Retracing the Silk Road | Urumqi + Turpan + Dunhuang + Jiayuguan + Zhangye + Xining + Qinghai Lake + Chaka Salt Lake + Xining Classic 10-Day Silk Road Tour

Welcome to Urumqi~! Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the city farthest from the ocean in the world, and a must-pass point on the world-famous new northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile plains, the people who have long lived here affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." Our driver will greet you in the arrival hall of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and take you to a hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or go out to explore the surroundings. Suggestions for Free Time If it is still early, you can arrange your own activities in Urumqi. For those who want to learn about Xinjiang's human history, the first choice is the Xinjiang Museum (free, no entry after 16:30 in the afternoon; closed on Mondays); for those who want to experience exotic charm, you can go to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, with its unique Western Regions culture and dazzling array of goods—you might just find some great deals. For those who want to taste delicious food, you can go to the Grand Bazaar night market to eat and stroll, such as the nationally famous big plate chicken, crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside roast lamb chops, lamb skewers, Ili horse sausages, and various specialty noodles, etc.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1–1.5 hours) to visit the Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake of the Tianshan Mountains). [Tianshan Tianchi], known as "Yaochi" (Jade Lake) in ancient times, is a crescent-shaped lake on the northern side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with a maximum depth of 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area encompasses alpine lakes, wetland meadows, forest gorges and other natural landscapes, and as the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green up close and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk (12.5 km in total, about 3–5 hours) and enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery around you. Optional activities at Tianshan Tianchi (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a boat ride across Tianchi and immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of Yaochi 2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the summit at an elevation of 3,056 meters, overlooking the panoramic view of Tianchi and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. Afterwards, return to Urumqi and visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. [Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar] is the most ethnically distinctive place in Urumqi and the largest castle-style bazaar in the world. The architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here, you can browse shops featuring goods with strong ethnic minority characteristics, buy Xinjiang specialties such as raisins, dried apricots and essential oils, and also taste various local foods such as Xinjiang fruits, pilaf and lamb.

After breakfast, you will be driven 180 kilometers, about 3 hours, to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fiery prefecture. Summer temperatures here can reach around 50°C, and it was also an important outpost on the Silk Road. Along the way, you will pass the charming Salt Lake and the largest wind power station in Asia at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Upon arrival in Turpan, you will continue along the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon to Tuyugou. Along the way, you can admire Turpan's most representative landscape—the Flaming Mountains. [Flaming Mountains] are composed of red sandstone, conglomerate, and mudstone, stretching over 100 kilometers. The mountain body is reddish-brown, and under the scorching sun, it glows as if burning with raging flames, hence the name. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. You can stop at a suitable spot along the way for photos. Afterward, follow the winding road along the cliff edge of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazha Village in [Tuyugou]. [Mazha Village] is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang that fully preserves ancient Uyghur traditions and folk customs. People use the ancient Uyghur language for communication and wear clothing with the most distinctive ethnic characteristics. Here you can learn about the traditional Uyghur way of life and customs. Then proceed to visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. [Jiaohe Ancient City] was founded and built by the Jushi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was once the capital of the "Jushi Front Kingdom," one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. The existing ruins are the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architectural city in the world, and also the most complete urban remains in China preserved for over 2,000 years. Here, you can walk along the paths to the core scenic area, admire the ruins of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, enjoy a panoramic view from the central platform, and, with your guide's explanation, look back on the bustling Silk Road trade scene. After the visit, continue to see the Karez Wells, one of the three great ancient Chinese projects. [Karez Wells] are a special irrigation system in desert areas, ranking alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Here, you can experience the unique coolness of Turpan's scorching summer, appreciate the life wisdom of the ancient ancestors, and learn how ancient craftsmen brought Tianshan snowmelt from dozens of kilometers away through the karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards—a great feat. Then continue to visit the Sugong Tower, one of Turpan's landmark buildings. [Sugong Tower], also known as Emin Tower or Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower, was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a commemorative structure built by Emin Khoja, the Jasak Doroi Junwang of the Turpan Hui region, to "repay heavenly grace," and consists of a temple, a minaret, and a mazar. Here, you can admire its unique Islamic architectural style and learn about its long history and culture. In addition, the mosque next to it is also well worth seeing. After the visit, head to Turpan for check-in and rest.

