China Adventure Tour of Beijing-Urumqi-Turpan Dunhuang-

Xian-Lhasa-Shanghai

Day1.
arrive in Beijing capital airport. Visit Temple of Heaven. (Dinner)

Day2.
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, Beijing Roast Duck dinner, Kong Fu show. (B, L)

Day3.
Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs. (B, L)

Day4. Beijing—Urumchi
Hutong tour and Beijing zoo. Be transferred to airport to Urumchi.  Arrive in Urumchi. ( B, L )

Day5. Red Hill Park, Heavenly Lake
Be picked up from your hotel by English speaking tour guide and private vehicle.
Drive to visit Red Hill Park. As a symbol of Urumqi, Red Hill is unique for making up of reddish-brown rocks. At the top of the hill stands 8-meter high pagoda with nine stories, called "Zhenlong pagoda". Visitors can get a bird-view of the whole city of Urumqi on the top of Red Hill.
Move on to visit the Heavenly Lake. Formerly known as Yaochi (Jade Lake), it is a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics. Covering 4.9 square kilometers, with melted snow as its source, this crescent-shaped lake is guarded by the stately peaks and offers a spectacular sight. Enjoy International Grand Bazaar Banquet Performance.
Be transferred back to your hotel after the tour. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day6. Southern Pasture
Be picked up from your hotel by English speaking tour guide and private vehicle.
Drive to visit the Southern Pasture. Located at the foot of the Tianshan mountain range, Southern Pastures is a famous summer resort for forest of emerald green spruce rounds it while flowers, flocks and herds strew it. West White Poplar Gully is the most typical sights in the Southern Pastures. Then we will visit the Xinjiang Museum. This museum was built in 1953 with an area of 7,800 sqm. The exhibitions in the museum can be divided into minority cultures objects, cultural relics excavated on the ancient Silk Road and over 10 mummies found in the vast desert.
Visit the bazaar to see the local market and do some shopping. Be transferred back to your hotel after the tour.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day7. Turpan
Ancient City of Gaochang, Ancient Astana Tombs, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Flaming Mountains
By met by English speaking tour guide.
Drive to visit Gaochang City was built in the first Century B.C. The city used to be a garrison town and later became a key point along the ancient Silk Road. Later Gaochang city became ruins around the 14th century because of war. You can see some well preserved structures in the ruins.
Move on to visit the Ancient Astana Tombs.
This Tang-dynasty burial ground range 2 kilometers from north to south and 5 kilometers from east to west. The imperial dead of Gaochang City and noble officials were buried in this place. Then we will proceed to visit Flaming Mountains, one of the branch ranges of the Tianshan Mountains. The Flaming Mountains extend from east to west for about 100 kilometers. The red rocks on the mountain reflect sunlight and absorb the sun's heat as if there were fire on the hill, hense the name.
Move on to visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. In the Uigur language, Bezeklik means "place where there are paintings" The cave contain 67 caves dating from the Northern and Southern dynasties (317 - 589) to the Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368). The caves are well hidden and rest on a long ridge overlooking a valley. But some of the caves were destoried by aggression army. (B,L )

Day8.
Ancient City of Jiaohe, Ancient Karez system, Grape Valley, the Emin Minaret
Be met by English speaking tour guide from your hotel.
Drive to visit Ancient City of Jiaohe, which is located 12 kilometers west of Turpan. The whole city stands on a 30-meter-high plateau between two rivers. In the ancient time, Jiaohe is a city with great military and economic significance. Later the city became ruins because of war. Later, natural forces make the streets and courtyards full of sand.
Move on to visit Ancient Karez system. The history of Karez can be traced back to the Han dynasty. The Ancient Karez system is composed of a series of which was linked by underground channels. There are more than 470 Karez systems, totaling over 1,600 kilometers of tunnels. The Karez system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Most of karezes existing today in the Turpan were built in the Qing dynasty.
Then we will proceed to visit Grape Valley. Lying at the base of the western end of Flaming Mountains, fifteen kilometers west of the city center, Grape Valley is a unique world of vineyards and fruit trees.
Move on to visit Emin Minaret. The Emin Minaret also called Sugong Pagoda is located 2km east of Turpan city. The whole place is composed of the pagoda and a mosque. The Emin minaret tower was built in 1778 by the local Muslim ruler, Emin Hoja. The minaret was built in a simple Islamic style, 44 meters in height, and 10 meters in diameter at the base.
Be transferred back to Urumchi.

Day9. Urumchi-Dunhuang
Arrive in Dunhuang. Visit Mogao Grottoes ( B, L )

Day10.
Visit Mingsha Hill, Crescent Moon Hill. (B, L,D)

Day11.
take train from Dunhuang to Xi’an.

Day12. arrive in Xi’an.
Visit Shanxi Historical Museum, City Wall.
Enjoy Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. (B,L)

Day13.
Visit Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Forest of Stone Steles Museum (B,L)

Day14. Xi’an-Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa. Visit Nietang Buddha.

Day15. Lhasa-Gyangtse
Today we start our overland journey. we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso (lake) to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa 7252m. We continue westwards over another high pass, the Karo La 5045m, where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse.

Day16. Gyangtse-Shigatse
Before leaving Gyantse we have time this morning to visit the Gyantse Dzong, the Palkhor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Stupa. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls.

Day17. Shigatse-Lhasa
Visit the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Park, Visit a Tibetan family to get some information of Tibetan's life and local custom. (B, L,D)

Day18.
Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Visit the Tibetan Traditional Hospital and the local Carpet Factory. (B, L,D)

Day19. Lhasa-Shanghai    the bund

Day20.
Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, River Cruise on Huangpu River. (B, L)

Day21.
one day ZHouzhuang tour from Shanghai

Day22. departure

Remark: The above private tour is tailored for you and your friends exclusively. You and your friends will enjoy Private car, driver and tour guide. If you want to adjust the itinerary, please contact us.

Price (validity: 2009-12-31)

You may also send us an email to inquire about this tour: travel@chinatravelkey.com

Hotel for This Tour:
Notes: Hotel accommodation is based on two persons sharing one standard room.

Package Price Includes
-Domestic flight;
-Hotel accommodation as mentioned;
-Private car or van in each city (air-conditioned);
-English-speaking tour guides;
-All meals mentioned in the itinerary;
-Admission fee of mentioned attractions in the itinerary;
-Performance mentioned in the itinerary;
-Fuel, Parking, Expressway cost.
Package Price Excludes
-China visa fee;
-International air tickets and International airport tax;
-Personal expense;
-Flight depart from Shanghai;
-Gratuities to guides and drivers;
Payment: ChinaTravelKey accept payment via 4 methods:
-pay our tour guide in cash (Except the hotel or airlines needs deposit).
-Credit card at least one week before tour date.
-Western Union at least 1 week before tour date.
-Transfer payment to bank account at least 3 weeks before tour date
Seasons
-High: April, May, September,Ocotober, November
-Shoulder: March, June, July, August
-Low: December, January, February