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Ancient Silk Road 17 Days |
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Visit: Shanghai - Urumqi - Turpan - Dunhuang - Lanzhou - Xining - Xian
Tour Code: GTCSR17 |
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| Detailed Itinerary |
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Day
01 |
USA - Shanghai, China |
| Depart from one of the West Coast gateway cities where your tour representative will help you board the flight to Shanghai. |
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| Day 02 |
Shanghai
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| Arrive at Shanghai International Airport in the evening. The local guide will meet you and take you to the hotel. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 03 |
Shanghai - Urumqi
(B,L,D) |
| Fly westward across the country from Shanghai to Urumqi. Of all the cities in the world, Urumqi is probably the farthest from the sea! You are about to step on that mystical road where the East meets the West. Tonight you will be treated to local cuisine. |
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Hotel: Hongfu Hotel or similar |
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| Day 04 |
Urumqi - Turpan - Urumqi
(B,L,D) |
| Visit the provincial museum, which features ethnic cultures. Then
drive to Turpan, an oasis amid the desert that is renowned for its
grapes and honeydew melons. Visit the famous Karez Wells, an ancient underground irrigation system that carried melted snow
thousands of miles from Mt. Tianshan to the fields, and it still
does. You will also tour the ruins of the once prosperous ancient
cities of Gaochang and Jiaohe. Of special interest is the Flaming
Mountain, which is described in the noted Chinese classic
Journey to the West. Return to Urumqi in the evening to sample
roasted lamb and watch Xinjiang folklore performance. |
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Hotel: Hongfu Hotel or similar |
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| Day 05 |
Urumqi
(B,L,D) |
| Take a 70-mile drive to the placid Tianchi (Heavenly Lake),
properly named for its steep green pastures, virgin conifer forests,
and snowy mountains. The elevation is 6,000 ft. Return to Urumqi
in the evening to get a good feel for this crowded and lively city
where people of 13 ethnic groups live together. Stay overnight
in Urumqi. |
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Hotel: Hongfu Hotel or similar |
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| Day 06 |
Urumqi - Dunhuang
(B,L,D) |
| Take a morning flight to Dunhuang, one of the most historic
destinations along China¡¦s Silk Road, and also a huge center of Buddhist art. In 1900 the long-hidden carvings, documents,
embroideries, and paintings left by ancient monks were discovered
in the grottoes, a big surprise to the art and history world. Other
attractions include the ruins of Yanguan, the Humming Sandy
Mountain, and the Crescent Moon Springs. Take a camel ride in
the desert (optional). |
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Hotel: Dunhuang Hotel or similar |
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| Day 07 |
Dunhuang
(B,L,D) |
| Today you will visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes,
designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1600-
year-old accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures.
Mogao Grottoes are China¡¦s oldest Buddhist grottoes. The first
grotto was cut in 366 AD. Housed in the remaining 492 cave
temples are over 2,400 sculptures and 45,000 square meters (over
10 acres) of frescoes. |
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Hotel: Dunhuang Hotel or similar |
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| Day 08 |
Dunhuang - Jiayuguan
(B,L,D) |
| Drive from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the
Great Wall. Visit this vital stronghold of military defense. |
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Hotel: Jiayuguan Hotel/Jiuquan Hotel or similar |
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| Day 09 |
Jiayuguang - Lanzhou
(B,L,D) |
| Continue your city tour of Jiayuguan. Later, in the evening, board
the train for Lanzhou. |
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| Day 10 |
Guilin - Shanghai
(B,L,D) |
| Lanzhou is known as the "City of Fruits." See how gracefully
the Yellow River runs through this city. Attractions to be visited
today include the Yellow River Bridge and Mt. Jade Stream.
Taste the local specialties in the evening. |
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Hotel: Legend Hotel or similar |
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| Day 11 |
Lanzhou - Xining
(B,L,D) |
| Board the train for Xining, capital of Qinghai Province. The city
has been central China¡¦s gateway to Tibet since ancient times. It
is also where China¡¦s two major rivers, namely, the Yangtze and
the Yellow River, originate. Visit majestic temples to admire
golden altars and tour a mosque to see its jeweled pagodas. The
Temple of Tar, in particular, will interest many. |
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Hotel: National Guest Hotel or similar |
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| Day 12 |
Xining
(B,L,D) |
| The breath-taking beauty of Lake Qinghai is in store for you
today. Lying approximately 2,000 feet above sea level, the lake
is China¡¦s largest salt lake. The turquoise blue water, the jadegreen
pastures, the azure blue sky, the reed tents, the black
oxen, the yellow blooms and, last but not least, the colorful
Tibetan costumes¡Vyou¡¦ll take numerous pictures to catch the
exotic beauty in an exotic land! Experience the unique flavor of
this remote city where many different ethnic groups live in peace
and harmony. Islam, Lamaism (Tibetan Buddhism), and
Christianity co-exist within the same city, each bringing its distinctive features and adding to the color and richness of a
mixed culture. |
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Hotel: National Guest Hotel or similar |
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| Day 13 |
Xining - Xian
(B,L,D) |
| Fly to Xian, the ancient capital of China in 11 dynasties. Visit
the ancient city walls in the afternoon. For evening
entertainment there will be a Tang Dynasty stage show after or
during a sumptuous dumpling banquet. |
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Hotel: Sofitel Hotel or similar |
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| Day 14 |
Xian - Mt. Huashan - Xian
(B,L,D) |
| Drive to Mt. Huashan, one of the five holy mountains in China.
Ascend by cable car to the top of this majestic mountain for a
breath-taking view of its five peaks and the Yellow River. Stay
overnight in Xian. |
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Hotel: Sofitel Hotel or similar |
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| Day 15 |
Xian - Shanghai
(B,L,D) |
| Today you will visit the world famous Terra-Cotta Warriors.
Concealed underground, the thousands of life-size clay warriors,
horses, and chariots were part of the tomb of the first Chinese
emperor Qinshihuang (259-210 BC), who initiated the Great Wall.
Fly to Shanghai. Enjoy a city tour and ascend the Tower of the
Eastern Pearl (Asia's highest TV broadcasting tower) in the newly
developed Pudong District. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 16 |
Shanghai
(B,L,D) |
| Stroll along the Bund, China's most famous waterfront stretching
about one mile along the Huangpu River. Visit the Shanghai
Museum, one of the best museums in China. Taste the elegant
Shanghai cuisine in the evening. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 17 |
Shanghai - USA
(B,L) |
| Enjoy some leisure time in the morning. You may opt for the last minute shopping. There will be a city tour to complete your stay
in Shanghai. Take the Maglev, a hi-speed train to the airport.
Board your homeward flight in the afternoon. |
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