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14 |
Trek |
DAYS |
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Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Forbidden City: Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
- Mutianyu Great Wall: example of the Ming Dynasty Wall
- Qin Terra-cotta Army: known as "The Eighth Wonder of the World"
- Mogao Grottos: Treasure House of Buddhist Art
- Karez Wells: Underground Water Conservancy Project that Turns Deserts into Oases
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVAL BEIJING
- DAY 02 BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS
- DAY 03 TEMPLE OF HEAVEN - MUTIANYU GREAT WALL
- DAY 04 BEIJING - XI'AN
- DAY 05 XI'AN CITY TOUR
- DAY 06 XIAN - LANZHOU
- DAY 07 LANZHOU - DUNHUANG
- DAY 08 DUNHUANG - TURPAN
- DAY 09 TURPAN
- DAY 10 TURPAN / URUMQI / FLY TO KASHGAR
- DAY 11 KASHGAR / TASHKURGAN
- DAY 12 TASHKURGAN / KARAKURI LAKE / KASHGAR
- DAY 13 KASHGAR / URUMQI
- DAY 14 URUMQI - HOME
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
The cities and beautiful landscapes of China’s western expanse are often forgotten by many travelers. Our CAT Silk Road Tours give travelers like you the chance to see China in an off-the-beaten path way. Before we start the Silk Road trip, we will first stop at Beijing for its history with a lot of famous must-see, but we at the same time added hiking on the Wild Great Wall. Then move to Xi’an the gateway to the West and the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terra-cotta Warriors. From there we head to Lanzhou, upon reaching the Silk Road’s Dunhuang we’ll for two days to explore its Buddhist caves and touring the desert by Camel. We’ll then head over to the cities of Turpan and Urumqi until we fly over the Taklamakan desert to Kashgar. This is where the largest bazaar of Central Asia is held every Sunday. We’ll also get to visit Lake Karakuri at the base of Mt. Muztagh (7,545m). Whether you’re looking to uncover the trading routs of the Silk Road, ride camels through the desert, or explore the less tourist-filled areas of China, this one of the best Silk Road Tours we offer for anyone looking for some adventure and a truly unique experience. If this sounds like you, check out our Day-by-Day Silk Road Travel Itinerary below.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVAL BEIJING
Arrival Beijing airport, you will be met at Beijing International Airport by our guide and transferred to a hotel in central Beijing. Today, you will have an opportunity to rest and recover from the long flight.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Beijing
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BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS
This morning, we will first go to visit Summer Palace. Summer Palace located in a northwestern suburb of Beijing; it is an immense park containing some Chinese traditional architecture and arts. It was built and served as a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. It exhibits the quintessence of the Chinese classical landscape gardening. The halls, the pavilions, the corridors, the pagodas, the bridges and the water were elaborately arranged. The long Corridor is one of the most exquisite structures in the garden. It is over 700 meters long and decorated with thousands of Chinese traditional paintings.
In the afternoon, we will continue to visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, then follow in the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs and head south to the magnificent and colorful Forbidden City. Forbidden City Beijing, also called Imperial Palace Museum, is located in the very heart of Beijing. It remained the residence of the emperors for nearly five hundred years, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and was the actual and symbolic seat of imperial power. Popularly known as the Forbidden City, it was built in the Ming Dynasty between the 4th and the 18th years of the Yongle period (1406 - 1420 AD). Many of the buildings of the Palace have been repaired and rebuilt, but their basic form and layout remain in their original state. Welcome Peking Duck dinner will be followed by that - the capital's most famous dish. Once imperial cuisine, now the legendary duck dish is served at restaurants around the world. Hike to Jingshan Park, where gives a nice panoramic view of the Forbidden City at the top of Coal Hill.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a Hutong rickshaw tour. As the Forbidden City is the symbol of China's royal family, the Hutongs in Beijing show the real life of the common people. When you visit Hutong by rickshaw, you could really taste the life of common people in Beijing. Lotus Market, located in Houhai area, famous for old hutong and modern bars. Free in the evening.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Beijing
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Meals BL
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TEMPLE OF HEAVEN - MUTIANYU GREAT WALL
After breakfast, we will go to see the local people doing their morning exercises in the Temple of Heaven. Then we will visit the Temple of Heaven. Temple of Heaven was the venue for the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and pray for harvest. This temple was built in the 18th year during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420.
Then we will drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu- the most beautiful section of the walls in Beijing. After lunch, Hike on the wall. travel back to the city to visit the Olympic Village: Bird Nest & Water Cube (outside of it) in the afternoon.
Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the famous sections of China Great Wall. It was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt and till today most parts of it are well preserved. The Mutianyu Great Wall has the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall.Then back to Beijing downtown.
Travel back to the city to enjoy a delicious Peking duck dinner - the capital's most famous dish. Once imperial cuisine, now the legendary duck dish is served at restaurants around the world.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Beijing
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Meals BLD
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BEIJING - XI’AN
This morning, we will transfer to visit 798 Art District. "798” modern Art Zone was originally the site of a factory that produced electronics. Its massive ducts and bright windows are seldom seen elsewhere. The halls were built using Soviet aid in the 1950s, with East Germany providing architectural and industrial design. Beginning from 2002, it gradually became an area of international character, bringing together contemporary art, architecture and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle which attracting attention from all around. Now “798” has evolved into a cultural concept of interest to experts and normal folk alike, influential on our concepts of both urban culture and living space.
After lunch, transfer to Beijing West Railway Station, take a high speed train to Xi’an.
Upon arrival, our local guide in Xi’an will pick you up from the exit of the Xi’an North Railway Station, transfer to the hotel, check in and have a rest.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Xi’an
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Meals BL
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XI’AN CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we will drive to visit the magnificent Qin Terra-cotta Army with an extension to Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world: a life-size clay soldier poised for battle. Qin's tomb was built in about 2500 years ago and was filled with more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots and 520 horses as well as models of palaces, pavilions, fine vessels, precious stones and rarities. UNESCO listed it in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city.
