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Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 7-day private journey along the ancient Silk Road, from Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye. This cultural adventure begins with a visit to the Xinjiang Museum to marvel at the "Beauty of Loulan" mummy, followed by the serene beauty of Heavenly Lake. Explore the historic ruins of Gaochang and Jiaohe in Turpan, and experience the thrill of hiking the sand dunes to Crescent Spring Lake in Dunhuang. Discover the awe-inspiring Mogao Grottoes, and visit Jiayuguan Fort, the western end of the Great Wall. Conclude your journey by marveling at the vibrant Zhangye Rainbow Danxia. Travel in comfort with private vehicles and a bullet train ride, staying in luxurious accommodations throughout. This tour offers a seamless blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, guided by local experts. ...more ...less
Highlights
Visit the Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi to see well-preserved Chinese mummies, including the "Beauty of Loulan."
Enjoy the serene lake scenery and fantastic mountain views at Heavenly Lake, located on the north side of the Tianshan Mountains.
Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang and the ruins of Jiaohe City in Turpan, significant sites along the Silk Road.
Hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake in Dunhuang.
Discover the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, a highlight of the Silk Road.
Visit Jiayuguan Fort, known as The First Pass Under Heaven, marking the western end of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty.
Marvel at the colorful clay mountains of Zhangye Rainbow Danxia.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport or Urumqi Rail Station, your guide will send you to the hotel for check-in.
Day 2
:
Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi by vehicle
Location: Urumqi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Urumqi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays) where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. Among which, you will find the spectacular one standing out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan". After lunch, take a one hour ride to Heavenly Lake, which is located on the north side of the Tianshan Mountains to enjoy fantastic mountain views and serene lake scenery. Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the Erdaoqiao Bazaar.
Day 3
:
Urumqi - Turpan by vehicle
Location: Turpan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 5 or 4-star hotel, Turpan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a 3-hour car ride to Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road. You will visit Karez Irrigation System that is old canal system to water the farm in Turpan. Then you will head to explore the Ancient City of Gaochang, Bezklik Grottos, ruin of ancient Jiaohe City that was once the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. but abandoned in the 15th century.
Today you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang in about two hours. Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake this afternoon.Be sure to explore the night market nearby the hotel in the evening!
Day 5
:
Dunhuang - Jiayuguan by vehicle
Location: Dunhuang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 5-star hotel, Jiayuguan
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the highlight of Silk Road today, Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas). These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details. After lunch, you will take 5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan.
Accommodation: 5-star hotel,.Dunhuang
Day 6
:
Jiayuguan - Zhangye by vehicle
Location: Zhangye
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star hotel, Zhangye
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit Jiayuguan Fort that is called The First Pass Under Heaven, the western end of the Great Wall for Ming Dynasty. Then you will catch 2-hour car ride to Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, which is very colorful clay mountain.
Day 7
:
Departing Zhangye
Location: Zhangye
Meals Included: Breakfast
If time allows, visit Dafo Temple before heading to Zhangye Airport or station where the tour concludes.
What's Included
Accommodation
Accommodation as per itinerary is included.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to various attractions are included.
Local Guide
A local guide is included for the tour.
Private Tour
The tour is conducted as a private tour.
Transport
Transport by private vehicle is included.
Bullet Train
Bullet train from Turpan to Liuyuan (Second Class) is included.
What's Not Included
Passport
A valid passport is required and not included in the tour package.
Requirements
Passport
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private vehicles for city transfers, a 3-hour bullet train ride from Turpan to Liuyuan, and scenic car rides between destinations, offering a seamless and comfortable journey along the Silk Road.
Accommodation
Enjoy luxurious stays in 5-star hotels in Urumqi, Dunhuang, and Jiayuguan, with a choice of 4 or 5-star accommodations in Turpan and Zhangye, ensuring comfort throughout your Silk Road journey.
Check out our Q&As
What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel in private vehicles for city transfers, a 3-hour bullet train ride from Turpan to Liuyuan, and scenic car rides between destinations, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey along the Silk Road.
What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy luxurious stays in 5-star hotels in Urumqi, Dunhuang, and Jiayuguan, with a choice of 4 or 5-star accommodations in Turpan and Zhangye, ensuring comfort throughout your Silk Road journey.
Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour package?
Yes, entrance fees to various attractions are included in the tour package.
Is the tour conducted in a private setting?
Yes, the tour is conducted as a private tour, providing a more personalized experience.
Will there be a local guide during the tour?
Yes, a local guide is included for the tour to enhance your experience and provide insights into the destinations visited.
What meals are included in the tour?
Meals are included as per the itinerary, which typically includes breakfast and lunch.
What is the highlight of the visit to Dunhuang?
In Dunhuang, you will enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake and explore the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, which are a highlight of the Silk Road.
Tipping in China
If you're happy with the services provided then a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. Tipping is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across China and other Asian countries. We recommend that any tips are given to the intended recipient by a member of your group, rather than collected and passed on by the group leader.
The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:
Restaurants: Tipping is not common practice at restaurants in China or Tibet.
Tour guides: Throughout your tour you may at times have local guides or national guide. We suggest CNY20-50 per person per day for guides.
Porters: In some hotels a porter may offer to carry your bag to your room. We suggest CNY10 per bag for porters.
Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest that you tip only those more involved with the group (for example those that help you with your bags etc). CNY10-30 per person per day is generally appropriate.
Can I travel to China without a visa?
US/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Canada citizens(actually most western country citizens) planning to visit China's mainland must apply for an entry visa through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. ... WithUS/UK/Australia/New Zealand/Canadapassport, citizens do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong, but travelers who plan to visit China's mainland while in the region will need a visa to travel from Hong Kong to China.
However, some cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing etc. that allow 24-hour/72-hour direct transit in China, also called the 24-hour/72-hour transit without visa, regulates that visa is not required for air, train, and ship passengers transiting in mainland China for a stay of no more than 24 hours/72 hours before heading for a third country or region formost western country citizens.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
All of our tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travellers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation. Silkroadtrips are pleased to offer travellers the option of pre-booking a guaranteed single room. Kindly note our single supplement do not include sharing cabins on the overnight trains or cruises.
Trains
Aboard the overnight sleeper train, berths are usually in 1st class ‘soft sleeper’ lockable compartments for 4 which have 2 sets of bunks with clean bedding provided. WC and washbasins are provided for shared use at the end of each carriage. Hot meals and snacks are sold to your berth on all overnight journeys. In times of large demand we may have to travel in 2nd class ‘hard sleeper’ which consists of sectioned off compartments for 6,leading off an open plan carriage.
Bullet trains are getting popular, it is very modern with a high velocity of 300km per hour. There are western toilets, dinning car on the bullet trains, and normally for short distance running 1—8 hours.
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Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
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Silk Road Trips allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform silk road trips, 0 days before departure.
Low Deposit
Silk Road Trips requires a minimum deposit of
30%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of silk road trips charges.
Up to 31 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye
7 Days Starting in Urumqi, China and ending in Zhangye, China
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