8-Day Private Silk Road Tour: Xi'an,Zhangye,Jiayuguan,Dunhuang,Turpan,Urumqi
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About This Tour in Xian
Why Visit Xian?
Xian, China offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Xian provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Xian
You can reach Xian, China by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. The city offers various transportation options including taxis, public transit, and private transfers to help you reach your destination. Many hotels can arrange airport transfers, and local transportation options vary by location.
What's Included
- Entry/Admission - Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan)/Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)
- Entry/Admission - Jiayuguan Fortress/Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass
- Entry/Admission - Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain/Ride Camels
- Private English Speaking Tour Guide
- Entry/Admission - Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)/Tianshan Tianchi Lake
- Entry/Admission - Yadan National Geological Park/ Yumen Pass/Great Wall of Han Dynasty
- Air Ticket from Xi'an to Zhangye(Economy Class)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Entry/Admission - Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
- Optional Accommodation 7 nights (only if related tour option is chosen)
- Transport by private vehicle.
- Bullet train tickets from Liuyuan to Turpan(Second-class seats)
- Entry/Admission - Mogao Caves/Grape Valley/Karez System
- Entry/Admission - Dafo Temple of Zhangye/Zhangye Danxia Geopark
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Dinner
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.
- Hotel accommodation standard: 2 people per room, Standard Room (2 single beds or 1 queen bed）.
- Triple room for 3 people (3 single beds).
- Please advise the type of room required when you booking.
- You will need to pay an extra fee if you generate an extra number of rooms.
- The best visiting time is from April to October.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
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Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: Pickup available for all travelers
Pickup Time: 10 minutes before departure
Custom pickup locations may be available. Please contact the supplier for details.
Itinerary
Xi'an-Zhangye
Meet your private guide at your hotel and... 3 hours
Meet your private guide at your hotel and set out for the drive to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Descend into 3 excavated pits to see the massive earthenware army buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the late third century BCE. Marvel at the collection of thousands of sculpted warriors, chariots, and horses, which is regarded as one of the Eighth Wonders of the World. After your morning tour, your guide will take you to a nice local restaurant where you can enjoy some well-known local food, such as Biang Biang noodles and Rou Jia Mo.it is a characteristic of Xi'an cuisine, with over hundred years of history.
After lunch, be driven to the airport for the morning flight to Zhangye 3 hours
After lunch, be driven to the airport for the morning flight to Zhangye. Upon your arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Zhangye.
Zhangye-Jiayuguan
After breakfast, you will visit the 'Color Palette... 3 hours
After breakfast, you will visit the 'Color Palette Overturned by God’ — the Zhangye Danxia Geopark, which is home to the Rainbow Mountains. It is praised as God's palette with its interlaced lines, colorful tones and magnificent paintings.
After enjoy a local lunch and continue to... 2 hours
After enjoy a local lunch and continue to visit the Dafo Temple of Zhangye, which is the biggest Nivana Buddha in Asia. Admire the largest reclining Buddha in China at the Giant Buddha Temple.
Then driven to the Jiayuguan, Upon your arrival,... 3 hours
Then driven to the Jiayuguan, Upon your arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Jiayuguan.
Jiayuguan-Dunhuang
Meet up your friendly private guide and driver... 2 hours
Meet up your friendly private guide and driver at your hotel in the early morning, you will visit Jiayuguan Fortress. Standing among vast desert and surrounded by rolling mountains, Jiayuguan Fortress looks like a dignified general guarding the grand land. It was constructed with the most integrated defensive system: an inner city, an outer city, and a moat. Besides functioning as a frontier military fortress, it was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.
Then drive to the Great Wall at Jiayuguan... 2 hours
Then drive to the Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass, is which the most western pass of the Ming Great Wall, is known as one of the Chinese traffic fortress, the three wonders of the Great Wall (East Shanhaiguan, Zhenbeitai, Jiayuguan).
This is the biggest night market in the area 1 hour
This is the biggest night market in the area. You will see a lot of local small commodities and it is a great place to experience the local food culture. After to your comfortable hotel.
