NEW Tour China Silk Route with Hong Kong City Stay - Private Tour

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-size warriors and horses guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, showcasing ancient Chinese artistry. Lunch at Daqin Banquet. In the afternoon, Culture experience of Becoming a Chinese of Tang Dynasty；dress-up into costume in Tang-Dynasty-style, travel back in time to the lively city street of the ancient capital Changan at the sightseeing The Longest Day in Changan. Enjoy a Tang-style cuisine in the costume with traditional music and dance performances. Overnight in Xi’an hotel.

If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.

Upon arrival in Xiahe, visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Walk along the world's longest Mani prayer wheel corridor, where devout pilgrims rotate the prayer wheels to pray, and witness the profound devout atmosphere of this sacred spiritual sanctuary.

Morning: Depart from Xiahe by coach heading towards Liujiaxia Reservoir (approx. 200km, 4 hours’ drive). En route, you can visit the Bingling Temple Grottoes near the Liujiaxia Dam. This hidden gem features stunning Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs of the Yellow River canyon. Take a boat ride across the reservoir to reach the grottoes, offering a unique perspective of the Bingling Temple surrounding landforms (also known as Yellow River Water Landforms)。 After exploring the grottoes, continue the drive to Lanzhou and check in at the hotel in the late afternoon.

Explore the Hundred-Mile Yellow River Scenic Belt, the lifeline of Lanzhou city. This iconic stretch features the world-famous Yellow River Mother Sculpture, the historic Zhongshan Bridge (dubbed the "First Bridge over the Yellow River," built by Germans in 1907), and the Waterwheel Expo Garden, which showcases ancient irrigation techniques. These landmarks together present the unique charm of Lanzhou, a city deeply nourished by the Yellow River, allowing you to immerse yourself in its profound historical and cultural heritage. Take the high-speed train D2757 (13:31 – 16:24) or similar services to Zhangye. Located in the heart of the Hexi Corridor, Zhangye is a pivotal city on the ancient Silk Road. Renowned for its splendid natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, it is hailed as the "Golden Zhangye" and boasts the title of "China's Excellent Tourist City".

Start your day with a visit to Zhangye Big Buddha Temple, a historic Buddhist site that carries profound cultural connotations, where you can appreciate the integration of religious culture and regional characteristics. In the afternoon, head to the Danxia National Geopark in Zhangye, where the iconic "rainbow mountains" are formed by colorful landforms and glow vividly under the sun. The layered red, orange, yellow and other colors stretch endlessly, forming a magnificent natural spectacle that fully shows the magical charm of nature.

Take a coach from Zhangye to Jiayuguan (approximately 240km, 3 hours’ drive). Upon arrival, visit three key attractions featuring Jiayuguan’s wine culture and Great Wall relics:

1. Zixuan Wine Manor (紫轩葡萄酒庄园): A modern manor integrating grape planting, wine brewing, tasting and sightseeing. You can learn about the wine-making process and taste high-quality local wine, experiencing the unique local flavor.
2. Jiayuguan Pass Tower: Known as the "First Pass in the West", it is the westernmost end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and a symbol of the ancient Silk Road, witnessing the prosperity of the Silk Road and East-West cultural exchanges.
3. Hanging Wall Great Wall: An important part of Jiayuguan's military defense system, known as the "Badaling of the West". It winds along the mountain ridge, presenting a steep and spectacular scene.

Take a coach from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang (approximately 380km, 5 hours’ drive). Upon arrival, visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, which is a unique "desert wonder". Mingsha Mountain is famed for its five-colored sand which emits thunderous sounds underfoot; Crescent Moon Spring, nestled amidst the dunes, is a perennial spring surrounded by lush plants, forming a magical landscape where sand and water coexist harmoniously. Evening: Indulge in the Exotic Desert Dinner (Highlight Experience). As the sunset paints the desert in golden hues, a feast of exotic charm unfolds among the sand dunes. The gentle evening breeze and the first glimmers of starlight blend seamlessly with the scenery. Experience the romance of the Gobi: ride camels across sand waves, slide down the dunes chasing the wind, and savor the unique flavors of the desert under the starry sky.

Morning Visit the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest and most culturally significant Buddhist grottoes complex. Built in 366 AD, this "Cave of a Thousand Buddhas" houses over 492 caves, 2,100 colored statues, and 45,000 square meters of exquisite murals, silently recording the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and cultural exchanges between East and West. Experience the Dunhuang Mural Copying Session (Highlight Experience). By the Yanquan River, follow ancient craftsmanship using traditional materials to replicate the murals. Each stroke freezes the millennium-old beauty of the caves onto a clay tablet, allowing you to deeply connect with the profound art of Dunhuang.

