10-Day Leisurely Silk Road Tour: Xi'an + Lanzhou + Zhangye + Jiayuguan + Dunhuang + Turpan + Urumqi

Welcome to Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. Our driver will meet you at the airport or train station exit and then escort you to begin this Xi'an tour. First, you will visit the historic Xi'an Ancient City Wall. [Xi'an Ancient City Wall], first built in the Ming Dynasty and also known as the Xi'an Ming City Wall, is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. You can climb the wall, walk on the historic blue bricks, and feel the charm of the ancient city wall, or ride a bicycle (optional) to enjoy the excellent scenery formed by the ancient city wall and modern city views together. Afterward, you will visit Xi'an's famous food culture street—[Muslim Quarter]—to experience the local atmosphere while tasting local specialty snacks. In addition, the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane near the Muslim Quarter is also well worth seeing. It is an Islamic mosque formed by a typical Chinese architectural style combined with Islamic architectural features, and it is very distinctive. After the tour, return to the hotel for rest. If you still have energy, you can also stroll around the area. Optional activities today: 1. Rent a bicycle and ride on the Xi'an Ancient City Wall. 2. Go to the Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Theater Restaurant to enjoy classical Tang-style music and dance while tasting fine wine and food. Suggested ways to arrive: 1. By plane: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) has many direct international routes, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, etc., as well as many direct domestic routes, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, etc. Transportation is extremely convenient. 2. By train: Xi'an has a well-developed and very convenient railway network. You can take high-speed rail to Xi'an from cities such as Beijing (4–5.5 hours), Shanghai (6–7 hours), Guangzhou (8.5–9 hours), Chengdu (4 hours), Hangzhou (7–8 hours), and Pingyao (3 hours).

After breakfast, you will drive about 40 minutes to visit the Terracotta Army, one of the "Eighth Wonders of the World." [Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum] is a site museum built on the original site of the Terracotta Army pits and is also China's largest ancient military museum. With the vivid explanation of a professional guide, you will visit Pits No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in turn, learning about the historical background and production techniques of the Terracotta Army, as well as the little-known stories behind these thousand-year-old pottery figures buried in the long river of history. After the visit, you can also take part in a local specialty experience activity - DIY a miniature Terracotta Warrior. Under the guidance of a local potter, make a small terracotta warrior with your own hands, experience the pottery craft, and gain a unique travel souvenir. After lunch, you will visit Xi'an's famous cultural landmark - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda] is located in Daci'en Temple and is the earliest and largest existing square pavilion-style brick pagoda of the Tang Dynasty. The pagoda has 7 stories and is about 64 meters high. Here you can appreciate the ancient architectural style, view the scriptures and Buddha statues brought back from Tianzhu by Master Xuanzang that are collected in the pagoda, and also climb this thousand-year-old pagoda to overlook the urban scenery of Xi'an. In addition, if interested, you can also wear Hanfu and take photos with the antique pagoda, leaving beautiful travel moments. In the evening, you will visit the brilliant and popular [Grand Tang Mall], a large pedestrian street of Tang-style architecture with the culture of the High Tang as its background. Here you can check in at phenomenal cultural IPs such as the "Tumbler Miss," the "Li Bai" who exchanges poems for roujiamo, the "Fang Xuanling" and "Du Ruhui" of the Sheng Tang Mi He, the "Stone Man" and "Dunhuang Flying Apsaras." You can also walk among the lively streets and alleys and appreciate the elegance of the prosperous Chang'an of old.

