15 Days Silk Road Essence Tour
Tour Type: Private tour
Tour Price: From *** Note!
Destinations: Beijing - Lanzhou - Xiahe - Tongren - Xining - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Beijing
Free Inquiry Get a free quotation.Day 1
- Arrival Beijing
- Meals: No
- Accommodation: In Beijing
Arrive in Beijing. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and send you to the hotel. Today you can stroll around in Beijing and prepare youself for an wonderful Silk Road tour.
Day 2
- Beijing Lanzhou
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Lanzhou
Taking morning flight to Lanzhou, You will be met by our guide at the airport. After lunch in the city, Our guide will show you one of the best museum on the Silk Road --The Gansu Provincial Museum, which will give you a general idea to the history of Gansu and the Silk Road. After that you will visit three sites along the yellow river -- The Yellow River Mother Sculpture ,The Water Wheel Garden and The First Bridge on the Yellow River. They can make you well understandlocal people's life and its connection with the yellow river. To recall the time when the Silk Road traders went cross the yellow river here.
Gansu Provincial Museum
The Yellow River Mother Sculpture
The Water Wheel Garden
Zhongshan bridge
Day 3
- Lanzhou Xiahe
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Xiahe
After breakfast, drive to Liujiaxia, one of China's earliest and biggest hydropower dams, and take speed boat to Binglingsi grottoes. Bingling is a transliteration of Tibetan, which means Ten Thousand Buddha, just the common name of Buddhist caves in China. They were initially made in 420 AD by daring Buddhists who descended from the cliff on ropes to carve their masterpieces, and expanded several times through the ages. Nowadays, there still exist 183 niches, 694 stone statues, 82 clay sculptures, and 900 square meters of murals.
Then take speed boat back the dam and drive to Xiahe city, which is located in the northwest region of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and it is adjacent to Qinghai Province.
Binglingsi grottoes
Binglingsi grottoes
Binglingsi grottoes
Binglingsi grottoes
Day 4
- Xiahe Tongren
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Tongren
After breakfast you will visit one of the six most important Tibetan monastery of Gelugpa sect -- Labrang Monastery, which boasts to have preserved the best teaching system of Tibetan Buddhism in China. You can also follow the Tibetan pilgrimages to see the longest prayer corridor of the world.
After lunch, drive from Xiahe toTongren city,On the way you will see many yaks,sheep and the beautiful Ganjia grassland. Stroll about the small Tibetan city on arrival, which known as "hometown of Tibetan Tangkas art".
Labrang Monastery
Labrang Monastery
Labrang Monastery
Labrang Monastery
Day 5
- Tongren Xining
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Xining
After breakfast, visit Longwu Monastery (Rongwo Gonchen Gompa), Wutun Si Monastery, which are the biggest Tibetan Monasteries in Huangnan area, famous for the beatiful mural painting and Tangkas art.
After lunch, taking 3-4 hours driving to Xining city, and check in hotel on arrival.
Longwu Monastery
Longwu Monastery
Wutun Si Monastery
Wutun Si Monastery
Day 6
- Xining
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Xining
After breakfast you will visit the famous Kumbum Monastery also known as Ta'ersi --the birth place of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
After lunch, you will start your tour to Qinghai Lake (160km from Xining City). After 2.5 hours driving, you will reach this largest inland and salty lake of China. During the way, you can have a short stop at the Sun & Moon Mountain site (about 1 hour driving from Xining city). Then drive back to Xining City and check in hotel .
Kumbum Monastery
Kumbum Monastery
Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake
Day 7
- Xining Zhangye
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Zhangye
After breakfast, take speed train from xining to Zhangye, the trian goes through Qilian mountain, which is caped with snow all year round. The northern and southern slope of the Qilian Mountain covered with natural forest and rape field. Each year during July and early August the slopes of Qilian Mountain become a sea of flowers. Afer lunch in the city, visit Giant Buddha Temple , famous for housing China's biggest indoor clay Nirvana Buddha. The Temple was initially built in 1098 AD of Western Xia dynasty, and it’s the only Western Xia royal temple survived by far.