Drive to Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark (Devil City), a typical Yardang landform "sculpted" by nature through long-term wind erosion, featuring bizarre, varied and spectacular rock formations that earn it the nicknames "Devil City" and "Ghost City" due to the howling wind echoing through the Gobi. Experience the Exciting Off-Road Vehicle Ride (Highlight Experience) — the most thrilling way to explore the Yardang Devil City is by off-road vehicle through the vast Gobi Desert. As the wheels roll over the sand dunes and the wind whistles in your ears, you’ll admire the unique Yardang landforms and feel the ultimate pleasure brought by nature’s amazing craftsmanship and the thrill of speed. Evening: Return to the city to explore Dunhuang Night Market, a vibrant gathering place of local snacks, handicrafts and cultural experiences, and immerse yourself in the lively nightlife of the Silk Road city.(We suggest clients tasting local food on the own in the evening )

Visit Dunhuang White Horse Pagoda, located in the south of Dunhuang Ancient City. Built in 386 AD to commemorate the white horse of the eminent monk Kumarajiva, who propagated Buddhism eastward and passed away in Dunhuang. This 12-meter-high adobe pagoda, adopting the style of a Ming Dynasty lama pagoda, stands surrounded by green fields and rustling wind chimes, carrying profound historical significance related to the spread of Buddhist scriptures. Then transfer to Liuyuan Station and take Train D575 (16:32-19:54 or similar) to Turpan North. This journey not only connects the cultural context of the ancient Silk Road but also draws a perfect close to the memorable exploration of Dunhuang, leading to the next stop of the Silk Road tour. Turpan, meaning "a place of abundance and prosperity" in Uyghur, is located in the central-eastern part of Xinjiang. It is a world-famous tourist destination with numerous and relatively concentrated tourism resources and attractions. It is truly a "land of grapes and fruits" and is known as the "Holy City of Grapes".

A morning excursion to [Jiaohe Ancient City], the capital of the Cheshi Former Kingdom with a history of over 2,300 years, is recognized as the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architecture city. It also represents the most intact urban relic in China with a preservation history exceeding two millennia. Experts have hailed it as a' perfect ruin.' [Karez] means "well site", and karez is a special irrigation system in desert areas, commonly found in the Turpan region of China's Xinjiang. Along with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, it is listed as one of the three great ancient engineering projects in China. The Su Gong Pagoda is a rare ancient Islamic-style tower constructed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It was built by Su Laiman, son of Emin Khodja, the Prince of Turpan, to demonstrate his loyalty to the imperial court and to commemorate Emin Khodja's lifelong achievements. Therefore, it is also known as the "Emin Pagoda."

One-way distance: 370 km, travel time: approximately 5.5 hours In the early morning, we took a bus to Korla City. Korla is also known as the "Pear City" due to its abundant production of the internationally renowned "Korla Fragrant Pear," which is hailed as the "King of Fruits" and also symbolizes love. Along the way, we visited the [Bosten Lake Lotus Sea World]. Bosten Lake is located in the southeastern part of the Yanqi Basin at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It is the largest lake in Xinjiang and the largest inland freshwater lake in China, serving as both the terminal lake of the Kaidu River and the source of the Peacock River. The Lotus Sea World scenic area is a small lake within Bosten Lake, home to the largest wild water lily population in China. The vast wild water lilies grow alongside natural reeds by the water, offering visitors opportunities to admire lotuses, observe reeds, and watch birds, with picturesque scenery everywhere. We arrived in Korla City in the evening.

One-way distance: 400 km, travel time: approximately 7 hours Traveling by bus to Kuche City in the morning, Kuche is an ancient Kucha language term meaning 'the city of the Kucha people,' and served as a significant stop on the ancient Silk Road. The integration of Central Plains culture, Western Regions culture, and foreign cultures continuously flourished here, leaving behind a wealth of cultural relics and historical sites. Along the way, [Tarim Poplar Forest Park] is the world's largest, most densely distributed, and best-preserved natural poplar forest, renowned as "To see the world's poplars, look to China; to see China's poplars, look to Luntai." The park integrates the natural landscapes of the Tarim River, poplar landscapes, desert landscapes, and petroleum industry landscapes, and is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. It was rated as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Forests in China" by China National Geography. Upon arriving in Kuqa, visitors will explore the [Kuqa Prince's Mansion + Reksan Cultural Street]. Located in the old town area of Kuqa City, this site was originally constructed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. After reconstruction in 2004, it has evolved into a living museum showcasing Kuqa's history and ethnic culture. The mansion architecture blends Central Plains Han Dynasty decorative elements with Uyghur Islamic arch corridor patterns. Inside, exhibits range from Qing Dynasty artifacts to Republican-era relics, scenes depicting the life of the last prince, and historical documents on Kucha culture, complemented by a folk experience zone featuring Uyghur music, dance, and handicrafts. Adjacent to the Reksan Historical and Cultural District and Kuqa Grand Mosque, the site connects diverse ethnic integration through its "Prince's Legacy + Silk Road Memories" theme. Now recognized as a 4A-level tourist attraction, it serves as a microcosm for exploring ancient Kucha society and the cultural tapestry of southern Xinjiang.