Dunhuang
After breakfast, you will visit the the geological... 2 hours
After breakfast, you will visit the the geological phenomena of Yadan Park have been created over time by erosion of the soft earth by rain and wind, leaving unusual rock formations.In the park, you can get a view of uniquely-shaped rocks like Mongolian tent, Stone Bird, Peacock and others. Make full use of your imagination, you may find some rocks with some miniatures similar to famed architectures, like the Potala Palace in Tibet, Heaven Temple in Beijing or something else.
Then, you will visit the Yumen Pass and... 1 hour
Then, you will visit the Yumen Pass and Great Wall of Han Dynasty, In history, the Han Dynasty built many walls to consolidate the safety of the frontier region as well as exploring ways to do business with western region. During the Han dynasty, this was a pass-through which the Silk Road passed and was the one road connecting Central Asia and China.You will feel the history of the Yumen Pass as a trading post.
After Lunch, be driven to the Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain 1 hour
After Lunch, be driven to the Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain. Ride on the backs of camels and climb to get to the top of the dune. Along the way, there are splendid sights: golden sand, the rolling desert, a tranquil lake and the beautiful sunset.
Also, you’ll never miss out on the Crescent... 1 hour
Also, you’ll never miss out on the Crescent Moon Pool, Just like its name indicates, the Crescent Pool is in a natural shape of half-moon.According to historical record, the lake has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand. Your wonderful tour will ends here, your tour guide and driver will take you back to your hotel in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang-Turpan
Meet your guide and driver in your hotel... 2 hours
Meet your guide and driver in your hotel lobby and transfer you to Visitors' Center of Mogao Grottoes, an UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, start your exciting sightseeing tour from to Mogao Caves and Digital Film Center, Located in the Gobi desert, the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas feature beautiful wall fresco paintings and more than 3,000 sculptures dating from the forth to the fourteenth century.Then, a professional cave guide will lead you to explore about 7 to 9 caves closely.
After lunch, you will to Liuyuan train station take the bullet train to Turpan 3 hours
After lunch, you will to Liuyuan train station take the bullet train to Turpan. Then you will be drop-off at Turpan hotel.
Turpan
After breakfast , your first stop of Turpan... 2 hours
After breakfast , your first stop of Turpan day tour is to Flaming Mountain is now a famous tourist attraction, with its harsh yet unique natural conditions. Afterwards, go to see the Astana Tombs, which is the site where the ancient people of the Gaochang city are buried. It is famous for its terracotta figurines and tomb paintings.
After lunch, you’ll head to visit the Grape... 2 hours
After lunch, you’ll head to visit the Grape Valley, on the west of Flaming Mountains, east of Turpan is the Grape Valley, a green area of 988 acres covered with layer upon layer of grapes.Turpan is famous for its grapes so visit a local vineyard and relax as you sit under the grapevines.
Later, go to visit Emin Minaret (Su Gong... 2 hours
Later, go to visit Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta),The Emin Minaret is particularly beautiful in the morning, with the shadow of the minaret falling across the mosque. Go into the mosque and try to tell the time by checking the position of the sunlight on the wall.
Thne,visit the Karez Wells 2 hours
Thne,visit the Karez Wells. This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China. Finally, visit the Turpan Night Market，the end return to the hotel.
Turpan-Urumqi
After breakfast , your will visit Jiaohe Ancient... 2 hours
After breakfast , your will visit Jiaohe Ancient City, the site of an ancient oasis city built on the northern rim of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. Instead of building from the ground up, the ancient city of Jiaohe was constructed by digging down into the ground. Explore the ruins of this unique ancient city and learn about the different government structures and residential areas.
After having a Uygur style lunch, you’ll head... 1 hour
After having a Uygur style lunch, you’ll head to the Erdaoqiao Market, the largest in Urumqi, where you’ll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine. After you will be drop-off at your Dunhuang hotel.
Urumqi Departure
Today after breakfast, you’ll drive to Urumqi and... 3 hours
Today after breakfast, you’ll drive to Urumqi and go to have a boat cruise on the Tianshan Tianchi Lake, a beautiful blue mountain lake. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forest hills, high meadows and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can also walk. After lunch, your guide and driver will take you to Urumqi Airport and wave goodbye to you. You can connect to the main cities in China from this airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
