TOUR FEATURE:

• International round trip airfare and domestic airfare within China

• Five star standard or local best hotels based on double occupancy

• Daily American buffet breakfast (when available), 8 lunches and 9 dinners

• 4 gala evening events including Xinjiang Roast Whole Lamb Dinner, Xi抋n Imperial Dumpling Banquet, Minority Song & Dance Show, & Tang Dynasty Dance Show

• Services of English Speaking tour guides

• Comprehensive sightseeing throughout

Day 01 U.S.A. --> Beijing

Depart from USA to China's Capital -- Beijing.  Cross the International Date Line en route and lose one day.

Day 02 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the dynamic capital of the People's Republic of China.  Once the imperial city of Mongol, Ming and Manchu emperors, Beijing is still extraordinarily rich in historical sites and cultural relics.  After clearing government formalities, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for rest.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza or a hotel of equivalent standard

Day 03 Beijing -->Urumqi (HB, L, D)

Fly to the capital of Xinjiang Autonomous region-Urumqi, which is situated on the northern foothills of the snow-covered Heavenly Range (Tian Shan) at 2,900 ft. above sea level.  Urumqi is the city farthest removed from any of the world's oceans.  After arrival, transfer to you hotel for rest.

Hotel: Holiday Inn or a hotel of equivalent standard

Day 04 Urumqi (HB, L, D)

In the morning, take a boat ride on a glacier lake lying 5,800 ft. high on the slopes of Tian Shan, Lake of Heaven (Tian Chi). The expanse of the magnificent scenery will stretch your heart and mind. In the afternoon, return to the city to visit the Autonomous Region Museum and the lively main local Uygur bazaar, the famous Dabazha Market. 

Hotel: same as above

Day 05 Urumqi --> Turpan (HB, L, D)

This morning, cross a Tian Shan pass from the northern slope to the southern foothills, through the market town of Dabancheng to arrive at the Turpan Basin, a depression 152 meters below sea level. Visit the ancient city of Gaochang (the ancient Karachotcha), one of the once important and wealthy center of power of the Silk Road, the Astana Graves, burial cites of the imperial dead of the ancient city of Gaochang, the Flaming Mountains, made famous in the sixteenth-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, and the Ten-thousand Buddha Grottoes of Bezeklik, with their frescoes dating from the 6^th century. After dinner, enjoy the minority song and dance show.

Hotel: Oasis Hotel  or a hotel of equivalent standard

Day 06 Turpan -->Liuyuang (HB, L, D)

In the morning, travel to an oasis on the western side of the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley. Since the second century A.D., Grape Valley has been known for the production of the world抯 sweetest Seedless White Grapes. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe, Sugong Minaret, and Turpan Museum. After dinner, take a train to Liuyuan.

Hotel: overnight on train

Day 07 Liuyuang -->Dunhuang (HB, L, D)

Have breakfast on the train and arrive in Liuyuang. Motorcar ride to the bright oasis on the northern foothills of the Altyndagh Range (Kunlun Shan). In the afternoon, explore the city museum. Visit the Crescent Moon Lake, a spring recorded in history at least two thousand years ago. Despite the shifting sands, this spring remained full during droughts and does not overrun in rain. Visti also the most impressive sand dune scenery anywhere in China, Singing Sand Dune, with dunes 200-300 meters high. The sands make a humming noise in windy weather or when a person slides down from the top, hence the name.

Hotel: Dunhuang Resort  or equivalent standard

Day 08 Dunhuang -->Jiayaguuan (HB, L, D)

In the morning, visit the so-called the 揃right Pearl on the Silk Road? the Mogao Caves on the eastern foothills of the Singing Sand Dune. A complex of 492 grottoes or temples caves marks the arrival of Buddhism from India along the Silk Road. The first caves are said to have been built in 366, the last ones carved out at the time of the Mongolian conquest in 1277. They are a treasury of Chinese painting and statuary. In the afternoon, travel to Jiayuguan, the western terminus of the Great Wall.

Hotel: Jiayuguan Hotel  or a hotel of equivalent standard

Day 09 Jiayuguan --> Xi'an (HB, L, D)

This morning, visit the last fortress of the Great Wall built here by the Ming in 1372, Jiayuguan. This great fort was the final defense of the empire, the spot where China ended and beyond which lay a terrifying wilderness. There is a section of the wall built on a slope, which is virtually standing vertically, and it is called 揌anging Great Wall? Visit also the Weijin Ancient Tomb Frescoes. In the afternoon, fly to the capital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou. (*If the air service is not available, an overnight train will be in substitution)

Hotel: Sheraton  or a hotel of equivalent standard

Day 10  Xi'an (HB, L, D)

After breakfast, we will vistit the Army of Terracotta Warriors, over 7,000 life-size figures, in the subterranean funeral vault of Qin Shi Huang.  On the way back to the city, see Hot Springs of Huaqing.  This is where, during the Tang Dynasty, the most famous imperial concubine of China Yang Guifei, bathed.  In the evening, attend the performance of Tang Dynasty Dance Show. 

Hotel: same as above

Day 11 Xi'an -->Huashan -->Xi'an (HB, L, D)

This morning, drive to Huashan which is famous for its sheer cliffs.

Hotel: same as above

Day 12 Xi'an -->  U.S.A. (HB)

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Departure Date & Tour Price