13D Silk Road Delight

DAY 01: SINGAPORE/BEIJING (MOB)
Assemble at Changi Airport for your flight to Beijing – the capital city of china.

DAY 02: BEIJING/XI’AN (L/D)
Upon arrival in Beijing International airport and connect the domestic flight to Xi’an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi.. A city of wide dusty avenues and regimented modern housing. Upon arrival, visit the beautifully restored Large Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient City Wall, the largest and well-preserved extant wall in China and one of a few ancient military facilities in the world.

DAY 03: XI’AN (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the eighth wonder of the world, this archeological wonder in human history, the 2,220-years-old Bingmayong (Terra Cotta Warriors). Before us stand the silent, awe-inspiring army of 6, 000 plus life size warriors, horses and chariots, each a unique fine art. Then visit the ancient City Wall, the largest and well-preserved extant wall in China and one of a few ancient military facilities in the world. After lunch of local cuisine, we will visit HuaQingChi (HuaQing hot springs), a site full of legends and epic history.  Specially prepared Xi’an Dumpling Banquet as dinner.

DAY 04: XI’AN/LANZHOU (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take a domestic flight to LanZhou, the capital of Gansu. We will visit places like White Pagoda Hill to have a full view of Lanzhou, appreciate ancient water wheel, which was the main irrigation system in the early of this century, Huanghe Iron Bridge and Sculptures of the Mother River. Enjoy the well-known local hand made beef noodle.

DAY 05: LANZHOU/XINING (B/L/D)
After breakfast, coach to Xining, Qinghai. provincial capital of Qinghai. Visit the Great Mosque (Dongguan qingzhen dasi), built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) during the 12th year of the reign of the first Ming emperor, Hongwu, is not only the most ancient religious complex in town, but also is one of the most important mosques in northwest China.

DAY 06: XINING (B/L/D)
After breakfast, coach to the famous Qinghai Lake, which is China’s largest inland salt lake. It is 3196 meters above sea level and covers an area of 4200 km. Next visit Ta’er Monastery of the Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and Riyue Shan (Sun-and-Moon Mountains), a mountain range south-east of Qinghai Lake

DAY 07: XINING/ZHANGYE (B/L/D)
After breakfast, coach to the Qilian Mountain Range (maximum elevation 5,547 m) rises along the northeastern rim of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Then to DaBan tunnel.  proceed to  Zhangye.  Tonight, we will having Zhangye local delicacies.

DAY 08: ZHANGYE/JIUQUAN (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the Giant Buddha Temple. Then tranferred to Jiuquan, visit Jiuquan Garden and phosphorescent Jade Cup Factory.  Next visit Jiayuguan Fort. The Fort guards the Jiayu Pass, which is the west end of Great Wall. Built in Ming Dynasty, that lies between the snow-capped Mt. Qiliangshan and Black Mountain of Mazong range. And Great wall Museum of Jiayuguan.  Dinner served Jiuquan qiguo chicken

DAY 09: JIUQUAN/JIAYUGUAN/DUNHUANG (B/L/D)
After breakfast, coach to Dunhuang. visit the mysterious Crescent Spring surrounded by the Singing Sand Dunes.  Enjoy the camel-riding there. Tonight dinner, we will taste typical dishes of Gansu Cuisine, such as Camel Hoof on the Silk Road

DAY 10: DUNHUANG/TURPAN (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the world-renowned Mogao Grottoes, popularly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves which constitute one of China’s three treasure troves of the sculptural art decorating stone caves, the most impressive and best-preserved examples of Buddhist cave art anywhere in China, and are the highlight of Dunhuang. Next, visit old city of Dunhuang. Then proceed to Evening train to Turpan (overnight on soft-sleeper  train), the second lowest spot (to the Dead Sea) in the world. It is mainly inhabited by Uighurs.  It holds a special place in history, since Gaochang was once the capital of Uighurs. It is the hottest spot in China with low humidity.

DAY 11: TURPAN/URUMQI (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the preserved historical sites in Xinjiang province such as Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Sugong Pagoda, Jiaohe Ruins. Also visit Grape Valley to taste the delicious seedless grapes (seasonal). Next, visit Karez Well, an extraordinary irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels and is considered as one of the three great ancient projects in China. Continue to Urumqi. This evening we savor the well-known local cuisine --Roast lamb and enjoy music and dance performances by the local Uygur

DAY 12: URUMQI (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a excursion to the Heavenly Mountain with a boat ride on the Heavenly Lake where is 1980m above the sea level. The lake water is transparently clear, and the reflections of the blue sky, clouds, snow-capped peaks and pine trees give the place the feeling of otherworldliness.  Next, visit beautiful Mt. Nanshan Grassland, which is referred to as the northern slope of Mt. Tianshan south of Urumqi. One will have the chance to visit the Kazaks yurt, taste strong Milk, try the traditional costumes on and experience the exciting horse riding on the vast grassland (Own expenses). Then roam through Urumqi's the Grand Bazaar (Dabazha) is believed to be the largest out-door market in the region.

DAY 13: URUMQI/BEIJING (B/L)
This morning will free at your leisure to further explore Urumqi, or to do some last minutes shopping. You will be transferred to Beijing International Airport for your flight back  to Singapore.