This morning, you will take a high-speed train from Xi'an to Lanzhou (depending on the train ticket, the journey takes about 3–3.5 hours or 6.5–7 hours). Upon arrival, our driver will greet you at the train station exit and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. For the remaining time, you can arrange your own activities or consult your guide for travel suggestions based on your interests. Lanzhou is the only provincial capital in China through which the Yellow River flows, and an important hub on the ancient Silk Road connecting the Central Plains with the Western Regions, historically known as "Golden City." Today, as a core node city of the national "Belt and Road" initiative, Lanzhou blends Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture, and diverse ethnic customs, making it an excellent starting point for exploring Northwest China's culture and natural scenery. After arriving in Lanzhou, don't miss the chance to visit Lanzhou's landmark buildings, such as Zhongshan Bridge (the First Bridge over the Yellow River, named in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with a history of over a hundred years), White Pagoda Mountain Park (with a long history, offering panoramic views of Lanzhou City, Zhongshan Bridge, and the Yellow River), the Yellow River Mother Statue (a symbol of Chinese culture), and the Waterwheel Expo Park (Yellow River waterwheel culture). You can also taste authentic Lanzhou cuisine at Zhengning Road Night Market, such as Lanzhou beef noodles, hand-grabbed mutton, milk and egg fermented rice, gray beans, and liangpi. Or enjoy a cup of Sanpaotai/gaiwan tea by the Yellow River, waiting quietly for the night views of Zhongshan Bridge and White Pagoda Mountain to arrive, fully savoring the leisurely life of the Northwest. Suggestions for free time 1. Classic half-day Lanzhou city tour: Visit Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain Park, the Yellow River Mother Statue, the Waterwheel Expo Park, and Zhengning Road Night Market. 2. One-day Lanzhou cultural tour: Spend a day exploring Lanzhou, visiting the Gansu Provincial Museum (rich collections such as the Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow and Silk Road relics; closed on Mondays), the Dunhuang Art Museum (replicas of classic Mogao Caves and murals; closed on Mondays), the Readers Museum (China's first corporate museum named after the "Readers" brand), and Lanzhou Old Street (a new calling card of Lanzhou's urban culture). Suggestions for reaching Lanzhou 1. By plane to Lanzhou: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (LHW) is Lanzhou's only airport and one of the main airports in Northwest China, about 70 km from downtown Lanzhou. Xi'an has direct flights to Lanzhou, but since not all routes operate year-round, please check flight schedules in advance. 2. By high-speed train to Lanzhou: Lanzhou West Railway Station is Lanzhou's busiest high-speed rail station, about 9 km from the city center. Xi'an has direct high-speed trains to Lanzhou, with different schedules and arrival times depending on the train, so please purchase tickets in advance before traveling.

In the early morning, you will drive about 75 km (about 2 hours) to visit [Liujiaxia Reservoir], praised as the "Pearl of the Plateau." This is China's first million-kilowatt-level hydropower station, located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River (China's second-longest river and the mother river of the Chinese nation), with rich natural wonders and cultural heritage. After arriving, you will board a boat at Liujiaxia Dam (about 2 hours) to tour the stunning natural scenery of Liujiaxia. The red cliffs and danxia landforms on both banks and the blue lake water complement each other, very charming. When the cruise passes the confluence of the Yellow River and Tao River, you can also photograph the "clear and muddy distinctly separated" wonder (best time: before 10 a.m. or after 18:00 in the evening; the scenery is most spectacular in summer). Finally, arrive at the boat's terminal, Bingling Temple Grottoes, and it is recommended to reserve 1.5 hours for the visit. [Bingling Temple Grottoes] was first built in the first year of Jianhong of the Western Qin (AD 420), with a history of more than 1,600 years, more than 100 years earlier than the Mogao Caves. It is the earliest Yellow River grotto on the Silk Road and a famous World Cultural Heritage site, known as the "encyclopedia of Chinese grottoes." Its grotto art integrates multiple cultural elements from the Central Plains, the Western Regions and Tubo, and is a treasure of Silk Road Buddhist art. A large number of exquisite murals, statues and other relics remain. Focus on visiting Cave 171's 27-meter-high Maitreya Buddha of the Tang Dynasty, China's fifth-largest Buddha, with the upper body in stone carving and the lower body in clay sculpture, very spectacular. Notes 1. Liujiaxia Dam speedboat: Usually the boat departs only when full, so there may be some waiting time before departure, or you can choose to rent a speedboat at your own expense to avoid waiting. Because the wind in the valley is strong and the temperature is low, it is recommended to wear warm and windproof clothing. 