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Follow in the footsteps of merchants on the Great Silk Road as they traveled from China to Europe across mountain passes and vast steppes, unveil the secrets behind this ancient land.
Itinerary at a glance
Your China vacation starts as you board the international flight bound for Beijing, China's bustling capital. Spend the night aboard the plane.
Arrive in Beijing. After clearing customs and retrieving your baggage, meet your guide at Beijing airport and relax with a convenient transfer to your hotel.
Travel by air to the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival at Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the world’s most “inland” city, visit the Xinjiang Minority People’s Museum.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive east of Urumqi to the crescent-shaped Heavenly Lake* (Tianchi), where cool alpine meadows offer a welcome respite from the desert heat. Enjoy a peaceful cruise* on the lake and then visit the Nanshan Ranch* for the view of diverse landscapes and the Kazakhs traditional yurt. For our dinner, the Xinjiang specialty cuisine is served. * (Due to the cold weather, Heavenly Lake Cruise is closed to the public in April.)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Depart by motorcoach to the legendary oasis town of Turpan. Situated over 500 feet below sea level, it is the second lowest depression in the world (after the Dead Sea) and the hottest spot in China. Drive by the Dabancheng City and Flaming Mountains*. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes* and the ancient Karez Underground Irrigation System* are visited. This evening we enjoy a Turpan Minority Dance Show (It may be cancelled in the case of insufficient attendants).
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and show
Turpan is best known for its grapes and honeydew melons but is also rich in historical links to the Silk Road. Our tour today features a visit to the Grape Valley. After sampling some of the sweet fruits, we continue on our drive to Urumqi. We visit the Jiaohe Ruins* and a Bazaar on the way. This evening we enjoy a traditional roast lamb dinner banquet.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Board a flight 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 complete our day with a visit to the Dunhuang City Museum*. Tonight, we attend a colorful Minority Show following dinner. (The show season starts in May and it may be cancelled in the case of insufficient attendants.)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and show
Embark on a city tour beginning at the White Horse Pagoda*. Continue to visit the Singing Hill*, Crescent Moon Springs*, and finally the Mogao Grottoes*, the largest and the most well preserved cave of arts in the world, listed as one of the World Cultural Heritages. The grottoes showcase the world’s most extensive collection of Buddhist paintings and sculptures and encompass a thousand years of superb Buddhist art.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Proceed to Jiayuguan, the western terminus of the Great Wall. The fortress of Jiayu Pass and the Great Wall Museum* will be visited. After dinner, we take the high speed train to Xining.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our full-day tour of Xining includes not-to-be-missed excursions to Riyue Mountain*, Daotang River*, and Qinghai Lake*, the largest inland salt-water lake in China. We will have an opportunity to cruise on the Qinghai Lake. As night falls, we enjoy a delicious local beef hot pot cuisine.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
After breakfast, check out the hotel and continue our city tour in Xining, visit the magnificent Taer Monastery*, where the father of the Gelug Sect of Lamaism Tsongkhapa was born, and The Dongguan Mosque* before board the motorcoach to Lanzhou.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province with 2000 years of history. A boat excursion takes us to Liu Jia Xia Dam* and Binglingsi Grottoes*. Visit White Pagoda Mountain for the view of the Yellow River. For dinner, enjoy the famous local cuisine - Lanzhou Noodles.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
We have reached the end of our Silk Road adventure and we transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, we have the remainder of the day to explore the city on our own.
Included: Breakfast
Depart this fascinating land on our international homebound flight to the USA.
Included: Breakfast
Experienced and knowledgeable tour guide throughout China.
Fine meals as specified in itinerary including daily breakfast in hotels and local specialty cuisines:
Urumqi ..................................Roasted Lamb
Lanzhou ................................Lanzhou Handmade Noodles
Xining ....................................Beef Hot Pot
Daily comprehensive sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary.
Special entertainments:
Urumqi ....................Kazakhs Traditional Yurt Visit
Turpan .....................Turpan Ethnic Minority Dance Show
Dunhuang ..............Dunhuang Minority Show, Camel Back Ride
Air-conditioned tour coach with professional driver service.
High speed train from Jiayuguan to Xining.
A bottle of mineral water is provided on the bus every day.
Easy recognized luggage tag, badge, and document holder are provided for your convenience.
Physician consultation strongly recommended for this tour.
Select City Packages are available for you to extend your trip before or after the tour. See City Packages for more information.
Create your ideal getaway with the following upgrade options. Extensions and upgrades can be added during the booking process or speak to one of our travel advisors to tailor your perfect trip.
Airfares included in the advertised Land + Air Package prices are from Los Angeles(LAX)/Houston(IAH)/San Francisco(SFO)/Washington Dulles Interna(IAD) on Air China(CA), including fuel surcharge and taxes/fees, including any baggage fees or seat assignment fees.
Departures from other gateway cities, please add appropriate U.S. domestic add-on fares. For time zone of your gateway city, please call Peony Tours.
Air China:
*Fares are subject to availability; for detailed gateway fares please view our dates & pricing
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Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong, a five-star international hotel with a distinctive exterior, is located in the heart of Beijing, China. A long history of exceptional service assured by the New Otani Hotel Management of Japan, your Beijing experience begins at the moment you enter the oriental garden designed courtyard adjacent to the lobby.
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Gary guan has tried very hard to manage 42 of us. He was very nice and courtesy. I just wish that you had 2 main tour managers. One for each group (21 people) and each bus. The trip I have attended last year(Yangtze River Adventure 14 days)had 2 main tour managers and worked wonderful. This arrangement will avoid poor communication, and let us feel being loved and cared more:)My experience with Yangtze River tour, our main tour manager always stayed behind the last person in the group while the local tour guy in the front guiding us and always made sure he has his group with him. There is no way for Gary to do so with such big group. He then had to spend time to look for people (42 of us) because some of us did not hear the instruction or could not find the team because the local tour guide walked too fast or we had lost track of time. Other issues was "carrying luggage", not once we had to do so with Yangtze River Tour, everything has been carried from Hotel to train station or airport and vice versa. Can you imagine carrying 2 luggage to train station and up to 50 steps of stairs??? Luckily our male teammates, of course including Gary got all of them to the train, then all these luggage has to be out within 3-4 minutes at destination. It was like a war racing with time and weights while other people from different travel co. watching us with nothing in their hands. Next time, I prefer you charge me more instead of going thru these torture again. Enough said, I still like your company and want your company to be liked as well.
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