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ITINERARY |
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USA - Beijing |
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We depart for Beijing aboard an international
flight. Spend the night on the airplane and cross the International Date Line. |
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Arrive at Beijing |
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Upon arrival at Beijing, we are transferred to our luxury hotel accommodations. |
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Beijing (AB, L, DP) |
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Our full day city tour of Beijing starts with a morning visit to the Hutongs of Old Town Beijing. The hutongs are narrow alleyways formed by the lines of Siheyuan (traditional style Beijing homes) on both sides. Step aboard pedicabs which takes us on a meandering path through the hutongs to arrive at the siheyuan of a local Beijing resident. After lunch, Qianmen Street and the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium are visited. We’ll also have a chance to view other attractions of New Beijing like the “Water Cube” Aquatics Centre and the National Grand Theatre. The famous Peking Roasted Duck will be provided for dinner tonight. |
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Beijing - Urumqi (AB, L, DP) |
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Leaving the comforts and the crowding of Beijing,
we travel by air to a far-removed world of the Silk Road. We arrive at Urumqi, the capital
of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Upon arrival, we proceed to Xinjiang Minority People’s Museum. An exciting visit to the Kazakhs traditional yurt will be also arranged. For dinner, the Xinjiang specialty cuisine is served. |
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Urumqi - Turpan (AB, L, DS) |
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We take a motor coach pass the Daben City to to Turpan. Our full day excursion includes visits to the Flaming Mountains, Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes, and the amazing ancient Karez system. Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Crottoes stand high on the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains. Of the 83 original grottoes, only 57 currently remain, and the murals cover an area over 1200 square meters in about 40 grottoes. Enjoy a minority dance show in the evening. |
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Turpan - Urumqi (CB, L, DP) |
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Turpan is best known for its grapes and honeydew
melons, but is also rich in historical links to the Silk Road. Our tour starts with a visit to Grape
Valley, then we take bus back to Urumqi to visit the Heavenly Lake. Later to the Bazaar, and a roast lamb dinner banquet will be served tonight. |
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Urumqi - Dunhuang (AB, L, DS) |
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We board a morning flight bound for Dunhuang, one of China’s most historic cities that served as a rest stop for traders and as the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity entered China. Upon arrival, we visit the City Museum. In the evening, we attend a local Minority Show after dinner. |
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Dunhuang (CB, L, DH) |
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Today our tour takes us to visit White Horse Pagoda at first, later excursions to the Singing Hill, the Crescent Moon Springs, and finally the Mogao Grottoes, world-renowned as “The World Art Treasure House”. The cave is the largest, and the most well preserved treasure house of arts in the world and is listed as one of the World Cultural Heritages. |
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Dunhuang - Jiayuguang - Lanzhou
(CB, L, D) |
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Morning visit to Jiayuguang, the western
terminus of the Great Wall. A city tour will take us to the Great Wall Museum. After dinner,
we take a comfortable air-conditioned soft berth express train to Lanzhou. |
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Lanzhou (CB, L, DP) |
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Lanzhou is a city that has a 2000-year history and is the capital of Gansu Province. Enjoy full day boat excursion to Liu Jia Xia Dam and Binglingsi Grottoes. Later visit White Pagoda Mountain, for the view of the Yellow River. For our dinner tonight, enjoy the local famous cuisine - noodles. |
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Lanzhou - Xining (CB, L, D) |
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In the morning, our tour coach takes us to the 2000-year-old highland city, Xining. Upon arrival
our city tour takes us to the Taer Monastery, where the father of the Gelug Sect of Lamaism Tsongkhapa was born. The Taer Monastery
is huge and magnificent. Later visit to the Dongguan Mosque. |
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Xining (CB, L, DS) |
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Today full- day tour includes not-to-be missed excursions to Riyue Mountain, Daotang River, and Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China. We’ll have an opportunity to cruise on the lake. As night falls, we enjoy
a delicious local beef hot pot while being entertained by a local folklore dance show. |
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Xining - Xian (CB, L, DP) |
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We board a flight bound for Xian. 3,000-year-long history has left Xian a rich legacy of historical sites and cultural relics. On the way into town, we drive by the ancient City Wall and Bell Tower.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is also visited. Tonight, we are served the Imperial Dumpling Banquet for dinner. |
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Xian (AB, L, DS) |
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Full day tour of Xian shows us the Terra-Cotta Warriors of Qinshihuang and the Hua Qin Hot Spring. In the evening we are treated to a local cuisine. Afterwards, catch a performance of the captivating Tang Dynasty Stage Show. |
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Xian - Shanghai (AB, L, DP) |
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This morning we are transferred to the airport to board a short flight bound for Shanghai. Upon arrival, we check in to our luxurious hotel and enjoy some free times. After local cuisine dinner, we will have a night tour along the amazing Bund. |
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Shanghai - USA (AB) |
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Bid China a fond farewell as we board our homebound international flight. Re-cross the International Date Line and arrive back in the USA on the same day. |
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