Traveling by car to Aksu City in the morning, which means "clear and surging water." Historically, it was the location of the "Kucha Kingdom" and "Gumo Kingdom" in the Western Regions. The region is renowned for producing internationally acclaimed rock sugar core apples. During the journey, visit the [Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves], which were initially constructed between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD. It is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist grotto complexes carved in China, hailed as "the first stop of Buddhism's eastward spread along the Silk Road." The site currently contains 349 numbered caves and preserves nearly 10,000 square meters of murals. It is renowned for its diamond-patterned compositions of Jataka tales, celestial musicians, and Kucha-style Buddha statues, blending Indian Gandhara art, Hellenistic elements, and Central Plains painting techniques to showcase the pinnacle of Buddhist art in ancient Kucha. Listed on the Tentative List of World Cultural Heritage, it serves as a core relic for exploring the integration of Buddhist history in the Western Regions and Silk Road civilization. The afternoon tour of [Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon] is located at the foot of Tomur Peak on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. The scenic area covers a total area of about 200 square kilometers and is hailed as the "King of Canyons" and a "living geological evolution history museum of Xinjiang." The canyon stretches approximately 25 kilometers from east to west and 20 kilometers from north to south, consisting of 3 main valleys and 12 branch valleys. Its unique geological formation resulted from inland lake deposits about 26 million years ago, later sculpted by natural forces such as the uplift of the Tianshan Mountains, glacial erosion, and wind and water erosion. It integrates various landforms including Danxia, Yardang, rock salt karst, sub-Yardang, and salt dome basal structures. The group will arrive in Aksu City later.

Traveling by car to Kashgar City in the morning, its full name being Kashgar, which means "Land of Jade," it is a brilliant pearl of the Western Regions. Kashgar is a national historical and cultural city, an open western metropolis, and its captivating ethnic customs have earned it renown both domestically and internationally. In the afternoon after arriving in Kashgar, visitors can explore the Fragrant Concubine Garden—a memorial mausoleum honoring Emperor Qianlong's legendary consort, the Fragrant Concubine. This site masterfully blends Islamic architectural styles with Central Plains cultural elements. The centerpiece is the dignified and elegant Tomb of Apar Khodja, complemented by intricately carved gatehouses, mosques, and garden landscapes that showcase rich ethnic characteristics and historical depth. Today, it has become a cultural tourism landmark where visitors can experience Uyghur folk performances, learn about the legendary story of the Fragrant Concubine, and explore the historical connections between Silk Road culture and regional heritage.

Arriving at the old city gate early in the morning to visit the [Kashgar Ancient City Opening Ceremony] is a distinctive daily morning welcoming event held at the East Gate in Xinjiang Kashgar (10:30 in summer/10:00 in winter), which kicks off the ancient city with lively Uyghur songs, dances, and drum performances. Dancers dressed in vibrant Edelweiss silk dance to the melodies of the Twelve Muqam, while the "city lord" calls out to guests with traditional etiquette. After the gates open, visitors can step into the ancient alleys spanning a thousand years, experiencing the historical pulse of the Silk Road trading hub. The ceremony encapsulates Uyghur folk culture and the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient city. In just 20 minutes, it features both lively song and dance interactions and conveys the openness and warmth of the "Pearl of the Silk Road," making it an immersive experience not to be missed on a cultural journey through Kashgar. The tour then proceeds to explore the Ancient City of Kashgar. Having withstood over 2,000 years of weathering, this architectural marvel serves as a living fossil for studying ancient Western Regions cities and stands as the most valuable, influential, and representative historical landmark for researching Silk Road culture. Recognized as one of the world's largest surviving earthen architecture complexes, its labyrinthine streets and staggered buildings form China's only intact maze-like urban district with distinct Islamic cultural features. Visitors can gather at century-old teahouses to savor tea, listen to ravep music performances, and share naan bread with stories, recreating the vibrant atmosphere of the millennium-old tea-horse trade stations. The Etigal Mosque is the largest and most influential Islamic mosque in China, as well as the venue for grand festival prayers by the Uyghur people. Finally, visitors can explore the old town area rich in ethnic customs and steeped in Kashgar's history. The old town features crisscrossing streets with flexible and varied layouts, winding paths leading to secluded spots. Most residential buildings are constructed with earthwood or brick-wood structures, many of which have a history of over a century. It is the only maze-like urban district in China characterized by Islamic culture.

Morning Transfer to Kashgar airport and fly to Chengdu . arriving in Chengdu in the afternoon, Check in at hotel. Dinner arranged. Watch traditional Sichuan Opera-Face chang which is

Morning visit Panda Conservation Centre to see baby and adult pandas in enclosures mimicking their natural habitat. Continue to Shu Brocade Museum to view intricate embroidery. Stop at People’s Park to visit Matchmaker’s Corner and enjoy local tea at a traditional teahouse. Overnight in Chengdu hotel.

Depart Chengdu in the morning and fly to Hong Kong, taking the shuttle to the hotel.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Discover its bustling markets, iconic landmarks like Victoria Peak, or indulge in world-class shopping and dining. Alternatively, relax and unwind at your own pace, soaking in the unique blend of tradition and modernity that defines this incredible city.