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12-Day Xi'an-Dunhuang-Turpan-Korla-Kuqa-Aksu-Kashgar Tour
Make this magical bucket list trip along the North Track of China’s stunning Silk Road.
Few experiences in China capture the wonder and awe of the Silk Road, and on this 12 days tour you have the opportunity to take in the North Track, travelling from Xi’an to Urumqi. Commence your travels with time in Xi’an, visiting the Terracotta Army, City Wall, and the Great Mosque. Leave this gateway to the Silk Road and travel to Dunhuang by air, where the Echoing Sands Dune, Crescent Lake, and incredible Mogao Grottoes await. Take the bullet train to Turpan and see the wonderful sights in this city, including the Jiaohoe Ruins and Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Get up close with the wonder of natural and man-made highlights in Korla, Aksu and Kashgar as you drive by car, and reflect on the color and diversity of China on this fabulous and memorable tour. Providing a real and fascinating insight to China’s past, enjoy everything on offer, including wonderful local guides who take care of every detail, the four and five star hotels, all in country transfers, 11 nights hotel accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, airport transfers, and more.
Itinerary
On arrival at the Xi’an North Station or Xi’an airport, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel. Enjoy the free time this afternoon to relax and enjoy this vibrant city and ancient gateway to the Silk Road.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and explore Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometres long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. For a change of pace, take in the quiet of Xi’an’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and souvenirs. Today’s final destination before returning to your hotel is Xi’an’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square.
Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy your free time this morning prior to your flight to Dunhuang. On arrival in Dunhuang your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel, providing a brief introduction to Dunhuang on the way.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: A visit to Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda could be arranged according to the flight schedule in high season. And your tour guide may alter your itinerary as the Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays.
Begin your journey along the magnificent Silk Road in Dunhuang, considered a pearl from China’s ancient past. Today commences with a visit to the Mogao Grottoes. Spectacular on a whole different level, gain a deeper understanding of their origins and meaning with a documentary and tour through the Visitor Center. Marvel at the gorgeous murals and sculptures reflecting the different stages of development, as well as the cultural and intellectual influence over a thousand years. Move on from the grottoes and be amazed by the stunning beauty of the crescent-shaped oasis, Crescent Lake, embraced by the Echoing Sand Dune. Named for the roaring sound made when things slide down from above, gain a unique perspective and appreciate the stunning and unique desert landscape.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast and check out from your hotel, transfer to the Liuyuannan Railway Station for a bullet train ride to Turpan where you’ll be greeted by your local Turpan guide. Commence sightseeing in Turpan with the Jiaohe Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which originated in the 2nd century BC. These ruins are the largest, oldest and best-preserved of their kind in the world and will make for a truly memorable experience on your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s sightseeing commences with a visit to the Sugong Pagoda, the tallest ancient pagoda extant in Xijiang, reputed for its novel and unique architectural style. Proceed to the intriguing Karez Well, a unique irrigation system, only found in Turpan. With an underground flow, the water from the well is stored and used for irrigation with minimal loss. Explore the Gaochang Ruins, a fascinating site dating back to the 1st century BC and the incredible Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the largest cluster of grottoes across the Turpan area. Finish today’s tour of Turpan with a stop at Flaming Hill and the Astana Tombs. Flaming Hill is impressive for its reddish vista, particularly in summer, when temperatures may reach close to 50 degrees, making it the hottest place in China, while the Astana Tombs are an ancient cemetery of 400 tombs where the Gaochang people were buried.
Meals included: Breakfast
Check out from your hotel in Turpan and be transferred to Korla to visit the Tiemen Pass – also known as the Iron Gate Pass – a point of interest and significance along the Silk Road for its location at the bottom a canyon approximately eight kilometers north of Korla. Following this exploration, you will be transferred to your hotel in Korla.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today you’ll enjoy the experience of a drive to Kuqa to visit the ancient Subashi Ruins, a site believed to once be the Taklamakan Desert. Here you will find the Kuqa Mosque, identified as the second largest mosque in China, after the Id Kah Mosque in Xinjiang. After the day’s sightseeing, you will be assisted with your hotel check in by your local guide. Relax for the evening and enjoy free time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drive to Aksu and find yourself both inspired and amazed by the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, considered the oldest treasure trove of Buddhist art in China. It is thought building on these grottoes commenced in the 3rd century, a whole century earlier than the renowned Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Found in over 236 caves, the wall paintings cover 10,000 square meters, and are noted for the mysterious diamond pattern used throughout. After finishing the day’s explorations, your guide will assist you with check in to your hotel where you can enjoy a relaxing evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Sit back and enjoy another drive, with today’s destination being the strategically important Silk Road destination of Kashgar. Known to travelers of the Northern Silk Road, Kashgar fulfilled many functions as a gateway to exploration of land further to the west. Regarded as an oasis in the desert, you’ll be surprised and in awe of the desert landscape, sand dunes, and the mirage-like appearance of the modern and ancient city rising out of the desert. At the conclusion of sightseeing for the day, you will be checked in to your hotel. Relax for the evening or step out and enjoy the Night Market.
Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy an experience for all your senses today when you explore the melting pot of culture, food, and fabrics at the ancient weekly Sunday Kashgar Bazaar. Open every day (despite its deceptive name), you’ll discover the gems that have kept locals and Silk Road travelers stopping by for centuries. Follow the market with a visit to the famous Id Kah Mosque, one of China’s largest mosques, then make your way to the Abakh Khoja Tomb. Considered a fine example of a typical ancient Islamic complex containing tombs for 72 from just one family. Finish the day with your flight to Urumqi where you’ll be met by the local guide and transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Following breakfast and check out from your hotel, you will be transferred to Urumqi airport where you’ll board your flight home or other destination. Your wonderful Silk Road tour ends here.
Meals included: Breakfast
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary.
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide.
- Transportation: bullet train between Dunhuang (Liuyuan train station)/Turpan (First class seat for Luxury tours; second class seat for Superior tours). Economy class domestic flights between Xi’an/Dunhuang and Kashgar/Urumqi.
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour.
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International flights to/from China.
- China visa fees.
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
Important information – PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you. It’s always available for your schedule!
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available.
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.
Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.
High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.
High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.
Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.
Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.
Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.
Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge.
- For all subsequent changes – USD50.
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.
Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:
- More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
- 45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
- 30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
- 15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
- Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.
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