Continue to visit the Great Mosque, and Muslim Quarter. Tonight, we will have a chance to enjoy Chinese Dumpling feast with Tang Dynasty dancing show.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Xi’an
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Meals BLD
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XIAN - LANZHOU
Breakfast served at hotel. In the morning, visit the Ancient City Wall, which represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. After that visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and you will have chance to watch the North plaza fountain show.
After lunch, visit Shanxi History Museum. The Shanxi History Museum's permanent exhibition primarily displays Shaanxi's ancient history. Representative pieces from all periods have been selected to show the development of civilization in this region. Enjoy a late lunch, then transfer to the airport, we’ll take the evening flight from Xi’an to Lanzhou where we’ll stay at a lovely 4 star hotel.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Lanzhou
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Meals BL
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LANZHOU - DUNHUANG
Take a morning flight to Dunhuang, upon arrival, transfer to visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes which is called “the World Famous Treasure House of Arts”, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddha.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Dunhuang
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Meals BD
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DUNHUANG - TURPAN
In the morning, we’ll drive towards the northwest of the city for the Yumen Pass. Situated in the Gobi Desert 80 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, it was once one of the two critical defensive passes protecting Dunhuang from invasion about two thousand years ago. Drive onwards to visit Yadan National Geologic Park. Yadan landforms rise above the flat Gobi Desert and cover a vast area. Due to its eccentric landforms, the hard-to-spot roads, low-lying terrain, strong magnetism and howling sounds made by the wind, the area is also called "Ghost City" by local people. Yadan Landforms is the largest in scale, fully developed in geology and most valuable for ornament in the world. The scenery sites have an infinite variety of fantastic phenomena and the superlative craftsmanship of nature. In the late afternoon, you will get first glimpse of the dunes in the Singing Sand Mountains. The Crescent Spring, which forms a lake between two huge sand dunes. Take the chance to ride on a camel, and imagine what it was like to travel on the Silk Road if the time is available.
Take an overnight train to Turpan. (Soft sleeper)
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Accommodation on the Train
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Meals BLD
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TURPAN
After early arrival in Turpan we’ll be taken to our hotel and later picked up to see some of the ancient sights: Gaochang Ancient City shining like a resplendent precious stone inlaid in the boundless desolate Gobi desert and the Silk Road. The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves is another rock-cut building with the most caves and frescos contents at most in Turpan area. It is located on the west cliffs of the Wood Valley of the Flame Mountain, 45 kilometers away from Turpan city. The history of the Caves is more early than Dunhuang but unfortunately that most murals were damaged by nature or by man-made. Then visit the Flaming Mountains, overshadow the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. They provide a spectacular backdrop to the oases and scenery of the Turpan area.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Lanzhou
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Meals BL
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TURPAN / URUMQI / FLY TO KASHGAR
In the morning, we will drive to the west part of Turpan for the Suleiman Minaret, the only ancient Islamic minaret left in China, and the Karez Wells, one of the three great ancient projects’ in China. The Karez Wells Folk Garden and Museum explains how the well system makes it possible for the famous orchards and vineyards to exist in these hot, dry desert communities. After that, we will drive all the way to Urumqi. It’s about 300km highway. Take night flight to Kashgar.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Kashgar
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Meals BL
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KASHGAR / TASHKURGAN
Today we will drive about 4-5 hours to Tashkurgan County which is located at the south of Kashgar for the ancient stone city. The Stone City is located in the north of Tashkurgan town and dates to the Tang dynasty. Several coins and documents from Hotan have been unearthed here. The city is surrounded by beautiful green pasturelands and streams with a beautiful view of the surrounding snow capped mountains. Only some broken sections of the city’s walls remain but it was once an important fort on the ancient Silk Road guarding the roads from Kashi, Yengisar and Yarkant leading to the mountain passes towards Central Asia and India.
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Accommodation Tashkurgan Crown Inn
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Meals BL
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TASHKURGAN / KARAKURI LAKE / KASHGAR
Today we start our tour from the Tashkurgan Museum. We’ll drive about 2 hours to the famous Karakuri Lake and Muztagh Mountain, enjoying breathtaking scenery of high mountain pastures and snow-capped peaks. Karakuri Lake, known as "the father of glaciers", is located at the foot of Mount Muztaga-Ata, sitting at 3,600m above sea level. We will have enough time for deep exploration of the famous lake and the holy Mountain. Take a leisure walking around the majestic blue lake. Then back to Kashgar.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Kashgar
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Meals BL
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KASHGAR / URUMQI
Spend the day experiencing its Islamic culture in Kashgar. A must visit place is Id Kah Mosque, built in the 15th century, where 10,000 people gather at midday on Fridays to pray, and a restaurant nearby which provides authentic Muslim food. Kashgar Bazaar is festooned with traditions and ancient history and has become famous throughout Asia, attracting merchants from as far as Pakistan and Kirghizstan; some tourists come especially to see it. Zhiren Street is an old street where craftsmen still produce their fare. It’s easy to lose our sense of time and direction as we wonder this bazaar, but don’t worry our guide will lead us through the maze. We’ll take a night flight back to Urumqi, and stay in Xinjiang Grand hotel or similar.
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Accommodation 4-star hotel in Kashgar
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Meals BL
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URUMQI - HOME
Our guide and driver will take you to the Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi), which lies on the north side of Bogda Peak of Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains), about 110 km east of Urumqi. You will be amazed by the snowy peaks of the Heavenly Mountains reflecting on the dazzlingly blue lake surface. After that, fly back to your home.
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Meals BL
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
