11 Days Impressive China Train Tour from Xi’an to Urumqi

Welcome to Xi’an! Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and driver, and then transferred to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the nearby areas if you want. Or just have a relaxing time after a long flight.

Meal: No

Altitude: xxm

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Xi’an

Xi’an city, or call its older name Chang’an, marks the eastern end of the silk road. It almost can represent the ancient China for its abundant historical attractions and unearthed relics. The locals always say that there are two cities in Xi’an, one is overground, the other is underground. It is a endless treasure of culture and history, you will have a wonderful and unforgettable cultural tour here.In the morning, We will directly drive to the outskirts of Xi’an city to visit its best known sight–Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest human-made wonders in the world.

It was built by Qin Shihuang, who is the first emperor of China, to guard him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size soldiers were individually sculptured, and each of them have different height, body shape, hair style, costume and even facial expression! You will also see horses and chariots which are also life-size. Only 3 pits were discovered, and the majority are still buried. All the soldiers are facing east to protect the tomb of emperor Qin Shihuang. The mysterious Qin Shihuang Mausoleum, which has not been opened yet as the existed techniques cannot guarantee excavating without destroying the inner structure and treasures, is believed to be another striking wonder once been exposed to the world. The huge scale of terracotta warriors shows how ambitious the emperor Qin Shihuang was and how sophisticated and advance the ancient Chinese artistic skills were.

Afterwards, let’s return to Xi’an and enjoy the afternoon strolling on the Ancient City Wall. Just like the function of the Great Wall, many cities in China once had massive defensive walls which belonged to the ancient military defensive systems. However, only very few city walls remained after hundred years’ vicissitudes. Among them, the one in Xi’an is the most impressive one as it is well-preserved. You not only can enjoy the panoramic views of the whole Xi’an city and take photos, but also ride a bike on the ancient wall.

End up your day tour in the lively Muslim Quarter where to take a food adventure and explore the local Muslim culture.

Recommended optional activities: 1. Rent a bike and cycling on the ancient wall 2. Enjoy a fascinating Tang Palace Dance Show in the night between 20:00 to 21:00.

Meal: B

Altitude: 466m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Xi’an

Today is another day for wonderful cultural tour. We will head to the Da Cien Temple after breakfast. This is a very famous Buddhist sutra translation site in the Tang Dynasty. If you are very interested in Chinese culture, you must have heard story about the Journey to the West. The hero — famed Buddhist master Xuanzang (Tripitaka) — brought back many precious Buddhist materials from his epic journey to India during the early Tang Dynasty. All the Buddhist scriptures he brought back were stored in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is in the center of the Da Cien Temple. Here you will have time to try on the traditional costume of Han Chinese — Hanfu. Typically the gorgeous Hanfu only worn by the emperors families and nobles in the solemn occasions.

Then head to the Shaanxi History Museum, we will continue to know Chinese culture in one of the biggest and most amazing museums in China. Here you can ramble in the modern exhibition halls to admire the historic relics dating from the Zhou dynasty (1046 BC).

In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Xian North Train Station to catch the high-speed train to Lanzhou. After 3.5 hours’ train riding, you will arrive at Lanzhou Station, and the local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

Meal: B

Altitude: xxm

Traffic: Car, High Speed Train

Hotel: In Lanzhou

After hotel breakfast, your exploration begins! First, have a glimpse of Lanzhou city by visiting Yellow River Custom Tourist Line, which is considered as “the Bund of Lanzhou City”, taking Zhongshan Bridge as the axis to stretch out along the Yellow River. The sites to visit of the Tourist Line are distributed on the Road River, including Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Hill Park, Waterwheel Park and so on. A leisure strolling bathed in rosy light of dusk on the River Road is a top thing to do in Lanzhou.

Later, drive around 1.5 hours to visit Bingling Temple. Although in the name of “temple”, it is actually a series of grotto complex featured in Buddhist elements and engraved on the mountain cliffs. Considering Bingling Temple stands on the cliff along Liujiaxia reservoir, people need to take a speedboat to approach the grottoes to have a better visit. 

