Student Tour: Silk Road Explorer Beijing - Lanzhou - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar This tour follows the ancient Silk Road from the city of Lanzhou to Kashgar at the western edge of China. Along the way, you will visit oasis towns, temples carved out of mountains, and ancient desert strongholds of the Silk Road. Don’t miss this amazing experience! Day 1 Depart for Beijing. Day 2 Arrive in Beijing. Your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. Have a welcome dinner and get settled. Day 3 Take a domestic flight to Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu province and your launching point along the Silk Road! Day 4 Follow the Yellow River on a cruise (water level permit- ting) to Bingling Temple, carved out of a canyon along the river. Tour Bingling Temple and return to Lanzhou. Day 5 Take a domestic flight over the Gobi Desert to Dunhuang, a desert oasis and popular crossroads of the Silk Road. Day 10 After a morning stop at the Xinjiang Mu- Day 6 seum, we will fly to Kashgar, at the remote Visit the incredible Mogao Grottoes near Dunhuang, Western edge of Chinese civilization. famous for its depictions of Buddha and influences that reflect the cultural mix of Silk Road travelers. Day 11 Join the locals and other distant travelers at Day 7 the famous bazaar of Kashgar. Afterwards, Head to the small town of Liuyuan in the Xinjiang Uyghur visit the Id Kha Mosque and the Tomb of Autonomous Region. From here, take the night train to Abakh Hoja. Turpan. Day 12 Day 8 Return to the Urumqi and continue your You will arrive at the oasis of Turpan. Check into your tour of the local sites. A true oasis, Urumqi hotel and then we will be exploring the ruins of Gaochang holds the honor of being the farthest city on and Jiaohe, two ancient fortresses along the Silk Road. earth from any sea. Day 9 Day 13 Our next stop is Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Fly to Beijing for one last tour! Autonomous Region. Tour the city and soak in the culture of the Uyghur people. Day 14 After visiting the desert strongholds of the Silk Road, it’s time to see the eastern Great Wall. Walk the restored wall at Mutianyu with its stunning mountain views. Day 15 Our Beijing city tour will take you to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the hutong homes near Houhai Lake Park. Day 16 Depart for home. 2856 80th Ave SE #103, Mercer Island, WA 98040 | P. 206-623-3099 | [email protected] | suntravelusa.net .