders blazed a trail from Europe to the Orient and found exotic treasures and peoples. Find you own treasure on as you wander the same vast countryside. You can experience many cultures, people groups, food and much more traveling from Beijing to the western most boundaries of China.
Destinations:Beijing → Xi'an → Lanzhou → Xiahe → Wuwei → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi → Guangzhou
Reference Price:from $3631 USD
Departure Dates:You Choose!
Arrive in Beijing; Flight not included
Today's Activities:
Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Urumqi to Guangzhou, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities:
Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals:
Breakfast
Beijing
Today's Activities:
Sacred Way (Ming Tombs), Great Wall, Mutianyu, Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip), Roasted Duck at Hepingmen Quanjude
Sacred Way (Ming Tombs): An attractive tree-lined walk
which leads to the Ming Tombs, this is bordered by 12 sets each of animal and
human statues, and includes the attractive Great Red Gate, housing a stele on
the back of a tortoise, and marble memorial archway.
Great Wall,
Mutianyu: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant
drive 90km northeast of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section
(avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the
watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains.
You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour
to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the
weather.
Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip): It is a
challenging climb up to the Mutianyu Great Wall for it is much steeper than
Badaling section. Here you have the option of taking the Cable car to the
highest point or down to the foot in a few minutes instead of climbing more than
1,400 steps, while you can also have a bird view of the
wall.
Roasted Duck at Hepingmen Quanjude: In the evening
enjoy the Peking Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of
Beijing.
Beijing to Xi'an, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities:
Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xi'an), Xi'an City Wall, Shaanxi Historical Museum
Xi'an City Wall: Built in the Ming dynasty over 700 years
ago, the Xi'an City Wall is the most complete ancient city wall in China. The
wall measures around 13.9 km in circumference, 12 meters in height, 18 meters
wide at its base while 15 meters wide on the top. It is a fine example of
China's ancient defensive fortifications that were formed over 2,000 years ago,
and continued even to the last imperial era of the Qing Dynasty. The wall
reflects a brilliant beauty at night when the area is lit up by colorful
lights.
Shaanxi Historical Museum: The large-scale modern State-class
museum, is situated at the western side of the "Wild Goose Pagoda" in Xi'an
City. It covers an area of about 70,000 square meters, the architectural area of
which is 55,000 odd square meters. It was completed on June 20, 1991 and open to
the public.
Xi'an
Today's Activities:
Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses(include golf carts), Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Terracotta Warriors and Horses(include golf carts): This
incredible 2000 year-old army of life-sized warriors, each one unique, is part
of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures were drawn up
in full battle array in several large pits. Many of the figures, including
soldiers, archers, horses and chariots, have been restored, and the repairs and
excavations continue at the site where you can see both repaired and broken
warriors in a truly impressive display. There is also an excellent museum,
including bronze chariots unearthed nearby, and a film about the history and
discovery of the tomb.
Bell Tower: This is the largest and
best-preserved of its kind in China, is 36 meters (118 feet) high. It stands on
a brick base 35.5 meters (116.4 feet) long and 8.6 meters (28.2 feet) high on
each side.Stand on top of the tower, you can have a bird's view of the city.
There are ancient musical instrument exhibit at the entrance of the tower, and
free ancient music performance every other half hour.
Big Wild
Goose Pagoda: The pagoda (7 floors,64.5meters high) where widely
renowned Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his classics brought from
India. It is the landmark of the ancient capital city - Xi'an.
Xi'an to Lanzhou, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities:
Hotel to airport Transfer (Xi'an), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lanzhou), Zhongshan Iron Bridge, Water-wheel Garden, White Pagoda Hill Park
Zhongshan Iron Bridge: The iron bridge was built in the
Qing Dynasty and renowned as the "first bridge on the Yellow River under the
heaven".
Water-wheel Garden: It is located at the western
of Binhe Road.Neighboring the Zhongshan Bridge to the east, the sculpture of
Yellow River Mother to the west, the White Pagoda Park to the north and the
Baiyun Guan to the south, the Water-wheel Garden is one of the most important
tourist sights in the line of Binhe Road.
White Pagoda Hill Park:
It is located in the White Pagoda Hill at the northern bank of the
Yellow River.It has its name after the white pagoda on top of it, which was
originally erected in the Yuan Dynasty. Towering and lofty, the White Pagoda
Hill connects the undulating mountains giving an imposing view of nestling the
Jingcheng city.
Lanzhou to Xiahe
Today's Activities:
Labrang Monastery, Songke Grassland
Labrang Monastery: One of the major monasteries of the
Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect. The architectural layout follows the Tibetan style,
while the construction patterns are mostly Tibetan, Han, or a mixture of the
two. The White Towers (in the northeast and in the northwest) are very
typical.
Songke Grassland: Songke Grassland is located in
southwest of Xiahe. Being a natural pasture of Tibetan nomadic peoples, Songke
Grassland is famous for its superb grassland scenery. As you ride on horse you
can listen to the pastoral song, and feast your eye on the beautiful flowers and
blue sky.
Xiahe to Lanzhou
Meals:
Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Lanzhou to Wuwei
Today's Activities:
Lei Tai, Wuwei Wen Temple (Wen Miao), Five-Springs Mountain
Lei Tai: Leitai Han Tomb is located in north of downtown
area in Wuwei.Being a large brick tomb of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Leitai
Han Tomb is famous for excavating the cultural treasure bronze galloping horse,
which is the symbol of Chinese tourism. Now Leitai Han Tomb is one of important
scenic spots in Wuwei
Wuwei Wen Temple (Wen Miao): Wuwei
Wen temple is located in the southeast of the city.Wuwei Wen temple became key
provincial level historical reservation approved by Gansu Municipal People's
Government on September 1st, 1981.