2. Please note that for the round trip by speedboat, the time to visit the Bingling Temple Grottoes is about 1.5 hours, and visitors must return to the boat on time to go back to the dam. If you do not visit the special caves, usually 1.5 hours of touring time is enough. For lovers of grotto art, it is recommended to go by land (although the mountain road may be challenging) or rent a boat (faster than land but more expensive) to ensure you have enough time to explore the site. 3. Photography is allowed in the ordinary caves of Bingling Temple, but flash is prohibited. The other 5 special caves (Caves 169, 172, 126, 128 and 132) prohibit photography. It is recommended to bring binoculars to view the details of the grottoes. The special caves require an additional fee, including the guide fee. If you are particularly interested in the statues of the Western Qin and Tang Dynasty, you can pay to visit Caves 169 and 172 (located above the Great Buddha of Cave 171). 4. There are few dining options in the scenic area, and the itinerary may be tiring, so it is recommended to bring high-calorie food such as chocolate and beef jerky. Optional attractions if time permits 1. Yellow River and Tao River Confluence Viewing Platform (at your own expense): Overlook the "clear and muddy distinctly separated" wonder of the Tao River and Yellow River. The two rivers meet in a "Y" shape in front of Longhui Mountain, one clear and one muddy, blending but not mixing. Locals call it "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" or "Mandarin Duck Pot," and the contrast is especially strong on clear days. 2. Yellow River Culture Museum (at your own expense): Adjacent to Liujiaxia Dam, it is China's only water-control culture-themed scenic area and hydropower exhibition center. The museum is divided into four floors and four exhibition halls, respectively displaying Yellow River culture, governance, hydropower and landscapes, taking you through a time tunnel of Yellow River culture and giving you an in-depth understanding of the source and history of China's mother river. After touring the Bingling Temple Grottoes, in the afternoon you will return to Lanzhou and take a high-speed train to Zhangye (about 3 hours). The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can enjoy the magnificent natural landscapes of the Hexi Corridor and the unique danxia landforms. Zhangye is named after "extending the nation's arm to reach the Western Regions" and has the praise, "If you do not look at the snow atop the Qilian Mountains, you will mistake Zhangye for Jiangnan." It was an important and prosperous city on the ancient Silk Road, known as "Golden Zhangye," and has deep connections with Xuanzang's journey to the west and the legends of Journey to the West. In the evening, you can leisurely stroll through the night market and taste authentic donkey meat and apricot juice tea and other delicacies, then stay overnight in Zhangye.

Today, you will fully explore Zhangye. After breakfast, visit the Great Buddha Temple (about 1–2 hours). [Great Buddha Temple], also known as "Reclining Buddha Temple," was first built in the first year of Yong'an in the Western Xia Dynasty (1098), more than 900 years ago, and is one of the four existing royal temples in China. Inside the temple is the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China and even Asia, 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. In addition, the couplet outside the Great Buddha Hall—"The sleeping Buddha sleeps long, sleeping for a thousand years without waking; the questioner asks forever, asking for a hundred generations yet still unclear"—is worth careful observation. There is also a couplet in Western Xia script with the same content; remember to ask the guide to explain the differences between its stroke structure and Chinese characters. Moreover, artifacts such as Persian silver coins unearthed in the temple further confirm the prosperity of Silk Road trade. If time permits, optional places to visit: 1. Shanxi Guild Hall: First built in the second year of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty (1724), it was built with donations from Shanxi merchants Zhao Shigui, Zhao Jiyu, Zhang Chaoshu, and others, more than 300 years ago. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi merchants built about 400 guild halls across the country, covering places such as Tibet and Xinjiang, confirming the saying "Wherever trade is prosperous, there must be Shanxi merchants; wherever Shanxi merchants live, there must be a guild hall." It features the Guandi Temple and the theater tower. 