Old Silk Road 14 Day Tour

The ancient Silk Road, linking the continent of Asia and Europe, began in Xi'an and ended on the shores of the Mediterranean. Today the oasis cities that used to play host to camel trains, provide an unique experience for travellers to far flung parts of western China. The scenic variety and cultural diversity of this fascinating tour will provide an unforgettable travel experience.
Tour includes:
﹞ all international airfares
﹞ all travel in China, including airfares
﹞ all transfers in China
﹞ luxury 4/5 star hotel accommodation
﹞ 3 meals daily
﹞ hot and cold beverages with meals
﹞ fully guided sightseeing with English speaking guides
﹞ all entrance fees
﹞ entertainment (as specified)
﹞ tour leader from Australia with groups of 20 or more
﹞ complimentary travel bag and travel wallet

Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing (D)
On arrival transfer to the 5 star King Wing Hot Springs Hotel.
Day 2 Beijing (B/L)
Day free, until you board the train to Xi'an. You will travel in a four berth soft-sleeper compartment.
Day 3 Xi'an (L/D)
Arrive early in the morning. Today's tour includes visits to the Bell and Drum Towers, the Moslem Quarter, the City Wall and the Shaanxi History Museum - one of the best in China. At night you will stay in the 4 star Jianguo Hotel.
Day 4 Xi'an (B/L/D)
Morning tour to the Terracotta Warriors. After lunch visit the Banpo Museum on the site of the 6000 year old Banpo Village.
Day 5 Xi'an - Lanzhou (B/L/D)
Morning free until your flight to the historic city of Lanzhou, located in a picture postcard setting on the banks of the Huanghe (Yellow River) at the foot of the Lanshan Mountain Range. Overnight at the 4 star Feitian Hotel.
Day 6 Lanzhou (B/L/D)
Today's tour includes White Pagoda Hill, Mount Wuqian, Statue of Mother Huanghe and old Huanghe Iron Bridge.
Day 7 Lanzhou - Jiayuguan (B/L/D)
After breakfast fly to Jiayuguan - the city at the western end of the Great Wall. Visit Jiayuguan Fort, with its impressive Gate Towers and the Overhanging Great Wall, with its sweeping views of the desert, the oasis of Jiayuguan and the snow capped mountains in the distance. Stay at the 4 star Jiayuguan Hotel.
Day 8 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B/L/D)
A six hour coach trip through the desert to Dunhuang -the 2000 year oasis city, regarded by Silk Road travellers as "the first and last city in China". You'll see the spectacular sand dunes of Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Lake. Your overnight accommodation is at the Dunhuang Hotel.
Day 9 Dunhuang - Liuyuan - Turpan (B/L)
Today's tour takes you to the World Heritage listed Mogao Caves, to see Buddhist cave paintings and sculptures dating back to the 4th Century AD. After lunch, travel across the desert by coach to Liuyuan to catch the overnight train to Turpan. You will travel in a four berth soft-sleeper compartment.
Day 10 Turpan (L/D)
Arrive in the oasis city of Turpan. Today's tour will take you to the Sugong Tower, the Islamic Mosque on the edge of the city and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. In the evening enjoy a tradi-tional Uighur music and dance show. Overnight at the Liuzhou Hotel.
Day 11 Turpan - Urumqi (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a coach ride to Urumqi - the furthest city in the world from the ocean. Situated in the foothills of snow capped mountains, Urumqi is home to more than a dozen ethnic groups. After lunch, visit the Urumqi Yurts belonging to the local Kazakh tribes. Stay at the Yindu Holiday Inn.
Day 12 Urumqi (B/L/D)
Day visit to beautiful Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake situated on the slopes of Mount Tian and surrounded by fir trees.
Day 13 Urumqi - Beijing - Australia (B)
After breakfast fly to Beijing, to connect with your return flight to home.
Day 14 Australia
Arrive back home.