CCTS China Travel

Day 1

Destinations: Arrival in Beijing

Today's Activities: On arrival, you will be met by our guide and taken to your hotel. Beijing is capital of China and political, economical and cultural center. The rest e of the day is free.

Meal:

Day 2

Destinations: Beijing

Today's Activities: Morning tour to Tian'anmen Square, located in the heart of the capital. It is the largest one in the world, the Forbidden City, one of the greatest feats of ancient Chinese architecture. Afternoon tour includes Summer Palace , a former summer resort of the royal family, or a visit to the Temple of Heaven where the emperors prayed for good harvests. Enjoy a famous Beijing roast duck in the evening.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 3

Destinations: Beijing

Today's Activities: Morning tour to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of manmade construction on earth visible from outer space. Afternoon tour to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Afterwards, you will have an outdoor overview of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube . Enjoy a Beijing Opera in the evening.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 4

Destinations: Beijing - Xi'an

Today's Activities: Morning flight from Beijing to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. Guide will meet you and take you to the hotel. Afternoon tour to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 A.D. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scripture which were obtained from India.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 5

Destinations: Xi'an

Today's Activities: Morning tour to the incredible Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China. Also tour to the Huaqing Hot Spring - a former resort for the emperor and royal family and a visit to the Banpo Village - the remains of a Neolithic village dating back 6,000 years. Primitive tools and household utensils are displayed in the Banpo Museum. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show in the evening.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 6

Destinations: Xi'an - Lanzhou

Today's Activities: Tour to the Shaanxi Historical Museum-the main museums which holds numerous unearthed cultural relics of China. Xian City Wall-the old Tang Dynasty structure boasting the most complete city wall that survives through Chinese long history. Also tour to the Grand Mosque. Then fly to Lanzhou from Xian.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 7

Destinations: Lanzhou - Xiahe

Today's Activities: Full day tour to xiahe and visit Labrang Monastery-One of the major monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect. The architectural layout follows the Tibetan style, while the construction patterns are mostly Tibetan, Han, or a mixture of the two. The White Towers (in the northeast and in the northwest) are very typical. Also tour to songke Grassland. Stay overnight at Xiahe.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 8

Destinations: Xiahe - Lanzhou

Today's Activities: Take you to Lanzhou today.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 9

Destinations: Lanzhou - Jiayuguan

Today's Activities: Cruise from Liujiaxia Gorge to Binglingsi( fast boat). Binglingsi Thousand Buddha Caves, which stretch for 200 meters, were built during the Western Qin, North Wei, Sui, Tang, and Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties (between the 3rd and 18th centuries). They are highly valued for their contribution to research into the history of Chinese painting, and the spread of Buddhism during that time. Leave for Jiayuguan by train.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 10

Destinations: Jiayuguan

Today's Activities: Tour to Jiayuguan Pass that was the last section of the Great Wall, built by the Ming Dynasty. It was built in 1372, and subsequently enlarged and strengthened, and was known as 'the strongest pass under heaven at the western end of the Great Wall. Also tour to the Great Wall on the Cliff, Weijin Tomb, and Great Walls Museum.

Meal: L

Day 11

Destinations: Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

Today's Activities: Tour to the Yulin Grattoes which are famous for their murals and sculptures, in a valley among Qilin Mountain, about 180kms from the Mogao Caves.

Meal: B,L

Day 12

Destinations: Dunhuang - Turpan

Today's Activities: Tour to Mogao Grottoes-Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. Photos are not permitted. Echoing-Sand Mountain, The Crescent Lake-Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands Mountains and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect, Leave for Turpan by train.

Meal: B,L

Day 13

Destinations: Turpan

Today's Activities: Tour to Gaochang Ancient City.The city's name means 'the King City'. It was founded during the first century B.C. and abandoned during the 15th century. Astana Tombs-where the ancient people of the Gaochang city are buried. It is famous for its terracotta figurines and tomb paintings. The Flaming Mountain-Many years of volcanic activity have formed the unique crisscrossing gullies and ravines. During mid-afternoon the heat becomes intense as the sun's rays are reflected off the red rocks, as though the hillsides are engulfed by tongues of fire, hence the name. Also tour to Karez Well, Suleiman's Minaret, Grape Valley.

Meal: B,L

Day 14

Destinations: Turpan - Urumqi

Today's Activities: Tour to Southern Pasture - The pasture, in the Tian Mountain valley, is a very beautiful grazing area, with mountains, valleys, fountains, waterfalls, cypress and pine trees. The Terai Camp, The Erdaoqiao Bazaar - This is the largest Uigur bazaar in Urumqi, where you'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and more.

Meal: B,L

Day 15

Destinations: Urumqi - Kashgar

Today's Activities: Fly to Kashgar. Tour to Sunday bazaar, Abakh Khoja Tomb - The tomb served as the family tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a prophet and second only to Mohammed.

Meal: B,L

Day 16

Destinations: Kashgar - Urumqi

Today's Activities: Tour to the Lake Karakuli, about 1500 kilometers from Urumqi in southwest Xinjiang, and about 3600 meters above sea level. Mount Muztagata which is one of the five most beautiful mountains in the world, provides a beautiful backdrop at 7546 meters with nearby Gongeer Peaks rising to 7719 meters above sea level. Pass to Lake Kalakuli. Then fly to Urumchi.

Meal: B,L

Day 17

Destinations: Urumqi - Shanghai

Today's Activities: Today, fly to Shanghai from Urumchi.

Meal: B,L,D

Day 18

Destinations: Shanghai

Today's Activities: Tour to the Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Temple to the city Gods, Oriental TV Tower, Enjoy a Shangcheng Acrobatics.

Meal: B

Day 19

Destinations: Shanghai To Departure City

Today's Activities: Guide will take you to the airport for your departure.

Meal: B