7-Day Private Silk Road Trip Urumqi to Dunhuang and Zhangye
This 6 nights classic private tour takes you to explore Chinese section of ancient Silk Road northern route from Urumqi to Dunhuang, then Zhangye. You will travel the path of thousands of merchants and camel caravans to witness its changes in modern days. Attractions you will visit during this tour includes Jiayuguan Fort, Mogao Grottos, Turpan Oasis, Heavenly Lake located on the northern side of Tianshan Mountains, and Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Mountain.
ItineraryDay 1: Arriving UrumqiPass By: Silkroadtrips, Urumqi 830000 China
tour operator
Stop At: Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport, 1341 Ying Bin Lu, Xin Shi Qu, Wu Lu Mu Qi Shi, Xin Jiang Wei Wu Er Zi Zhi Qu, China, 830000
Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport or Urumqi Rail Station, your guide will send you to the hotel for check-in.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 5-Star hotel, Urumqi
Day 2: Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - UrumqiStop At: Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan), No.132 Xibei Road, Urumqi 830000 China
Visit Xinjiang Museum where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. Among which, you will find the spectacular one standing out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan".
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Within Tianshan Scenic Resort, Urumqi 830002 China
After lunch, take a one hour ride to Heavenly Lake, which is located on the north side of the Tianshan Mountains to enjoy fantastic mountain views and serene lake scenery.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Erdaoqiao Market, China, Xin Jiang Wei Wu Er Zi Zhi Qu, Wu Lu Mu Qi Shi, Tian Shan Qu, 二道桥民俗风情一条街QJJ8+FRM 邮政编码: 830094
Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the Erdaoqiao Bazaar.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: 5-Star hotel, Urumqi
Day 3: Urumqi - TurpanStop At: Karez System, Xincheng Ximen Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000 China
Take a 3-hour car ride to Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road. You will visit Karez Irrigation System that is old canal system to water the farm in Turpan.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja), Sanpu Country, Turpan 838000 China
Then you will head to explore the Ancient City of Gaochang, which used to be a huge city in the history.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, XG4R+WWH, Gaochang District, Turpan, Xinjiang, China, 838015
Then you will visit Bezklik Grottos, a pretty place with amazing frescos.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), Jianggelemaisi Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000 China
Later you will move to ruin of ancient Jiaohe City that was once the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. but abandoned in the 15th century.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: 4-Star hotel, Turpan
Day 4: Turpan - Liuyuan (via bullet train) - DunhuangStop At: Mingshashan Moon Spring Scenic Rsrt, Dunhuang, Jiuquan, China
Today you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang in about two hours. Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring Lake this afternoon. Be sure to explore the night market nearby the hotel in the evening!
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: 5-Star hotel, Dunhuang
Day 5: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan by vehicleStop At: Mogao Caves, West of Hexi Zoulang, Dunhuang 736200 China
Visit the highlight of Silk Road today, Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas). These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details.
After lunch, you will take 5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: 5-Star hotel, Jiayuguan
Day 6: Jiayuguan - Zhangye by vehicleStop At: Jiayuguan Fortress, Within Yuquan Town, Yuquan Town, Jiayuguan 735100 China
Visit Jiayuguan Fort that is called The First Pass Under Heaven, the western end of the Great Wall for Ming Dynasty.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Zhangye Danxia Geopark, 30km South of the County, Linze County 734200 China
Then you will catch 2-hour car ride to Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, which is very colorful clay mountain.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: 5-Star hotel, Zhangye
Day 7: Departing ZhangyeStop At: Zhangye, Zhangye, Gansu
If time allows, visit Dafo Temple before heading to Zhangye Airport or station where the tour concludes.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Infants must sit on laps"
"Most travelers can participate"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Start Time:
06:00 PM
Duration: 7 Days
Start location: Traveler pickup is offered
We also pick you up at your centrally located Urumqi hotel
Airports- Urumqi Airport, Urumqi China
Cancellations and refunds:
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.