13D12N North & South Xinjiang China Silk Road Train Adventure

<p>Upon arrival in Xi’ning, you will be met and transferred to<br />
your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcoming dinner to<br />
start your journey.</p>
<p>Overnight in Hotel</p>
<p> </p>

<p>Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Tar<br />
Temple, located 2,700 meters above sea level. Explore<br />
this largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Qinghai,<br />
founded in 1379, and admire its famous butter flowers,<br />
murals, and embroidery, along with its extensive<br />
collection of Buddhist texts. After lunch, transfer to the<br />
railway station and board the train. Enjoy onboard<br />
activities, a dinner with views of Qinghai Lake, and pass<br />
through the Aer Golden Mountain on the new railway<br />
route to Ruoqiang. The evening will include a cocktail<br />
party and dinner onboard</p>
<p>**Overnight: On board train**</p>

<p>Start your day with a unique onboard breakfast<br />
experience. Afterward, take a bus to the Milan Ruins,<br />
where you’ll explore the ancient heritage of the Loulan<br />
nation from the Han Dynasty. Located 80 kilometers east<br />
of Ruoqiang County, this site is a national key cultural<br />
relic, surrounded by ancient buildings from the Wei, Jin,<br />
and Tang Dynasties, as well as Han Dynasty Tuntian<br />
water conservancy facilities and the Yixun city site. After<br />
lunch, visit the Loulan Museum, a national cultural<br />
landmark dedicated to Loulan’s history. In the evening,<br />
enjoy dinner onboard as the train continues its journey<br />
toward Kuche</p>
<p>**Overnight onboard train.**</p>

<p>Begin the day with breakfast on the train before visiting<br />
the Kirlz Thousand Buddha Caves, an ancient Keluan<br />
grotto temple group showcasing Buddhist art from the<br />
Qiuci Kingdom, predating the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes<br />
by 150 years. After lunch, explore the Tianshan<br />
Mysterious Grand Canyon and Kuche Palace, a blend of<br />
Chinese and Islamic architecture built in 1759 by<br />
Emperor Qianlong. Covering 40,000 square meters, the<br />
palace reflects the harmony of two cultural traditions.<br />
Conclude with dinner before boarding the train to<br />
Kashgar.</p>
<p>**Overnight: Overnight onboard train.**</p>

<p>Start with onboard breakfast before driving to Taxian via<br />
Baisha Lake, surrounded by grasslands, water birds, and<br />
snow-capped sandy mountains. After lunch, visit Golden<br />
Grass Beach and Stone City. Golden Grass Beach features<br />
pristine wetlands, meadows, and rivers, while Stone City,<br />
dating back to the Tang Dynasty, was a royal city and Silk<br />
Road hub with rich historical relics. End the day with<br />
dinner at the hotel.</p>
<p>**Overnight Overnight in Hotel**</p>

<p>After breakfast at the hotel switching to SUVs or<br />
commercial vehicles to explore the spectacular Panlong<br />
Ancient Road. Stretching over the Pamir Plateau at an<br />
altitude of 4,100 meters, this remarkable road features<br />
608 turns, including dramatic 180-degree hairpin bends,<br />
and a maximum descent of over 1,000 meters. Enjoy<br />
stunning views from platforms like “Long Head” and<br />
“Shuixiu” along the route. Return to Taxian for lunch<br />
before heading to Kashgar with a stop at Kalakuli Lake.<br />
Located at the base of Muztagh Peak (7,546m), known as<br />
the “Father of the Iceberg,” this alpine moraine lake<br />
offers breathtaking views of its dark waters against the<br />
snow-capped peak. After visiting the lake, continue the<br />
drive to Kashgar for dinner and an overnight stay at the<br />
hotel.</p>
<p>**Overnight in Hotel**</p>