Giant Buddha Temple
Giant Buddha Temple
Giant Buddha Temple
Giant Buddha Temple
Day 8
- Zhangye
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Zhangye
After breakfast,drive to Matisi Grottoes . Matisi Grottoes is also known as the Horse’s Hoof Temple. It is a very popular scenic spot which integrates Yugu minority group’s folk customs, mountain views and Buddhist cave art. After luch, visit famous Danxia Landform . It is a unique type of petrographic geomorphology found in China. Danxia landform is formed from red-coloured sandstones and conglomerates of largely Cretaceous age. The best time to photograph the Danxia Landform is the sunset in the evening.
Matisi Grottoes
Matisi Grottoes
Danxia Landform
Danxia Landform
Day 9
- Zhangye Jiayuguan
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Jiayuguan
After breakfast drive to Jiayuguan City. After lunch you will visit the WeiJin Tombs, which enjoy another name as Gobi art gallery. Then you will visit the maganificent Jiayuguan Pass -- The western start point of the Great wall.
WeiJin Tomb
WeiJin Tomb
Jiayuguan Pass
Jiayuguan Pass
Day 10
- Jiayuguan Dunhuang
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Dunhuang
Drive for 3 hours to the Guazhou city in the morning,where you will have lunch. On the way you will see vast areasof Gobi desert , oasis andwind farm, to have a close contact with the wild west of China. After lunch drive to the Yulin Grottoes(1.5 hours driving) which is one of the most important Buddhist grottoes in China. Then drive to Dunhuang city and check in hotel.
Yulin Grottoes
Yulin Grottoes
Yulin Grottoes
Yulin Grottoes
Day 11
- Dunhuang
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Dunhung
Today, enjoy a cultural tour begin with the visit to Mogao Grottoes. The site is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. Then, continue your trip to Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Dune. In the evening stroll about the small city and the famous local night market.
Mogao Grottoes
Mogao Grottoes
Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Dune
Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Dune
Day 12
- Dunhuang Liuyuang Turpan
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Turpan
After breakfast visit Dunhuang Museum. After lunch drive to Liuyuang Speed Train Station (120km) and take speed train to Turpan. On arrival our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel.
Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum
Day 13
- Turpan
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Turpan
After breakfast visit the mysterious death city, the Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1,600 years ago. And then Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda) - the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country and ancient Karez Well, the underground water supply and irrigation system. After lunch， visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which is a complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th century between the cities of Turpan and Shanshan (Loulan) at the north-east of the Taklamakan Desert near the ancient ruins of Gaochang in the Mutou Valley, a gorge in the Flaming Mountains.
Jiaohe Ancient City
Karez Well
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
Flaming Mountains
Day 14
- Turpan Urumqi
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: In Urumqi
After breakfast, we set off for Heavenly Lake.Also named asTianchi, nestled high in the Bogda Mountains of the Tianshan Mountain Range of Xinjiang, lies 115 kilometers west of the city of Urumqui. Then drive to Urumqi and check in hotel.
Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake
Day 15
- Urumqi Beijing
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: No
After breakfast you will visit Xinjiang Museum, which is one of the best museum on the silk road. Then be transfered to Urumqi airport and take flight to Beijing. The facinating 15 days silk road essence tour end.
Xinjiang Museum
Xinjiang Museum
Xinjiang Museum
Xinjiang Museum
Price Includes
- Private car with air-conditioning and driver
- Land transfers between airport / train station / hotels and scenic sites
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast (4 stars with nice breakfast)
- Professional English speaking tour guide
- Lunch and dinner as listed in the itinerary
- Speed train ticket from Xining to Zhangye
- Flight tickets from Beijing to Lanzhou and Urumqi to Beijing
- Train ticket from Liuyuan to Turpan(soft sleeper)
- Entrance fee as listed in the itinerary
- 24 H / 7D English speaking telephone service
- China Life Tourist Accident / Casualty Insurance
- Government taxes
Price Excludes
- Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, phone bills and optional activities …
- Gratitude for guides and drivers as international practice
- China Entry Visa
- Travel insurance (full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin)
Hotels
For all standard tours, The Silk Road China Tours will choose the best 4 stars hotel in different destinations. The hotel was evaluated comprehensively by its room size, cleanness, location, service and breakfast. It can well satisfy most western travelers and brings you relaxation, comfort and convenience.
