Which historic itinerary is most popular for adventurous tourists in North China? The answer is Silk Road obviously, together with many well-known cities alongside this trade route with longest history in the world: Xining, Lanzhou , Dunhuang, Turpan and Urumqi in which travelers will enjoy resourceful historical culture relics, beautiful scenery, and the wonderful treatment of visitors as well as the tradition of Muslim hospitality. After Silk Road exploration, great attention shall be paid to the one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals. Xi'an, as the eastern starting point of the Silk Road and the location of the Terracotta Army, reserves lots of former glory for thousands of years. Just follow the footsteps of Marco Polo if anyone wants to travel along this fantastic route.

• Today's excursion will first take you to the Badaling Great Wall. After lunch, move on to the Summer Palace. On the way, you might pay a visit to the Olympic Village to take some photos of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube from the outside. Feel a little bit tired? No worry! Mandarin Tours has arranged a foot massage (free of charge) for you, just relax and enjoy it! Take the delicious Peking Roast Duck as your dinner you will finish today's program.

• Today you will first visit the world's biggest city square - the Tian'anmen Square, and then go to the marvelous "Egg" on foot to take some photos of the National Centre for the Performing Arts from its outside. Afterwards proceed to the magnificent Forbidden City. After having lunch in a local family followed by a Hutong Tour in the old city of Beijing, you will be escorted to the Jingshan Park. In the evening, you will take the overnight train to Xi'an (21:24-08:25).

• Upon arrival at Xi'an in the early morning, you'll be met and transferred by our local guide to your hotel for breakfast. Then you will begin with today's excursion to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After a short rest in your hotel, you will be transferred to a special restaurant to enjoy a savory Dumpling Dinner (Jiaozi banquet).

• In this morning, you will first pay a visit to Shaanxi History Museum and the Ancient City Wall. Afterwards, proceed to Xi'an Local Free Market where you can experience the typical daily life of the local people. And then move on to the Grand Mosque in the old city. Bell Tower, the landmark of Xi`an, stands in the city`s centre, just a stone`s throw from the mosque. So you may take a stroll in  the square of the Bell Tower. Xi'an was the starting point of the Silk Road, taking a photo of the Relievos of Silkroad-Starting-Point, you will complete today's program.
• Optional: You might enjoy the worldwide famous Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show tonight (You could also book it in advance with this tour together).

• Enjoy your free time until our tour guide picks you up and escorts you to the airport for your flight to Xining. Upon your arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel for a rest. In the afternoon you will pay a visit to the Kumbum Monastery, known as the "Pagoda Lamasery". And then you'll head for the gorgeous Dongguan Mosque, which has a history of more than 600 years.

• Be free at leisure until your tour guide picks you up and escorts you to the railway station to travel to Lanzhou by train. About two hours later, you will arrive at Lanzhou. Be met and transferred to visit the White Pagoda Park and the Gansu Provincial Museum. 

• Enjoy your free time until our tour guide takes you to the airport for your flight to Dunhuang. Have you ever heard of a mountain that echoes to the sound of sand as you slide down its slopes? Can you image a perennially limpid lake in an area of desert sand? Today, you will have the chance to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of the Echoing-sand Mountain and the Crescent Moon Spring. You may climb this mountain on foot or, if you prefer, on the back of a camel. It is also possible to take a sand bath treatment. Your visit will be complete as you appreciate the splendid environment consisting of golden sand, a wondrous mountain, a tranquil lake and a beautiful sunset.

• Today's excursion will take you to the Mogao Caves, the symbol of Dunhuang. Taking photos inside the caves is forbidden. As there is not enough natural light inside the caves, you'd better take a flashlight. We also suggest that tourists study the history ahead of time to better understand the Mogao Caves murals. After dinner, you will be driven to the railway station to take an overnight train with soft-sleeper in first class to Turpan.

• Upon arrival in Turpan, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel for breakfast. Then you will begin with today's program. First you'll visit the Ancient City of Gaochang. To add an extra dash of memento mori to the experience, you will head for the nearby Astana Ancient Tombs, final resting place of the Tang Dynasty rulers of Gaochang. Afterwards pay a visit to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.

• Turpan exports both wine and raisins, but they taste best at the source. If you're in town in August, try to make the grape festival when songs, dances, good food, wine and lots of happy visitors combine for a wonderful time under the clear desert skies. Today, you will have a full-day trip to explore the Jiaohe Ruins, and wander in the Grape Valley. In the afternoon, visit the Emin Minaret and the Karez Irrigation System (Karez Well). Taking a stroll in a free market in Turpan will make you closer to the local people.

• After breakfast, you will be driven to the Mt. Nanshan Pasture (about 250 km), which is regarded as a giant outdoor garden by the urbanites in Urumqi. You can ride on horse or camel running through the valleys, walk across the woods picking mushrooms and enjoy the magical wild flowers. Wandering here, you will feel like going into a heavenly land that helps you to forget all the annoying things produced from your daily life. And then you will leave for Urumqi (about 65 km). Strolling in the Erdaoqiao Market, you will make yourself closer to the local minorities.

• Today's full-day excursion will take you to the Red Hill Park, the Heavenly Lake and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum. The Red Hill Park, the symbol of Urumqi, is a unique and spectacular part of the Urumqi landscape. Modern entertainment facilities and ethnic performances bring a fresh and lively atmosphere to the park. On the peak of Red Hill, you will have the whole city of Urumqi before your eyes! The Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offer science lovers exploring opportunities. In the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum, you can see the amazing human remains and other precious relics, and so learn more about the brilliant civilization that flourished in Xinjiang.
   

• Depending on your departure time, be free or do last-minute shopping until your local guide picks you up in your hotel and escorts you to the airport for your flight to your sweet home or to the next destination. Our sevice will end at the Urumqi Airport. Welcome to China next time! Mandarin Tours is always pleased to be at your service!