2. Zhangye Museum (closed on Mondays): Its collection exceeds ten thousand artifacts, covering various historical relics from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty, with a wide variety of types including bronzes, pottery, jade, and cultural remains of the Silk Road. In addition, the museum has a 1:1 replica cave of the Jinta Temple Grottoes for you to enjoy. Note: At present, significant progress has been made in the digital restoration of the reclining Buddha statue at Zhangye Great Buddha Temple. The opening time of the digital exhibition hall is subject to official notice. Once open, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural background of the reclining Buddha through an immersive experience. After lunch, you will visit Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, the area with the largest, best-developed, and most richly shaped Danxia landforms in China (about 3–4 hours). [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 and has honors such as "one of the world's top ten magical geographical wonders" and "one of the world's twenty-two most unforgettable landscapes." 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. The scenic area has four viewing platforms, with shuttle buses running between them. The shuttle route from the North Gate is: Qicai Xianyuan Platform (No. 2) → Qicai Yunhai Platform (No. 1) → Qicai Jinxiu Platform (No. 5) → Qicai Hongxia Platform (No. 4). Among them, Platform No. 1 (the largest viewing platform in the scenic area, offering a panoramic view of the Danxia landforms and the S-shaped road, and the best place to photograph sunrise) and Platform No. 4 (the most brilliantly colored, where at sunset the Danxia under the evening glow looks like a "mountain of knives and sea of fire," called by visitors "pork belly mountain") are most recommended. Optional place to visit: Zhangye World Geopark Museum (closed on Mondays): A science popularization base for understanding Danxia landforms and the geological evolution of the Qilian Mountains. You can enter from the North Gate. Travel tips: 1. At sunrise, the light is soft, the colors are vivid, and the contrast is high, making it an excellent time to photograph the panoramic rainbow mountains and fine textures. At sunset, the warm afterglow falls on the hills, forming golden silhouettes, also an excellent time to capture the beauty of the rainbow mountains. If you want to capture the sunrise scenery, please confirm with your travel consultant to stay overnight at a hotel near the rainbow mountains. 2. Another best time to appreciate the Danxia landforms is after rain, when the colors become more vivid and enchanting due to moisture. 3. The scenic area may require climbing slopes, so comfortable shoes are essential. 4. The scenic area also offers entertainment projects such as camel riding, hot air balloons, gliders, and helicopters (additional charge required). After the tour, proceed via Jiuquan to Jiayuguan (about 210 kilometers, about 3 hours by car). If time permits, you can arrive at Jiayuguan Overhanging Great Wall before 17:00, hike and enjoy the stunning sunset over the Jiayuguan Great Wall. It is worth mentioning that Jiayuguan is an excellent place to appreciate the artistic conception of "a solitary smoke rises straight in the desert, and the setting sun over the long river is round." Overnight stay in Jiayuguan.

Today, you will fully explore Jiayuguan, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." [Jiayuguan] was historically called the throat of Hexi. Because of its strategic terrain and magnificent architecture, it is 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, first visit Jiayuguan Fort. Jiayuguan Fort was first built in the fifth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372). It is the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular fort along the Great Wall. This is not merely a single pass; it is divided into an inner city, outer city and moat. From the Xiongguan Water Fort in the outer city, you can take distant photos of the fort's exterior. Entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the foot of the Qilian Mountains. There are also many stalls in the scenic area, offering ancient costume photography, calligraphy and paintings for sale. In addition, you can also experience the old exit procedures here (optional, at your own expense), and at the city gate exit receive a "guanzhao" issued by the pass commander in armor, that is, a pass permit for entering and leaving the pass. Afterwards, you will visit [Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake], praised as one of "China's five most beautiful deserts." Mingsha Mountain is formed by accumulated shifting sand, with peaks over 100 meters high, steep ridges, and water-wave-like sand patterns on the slopes. When people slide down from the top, it produces a bell-like musical sound, hence the name. It is said that when there is not a cloud in the sky and the wind stops and the sand is still, one can even hear the sound of string and bamboo music, which is very wonderful. Crescent Lake at the foot of Mingsha Mountain is named for its shape like a crescent moon. The spring water is clear to the bottom. Although over the years strong winds blow and yellow sand blocks the sun, for thousands of years this clear spring has never overflowed after long rains nor dried up in drought. Here you can stroll in the desert and enjoy the beautiful scenes of "a solitary smoke rising straight in the 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." You can also choose various activities (at your own expense), such as riding camels, sand sliding, beach motorcycles, off-road vehicles, gliders... Notes 1. Optional paid items at Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area: shoe covers, sightseeing bus, camel riding, motorcycle, off-road vehicle (3 seats), paraglider, desert starry sky camping. 