15 Days Silk Road Express Dream Tour to Grand Xinjiang and Dunhuang

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Getting off the plane, you will find a tour guide expert in Chinese and English is already waiting for you at the airport. Along the way to your hotel, you can enjoy the charming natural scenery and learn more about the history, culture and customs of the vast region from the guide. And you can get a nice rest once arriving at the hotel.

Considering that you have traveled a lot the day before, you can take a rest at the hotel in the morning. With a good rest, you will be taken to the Xinjiang Corps Reclamation Museum. Through cultural relics, pictures and scene reproductions, the museum presents the important role of the Corps in developing Xinjiang, and is an important window to understand the modern history of Xinjiang. In the evening, you will be driven to Kuitun.

Leaving Kuitun, you will head to the Sayram Lake. It is the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Up close, its azure waters shimmer under the blue sky, while in the distance, snow-capped peaks blend seamlessly with the sky, creating a scene as beautiful as a watercolor painting. You can stroll around the lake and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

With a chill morning, having a bird's eye view of the Guozigou Bridge and the Sayram Lake, ior bathing in sunshine, you will then head to Yining City. You can have a stroll along the Kazanqi Folk Street, a distinctive block brimming with rich ethnic charm, and savor authentic Xinjiang cuisine such as baked buns, pilaf, and kebabs there. The folk street is not only a paradise for shopping and food but also an ideal place to experience Uyghur folk culture and immerse in the local lifestyle. 

After breakfast, you'll be in the Tianshan Flower Sea where you will be overwhelmed by the fragrant lavenders. The vast purple is definitely unforgettable. Enjoy your day there, and then you will head to the Nalati Grassland.

In the morning, you will have an unforgettable tour around at the Nalati Grassland. Situated in the Ili River Valley, it is part of the Tianshan Mountains and is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and camping are commonly enjoyed here, making it a must-visit location in Xinjiang. And in the afternoon, you will be in the Bayinbuluk Tourist Reserve. Surrounded by snowy peaks, the terrain is tumbling, the water and grass are beautiful and the scenery is attractive, and China's only swan nature reserve is located here, with swans dancing and snowy peaks and flowers reflecting, just like a fairy tale world. What is provided is not those natural attractions but also a feast-like dinner combined with sunset.

In the morning, you can walk around at the Bayinbuluk Tourist Reserve. Then you will head to Kuqa. You'll be taken to the first attraction hiding in the city--the Tianshan Grand Canyon. What makes it charming is not only its magnificence and precipitousness, but also its tranquility, mysteriousness and serene. Apart from that, you can also harvest a camel-riding experience. And you will visit the Kizil Caves. To date, the Canyon has preserved 236 caves, of which the most wonderful is the existing tens of thousands of square metres of mural paintings. 

This morning, you can take a half-day break still in Kuqa. Afterwards, you will head to the Kuqa Royal Palace, an ancient architectural complex that blends history and culture, bearing witness to the glorious past of the southern Xinjiang region. As you stroll, you can feel the weight of history and the passage of time. And you will get on the Silk Road Express to Kashgar.

After enjoying the breakfast on the train, you will be taken by your driver to the Baisha Lake which has a picturesque natural scenery, with the snow-capped mountainsand the lakes and rivers at the bottom of the mountains, forming a grand and imposing spectacle. Several hours later, you will find yourself at the Karakul Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. You can stroll around and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, including dazzling sapphire-like lake, verdant forests, and thriving grassland.

First, you will be driven to the Kashgar Ancient City. With a history spanning over two millennia, this ancient city is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets and alleys, flanked by traditional Uyghur houses made of earth and wood, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colors. As you wander through the city, you are transported back in time, where the past and present merge seamlessly. Take a break, and you will head to the Gaotai Ancient Homes. It is also known as a “Living Folk Museum of the Uygur where you will have the opportunity to learn the intangible cultural heritage handicraft-making techniques which are an essential part of the Chinese culture. And you will embark on the wonderful Silk Road Express excursion to Korla.

Upon the arrival at the Korla Station, the car will pick you up from the Korla Station and take you to the Lop Nur People Village for a tour. There are a great amount of activities that make you want to travel here again, including visiting Lop Nur-style  buildings, walking in the desert, wading through the Tarim River, and taking nice photos at the polar forest. Also you will be hospitably welcomed by the Luo Nurs at their home, and you can ask them about the key to longevity as there are many centenarians. Afterwards, you will again take the Express to Ruoqiang.

In Ruoqiang, the local guide will take you to the Milan Ancient City Ruins, the capital of the mysterious Loulan Kingdom along the Silk Road. More than just crumbling structures, it is a testament to the enduring legacy of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Here, Buddhist art flourished alongside Zoroastrian influences, creating a unique blend of styles that continues to captivate visitors today. Then the car will take you to the Loulan Museum. The exhibits offer a glimpse into the lives of the Loulan people. But whichever the Ruins or the Museum, it'll offer you with a chance to learn about the incredible Loulan history. And you will embark on the joyous Silk Road Express excursion to Golmud.

In the early morning, as the train slowly pulls into Golmud, with a hearty breakfast provided on board, a new day starts. Then you will head to the Golmud General Building, a red structure that witnessed the construction history of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, as if narrating the passionate years of that era. Strolling through it, one can feel the weight of history and the fighting spirit of our predecessors. Later, you will visit the Qarhan Salt Lake, this vast "Mirror of the Sky" resembles a huge piece of jade inlaid in the Gobi Desert. Walking by the lake, one can experience the purity and magnificence of the salt lake. Then the Express wll take you to the historic and cultural city of Dunhuang, and prepare yourself for tomorrow's tour of the Mogao Grottoes.

After arriving in Dunhuang in the morning, you'll head to the world-renowned Mogao Grottoes, where you can admire the exquisite murals and sculptures under the guidance of a professional guide. Immerse yourself in the charm of thousand-year-old Buddhist art and learn about the history and culture of the Silk Road. The Mingsha Mountains is your next stop. Under the glow of the setting sun, you can ride a camel through the desert, listening to the rhythmic sound of camel bells, or climb the sand dunes barefoot, feeling the fine sand slip through your fingers. 

Today our journey comes to an end after a good breakfast. After breakfast, your guide will take you to the airport.