Today we will arrange for you to travel to Dunhuang by high-speed train or plane according to the actual situation. High-speed train: Our driver will take you to Turpan North Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Liuyuan South Railway Station, about 3.5 hours. After arriving at Liuyuan South Railway Station, our local driver will greet you at the station exit and take you to the hotel for check-in (about 120 km, about 2 hours). Plane: Our driver will take you to Turpan Jiaohe Airport to take a flight to Dunhuang, with a flight time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. After arriving at Dunhuang Airport, our local driver will greet you at the airport exit and take you to the hotel for check-in (about 13 km, about 20 minutes). After that, you can spend your time freely, either resting at the hotel or strolling around the neighborhood. Suggestions for free time: In the evening, you can visit Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market, the largest night market in Dunhuang and the best place to explore local specialty snacks. You can taste apricot juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, mutton soup with vermicelli, hezhi, hand-grabbed mutton and other delicacies.

After breakfast, you will visit the Mogao Caves, one of China's four great grottoes. Also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, the Mogao Caves are hailed as a treasure trove of Eastern art and are the world's largest and richest surviving site of Buddhist art, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves were carved over a thousand years and contain vast and rich murals, cave shrines, and cultural relics, making them a world-famous center of Buddhist art. Upon arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you will first go to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center to watch a wonderful digital film, "Millennium Mogao," for an initial understanding of the site. Then you will take a shuttle bus to the cave area, where, led by a guide, you will visit 8 caves in succession, such as the Library Cave (Caves 16–17, the largest caves), the Nine-Story Tower (the common name for the wooden structure outside Cave 96, one of the iconic buildings of the Mogao Caves), and the Nirvana Cave (Cave 148, where the reclining Buddha is located)... The specific caves visited depend on actual on-site conditions, but several classic caves will be included. In the afternoon, you will visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, praised as one of China's five most beautiful deserts. Mingsha Mountain is formed by shifting sand, over a hundred meters high with steep peaks and water-ripple-like sand patterns on its slopes. When people slide down from the summit, it produces a sound like chiming bells, hence the name. It is said that on cloudless days when the wind stops and the sand is still, one can even hear the sound of string and bamboo instruments, which is truly wondrous. Crescent Lake, located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, is named for its crescent shape. The water is crystal clear, and despite years of fierce winds and sandstorms blotting out the sun, for over a thousand years this clear spring has never overflowed in heavy rain nor dried up in drought. Here you can stroll in the desert and enjoy the beautiful scenery of "a lone plume of smoke rising straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river" and "silver mountains surrounded by sand on all sides, a pool of clear water with green ripples," or choose to enjoy various activities (at your own expense), such as camel riding, sand sledding, beach buggies, off-road vehicles, and hang gliders...

