Cultural Routes in Desert

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your arrival at Beijing, your private guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. A welcome dinner is ready for you to get rid of strangeness and tiredness.
D


Day 2 Beijing

Make an early visit to the Temple of Heaven where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the God of Heaven and prayed for good harvests. But today, it has also become a morning exercise ground for the ordinary citizens. Make a brief stop at Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City. Try your hand at drawing the Beijing Opera mask under the guidance of an experienced artist. Time permitting; you can visit the shopping street to release your shopping desire and show your bargain talent. Go over your mask drawing knowledge when you watch the Beijing Opera over tea.
B, L


Day 3 Beijing

Drive out of town to the Great Wall at Mutianyu – a less-visited and more beautiful section of the Great Wall and enjoy an overlooking view on the cable car (Round trip). In order to reach a good vantage point, we'll hike along the wall for a short distance. So, loose shirts and skid-proof shoes are suggested. Pay a visit to the nearby village and savor a tasty farmhouse meal while appreciate the unrestored section of Great Wall in a distance. If interested, you can climb to experience this pristine Great Wall section. Visit the 2008 Olympic stadiums -- Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). Then feast on the crisp Peking duck to understand more about Chinese cuisine culture.
B, L, D


Day 4 Beijing

Visit the Guanyuan Market where sells flowers, birds, fishes and crickets (or visit Panjiayuan Market at weekend--a market to test your good eye for the nice second hand stuffs). Visit the Hutongs by rickshaw--Beijing's traditional dwellings which are disappearing rapidly to glimpse at the ordinary life of Beijingners. The Private Museum of the Old Beijingners' Stuffs in the Hutong trip will unveil you the past lifestyle of the Beijingners.
B, L


Day 5 Beijing - Urumqi

Fly to Urumqi. We'll visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Museum with its fascinating collection of mummies. And explore the Erdaqiao Bazaar with the dense ethnic feelings, where Uygur merchants gather to sell hats, embroidery, clothing and a wealth of fruits and vegetables. When you get tired of shopping, the bazaar also has plenty of dining places for you to replenish energy.
B, L


Day 6 Urumqi - Kashgar

Fly to Kashgar in the morning. The rest of the day we invite you to visit a busy bazaar to absorb the local flavor. Here you can see the handicrafts being made in the workshops. If you hear the sound of an electric saw, you can go and see carpenters making furniture and kitchen utensils. The market is open every day, but if you happen to arrive on Sunday, you'll find that the whole city actually become a big market which is one of the oldest, most colorful and lively bazaars in Asia. It has attracted merchants from all over Xinjiang and neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan now.
B, L


Day 7 Kashgar - Urumqi

Visit Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque temple in China. Wander the old city district of Kashgar to soak in the heavy history atmosphere via the survived residences since medieval time. Fly back to Urumchi.
B, L


Day 8 Urumqi - Turfan

Take a bus ride to Turfan. On the way you will pass Da Bancheng Wind Power Station composed of over hundreds of white towering windmills striving to generate the clean energy. Arrive at the Jiaohe Ruin to marvel at the city hewn from the earth thousands years ago. Go to Sugong Ta (Emin Minaret) for an all-embracing view of the city. Visit one of the ancient architectural gems-Karez irrigating System which was established to draw and conserve the underground water for the farming irrigationin the oven-like temperature. And then head to the Grape Valley, a rare oasis and great place to relax in this oven region.
B, L


Day 9 Turfan

Visit the Bezelik Thousand Buddha Caves and the Flaming Mountains that are famous for a Chinese classic--Journey to the West. Peek into the authentic life state of the Uigur nationality at the untouched village of Tuyu Valley. Take a night train to Dunhuang.
B, L


Day 10 Dunhuang

After Visiting the Mogao Grottos, we will head to the Dunhuang Research and Exhibition Center. Drive to the Mingsha Dunes (Mingsha literally "echoing sand")and the Crescent Lake. Return to Dunhuang and explore the Shazhou Night Market.
B, L


Day 11 Dunhuang - Xi'an

Visit the only fort of the Silk Road--Jade Gate Pass full of bleakness. Marvel at the peculiar landscapes in Yadan Geological Park. Fly to Xi'an.
B, L


Day 12 Xi'an

The ancestors' life that had existed long reveals to you in the trip to the Banpo Museum before the Terracotta Warriors. Besides facing to facing with the amazing Terracotta armies in the warrior museum, you can also watch a short film about the excavation. Next stop is the Shaanxi History Museum to learn about the long history of Xi'an as a capital of ten dynasties. And we climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to get an overlooking view. Fulfill your stomach with the delicious dumpling banquet more than you ever imagined.
B, L, D


Day 13 Xi'an - Shanghai

Ride a bike along the broad City Wall to experience Xi'an in a special way. The Great Mosque, located in Muslim Quarter, along with the Gao's Courtyard will provide you tranquil oasis to shelter from the tumultuous bazaar. Enjoy a traditional "shadow puppet" play in the courtyard. Say goodbye to Xi'an and fly to Shanghai. If time permits, you could take a stroll along the Bund or sip a cup of coffee in a soothing bar to enjoy the city floating in a glittering ocean of lights.
B, L


Day 14: Shanghai

Make a trip to Shanghai Museum and the new Shanghai landmark--the World Financial Center to have an all-embracing view of Shanghai. Visit the tranquil and famous Longhua Temple to try the unique vegetarian dishes that trick your taste buds to believe that they are made out of meat! Visit the Temple of the Town Gods. For restoring energy for the following tour, indulge yourself in the dizzying variety of Shanghai specialties and snacks in the market near the temple. Visit Yuyuan Garden, a garden full of exquisiteness for your detailed eye! A stunning and incredible acrobatic show will end today's trip.
B, L


Day 15: Shanghai

Experience Shanghai like a local in a host family visit by visiting the local markets and having a look of the original cuisine you will cook under the guidance of your host family. Engage yourself in the local community activities.
B, L


Day 16: Shanghai

Take the maglev train (luxury seat) to go to your departing plane at a lightning speed.
B


  • B: Breakfast
  • L: Lunch
  • D: Dinner