2. When participating in desert entertainment activities, please take good care of your photographic equipment to prevent wind and sand from entering the camera. When riding a camel, please follow the staff's instructions when getting on and off. Then, you can roam Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (optional) and taste authentic Dunhuang delicacies, such as apricot juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, braised lamb with pancake, red willow branch grilled mutton, etc. Optional evening performances: (at your own expense, advance reservation required) 1. "Yuedong Dunhuang" (performed year-round): the world's first cave-style immersive theater, telling the story of the Western Regions youth Baixin's journey to seek music in the early Tang Dynasty. The performance uses modern technology combined with live performance to reproduce the cultural elements of Dunhuang murals, including music, dance, poetry, costumes and painting. 2. "Dunhuang Shengdian" (peak season only): the world's first large-scale desert live-action performance, set against Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. Through a 360-degree rotating and moving audience seating area, it tells the poignant love story of a young painter and a princess, reproduces the former prosperity of the ancient Silk Road, and shows Dunhuang's unique cultural charm (including "Molten Iron Fireworks"). 3. "Encore Dunhuang" (peak season only): a large indoor experiential drama directed by Wang Chaoge, one of the chief directors of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The audience travels through the Library Cave and Mogao Caves, personally experiencing Dunhuang culture and the elegance of the Silk Road. 4. "Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes" (peak season only): a large-scale theatrical performance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, telling the folk story of "Miaoshan saving her father." The dance movements are graceful, the cultural connotation is profound, and the artistic level is extremely high.

Today, you will embark on a wonderful Dunhuang cultural journey. After breakfast, 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," the world's largest and richest surviving site of Buddhist art, and a witness to the blending of diverse civilizations on the ancient Silk Road. They were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The caves were carved over a thousand years and contain vast and rich murals, painted sculptures, and cave shrines, making them a world-famous treasure trove of Buddhist art. Upon arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you can 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 take a shuttle bus to the cave area (PS: photography is prohibited inside the caves). 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. If interested, you can visit the Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation and Research Exhibition Center to see 1:1 replicas of 8 highly representative caves, including Caves 275, 249, 419, 220, 217, 3, and 25 (photography allowed). Notes 1. To protect the caves, the Mogao Caves implement a real-name reservation system with daily visitor limits. Tickets are divided into Type A (6,000 per day) and Type B (12,000 per day, with priority for domestic visitors). Type A includes 8 caves and 2 digital films; Type B includes 4 caves and the Cave Conservation and Research Exhibition Center. 2. On the day of your visit, please follow the arrangements of the Mogao Caves management. The order of visiting Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves may be adjusted. 3. If you are particularly interested in the caves, you can also purchase tickets for special caves on site (queuing may be required) to explore more exquisite caves. Special caves (at your own expense) are divided into Line 1 (Caves 45, 320, 321, 420, 9, 428) and Line 2 (Caves 275, 45, 156, 158). 4. During the Dunhuang Expo or in case of severe weather or other factors affecting visits, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our agency will refund the Mogao Caves ticket based on actual costs or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative. After the tour, you will be driven to Liuyuan South Railway Station to take a high-speed train to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fire prefecture (about 3.5 hours by train).

