16 Days Adventurous Silk Road with Splendid Tibet Odyssey

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, our local travel guide will welcome you at the airport and escort you to your downtown hotel. After checking in, feel free to rest or explore the surroundings at your leisure.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Today is your guided tour to the must-see places in Beijing. After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and head to Tiananmen Square, the first site of the day. It is the world’s largest city square.

Next, you will enter the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, boasting over 500 years of history as the residence of 24 emperors. With its staggering 9,000 rooms, though only a fraction are accessible to the public, you'll get an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors managed the country and what their daily life was like.

You'll also have the opportunity to visit Jingshan Park, situated behind the Forbidden City. Ascend to the hilltop within the park for a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the entirety of the Forbidden City.

For lunch, indulge in the renowned Beijing Roast Duck. Accompanied by thin pancakes, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce, this traditional dish promises a delightful fusion of flavors and textures.

In the afternoon, you will go to visit the Temple of Heaven, located 6 kilometers from the Forbidden City. This sacred site served as a place where ancient Chinese emperors worshipped the sky, offering prayers for rain, prosperity, and peace for the country and its people.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

In the morning, you’ll visit the Great Wall’s Badaling section, where you’ll experience firsthand one of the world’s greatest wonders. This well-preserved and iconic segment of the Great Wall offers breathtaking views and a fascinating glimpse into China’s rich history. As you hike along the ancient walls, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Afterward, you’ll enjoy lunch and explore the famous Beijing Jade Factory, a perfect spot for shopping and learning about traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

In the afternoon,you will discover the Ming Tomb, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Beijing. Built in 1590 during the Ming Dynasty, it's the resting place of Emperor Shenzong and his queen. Renowned for its grand scale, spanning 100,000 square meters, the tomb showcases the traditional layout of Ming Dynasty imperial mausoleums. You’ll also explore the underground palaces to gain firsthand insight into this historical marvel.

Stay overnight in Beijing

Your first stop today is the Summer Palace - the existing largest imperial garden with graceful landscape and magnificent constructions. The site is divided into three areas: the area for political activities centering about Hall of Benevolence and Longevity; the residential area of royal family whose main architecture are Hall of Jade Ripples and Hall of Joyful Longevity; the sightseeing area mainly consisting of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill.

Then, have a Hutong tour to experience the original Beijing culture by taking a special rickshaw ride through the various Hutongs and to learn about Old Beijing's manners and customs.

Later afternoon, you will board a flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Our guide will be waiting for you outside the Arrival Hall of the airport and will escort you to the hotel downtown.

You will board a morning flight to Kashgar - the pearl on the ancient Silk Road, described as “fruitful soil, cotton aplenty, and inhabitants who live by trade” by Marco Polo. Upon your arrival, our local guide will escort you to the local hotel in Kashgar.

After a short rest, you will visit the famous Sunday Market, namely Sunday Bazaar, a famous local market which is considered the largest international trade market in northwest China. Traders at home and abroad come to purchase or sell all kinds of goods. The bazaar opens every day in Kashgar, but the one on Sunday is the liveliest, as the whole community gets together.

Today's tour starts from the Id Kah Mosque, a 500-year-old important mosque for the locals. There you will see the typical Islamic architecture like domes, minarets and arches, as well as pious prayers. Just a few minutes' walk, you will come to the Old Street of Kashgar. The maze of narrow alleys and traditional houses built with earth or bricks may give you the illusion of walking into the ancient Kashgar.

The last stop in Kashgar will be the Abakh Khoja Tomb, which is an ancient Islamic building complex and a cemetery where five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried. You will see the largest dome architecture of Xinjiang in the east of the cemetery. Then you will board a return flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Our guide will be waiting for you outside the Arrival Hall of the airport and escort you to the hotel in downtown. Evening and dinner are free to explore the city on your own.

Drive to Turpan in the morning, upon arrival you will visit Jiaohe Ruins, which is one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road. It is also the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Although 2,000 years have passed, the former glory of Jiaohe can still be found from the ruins.

Then you will visit the famous Karez Well, the gigantic underground irrigation system created by ancient Xinjiang people. Over 1,100 Karez Wells in Turpan have provided precious water source to this dry and hot area during the past 400 years. The next stop will be the existing largest ancient pagoda in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda. The pagoda is a 44-meter-high (144 feet) Islamic pagoda, which bears a history of over 200 years. 

Today you will visit another famous ruin in Turpan, Gaochang Ruins, which used to be the capital of ancient Gaochang Kingdom. From the outline of the ruins, you can still find the trace of many former buildings, like temples, markets and palace. Then you will go to the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cave, a cluster of caves with thousands of Buddhism murals.