After the visit, continue to drive to Xiahe for overnight.

Meal: B

Altitude: xxm

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Xiahe

You will start today’s visit with Labrang Monastery. You will regret that you didn’t pay an earlier visit to Labrang Monastery if you hear the loud titles of it: one of the “Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect”, famous Tibetan Buddhist college with best complete teaching system of Tibetan Buddhism, the longest corridor of turning scriptures in the world…It does deserve the titles and also your visit after trudge. The grand temple complex housing elegant Buddhist images and statues, wall paintings and other treasures receives devout worship from those Tibetans who are pilgriming from misty valley in each dawn, telling you the moved power of belief from hearts.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to Sangke Grasslands definitely would refresh yourself. Distinct from the spiritous touch at Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grasslands is filled with esthetical taste, appealing endless people to cry out mental pressure built up from busy life. Lush grasses waves green carpets here stretching distantly on the plateau with altitude of 3,000 meters while flocks and herds spotted on it to add more vitality, which forms awesome idyllic sights, bewildering travelers to crazily click the shutters.

After the relaxing sightseeing, drive back to your hotel in Lanzhou.

Meal: B

Altitude: xxm

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Lanzhou

In the morning, the driver will pick you up from hotel lobby and transfer to train station for your morning high-speed train to Jiayuguan. The train rides around 5.5 hours, you can enjoy the scenery on the way.

When you arrive at Jiayuguan South Train Station, there will be the local English speaking tour guide and driver picking you up at the exit gate, and your exploration starts!

After driving through the yellow sand of desert, you will come to Jiayuguan Pass, also known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”, “the Throat of Hexi Corridor”. As the western end of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan Pass, being constructed for hundreds of years, not only occupied a vital position in military defense but also exerted importance influence in trade & culture exchange as a key waypoint of ancient Silk Road. You can climb up the tower to admire the entire view.

Next, continue your visit to Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum. Inside the Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area, there is the first Great Wall themed museum with 7 major exhibition halls to show you more detailed knowledge about this great constructional engineering in Chinese history. The oil painting of Great Wall exhibited here with large scale, about 220.5 m2 is a highlight deserving longer stop.

Meal: B

Altitude: xxm

Traffic: Car, High Speed Train

Hotel: In Jiayuguan

After breakfast, drive around 5 hours to Dunhuang. You are suggested to wear comfortable shoes and take some snacks considering this will be a long-time journey.

Having lunch in Dunhuang, and after short rest when it is not too hot, you will head to Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. Echo Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring are harmonious mates of miracle created by natural, glittering like a pearl along the Silk Road for thousands of years. The incredible co-existence between spring water and sand mountains always amazes visitors at their first sight here: the sand mountains meanders like a huge dragon and roars when wings blowing while the Crescent Spring, like a gentle maiden, is embraced in arms of mountains without being smudging. A life-time experience provided here as optional activity is camel ride at Echo Sand Mountain.

Friendly tip: There is camel ride available in the Echo Sand Mountain, if you would like to try it, please pay in cash on your own (around CNY100 /pax ). Of course your tour guide will help to purchase tickets.

Last, come to Shazhou Night Market for further exploration. Though you might have visited many night markets or food streets during your weeks of vacation, Shazhou Night Market still brings something different for you. Mogao Caves visited in daytime put the most outstanding highlight of Dunhuang before you, Shazhou Night Market just takes you into the down-to-earth life of the local. Do you feel a pull from the strong perfume emitting from the stalls bathed in the dim lights and speed up towards the hawkers and carefully avoid the busy crowds? For sure, you will find the special vitality of this northwest city remoting from the country center during your leisure strolling.

Meal: B

Altitude: 1183m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Dunhuang

Start a brand new day by visiting the UNESKO – recognized Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, which is regarded as a “cultural treasure”, and also represents the splendid Chinese history. You’ll visit the 8 grottoes with the introducing of the professional guide. As one of the famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China, Mogao Grottoes symbolize the essence of human civilization.

