China Highlights - Discovery Your Way! (Since 1959)

 

10 Days Exotic Bazaars, Glaciers and Amazing Cultures Tour

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Great Wall at Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Cable Car(One way), Roasted Duck at Hepingmen Quanjude
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner

- Great Wall at Mutianyu: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Temple of Heaven: One of the most famous sites in Beijing, this is Ming architecture at its best: beautiful, controlled, and highly symbolic. The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activity, particularly weekend mornings. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Mutianyu Cable Car(One way): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Roasted Duck at Hepingmen Quanjude: In the evening enjoy the Peking Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of Beijing

Day 3

Place & Transport: Beijing to Dunhuang, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Dunhuang), Hutong Tours in Rickshaw, Hall of Clocks and Watches, The Forbidden City, The Tian'anmen Square
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Hutong Tours in Rickshaw: A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Kindergarten, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.
- Hall of Clocks and Watches: Hall of Clocks and Watches set in the Forbidden City,2208 square meters,show us the clock history of the past 200 years.
- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Dunhuang
Today's Activities: Yumenguan Pass, Yadan Landform Park/The Evil City, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Yumenguan Pass: Once as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty (206 B. C. -220 A. D.), it is quite ruined by the shifting sands but still shows the ever splendor.
Yumeng Town: The site of China’s first oil field
- Yadan Landform Park/The Evil City: The Evil City:It locates the south to the Wubao town in Hami and 20kms far from Wubao while 100kms far from Hami city. The Evil city is famous for its night sound and vivid rocks in various shapes those look like animals or other world famous attractions in the world.
- Great Wall of the Han Dynasty: Great wall of the Han dynasty was build for defending the nomadic Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty (206 BC--220 AD).

Day 5

Place & Transport: Dunhuang to Overnight train, Train No. Y501 Dep 9:40PM - Arr 6:41AM
Today's Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Dunhuang), Mogao Grottoes, he Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Mogao Grottoes : Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. It is not allowed to take photos.
- he Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain: Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands Mountains and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect

Day 6

Place & Transport: Overnight train to Turpan
Today's Activities: Train station to Hotel Transfer (Turpan), Karez Well, Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon, Suleiman's Minaret, Pass through the Flaming Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Karez Well: The Karez Water System Folkways Paradise is located at the Ya'er country in Turpan city, 3 kilometers away from the city Turban, and 2 kilometers away from the 312 national highway in the south. This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China.

The famous fruit and vineyards of these hot, dry desert communities owe their existence to the karez, ancient underground irrigation channels fed by wells that tap into the snowmelt from surrounding mountains. These systems are still maintained and functioning today. A small museum provides an insight into their intriguing history and construction, and takes you below ground for a first-hand view.
- Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon: The Tuyugou Great Canyon is 46 kilometers away from Shanshan county in the east, 47 kilometers from Turpan city in the west and 13 kilometers from the Gaochang Ancient City in the southwest.Among the canyons in the Flame Mountain which extends nearly one hundred kilometers, the Tuyugou Great Canyon is the canyon with the longest culture and the most mighty and majestic natural landscapes.

Tuyoq is a traditional village of vineyards, orchards, narrow streets and irrigation channels tumbling between ancient mudbrick houses and shady trees against the backdrop of the bare, red Flaming Mountains. An easy and pretty walk takes you to a group of very ancient caves carved into the mountainside. You can stop and enjoy the surroundings, or climb the steep stairways to view some of the caves, parts of their frescoes still visible, with both Buddhist and Nestorian connections.
- Suleiman's Minaret: The Sugong Tower is the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country. It is located at the Munage village, 2 kilometers away from the Turpan city in the east.
- Pass through the Flaming Mountain: The Flaming Mountain is located on the northern verge of Turpan Basin, more than 10 kilometers away from Turpan city.It is the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. Eighty percent of the total natural landscapes and human landscapes in Turpan are located here.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Turpan to Overnight train, Train No. N886/N887 Dep 2:10PM - Arr 11:04AM
Today's Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Turpan), Jiaohe Ruin
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Jiaohe Ruin : Located in the Yarnaz Valley, 13 kilometers away from the Turpan city in the west, Jiaohe Ruin was built by the old Cheshi people in Qin dynasty and Han dynasty. It was almost dig from natural ground and the tallest building reached three stories high, which is the biggest, oldest and best preserved construction city in the world. The present preservation was descended from Tang dynasty during which period it had its Gold Age.

As you walk the streets of this incredible ruined city lying between two rivers, you can look across to distant vineyards and orchards. Clear streets and roads lead you through different sections and high viewpoints for perspective. Many of the buildings remain, and as the desert wind swirls through in the evenings, it’s easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of a once busy city, now deserted. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and take water and sunscreen.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Overnight train to Kashgar
Today's Activities: Train station to Hotel Transfer (Kashgar), Kashgar Old Town, Sunday bazaar, Id Kah Mosque
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Kashgar Old Town: Explore the maze of narrow streets in this oldest residential area of Kashgar. Houses were originally built along a natural slope, and extended over the years with many streets either fully or half-covered. Traditional Uighur life continues here in time-honoured fashion. Visit local families, see potteries, bakeries, embroidery, and local skills. There’s a local Folk Museum, and yes, souvenirs are for sale but these are not rich people, a purchase is better than a gift.
- Sunday bazaar: Famous throughout Asia, this ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. There are wonderful, offerings of dried fruit and delicacies, clothes, shoes, leather, textiles, rugs and carpets as well as scarves, souvenirs and other goods in an eclectic mix that appeals to traveller and native alike. Open all week, Sunday's the big day when the farmers come to town, and those who still prefer to shop at the market rather than city shops.
- Id Kah Mosque: This 15th century mosque is one of the largest and busiest in China. As you stroll under the trees in the pleasant courtyards, you glimpse the strength and care of the local community. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 gather to pray and study the Koran, and prayers 5 times/day on other days. You’ll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars,carvings and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are advised to cover upper arms and legs, a scarf is not compulsory, but is seen as a mark of respect.

Day 9

Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Oytagh Glacier, Visit a local Keerkezi Family
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Oytagh Glacier: The spectacular Oytagh Glacier is about 130klms from Kashgar and still largely undiscovered by tourists. Access to glacier is via an amazing alpine forest and grassland dotted with flocks of sheep and yurts belonging to local people.
- Visit a local Keerkezi Family: Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the life, customs and food of the Keekekezi local people in their ancestral homeland. Have tea and snacks with the family as they welcome you to their world.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi to Departure City, Flight No. TBA, connect Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar)
Meals: Breakfast

 

Featured Hotels

City Tourist Class
Beijing Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing
Dunhuang Dunhuang Hotel
Turpan Oasis Hotel
Kashgar Seman Hotel Kashi

 

Price of this tour

Tour ClassYour Group Size 1 person 2-5 persons 6-9 persons Single room supplement
Tourist Class 2970 2062 1700 264

* Price are in US dollars, for one person. Price are for references only, may vary according to your travel time (Touring Beijing during the Olympic period will require higher spendings. Please inquire for more details). Click here to change prices to your Currency

* Better discount is available when travel in low season from Nov to March or when travel in a large group. Please Contact Us for more details.

 

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