After breakfast, you will visit [Jiaohe Ancient City], one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. This is the largest, oldest and best-preserved rammed-earth city in the world, and also China's most complete ancient urban relic preserved for more than 2,000 years. As a witness to the development of Western Regions civilization and 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 Kingdom, one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions, and its architecture and culture are extremely unique and worth careful appreciation. Strolling through it, you can admire the historical remains of residential areas, government office areas and Buddhist temples, and feel the vicissitudes of a thousand years of civilization and the weight of history. You can also go to the central platform to enjoy a panoramic view of Jiaohe Ancient City. With the guide's vivid explanations, it feels as if you have traveled through time and returned to the bustling prosperity of the Silk Road. Then continue to visit [Karez Wells], one of the three great ancient projects of China. 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 hot summer, appreciate the wisdom of the ancient ancestors, and learn how ancient craftsmen brought snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains dozens of kilometers away through karez wells to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards in a great feat that turned barren land into a lush oasis. Afterwards, continue to visit [Sugong Tower], one of the landmark buildings of Turpan. Sugong Tower is also called Emin Tower, with the full name Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower. It was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and is a commemorative building constructed by Emin Khoja, the Jasak Doroi Junwang of the Turpan Hui region, to "repay heavenly grace." It consists of a monastery, minaret and mazar, and is the only ancient tower in Islamic style among China's hundred famous towers. Here, you can not only admire its unique Islamic architectural style, but also gain an in-depth understanding of its long history and splendid culture. In addition, the mosque next to Sugong Tower is also well worth seeing. After the visit, you will go to your hotel in Urumqi to rest. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the city farthest from the ocean in the world, about 2,500 km from the nearest coastline. It is also a necessary route of the world-famous new northern route of the ancient Silk Road, which promoted trade and cultural exchanges between China and Western countries and formed a unique ethnic cultural atmosphere in western China. Urumqi is located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile fields. The people who have lived here for generations affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." It lies in the heart of the Eurasian continent, adjacent to Central Asian countries, and has long been known as the "Capital of Asia's Heart." PS: Xinjiang uses a unified Beijing time, namely UTC+08:00, but because Xinjiang's geographical location is in the UTC+6 time zone, the actual local sunrise and sunset times in Xinjiang are about 2 hours later than Beijing time.

After breakfast, you will be driven about 70 kilometers (about 1–1.5 hours) to visit Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains. [Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains], called "Yaochi" 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 is 1,910 meters above sea level, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak and is surrounded by spruce trees, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forest canyons. As the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green nearby and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. Upon arrival, you will first take a 40-minute sightseeing bus through the steep and magnificent mountains, then walk for 10 minutes to enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery and various interesting plants and animals. Optional activities at Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains (at your own expense): 1. Lake cruise: Take a cruise to roam Tianchi Lake and immersively enjoy the beautiful Yaochi scenery. 2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the summit at 3,056 meters above sea level to overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi Lake and gaze at the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. After lunch, return to Urumqi, then visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of the humanistic history of Xinjiang and the ancient Silk Road. [Xinjiang Museum] is the largest comprehensive museum in the Xinjiang region. Here you can admire rich collections of cultural relics, including precious artifacts from the ancient Silk Road, traditional clothing of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, folk handicrafts, etc. The museum also has temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and historical relics on various themes. In addition, famous national treasure-level cultural relics such as the ancient corpse of the "Loulan Beauty" and the Han Dynasty brocade arm protector with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefiting China" can also be seen here. Museum tip: Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays. If you go on a Monday, you can visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar instead. Suggestions for free time: If it is still early, you can visit the large-scale Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the place in Urumqi with the strongest ethnic flavor and is also the largest castle-style bazaar in the world. The buildings here are elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here, you can browse shops with highly distinctive ethnic minority goods, such as Uyghur clothing, carpets, spices, ornaments, and handicrafts, and also taste various Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, mutton, and other local foods.

After breakfast, you can spend some time exploring more of Urumqi's scenery according to your preferences, experiencing up close the city's diverse ethnic culture and rich Silk Road charm, until our driver escorts you to the airport to take a flight to the next destination. At this point, this wonderful and unforgettable 10-day Xi'an to Urumqi Silk Road journey comes to an end. Suggestions for extending the itinerary 2. If you plan to continue exploring more popular destinations in China, such as Qinghai, Tibet, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Yunnan, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.