SILK ROAD EXPEDITION
(BEIJING-DUNHUANG-MOGOA GOTTOES-TURPAN-LAKE HEAVEN-URUMQI-HOTAN-YARKAN(SHACHE) DESSERT-KASHGAR-PAMIR MOUTAINS-SHAGHAI) 18days

Day 3 BEIJING/DUNHUANG
AM: On-own touring.
PM: Private transfer to Beijing airport for flight to Dunhuang. Airport reception/transfer to Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel (Deluxe-in the desert, 1 km from the Mogao site).

Day 4 MOGAO CROTTOES EXCURSION
All-day escorted excursion to the magnificent Mogao Grottoes, the greatest ancient Buddhist cave sties in China, with inception in the 4th century at the time of Mongolian conquest. Mogao consists of 492 recessed caves along a 1 mile cliff-carved face and containing over 2,000 painted Buddhist figures and more than 45,000 friezes and murals. The Grottoes show an uninterrupted history of Chinese painting, over a period of nearly a thousand years.
Evening: Performance of Feitian Dunhuang traditional dance.

Day 5 DUNHUANG/TURPAN
AM: Visit White Horse Pagoda, Crescent Moon Lake and see the singing sand dunes. Camel riding available.
PM: Drive Dunhuang to Liuyuan (2 hours) to board overnight train to Turpan.

Day 6 TURPAN
Arrive in Turpan at approximately 7:30AM. Railway reception/private transfer to Turpan Oasis Hotel. Turpan, an historic ancient capital and desert oasis town in the midst of the Turpan Depression, lies at the world's lowest altitude after the Dead Sea. It was the location for the former Che Shi Kingdom. Private all-day excursion to Bazaklik Thousand Buddhas Caves, Karez Wells the legendary Flaming Mountains (which appear to be ablaze in the midday desert sun) and Suliman Minaret. Also visit the former walled Uighur capital at Gao Chang City and Jiaohe City, and Astana Tombs, which still contains some mummified remains from the 5th century.
Evening: Enjoy a minority show in the vineyard.

Day 7 TURPAN/LAKE HEAVEN
AM: Escorted cross-desert private excursion across Turpan Depression to spectacular snow-capped Tianshan (Heavenly Mountains).
PM: Private boat ride at Lake Heaven. Lake Heaven is thought to be the most beautiful and pristine high-mountain lake in the world. Overnight in Uighur encampment (yurt dwellings) on shores of Lake Heaven(Tianchi).

Day 8 LAKE TIAN/URUMQI
Private transfer to Urumqi (2 hours), the capital of Xinjiang - Uighur Autonomous Region. Railway station reception/ private transfer to Urumqi Holiday Inn Hotel (4-star Deluxe). Urumqi is on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Private escorted city tour of Great Mosque, the Central Bazaar, and the Xinjiang Provincial Museum (including rare artifacts from the ancient Daur, Kazakh, Tajik and Mongol inhabitants of the Silk Road region).

Day 9 URUMQI/HOTAN
(Take off Hotan and go directly to Shanghai or Kashgar to shorten programs)
Private transfer to the airport to fly from Urumqi to Hotan (Hetian) via XO9911 (0920/1315). Hotan lies at the edge of the Taklamakhan Desert in one of the most remote region of Xinjiang. Airport reception/private transfer to Hotan Guest House (3-star).

Day 10 HOTAN
All-day escorted desert excursion to Yurturgan, site of a pre Islamic kingdom dating from the 8th century and visit the ruins at Malikurwatur. Also visit this region's jade and precious gem mines.

Day 11 HOTAN/YARKAN(SHACHE) DESERT EXCURSION
Private escorted cross-desert drive to Yarkand (125 miles), an isolated and rarely visited trading town which was once the main outpost on the ancient Tibet Road. Transfer to Yarkand Hotel.

Day 12 YARKAND/KASHGAR
AM: Explore Yarkand, including the ancient silk carpet weaving sheds, and other features of this medieval oasis settlement.
PM: Continued overland drive to Kashgar (100 miles), which is the western-most town in China and the most inland city in the world. It is still dominated by nomads, central Asian tribal peoples, and itinerant traders from as far off as Russian, Kirgyzstan, and Pakistan. Arrive in Kashgar in the late afternoon. Transfer to the hotel.
Evening: Special arranged private in-home visits with local families.

Day 13/Sunday KASHGAR OVERLAND EXCURSION
AM: Escorted walking through the famous Sunday Camel Market, one of the greatest remaining tribal bazaars of Central Asia. Also visit Id Kah Great Mosque, one of the largest in the country of Qing, with roots in western Pakistan.
PM: Excursion to the Tomb of Abakh Hoja, including the remains of the fabled beauty Xiangfei, a favorite concubine of Qing Emperor Qian Long (18th century).

Day 14 KARAKORUM/PAMIR MOUNTAINS EXCURSION

All-day private excursion along the spectacularly scenic Karakorum Highway, an ancient caravan route across the great Pamir Mountains toward Pakistan, passing stunning Karakuri Lake and exquisite high mountain pastures with grazing yaks and camels. Overnight at Tajik nomadic settlement (accommodations in heated, furnished yurts).

Day 15 PAMIR EXCURSION
Continued excursion across Pamir-Tashkurgan (plateau raging 3,000 meters), returning to Kashgar by nightfall.

Day 16 KASHGAR/URUMQIB
AM: Transfer to Kashgar Airport to board Kashgar-Urumqi flight. Airport reception/transfer to Urumqi Holiday Inn Hotel.

Day 17 URUMQI/SHANGHAI
AM: Private transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai. Airport reception/private transfer to Garden Hotel (5-star, great location and excellent service).
PM: On-own touring.

Day 18 SHANGHAI/US
AM: Say Goodbye to China. Private transfer to the airport to connect with your international flight back home or continue your trip to other destinations in China.

(You may extend your trip to other destinations in China).