The Silk Road of China

There are activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner -- the famous Beijing Duck is on the menu.

Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, options include shopping, taking a hutong tour, or visiting some city sights like the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, and Bell and Drum towers.

Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. At the wall, climb to the top and explore a stretch by foot while taking in spectacular views as it winds along mountain ridges. This section also boasts a cable car and a luge slide.

In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.

Arrive in Xi'an in the early morning and, after checking into the hotel, grab some breakfast and take an orientation walk.

After, take a guided trip out to the Terracotta Warriors, a short drive away.

Spend free time in the evening wandering the Muslim Quarter and shopping for souvenirs.

Enjoy a free day in Xi'an. Opt to visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, ride a bike around the city walls, visit the Big Goose Pagoda, or do some shopping. In the evening, board a sleeper train for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan.

Located in the Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is famous for its location on the Silk Road and also for its post on the Great Wall.

The westernmost section of the Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Pass, was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with the Overhanging Great Wall section.

Travel by express bus to Dunhuang, a major stop on the Silk Road.

Enjoy a guided visit to the famous Mogao Grottoes, filled with Buddha statues, and learn about this important place.

Spend a free afternoon wandering the town centre, shopping in the market, or visiting sights further afield. This is one of the loveliest cities in the region.

Mingsha means "Singing or echoing sands", named for the sound of the wind blowing through the dunes. Arrive before sunrise to climb the massive dunes and watch the sun come up over the "desert". The sands turn from white to golden as the sun rises. Later, opt for a camel ride through the dunes in the early morning sun and choose to sled down one of the dunes.

Head back to town for breakfast and a rest. In the afternoon, opt to spend more time in the city or visit a local village nearby.

In the evening, board a sleeper train to Turpan, the first stop in the Xinjiang province.

Arrive at the train station and drive by private van (about 1 hr) to Turpan, the lowest point in Asia.

Enjoy a city tour with a local guide and learn about this interesting desert city, the ancient Karez water system, and the culture of the Uyghur minority people.

The day is free to continue exploring. Sights in Turpan include the Emin Minaret, the city mosque, and the Turpan Museum. There is plenty to do outside the city centre; opt to visit the Jiaohe ruins and Flaming Mountains.

Learn what makes this area different from the rest of China, starting with the time. Try your hand at tying a local headscarf in the distinct Uyghur fashion and indulge in some of the grapes grown in this region.

In the morning take a private van to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Province. From here, drive into the Tian Shan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) for an overnight in a yurt with the local Kazakh minority people. This area looks more similar to the Swiss Alps, with towering snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes, than somewhere in the middle of China. Spend the day hiking, horseback riding, or just relaxing and soaking in the views. In the evening, tuck into the multi-share circular felt hut (yurt) and sleep like a local.

With free time in the afternoon, tour the market or check out some abandoned ancient towns, the Yoktan or Melikawat ruins. Hotan is also known for its jade.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the old town centre or the People's Square.

Meet the group for an optional farewell dinner.