Day1: Arrive Beijing

Pick up and transfer to hotel. Rest of day free at leisure.

Meals: No meal

Accommodation: Oriental Bay Hotel or similar 5*

Day2: Beijing - Urumqi  (By air) (B,D)

Arrive in Urumqi, the provincial capital of Xinjiang located on the foothills of the Heavenly Mountains. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. 

Accommodation: Hoi Tak Hotel 5*or similar

Day3：Urumqi   (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we drive to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi in Chinese). Heavenly Lake is situated to the east of the Tianshan Mountain range, north of the magnificent Bogda Peak. Surrounding Heavenly Lake are snowcapped mountains, glacial forests and grasslands. Then we return to Urumqi to tour the International Bazaar.

Day4：Urumqi - Turpan – Liuyuan  (Train) (B,L,D)

Today, travel on the New Orient Express to Turpan. Visit Jiaohe Ruins, the largest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Although 2,000 years have passed, the former glory of Jiaohe can still be found in these ruins. Enjoy roast whole lamb at lunch. We will visit the ancient Karez irrigation system. Water flowing from the melting snows of the northern mountains, is supplied to Turpan by man-made underground channels or "karez". Proceed to the hottest place in China - the Mountain of Flames, were the summer temperature reaches 47 degrees Celsius. Then visit the famous Grape Valley. After dinner, depart for Dunhuang on the New Orient Express. 

Accommodation: New Orient Express

Day5：Linyuan – Dunhuang  (Train) (B,L,D)

After our morning arrival in Liuyuan， we drive to Dunhuang. Visit the Mogao Caves, the famous Chinese Buddhist grotto that is a World Heritage Site. Known as the “Oriental Louvre”, the Mogao Caves not only boasts a large number of vivid Buddhism murals, statues and architecture it is also renowned as a treasure house of Buddhism culture. After lunch, visit the spectacle of Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, an oasis in the Gobi Desert.

Accommodation: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel 4* or similar

Day6：Dunhuang - Jiayuguan – Lanzhou  (Train)(B,L,D)

After breakfast, back to Liuyuan for the train to Jiayuguan. Visit Jiayuguan Fort, the western most end of the Great Wall and the Great Wall Museum. Then see the 6th century Wei Dynasty tombs, and Jiuquan (wine spring) with its imposing Bell and Drum Tower. After dinner we leave for Lanzhou by train.

Accommodation: New Orient Express

Day7：Lanzhou - Xi’an  (Train) (B,L,D)

Arrive in Lanzhou, situated on the upper course of the Yellow River. With mountains surrounding it on the north and south, and the Yellow River flowing through it from east to west, the city is scenic and attractive. We will visit Waterwheel Garden, Sculpture of the Mother Yellow River, cruising on the Yellow River. After dinner, we will board the New Orient Express train again for the journey to Xian, the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.

Accommodation: New Orient Express

Day8：Xi’an  (B,L,D)

Arrive in Xi’an in the morning. Visit Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Back to town to visit Wild Goose Pagoda Square, Bell Tower. Dumpling banquet at night.

Accommodation: Titan Hotel or similar 5*

Day9: Xian departure (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport.