Meals included: null

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Beijing (centrally located)

Nihao! Welcome to China. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the Arrival Hall of Beijing International Airport. Then transfer to your hotel. Free and easy for the rest of the day. Be ready to start your exploration to China and legendary Ancient Silk Road.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Peking Roasted Duck Dinner.

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Beijing (centrally located)

After enjoying the breakfast, you will walk on Tian’anmen Square, the biggest city square in the world. Covering 440,000 square meters, it has witnessed many important historic events taking place here. Then discover the Forbidden City(closed on Monday), one of the five most famous palaces in the world where the 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties lived and ruled for over 500 years.

Lunch will be served with local Chinese meal.

This afternoon, drive to visit the largest and best preserved imperial garden, Summer Palace, which was built in late Qing Dynasty as the summer resort for the Empress Dowager Cixi. It’s built according to the famous West Lake and designed with the technique of private gardens in South of Yangtze River.

Tonight, we will arrange you with the local specialty with the best Peking Roasted Duck Dinner as the welcome dinner.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Beijing (centrally located)

Today, continue your tour to explore the world famous Great Wall (Mutianyu Section) which is listed among the 8 wonders in the world as well as the World Cultural Heritage. Great Wall is one of the most important military defense facilities in ancient China, which is used to limit the movement of enemy cavalry, protect national security and the stability of people’s production and life.The section is the highlight of the Great Wall. You will take a leisurely cable car (round way) up and down the Great Wall, and explore the incredible great building of human being.

Lunch is arranged with the local Chinese meal.

After Lunch, drive back to the downtown. On the way, you will take a look at the “Bird Nest” and “Water Cube”which are the representative buildings of Olympic Games Beijing 2008 on the bus.

Late this afternoon, we will arrange you with the fantastic and interesting Acrobatic Show at the famous Red Theatre. Acrobatic is considered to be the quintessence of Chinese culture with over 2,000 years.

After the show, drive back to your hotel.

Special activity: Leisurely rickshaw tour in Beijing Hutong

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Xi’an (centrally located)

After breakfast, we will take you to visit the famous Houhai Park, a little slice of how locals live. Normally the locals exercise every day — it’s a good way to know local life. We then drive to visit the famous Temple of Heaven, the landmark of Beijing, which was used to pray for good harvest and hold the Heaven Worshiping Ceremony by the emperors in Ming and Qing dynasty. We then take you on a leisurely rickshaw tour in Beijing Hutong. You will have the chance to see the original residence of the local people and experience their lifestyle.

Lunch will be served with Chinese meal.

Then drive to the railway station for the bullet train to the ancient legendary city Xi’an (around 5.5 hours). It is absolutely an unforgettable travel experience of A Tale of Two Cities in One Day. Enjoy the comfortable and modern facilities on the fastest train in China as well as the landscape on the way. Once there, be picked up and transferred to the hotel.You will stay in Xi’an for 2 nights.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Xi’an (centrally located)

Today, spend a full day time to explore the ancient city. Firstly visit the well-known Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The Terracotta Army was created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang’s tomb and to protect him in the afterlife. It is estimated that there are over 7,000 life-size Terra-cottar figures and horses buried here.

Lunch will be served with local Chinese meal.

This afternoon visit the landmark of the city-Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in the Tang Dynasty, the square pyramid stands at 60 meters high and seven-story tall. It was built to restore the Buddhist scriptures brought by the famous Monk Xuanzang. The story had been rewritten to a famous classic novel, <The Journey to West > . After that visit the Grand Mosque. It is a time-honored and large-scale architecture complex, which shows the interpenetration between Islamic belief and Chinese culture. The final stop is the famous Muslim Quarters where you can taste the local delicious snacks.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Dumpling Banquet at De Fa Chang Restaurant.

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Lanzhou (downtown)

After breakfast, drive to visit the Ancient City Wall, which was built in Ming Dynasty with a history over 600 years and might be the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. You will take a interesting cycling tour on the massive city wall. Then visit the Square of Bell and Drum Tower where you can see the well-preserved ancient Bell and Drum Tower of Ming Dynasty (Outside visiting only). After that, visit the Former Residence of Family Gao. It is famous for its well-preserved typical historical residence with courtyard. You will also enjoy a traditional puppet show here.

Lunch will be served the famous Dumpling Banquet at De Fa Chang Restaurant which was established in 1,936.It’s one of the most famous dumpling restaurants in Xi’an.

This afternoon, continue to visit the famous Xi’an Museum. As a national first-class museum, it is a comprehensive local museum that integrates cultural relics collection, scientific research, social education, and garden leisure. It comprises three main parts: the Museum itself, the Tang Jianfusi Site, and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Currently, the Xi’an Museum boasts a collection of 111,928 items/sets, among which 11,029 are classified as valuable relics. It serves as an excellent venue for understanding ancient Chinese history, culture, economy, and the development of capital cities.

After the tour, drive to the airport for the departure flight to the Lanzhou, the central city of West China. Upon arrival, our local guide will pick you up at the railway station and escort you to the hotel. Overnight in Lanzhou.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star hotel in Zhangye (downtown)

Today, start to explore the highlights of the stunning cities/towns along the ancient Silk Road. More than 2,000 years ago, Han people and ethnic minorities in China jointly opened up the “Silk Road” that started from Xi’an in the east and reached Rome in the west, connecting Asia, Europe and Africa after many wars and peaceful contacts. Lanzhou is the important city on the ancient Silk Road with many legends and stories.

The first stop is Gansu Provincial Museum. The museum collects many precious cultural relics and treasures, ranking among the top museums in China in terms of richness and splendor. As Gansu Province is located on the Silk Road and at the border of Han and Tibetan areas, a large number of cultural relics reflecting the cultures of the Western Regions, the Central Plains, and Tibetan areas have been unearthed and exhibited, making the museum’s collections diverse and unique. The museum’s Bronze Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow and the Courier Brick Painting are particularly famous and valuable national treasures that should not be missed. The museum has three floors, with the themes of the Silk Road, Buddhism, and painted pottery being the most fascinating. Yellow River Iron Bridge is a landmark building in Lanzhou. The iron bridge is over 200 meters long and about 7-8 meters wide, retaining the black iron frame bridge body built more than a hundred years ago, which is very simple and unsophisticated. This iron bridge was built at the end of the Qing Dynasty and was one of the earlier bridges that allowed year-round traffic on the Yellow River at that time. The iron bridge was constructed by Germans, and all the materials were also shipped from Germany. Located on the north bank of the Yellow River near the central area of Lanzhou City, the White Tower Hill Park is an important scenic spot in the city. The main attraction of White Tower Hill is the ancient white tower at the top of the hill. There are also many palace-style buildings among the mountains, and many trees are planted around the buildings. It is a great place for hiking, exercise, and photography. More importantly, climbing up White Tower Hill allows you to see a spectacular panoramic view of Lanzhou City with a very open field of vision.

Lunch will be served with local Chinese meal during the tour.

After the tour, drive to the railway station for the departure bullet train to the important city on the Silk Road, Zhangye. Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star hotel in Zhangye (downtown)

After breakfast, start your tour to visit the highlights of Zhangye. The Colorful Danxia Landform in Zhangye,

is a stunning natural wonder. Nominated as one of the top 7 Danxia landscapes by China National Geographic, it boasts vivid hues of red, yellow, green, and more, created by geological processes over millions of years. The undulating hills and towering cliffs form a breathtaking spectacle, attracting visitors from all over the world. Then drive back to the downtown for Lunch.

This afternoon, drive to visit the famous Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, which is a historic Buddhist temple renowned for its magnificent architecture and cultural relics. Originally named Jiaye Rulai Temple, it is also known as “Wofo Temple” due to the reclining Buddha statue housed within. The temple, built in 1098 A.D. during the Western Xia Dynasty, boasts the country’s largest indoor wooden-skeleton mud-sculpted reclining Buddha, as well as exquisite murals and ancient Buddhist scriptures.

After that, drive to the railway station for the departure bullet train to the important ancient pass on the Silk Road, Jiayuguan. Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star hotel in Jiayuguan (downtown)

Today, spend a full day time to explore Jiayuguan city. Jiayuguan Pass, also known as the “First and Greatest Pass under Heaven”, is a renowned historical fortress located in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, China. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1372 AD), it stands at the western end of the Great Wall of China and is a vital strategic stronghold along the ancient Silk Road. Comprising an inner city, outer city, and moat, it forms a formidable defensive system. Its majestic architecture and strategic location make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.The Hanging Great Wall, a unique section of the Great Wall of China, showcases its breathtaking engineering feat. With sections cantilevered over steep cliffs, it challenges visitors with its daunting height and stunning views. A testament to ancient Chinese military prowess, this section offers a thrilling adventure amidst history. Underground Tomb and painting of Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420 AD) are a valuable cultural heritage in China, renowned for their colorful mural decorations within the tombs. These murals depict various aspects of society during that era, including daily life scenes, mythical stories, and religious ceremonies, serving as crucial resources for studying Wei and Jin culture, art, and history. Among them, the Jiayuguan mural tomb complex is hailed as the “Largest Underground Gallery in the World,” boasting numerous well-preserved murals that have attracted the attention of numerous scholars and tourists. With their unique artistic styles and profound cultural connotations, these murals showcase the artistic charm and cultural depth of ancient China.

After the tour, drive to your hotel in Jiayuguan.

Special activity:Camel Riding and enjoy the sunset

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Dunhuang (downtown)

Today, you will leave Jiayuguan and take the bullet train to Dunhuang, anther “Stunning pearl” on Silk Road. On the way, you can enjoy the fascinating natural view of the Snow-topped hills of Qilian Mountains and the wild gobi landscapes. Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to have Lunch.

This afternoon, enjoy your fun at Sound Hills which are a natural wonder located south of the city, renowned for their mesmerizing beauty and unique acoustic properties. Rising majestically amidst the Gobi Desert, these towering dunes stretch for miles, shimmering in the sunlight and creating a breathtaking landscape. Visitors can hear the sands ‘sing’ underfoot or as the wind blows, a phenomenon that has captivated travelers for centuries. After that, take a photo in front of the amazing Crescent Spring. With its crescent-shaped outline and clear waters, it stands amidst towering sand dunes, earning it the title of “the First Spring in the Desert.” This ancient spring has been a tourist attraction since the Han Dynasty.

Late in the afternoon, you can take the interesting camel riding and enjoy the fantastic sunset on desert (depending on the weather).Overnight in Dunhuang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Dunhuang (downtown)

After breakfast, start your day tour to visit the most famous site in Dunhuang, the Mogao Grottoes which is considered to be one of the Top 3 Grottoes in China. Nestled in the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang, it’s a treasure trove of Buddhist art spanning over a thousand years. Carved into the cliff faces, these caves house exquisite murals, vividly painted statues, and ancient scriptures, offering a window into the cultural, religious, and artistic exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they serve as a testament to human creativity and perseverance.

After that, visit the historic relics of Shazhou Ancient City where you can still see the damaged city walls. You will also spend some time to explore the Shazhou Night Market, buy some souvenirs or try some local food.

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Dunhuang (downtown)

Today, drive out of the town and visit the well-known natural wonder, “Yadan Ghost City” which located 90 km away from Yumenguan Pass. It is the typical Yadan landforms with 25km long, 1-2km wide.When the wind blows the area, it sounds like ghost. Hence the name. It’s not a real city, but it seems like an old town of Middle Ages.

On the return way, you will stop to visit two famous sites, Yumenguan Pass and Great Wall of Han Dynasty. Yumenguan Pass, an ancient fortification in Dunhuang, stands as a testament to China’s Silk Road history. Once a strategic hub, it guarded the western frontier and facilitated trade routes for centuries. Today, it evokes memories of ancient civilizations and their grand journeys. Great Wall of Han Dynasty，a testament to centuries of history, stands firm as a relic of the Silk Road era. Constructed during the Han Dynasty, it has been repaired and expanded, guarding the city and reflecting its strategic importance.

Meals included: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Shanghai (close to the Bund)

Today, easy and free on your own. At the appointed time, be transferred to the airport to the departure flight to the financial center of China, Shanghai. Once there, our local guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day, easy and relax. You will stay in Shanghai for 2 nights.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Special Lunch at Lvbolang Restaurant

Hotel: Decent 4-star or 5-star hotel in Shanghai (close to the Bund)

After breakfast, start your full day tour to explore the metropolis. Firstly visit the famous Shanghai Museum(closed on Monday), one of the TOP 3 museums in China, which features the large collection of bronze articles and rich collections. It’s a good place to learn the history and culture of China. Then stroll around the romantic place the Bund which is a famous waterfront with 52 various buildings of different architectural styles. You can enjoy a beautiful skyline of the city here.

Lunch will be served with the Shanghai cuisine at the famous Lvbolang Restaurant.

Then visit the famous Yu Garden which is the most famous private garden in Shanghai built in 1559 A.D. It is reputed as the “Stunning Pearl” of Shanghai. Stroll around the close-by bustling Yuyuan Bazaar where you can do some shopping with the little gifts.You will also taste the delicious street food-Long Xiang Baozi (steamed stuffed-bun). After that, stroll around the famous Tianzifang, a very popular site for tourists in Shanghai, which was renovated from the local stone-arched house into the trendy boutiques stores, bars, restaurants as well as art studios. Dinner will be on your own expense.

After the tour, drive back to the hotel.

Meals included: Buffet breakfast

This morning, drive around Lujiazui Financial Zone which is considered to the “Wall Street of China” as many international banks and financial organizations gathered here.Then visit the New landmark of Shanghai, Shanghai Tower. With the total height of 632m, it is ranked NO.1 tallest building in China. You will take a high speed elevator up the 118 F Observation Hall where you can get a great bird view of the metropolis.

This afternoon, drive to the airport for homeward flight (we suggest you book the flight with departure time after 4:00 pm). End your lifetime expedition to Silk Road in China.