Day 01 – Beijing
On arrival into the vibrant city of Beijing you are met and transferred to your hotel. Take an afternoon tour to visit the largest temple complex in China, the Temple of Heaven. D

Day 02 – Beijing
This morning see the iconic picture of Chairman Mao by visiting Ti’ananmen Square and venture into the Forbidden City. Afterwards it is time to explore the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China at Badaling. Here immerse yourself in its history and walk along a section of the wall. Tonight savour the local specialty of a Peking Duck Dinner. B/L/D

Day 03 – Beijing/Xi’an
Take a morning transfer to the airport for your flight to the Ancient city of Xi’an.
This afternoon, get ready to visit the fascinating archaeological discovery of the Terracotta Warriors. B/L/D

Day 04 – Xi’an/Jiayuguan
A morning tour visits the City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Jiayuguan. B/L/D

Day 05 – Jiayuguan
Take your time today to explore the Western extremity of the Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass. This fortress was once the western border of the country. In the afternoon, visit the Great Wall Museum. B/L/D

Day 06 – Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
Today take the scenic 250 mile coach journey from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang. Dunhuang long ago was referred to as 'Sha Zhou' (beautiful desert oasis), and was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. B/L/D

Day 07 – Dunhuang
This morning visit the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. In the afternoon learn about the Silk Road period between China and the West at the Dunhuang Museum. B/L/D

Day 08 – Dunhuang/Turpan
Visit the famous Mingsha today, known as the Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake. Later transfer to the station for an overnight train to Turpan. B/L/D

Day 09 – Turpan
Upon arrival at the train station, you are met and transferred to your hotel for breakfast. Later discover the Ancient City of Gaochang, which until the Ming dynasty, was a flourishing town along the Silk Road. Now however it has been reduced to a 20 hectares (50 acre) stretch of broken walls and deserted fields. Continue on with a visit to the Astana Ancient Tombs and Flaming Mountain which is one of the ‘hottest places’ on earth. This mountain was made famous by the classical Chinese mythological novel, “Journey to the West”. B/L/D

Day 10 – Turpan/Urumqi
This morning, head to Urumqi with a 125 mile (200 km) coach journey. In the afternoon visit the Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake which lies 1,980 meters above sea level and is hemmed in by the towering snow-capped Bagda Peak. B/L/D

Day 11 – Urumqi/Kashgar
Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to the ‘Pearl of the Ancient Silk Road’, Kashgar. B

Day 12 – Kashgar
This morning, soak up the local atmosphere at the Bazaar. Kashgar is the home of the Tomb of Apak Hoja (Fragrant Lady). A colossal, elegant building created in 1640 in typical Islamic style. Later discover the Id Kad Mosque, China’s largest Islamic mosque built more than 500 years ago. B/L/D

Day 13 – Kashgar/Urumqi
Today take your flight back to Urumqi. In the afternoon visit the Hongshan Park and Xinjiang Museum. B/L/D

Day 14 – Urumqi/Beijing
Take a transfer to the airport for your flight back to Beijing. B