Afterwards, say goodbye to Dunhuang and you will be transferred to catch your high speed train to Turpan. Upon arrival, you will be met by the local guide and driver to escort you to the downtown hotel in Turpan.

Meal: B

Altitude: 36m

Traffic: Car, High Speed Train

Hotel: In Turpan

Start a brand new day to drive to the particularly charming city – Turpan. First, go to visit the Tuyoq Village, which is a tourist area with both natural scenery and cultural relics; it is also the most mysterious place in western China, Turpan City, Xinjiang Province, about 55 kilometers to the east of Turpan City. This is the cultural land of the four major civilizations in the world. Various religious cultures such as Islam, Buddhism, Manichaeism and Nestorianism collide and gather here. The scenery of the desert canyon and the ancient Uygur villages complement each other. The Thousand Buddha Caves in Tuyoq Village is the earliest and largest excavation in Turpan area; and the Mazaar ancient village, known as the “living fossil of folk customs of traditional Uygurs”.

Next, visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, which is an ancient city that was strategically located along the Ancient Silk Road. Perching on a plateau, it acted as a natural barrier from the attacking enemies in the old times. Besides, Jiaohe Ruins is a city without city walls; it was once one of the most prosperous cities on the ancient Silk Road. It is an ancient city in the Western Regions as famous as the ancient city of Loulan, known as the “Oriental Pompeii”. And Jiaohe Ruins is currently the largest, oldest and best-preserved city with earthen buildings in the world. It is the only and most complete Han Dynasty city site in China.

Then, we will go to discover the amazing project of Karez Well system. Together with the Great Wall and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Karez System is regarded as one of China’s Three Greatest Ancient Projects. It is a special kind of irrigation system consisting of vertical wells, underground canals, ground canals and waterlogging pond. The vertically dug wells are linked together to channel the water which occurs during summer rain season, or is melted from snow mountains of Tianshan range to desired farmlands in the desert area.

At last, we will drive back to the downtown area of Turpan to visit some famous must-see tourist attractions such as the collection house, which is also known as “Turpan’s Grandpa Antique Shop” and the largest Islamic minaret in China built in 1778 – Sugong Minaret. It is the product of a historical event, and is an exquisite national architectural art treasure on the Silk Road in the Western Regions.

Afterwards, we’ll drive to Urumqi for overnight stay.

Meal: B

Altitude: 36m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Urumqi

After breakfast, in the early morning your tour guide will take you to visit the gorgeous Heavenly Lake, which is famous for its stunning view and various tourist resources. In addition, Heavenly Lake, known as “Yao Chi” in ancient times and it is also a World Natural Heritage Site. The spring of Heavenly Lake is quite long; at this time, half of the water in the Heavenly Lake is normal lake water, while the other half is ice crystal like a mirror. You can fully enjoy the Heavenly Lake’s picturesque view and get more close with nature.

Our next trip is head to visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, which is located in Tianshan District of Urumqi and is currently the largest Bazaar in China. The Grand Bazaar’s architectural style and scale are magnificent, and the ethnic minority products in the market are rich and exquisite.The entire International Bazaar is the most ethnic-style place in Urumqi. The garden tower about 100 meters high in the center of the square is called the Silk Road Tower. It is the most famous scenic spot in the Grand Bazaar. There are paintings and exhibitions on each floor of the tower to show the historical stories of the Silk Road and you can overlook the surrounding city scenery from the top of the tower. Inside the Grand Bazaar is a huge market, where numerous vendors sell specialty products from Xinjiang. Dried fruits, clothing, essential oils, and handicrafts are dazzling, and the decorations in the market are colorful and very beautiful, so you can have a good visit.

Meal: B

Altitude: 836m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: In Urumqi

The 11 days amazing trip will end by today. We will arrange airport transfer for you and wish you a pleasant journey home! If you want to visit more places in Xinjiang or other Chinese cities, please feel free to contact us. We will be very happy to be helpful for you.

Meal: B

Altitude: 836m

Traffic: Car

Hotel: No