Five-Springs Mountain:
This park is south of Lanzhou city, and is named for the five crystal springs
which still flow here. The highest is called "Amrita Spring", and there is a old
legend that anyone who drinks from it will live forever. Another legend is that
people who collect stones or pebbles from "Moziquan (Spring of Son)" can then
expect a son.
Wuwei to Zhangye
Today's Activities:
Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple, Wooden Tower of Sui Dynasty
Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple: The Giant Buddha Temple is located in the southwest part of downtown of Zhangye, which is well known for the remains of China's biggest indoor sculpture of Nirvana Buddha.
Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Today's Activities:
The Great Wall on the Cliff, The Jiayuguan Pass, Great Walls Museum
The Great Wall on the Cliff: This spot is 11 km away from
the city, and 7 km away from the Jiayuguan Pass. The Suspended Wall is a part of
the Great Wall. The wall here was built on the ridge with the gradient of 45
degrees. It is high in the air and it looks as if it fell down from the top of
the hill. So people refer to this section of the Great Wall as the 'Suspended
Wall'.
The Jiayuguan Pass: It is the western end of the
Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty as well as the most magnificent and
best-preserved pass among the over thousand passes along the Ming Great
Wall.
Great Walls Museum: Located on the South Xinhua
Road, Jiayuguan City. The museum opened to visitor in October 1989 and it is the
first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic
way. One of the first museums to give a comprehensive and systematic
understanding of the history of the Great Wall, the "beacon tower" styled
complex covers 3 acres, and is made up of seven different sections. It
concentrates on the central theme of the Great Wall, and uses scale models,
diagrams, words and photos over 3000 years of history from the Warring States
Period to the Ming Dynasty. The museum provides visitors with a good
illustration of the life of this vast, snaking wall.
Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
Today's Activities:
Yulin Grottoes
Yulin Grottoes: These caves, with their murals and sculptures, are in a valley among Qilin Mountain, about 180kms from the Mogao Caves. The name is derived from the elms in the valley, and as you travel along the valley road you can easily imagine how it must have been to be a poet or brave solder in the distant past.
Dunhuang to Overnight train, Train No. Y501
Today's Activities:
Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, The Crescent Lake, Riding on a Camel
Mogao Grottoes: Constructed over a millennium, from the
4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of
Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. It is not allowed to take
photos.
Echoing-Sand Mountain: The Lake and the Sounding
Sand Dune which can make sounds when the wind passes are located in the place
where the sand and the oasis meet.
The Crescent Lake:
Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands
Mountains and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring's name
derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the small pool of spring water
between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't
dry up as one might expect
Riding on a Camel: Riding on a
camel and traveling along the desert, you can not only enjoy the beutiful
scenery of setting sun in the desert, but also have a real experience of
traveling along the Silk Road.Further more, you will have a chance to see the
five-color sand on the Echoing-Sand Mountain.
Overnight train to Turpan
Today's Activities:
Train station to Hotel Transfer (Turpan), Gaochang Ancient City, Grape Valley, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Pass through the Flaming Mountain
Gaochang Ancient City: The city's name means 'the King
City'. It was founded during the first century B.C. and abandoned during the
15th century.Ascending a height to enjoy a distant view, you can see the whole
city in a plane shape of an irregular square, which is divided, into three parts
the exterior city, interior city and the palace city. The total area is about
two million square meters.
Grape Valley: With its shady
vineyards and trees, this provides a welcome place of relaxation amidst the
hundreds of square miles of sand. You may take a seat under the vintage frames,
savor various grapes, enjoy the beautiful Uyghur girls in their ornate costumes,
and be fully intoxicated by this refreshing palace of grapes. Taking a walk
along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every
year over 300 tons of raisins are made here.
Bezeklik Thousand
Buddha Caves: The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves is the rock-cut
building with the most caves and frescos contents at most in Turpan area.It is
located on the west cliffs of the Wood Valley of the Flame Mountain, 45
kilometers away from Turpan city.
Pass through the Flaming
Mountain: The Flaming Mountain is located on the northern verge of
Turpan Basin, more than 10 kilometers away from Turpan city.It is the cradle of
the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. Eighty percent of the
total natural landscapes and human landscapes in Turpan are located
here.
Turpan to Urumqi
Today's Activities:
Heavenly Lake, Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake: The Heavenly Lake is a very beautiful mountain lake formed more than million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch, so the water in it is pure and icy. The altitude of the lake is up to 2150 meters above the sea level and got its fame as the "jewel in the crown". To the east of the lake stands the Bogda Peak-the highest peak in the east part of Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming fabulous scenery.
Urumqi
Today's Activities:
The Erdaoqiao Bazaar, Mount Nan Pasture, The Terai Camp
The Erdaoqiao Bazaar : This is the largest Uigur bazaar in
Urumqi, where you'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts,
knives, carpets and more.
Mount Nan Pasture: Mount Nan
pasture is very big with West Baiyanggou, Juhuatai, East Baiyanggou, Mount
Zhaobi, Miaoergou and Daxigou from west to east. Tourists here can visit locals'
houses to have some milk tea and mutton. Later, they can rent horses to ride
around the grassland. If you are fortunately, you can watch the activities of
horse race, sheep catching and girls' whip.
The Terai
Camp: A special experience of Kazak nomad life here, have a cup of milk
tea and taste some really local food.
Beijing
Today's Activities:
The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square
The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24
Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the
intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who
lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and
temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours,
wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Temple of
Heaven: One of the most famous sites in Beijing, this is Ming
architecture at its best: beautiful, controlled, and highly symbolic. The
surrounding gardens are full of interesting activity, particularly weekend
mornings. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the
weather.
The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city
square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many
imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City),
museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
- Q:What is the best time to have the Yangtze River cruise?
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