<p>After breakfast, explore Kashgar Old Town, one of the<br />
largest earthen architectural complexes in the world.<br />
Spanning 3.6 square kilometers, this living area for<br />
Uyghur residents showcases traditional family life, ethnic<br />
customs, handicrafts, and cuisine. With over 2,000 years<br />
of history, Kashgar Old Town is a “living fossil” of ancient Western Region cities and a key cultural site on the Silk<br />
Road. Next, visit Xiangfei Garden, a harmonious blend of<br />
traditional Uyghur culture and architecture. After lunch,<br />
tour the Id Kah Mosque, a historical gem on the ancient<br />
Silk Road where Eastern and Western civilizations<br />
converge. Witness the mosque’s iconic gate-opening<br />
ceremony.</p>
<p>**Overnight in Hotel.**</p>

<p>After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight from<br />
Kashgar to Urumqi to explore northern Xinjiang. Enjoy<br />
lunch upon arrival in Urumqi. In the afternoon, visit<br />
Heavenly Lake, a breathtaking alpine lake surrounded by<br />
natural beauty. Spanning 160 square kilometers, it is a<br />
National AAAAA Scenic Spot, a UNESCO World Heritage<br />
Site, and one of China’s ten most beautiful lakes.<br />
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay in the<br />
hotel.</p>
<p>** Overnight in hotel**</p>

<p>After breakfast, travel along the S21 Desert Highway and<br />
visit Ulungu Lake en route. Continue to Buerjin Wucai<br />
Beach, a unique destination along the Irtysh River, which<br />
flows into the Arctic Ocean. The south bank features lush<br />
greenery, while the north bank boasts the vibrant colors<br />
of the Yadan Gobi, often described as “God’s overturned<br />
colorful palette” due to its striking landscape</p>
<p>**Overnight: Overnight<br />
in Hotel. **</p>

<p>After breakfast, drive to the <strong>Kanas Lake Natural Reserve</strong>, known as the Switzerland of the East ( including fish watching pavilion, cruise and so on). Kanas scenic area encompasses <strong>Kanas Lake, Moon Bay, Kanas Fish Viewing Platform, ‌Wolong Bay</strong>, and other renowned scenic spots. It is a comprehensive scenic area integrating glaciers, lakes, forests, grasslands, and rivers. Kanas Lake is the core of the scenic area, renowned as the “fairyland on earth, the garden of God”. The lake originates from glacial melt water and local precipitation. With an altitude of 1,374 meters above sea level and an area of 45.73 square kilometers, it is one of the deepest moraine barrier lakes in China. The combination of natural landscapes and historical and cultural relics within the scenic area, such as Genghis Khan’s West Expedition army point and ancient rock paintings, showcases rich natural and human values. Kanas, in Mongolian, means “beautiful and mysterious lake”. Here, not only is there the magnificent natural landscape but also mysterious legends, such as the “water monster” legend of Kanas Lake, adding a touch of mystery to this place. The optimal seasons to visit Kanas are June and September each year, when the scenery is particularly enchanting.</p>

<p>After breakfast, we will head to <strong>Hemu Scenic Area</strong>, which is famously known as “God’s Reserved Land”. We will visit the <strong>Hemu River, Internet Famous Bridge, White Birch Forests</strong>, and the <strong>Old Village</strong>. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, with lush white birch forests hiding streams that meander gently, and wide and majestic rapids rushing by. We will climb to a viewing platform to see the smoke rising from the wooden houses in the narrow valley of Hemu Village, where the sun is happily shining on the Birch Forests on the hillside, while cows and sheep are peacefully grazing below. The blue Humu river flowing by the village is cheerfully singing and flowing forward…</p>

<p><strong>Xinjiang Museum</strong>, it is one of the earliest national first-class museums and it is a provincial comprehensive museum. It serves as an institution for the collection, protection of cultural relics and specimens, as well as scientific research, publicity and education in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. <strong>Grand Bazaar</strong>, it is the largest grand bazaar in the world, with a strong ‌Islamic architectural style, integrating Islamic culture, architecture, ‌national trade, and with entertainment and catering. It is not only the gathering place and display center for tourists, but also it is the “window of Xinjiang”, the “window of central Asia” and the”window of the world” . In 2004, it was selected as the “Top Ten Buildings” of Urumqi. ‌</p>

<p>After a pleasant breakfast in hotel, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.</p>