Golden Silk Road

• None

Today, you will land in Xi'an. Our local tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Time to relax or explore around.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Dating back to over 2,000 years ago, the Terracotta Army is an important historical relic that marks the power and majesty of Qin Shi Huang. Take a drive outside the city and spend a couple of hours at this marvelous site. Do you know how the Terracotta Warriors were made? We will learn how to make the Terracotta Army at a cave dwelling and have a nice interaction with the local people.

In the afternoon, we will get back to the city. Take a walk along the Ancient City Wall to admire the beautiful sunset.

Free time to explore ideas:

• For dinner, you can find a noodle house that claims to be the First Noodle Under the Sun.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Rich in history, Shaanxi History Museum is a highlight of your Xi'an tour. Continue our trip to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India.

In the afternoon, we will walk around the Muslim Quarters, which lie 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi'an. The 500-meter-long avenue paved by bluestones is dotted with many unique stalls, souvenir shops, cafés, and bars, which are mostly run by Muslim people. Tourists, especially from overseas, come and shop here.

Free time to explore ideas:

• Book a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with a dumpling banquet if you'd like to know how the kings used to spend their nights.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Have some free time in Xi'an in the morning.

Later, fly to Dunhuang, a sparkling pearl in the desert. Check in upon arrival.

In the afternoon, we will tour the legendary Mogao Grottoes. The grottoes are world-widely known for the Buhdda figures and frescoes.

Good to Know:

• We'd suggest you bring sunglasses, long-sleeve clothes, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• For protection, no photo-taking is allowed inside the caves of Mogao Grottoes.
• Get out of your hotel room, walk among the locals at Shazhou Night Market.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we will reach the desert at Mingshan Mountain and Crescent Lake. Crescent Spring (Yueya Quan) is in the Singing Sand Mountains (Mingsha Shan), 6 km (4 mi) south of Dunhuang. It is an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent-shaped lake formed by the spring water between two huge dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect.

In the afternoon, we will take a High-speed train to Turpan. Enjoy your night!

• Breakfast, Lunch

The first stop for today is Jiaohe Ancient Ruins, which used to be the capital of Near Cheshi Country, one of the thirty-six countries in the western region in ancient times. Later, visit the ancient irrigation system that is Karez Wells.

In the afternoon, we will visit a local family to gain a deeper insight into Uygur culture and local customs.

Good to Know:

• Please bring your sunglasses when visiting the Jiaohe Ancient Ruins.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, our local tour guide will escort you to Urumqi.

We take Urumqi just as a transit city, and yet the interesting Xinjiang Museum is definitely worthy of a visit. You can see thousand-year-old yummies in good shape, learn about the living habits of different ethnic groups. Then, we will visit the Erdaoqiao Bazaar, which is a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, and other traditional trinkets.

Good to Know:

• The drive from Turpan to Urumqi takes about 2 hours.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi) is a beautiful blue mountain lake. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forested hills, high meadows, and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can walk, take electric carts, cable cars and a boat cruise on the lake.

• Breakfast

You will be transferred to the city's airport in time for your flight home.