The vivid murals show many Buddhism figures, stories, and the social life about 1,000 years ago in Ancient Gaochang Kingdom. The last stop will be the hottest place in China, the Flaming Hill, which is located at the north of ancient Silk Road. Nothing grows on the hill and the highest temperature of summer could reach 47.8 C (118 F). Seen from afar, the Flaming Hill resembles a red fire dragon flying upward. Afterwards, you will board an overnight soft sleeper train to Dunhuang.

Breakfast is on your own. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you at Liuyuan railway station and escort you to the hotel in Dunhuang. It will take about two hours' drive from Liuyuan Station to Dunhuang. After a short rest in the hotel, visit the famous Mogao Caves, which is one of the four most famous caves in China. Known as the “Oriental Louvre”, the Mogao Caves not only boasts a large number of vivid Buddhism murals, statues and architecture, but also is renowned as the treasure house of Buddhism culture. Then continue your trip to Dunhuang Museum, where you will get a better understanding of the Silk Road from the exhibited historical relics.

Today you will visit one of the most famous attractions along the Silk Road, the Echoing-Sand Mountain. It is so named because when you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands. You will experience a short camel ride along the mountain to reach the Crescent Lake. It is really a natural wonder that the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert has not dried up over the past one thousand years and still gushes with fresh current.

Then you will board a flight to Xian. Our guide will meet you and escort you to the hotel in downtown.

Upon your arrival in Xi’an, your local guide will greet you at the railway station and escort you to your hotel. After checking in and taking a brief rest, you will start exploring the city of Xi’an.

First, you will visit and stroll along the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Spanning 14 kilometers, the wall showcases the comprehensive layout of the ancient imperial city, dating back over 1000 years.

Next, you'll explore the Bell and Drum Tower Square. The Bell Tower, a 600-year-old Ming Dynasty landmark, rises 36 meters high with five floors. Its enormous bronze bell chimes morning and evening, while at night, neon lights illuminate its colorful glass, creating a captivating spectacle.

Adjacent to the Bell Tower stands the Drum Tower, China's largest, constructed in 1380. Climbing it reveals a 1.8-meter-high drum and 24 red drums adorned with the 24 solar terms, leaving a lasting impression.

At last, you will tour the Muslim Quarter, home to the largest and oldest mosque in China, and also the most famous food court in Xi’an. It is a perfect place to eat special snacks, chat with locals, and buy exquisite souvenir.

Stay overnight in Xi’an.

Travel Tips:
When visiting the Ancient City Wall, you have the option to rent a bike for an additional cost of 45 RMB to cycle along the wall.

Today, you will first go to visit the famous Terra-Cotta Warriors, which is one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor in a vast underground palace.

Then, you will head for Big Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as Dayanta. The Buddhist scriptures and figurines of the Buddha brought by Xuanzang are reserved here.

At the end of the day, you will visit the Weiyang Palace Relics Park. This palace, built in 200 BC, was China's second imperial palace. It's the oldest of all Chinese palaces and also marks the start of the Silk Road in the east.

Travel Tips:
An additional fee of 30 RMB is required for entrance and access to climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Take morning flight to Lhasa, upon arrival, be greeted by local guide at airport and be presented with traditional Tibetan White Scarf to wish you good luck!

Then, board on the coach and transfer back to hotel. you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages on the way.

Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now.

Today, you will first visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that once housed over ten thousand monks. Here, you'll explore the Coqen Hall, where your guide will provide a detailed explanation of the Tibetan Buddhist worldview and narrate the stories of renowned figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Additionally, you'll tour the Loseling College (or an equivalent) within Drepung Monastery to understand monks' practices and studies. Exploring their dormitories will offer insight into their daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and long regarded as a significant Buddhist seminary. Here, you'll observe the renowned monk debates, a highlight of Sera Monastery. Your guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of how these debates aid monks in acquiring knowledge and advancing through academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to visit the magnificent Potala Palace, where you'll stand atop its heights and gaze down upon the city of Lhasa. Your guide will narrate the life and tales of the successive Dalai Lamas within the Potala Palace and meticulously introduce the various halls and treasures housed within its walls.

Once you've explored the grandeur of the Potala Palace, your next stop will be Longwangtan Park nestled at its base. This tranquil spot offers a unique vantage point to admire the majestic Potala Palace and partake in traditional Tibetan cultural experiences.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the sacred Jokhang Temple—the heart of Tibetan faith and life. Within the temple resides the rare and revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, an image so lifelike that it resembles seeing the Buddha in person. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can take a clockwise kora, witnessing how local Tibetans practice their Buddhist beliefs.

Following this, your guide will take you to the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea house in Lhasa, where you can enjoy Tibetan sweet tea with locals. Your guide will join everyone, sharing insights into the social relations and daily leisure life of Tibetans.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport so that you can board the flight back home after this pleasant tour. Alternatively, should you wish to stay on rather than return home right away, you could contact us and choose our other City Packages as an extension to your memorable adventure!