Tracks of Silk Road
601: 5 Days Private Tour of Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi
Tour Type: Private Tour, any part of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 4 western buffet breakfasts and 3 lunches
Highlights:
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 4 western buffet breakfasts and 3 lunches
Highlights:
- Trace back to the old Silk Road & learn about the culture and history.
- Marvel at the amazing Mogao Caves & enjoy a camel ride in the Gobi Desert.
- Visit murals in the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.
- Dive deep into two UNESCO-listed ancient cities, Jiaohe and Gaochang, and admire their remaining ruins.
- Itinerary
- Prices
- Reviews
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Day 1 Arrival in Dunhuang
Today our guide and driver will meet you at the airport or railway station, holding a welcome sign on which your name is written, and then take you to the hotel. After having a rest in the hotel, you will have the opportunity to ride a camel along the Echoing-Sand Dune to Crescent Lake, a miracle in the Gobi desert. If lucky, you can view the wonderful sunset over the desert. After that, we will transfer you back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Dunhuang Hotel
Accommodation: Dunhuang Hotel
Riding Camels at Echoing-Sand Dune
Visit the Crescent Lake
Day 2 Dunhuang - Turpan
Mogao Grottoes. High speed train to Turpan. Railway station-hotel transfer. (B+L)
This morning, you will visit the amazing Mogao Grottoes to appreciate the Buddhist art. It is 25 km (15.5miles) from downtown Dunhuang. The grottoes were carved into the side of a mountain and were stacked with five stories up to 50 meters (164 feet). Its exquisite Buddhist murals and statues are worth going the distance to see.
After that you will take a high speed train to Turpan. Our local guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown
After that you will take a high speed train to Turpan. Our local guide will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown
Day 3 Turpan
Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda. (B+L)
Today you will visit the Jiaohe Ruins, the Karez Well and the Sugong Pagoda. Jiaohe Ruins, a whole mud brick city, was the capital of the Cheshiqian kingdom nearly 2000 years ago. Although the ancient city has been badly damaged, the existing ruins still show its resplendence. Turpan is one of the hottest areas in China. In such a drought area, you may be curious about how the local villagers get water for living. A visit to the Karaz well (main irrigation system) will answer this question. This great underground system protects the mountain snowmelt from evaporation and the guide will show you how it works. The Sugong Pagoda, the only well-preserved ancient pagoda in Xinjiang Province, was constructed in 1777 totally of bricks without one piece of wood.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown
Mogao Grottoes
Jiaohe Ruins
Day 4 Turpan - Urumqi
Gaochang Ruins, Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Cave, Flaming Hill (drive by). Land transfer from Turpan to Urumqi. (B+L)
This morning, you will visit the Gaochang Ruins that was constructed as a garrison town in the 1st century and witnessed the turbulent history of this region in the following 1,300 years. Then you will see ancient Buddhist murals in the Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Cave, located in a lush and beautiful valley. The Flaming Hill is depicted in a famous novel, 'Journey to the West'. If the sunlight is strong, the clouds will make you think the mountain is on fire when seen from afar. After finishing the sightseeing, we will transfer you to the hotel in Urumqi.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel
Our Guests at Gaochang Ruins
Our Guests at The Flamming Hill
Day 5 Departure from Urumqi
Hotel-airport transfer & see you off. A pleasant trip home! (B)
Today our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward trip. We wish you a pleasant journey!
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices 2026 & 2027
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers |
|---|---|
USD1609 | USD1159 |
- Prices are per person on twin sharing.
- If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
- Domestic train fares
- Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- Lunches as itinerary specifies
- Private English-speaking guides
- Private drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Entry visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
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