If you want to upgrade the hotel to Deluxe standard or you have some special requirements, please inform us in the booking form or email us.
At some remote regions or ethnic area, there are no 4 stars or 5 stars hotels available. So we will arrange the best local hotel and notify the situation in advance.
Meals
Normally The Silk Road China Tours provides two meals each day: Breakfast and Lunch. You will have the freedom to make your own dinner choice.
Breakfast
It is normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, the breakfast would be in western style, Chinese style, or a combination.
Lunch
When plan your lunches, we consider the balance of food quality, dining environment and tour convenience. We will provide lunch in a local restaurant whenever possible. The meal will give you an opportunity to eat at local restaurant, follow local customs, and taste local dishes. However in some remote regions where it’s simply hard to find a non-tourist restaurant, the meal could be arranged at a local tourist restaurant or a local family
Your own dinner choice
Dinners will not be included in your meal plan unless you have that requirement. Enjoying the local food could be one of your best experiences in China. This is why we provide you this flexibility of food choice. Your private guide will always give you good suggestions based on your preferences.
If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.
All of our tour guides are qualified professionals and registered English Speaking Tourist Guides in China who are reassessed annually. All of our tour vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, manned with licensed safe drivers.
Private Tour Guide
You will always be greeted punctually on arrival at each destination airport. At every departure, your guide will stay at your side until you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint.
All of our travel guides in every destination are locals, who know the area well, they are very good at guiding you around and telling background stories of the tour sites, as well as showing you the secret spots for taking your best photos.
When changing your itinerary is needed due to unexpected reasons, your private tour guides will be more than accommodating in suggesting alternatives to ensure that you have a wonderful experience.
Private Transportation
When plan your lunches, we consider the balance of food quality, dining environment and tour convenience. We will provide lunch in a local restaurant whenever possible. The meal will give you an opportunity to eat at local restaurant, follow local customs, and taste local dishes. However in some remote regions where it’s simply hard to find a non-tourist restaurant, the meal could be arranged at a local tourist restaurant or a local family
Your own dinner choice
With our comfortable and safe private transportation, your tour will be more relaxing and less tiresome, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most of your experience in China.
In every destination visited, your vehicle is air conditioned, clean, and expertly maintained. Your private driver is licensed, insured, and very experienced.
To maximize your comfort, we use vehicles with extra space for you and your luggage. Depending on how many are traveling together, we generally use sedans or mini vans (7 seats) for 4 people or less, large vans or small coaches (12-22 seats) for 5-12 people, medium coaches (33 – 37 seats) for 13 – 25 people, and large coaches (45 seats over) for more than 25 people.
Tipping Guidelines
We realize that tipping is a sensitive subject for all travelers. While tips are widely accepted, we would like to stress that this is at your own personal discretion.While everyone is recommended to tip based on services rendered, our clients often ask we provide some basic guidelines.
1 person: $20-30/day • Group of 2: $15-25/per person/day • Group of 3-5: $15/per person/day • Group of 6-10: $10/per person/day
Some outstanding guides receive twice or three times as much depending on service quality and also the size of the group. Guests are welcome to tip more if they feel the services were exceptional. The driver may sometimes receive a tip 50% of what the guide receives. In places where roads are rough and dangerous, the driver may sometimes receive an equal amount of tipping as the guide.
Silk Road Map
Why Choose Us?
We are the top Silk Road tour operator based in Dunhuang, China. We focus on providing well designed Silk Road China Tours with resonable price and thoughtful service.
- Easy & carefree booking
- The best value
- Great travel experience
- Locally operated
Tailor-made Tours
Your final trip plan will be 100% tailored to your needs, incl. itinerary, activities, hotel, meal plan etc.
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Silk Road China Tours -
Reliable travel agency based in Dunhuang, China. We focus on providing customized tours across Silk Road in China,on your own terms and with reasonable prices.
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Gansu, China
Phone: 0086 - 18919428669 (24h)
Tel: 0086 - 937 - 8809499 (24h)
Email: Service@silkroadtourcn.com
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