After breakfast, you will drive 400 km, about 5 hours, to visit Jiayuguan, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." [Jiayuguan] was historically called the throat of the Hexi Corridor. Because of its strategic terrain and magnificent architecture, it was known as the key to the frontier and was an important transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road, as well as the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. After arriving at Jiayuguan, first visit the Overhanging Great Wall, known as the end of the Great Wall. [Overhanging Great Wall] was built during the Ming Dynasty, about more than 500 years ago. It gets its name because the wall winds up from the foot of the mountain and appears to hang upside down along the ridge, like an iron wall suspended in the air. You can climb along the Great Wall walkway to the highest watchtower and gaze into the distance, taking in the frontier scenery and the vast Gobi Desert. The Great Wall is like a wandering dragon, running from east to west, sometimes broken and sometimes continuous, appearing and disappearing, stretching for thousands of miles. Afterwards, continue to visit Jiayuguan Fort. [Jiayuguan Fort] is the first major pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular fort along the entire Great Wall. It is not merely a single pass, but is divided into an inner city, outer city and moat. From the Xiongguan Water Fort in the outer city, you can photograph the exterior scenery of the fort. Entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the Qilian Mountains. There are also many small stalls in the scenic area, offering costume photos, calligraphy and paintings for sale. In addition, you can also experience the old procedures for passing through the pass here, and at the city gate exit receive a "passport" issued by the "pass commander" wearing armor, which is the permit for entering and leaving the pass.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Jiayuguan and set off for the next stop—Zhangye. On the way, visit Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Geopark, praised as "the area with the largest and best-developed Danxia landforms and the richest landform shapes in China." [Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area] is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 230 kilometers southeast of Jiayuguan. It is one of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms. Its grandeur, spectacular scale, peculiar shapes, and brilliant colors are unparalleled. Standing amid it, you feel as if you have entered a colorful fairy-tale world. After the visit, continue to Zhangye City to visit the Great Buddha Temple. [Great Buddha Temple], also known as "Reclining Buddha Temple," was first built in the first year of Yong'an in the Western Xia Dynasty, more than 900 years ago. Inside the temple is China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha, with a body about 34.5 meters long and shoulders about 7.5 meters wide; even a person could lie flat on one finger. In addition to the great Buddha, the hall also contains many Buddhist statues such as the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, as well as murals depicting stories from Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas.

After breakfast, we will take you to Zhangye Railway Station to take the bullet train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. After arriving at Xining Railway Station, our local guide will greet you at the exit and begin the Xining tour. You will drive about 145 km (2.5~3 hours) to visit Qinghai Lake. [Qinghai Lake] is the largest inland saltwater lake in China, like a brilliant pearl inlaid on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The deep blue and boundless lake is surrounded by large stretches of golden rapeseed flowers and continuous green grasslands, dotted with colorful prayer flags, yaks and sheep. It is a rich and colorful beautiful scene unique to Qinghai Lake, where water and sky merge into one color. (PS: The best viewing period for Qinghai Lake rapeseed flowers and grasslands: July to August) After arriving at Qinghai Lake, visit [Erlangjian Scenic Area], one of the famous attractions of Qinghai Lake. Here, you can feel the rippling blue waves of Qinghai Lake up close and enjoy the beautiful scene of lake and sky merging into one color. You can also take a cruise (at your own expense), sail slowly on the lake, feel the sparkling water, and enjoy the harmony of tranquility and nature.

After breakfast, drive to Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area, about 4 minutes by car. Chaka Salt Lake, as a salt-producing area with a long history, features salt grains forming patches of white crystals, and the tranquil, ripple-free lake water mirrors the sky on the clear silver-white surface. As you walk, it feels like walking in a dreamland above the sky. Here, you can climb the viewing platform to overlook the panoramic view of Chaka Salt Lake, stroll in the salt lake above the clouds and fully enjoy the scenery where water meets sky, or take a retro mini-train along the tracks deep into the heart of the lake, immersing yourself in a world of salt. After touring Chaka Salt Lake, drive back to Xining for accommodation, about 3.5–4 hours by car.

After breakfast, head to visit Ta'er Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism in China. [Ta'er Monastery] is named Ta'er Monastery because the stupa came first and the monastery was built later. It has a history of about more than 600 years and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Xining, as well as the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, master of Tibetan Buddhism and the second Buddha of the world. The monastery buildings are magnificent, rich in treasures and thriving with incense, making it one of the best places to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture. In addition, Ta'er Monastery is also world-famous for butter sculptures, murals and barbola, known as the "Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery." After the visit, this wonderful 10-day Silk Road exploration journey will come to an end. Our driver will take you to the airport or railway station for your next destination. We look forward to welcoming you again someday in the future.