12H10M Silk Road Exploration – Time & Culture Adventure

Gather at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for the flight to the historic city of Xi'an, the starting point of the famous Silk Road thousands of years ago.

On arrival in Xi'an, participants will be greeted by a local tour guide before being sent to the hotel for check-in.

Free time is given to relax or take a leisurely walk around the hotel area to adapt to the city atmosphere.

After breakfast, the tour begins by visiting the Terracotta Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses thousands of statues of the emperor Qin Shi Huang's clay soldiers. Participants have the opportunity to get to know the amazing history of the ancient Chinese empire. The tour continues to the Muslim Quarter, an old trading area rich in Islamic culture and halal local food.

Next visit the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, iconic landmarks of the city of Xi'an that were once used as a time-determining system in ancient times.

Dinner before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, the participants left on the bullet train to Lanzhou while enjoying the scenery of Northwest China along the way.

Arriving in Lanzhou, the journey continues to Linxia which is known as the "Eastern Mecca" because of its large Muslim population. The tour includes Grand Gongbei (Da Gongbei), an important religious center of the Hui Muslim community, walking in the traditional area of ​​Bafang Thirteen Alleys, as well as visiting Nanguan Mosque, a historic mosque with a unique combination of Chinese and Islamic architecture.

Dinner before returning to the hotel.

The journey continues to Xunhua, the Salar ethnic area rich in Islamic history in China. Participants will visit the Quran Museum which exhibits historic Al-Quran manuscripts as well as local Islamic heritage.

Next see Camel Spring (Luotuochuan) which is famous for local legend. The journey continues to Xining with a visit to the Woodcarving Family Workshop to see a demonstration of the traditional woodcarving art passed down from generation to generation.

Dinner before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Zhangye through the beautiful route of the Silk Road.

Upon arrival, participants will visit Zhangye National Geopark (Danxia Landform) which is famous in the world for its rainbow colored mountain formations. Participants enjoy the breathtaking panorama at the Seven-Color Danxia Scenic Area, the most popular photography location in Northwest China.

In the evening, visit the Ganzhou Night Market to experience local life and try traditional food.

Return to the Hotel and relax.

Today the participants walk down the important part of the Silk Road to Jiayuguan. Visit to Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Fortress), the last western gate of the Great Wall of China which was the main defense of the former empire.

After that the journey continues across the desert landscape to Dunhuang, the famous oasis city of the Silk Road.

At night, participants are free to explore the Shazhou Night Market, a center of culture, handicrafts and local food.

Return to the Hotel and rest.

A full day tour in Dunhuang begins with a visit to Mingsha Mountain (Echoing Sand Mountain) which produces a unique sound when the wind blows in the desert. Participants will see the legendary Crescent Spring oasis, a crescent-shaped lake in the middle of the desert.

Special activities include the experience of Camel Riding in the Desert like the ancient Silk Road traders. The tour continues to Dunhuang Ancient City, a replica location of an ancient city that is often used in the filming of historical films.

Return to the Hotel and rest.

After breakfast, a visit to the Dunhuang Mosque before departing by train to Turpan, an important oasis town in Xinjiang.

Along the journey, participants can enjoy the unique panorama of the desert and mountains. Upon arrival in Turpan, hotel check-in and free time to relax.

Turpan's exploration day begins with a visit to the Karez Irrigation System, an ancient underground irrigation system that allowed life to flourish in the desert.

Next visit Grape Valley, a famous vineyard area, as well as Jiaohe Ancient City, an ancient city that is over 2,000 years old. Participants also stopped at Flaming Mountains, a red mountain formation famous in the story of Journey to the West, and Sugong Pagoda, the tallest Islamic tower in Xinjiang.

In the afternoon leave for Urumqi.

Today's tour takes participants to Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi) located in the Tianshan Mountains with a breathtaking view of the alpine lake. Participants have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and soothing natural panorama.

The tour continues to the Wild Horse Park Urumqi before shopping at the International Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Xinjiang that showcases the art, culture and local products of the Uyghur ethnic group.

After breakfast, visit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, an important museum that displays the history of the Silk Road as well as Xinjiang's ethnic diversity.

After lunch, participants are sent to the airport for their flight back to Kuala Lumpur via Xi'an.

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur with wonderful memories along the Silk Road — an unforgettable adventure of history, culture and nature.