Summary: A lot of Muslim Friends also like traveling very much, but they are mostly worried about the Muslim food. Especially they are also keen on the Silk Road Tour, actually you do not need worry about the Muslim food too much. It is very convenient to arrange the Muslim food along the cities of our Silk Road Muslim Tour. In the history many Muslim people came to the silk road for business, in the end some of them chose to stay in China because of historical or their own reasons. So we have no shortage of Muslim restaurants , even many luxury ones.We will show you around the famous historical cities along the silk road ,such as Lanzhou , Xining , Zhangye , Jiuquan, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang ,Turpan and Urumuqi to explore the culture of Muslim and ancient silk road.
We would like to skip the Buddhism grottos, instead many majestic mosques along the cities of the Silk Road are put in the itinerary. The highlight is the Tuyuq village in Turpan which is regarded as the Mecca of Xinjiang Muslims for the Saint Tomb of one of the Islamic Pioneers. You have chance to experience a special camel ride as well in the desert of Dunhuang.
Day 1 Lanzhou
Today you will arrive at Lanzhou by plane or fast train by your own, the capital city of Gansu province. We will meet you at the exit of the airport or train station with your name, and then transfer you to the hotel to check in.
Accommodation: In Lanzhou
"Aerial View of Lanzhou"
"Statue of Yellow River Mother"
Day 2 Lanzhou Xining
Your Lanzhou tour will start from Xiguan Grand Mosque in the morning. Xiguan Mosque was originally built by the Muslim merchants in Ming dynasty, which is the one of top ten outstanding buildings in Lanzhou. The next destination will be the Water wheel Gaeden,an ancient irrigation tool to draw water from lower point to higher point for irrigation. Then keep going to visit the Yellow River Mother statue to explore the ancient history and culture of Chinese nation. Then drive to Zhongshan Iron Bridge , the first Bridge of Yellow River,it is the first highway bridge abovethe ancient Yellow River, also the second steel bridge of city in China. After lunch, take bullet train from Lanzhou to Xining, upon arrival, the guide will meet you at Xining fast train station and help you with checking in.
Accommodation: In Xining
"Xiguan Grand Mosque"
"Zhongshan Iron Bridge"
Day 3 Xining
After breakfast driver around 2.5 hrs to visit the Qinghai lake ,the largest inland lake and the largest salty lake in China as well. It covers an area of 4583 square km. Qinghai lake looks like an oval with a circumference of around 360 km,where the bycycle ride race around the lake is hold anually. The average sea level of the lake is around 3260m. After this visit the sun and moon mountain,which belongs to Qilian mountain extends 90 km.The average altitude is around 4000 m. It used to be the important path of south route of silk road. After this mountain drive back to the hotel.
Accommodation: In Xining
"Qinghai Lake"
"Sun and Moon Mountain"
Day 4 Xining Zhangye
After breakfast go to visit the Dongguan mosque in Xining. It is the biggest mosque in Qinghai province, which covers an area of 11,940 square meters.Originally this mosque was built in 14 century with strong Islamic style, but the existing one was rebuilt in 1913. It may contain 3000 muslims to pray at the same time. After the mosque go to Xining train station to catch the fast train to Zhangye. Upon arrival our gide and driver will meet you at Zhangye fast train station.Then drive to visit Zhangye Danxia World Geopark , which is the most typical arid area in northwest of China. Different colours of the rock create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks, so it got the reputation of "Rainbow Mountain". You may choose to enjoy the sunset scenery here. Stay overnight at the Danxia town.
Accommodation: In Danxia town
"Dongguan Mosque"
"Rainbow Mountain"
Day 5 Zhangye Jiayuguan (230 km, 3.5hours bus ride)
This morning you may choose to visit the sunrise in the rainbow mountain or not ,which depends on your interest and energy. After this, drive to Jiayuguan. On the way to Jiayuguan visit Jiuquan Mosque to explore the Muslim culture and custom in Gansu area.The go to visit the famous historical site, Spring and Lake park (Quanhu Park in Chinese), which is relative with the story happened 2000 years ago.
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan
"Spring and Lake Park"
"Jiuquan Mosque"
Day 6 Jiuquan Dunhuang (390 km ,around 4.5-5 hours bus ride)
After breakfast drive about 1 hour to visit the Jiayuguan Fort ,which was the westmost custom in Ming dynasty. After lunch transfer to Dunhuang and visit Dunhuang Mosque .
Accommodation: In Dunhuang
"Jiayuguan Fort"
"Dunhuang Mosque"
Day 7 Dunhuang Turpan (around 3hours and 20 minutes )
After breakfast and then go to visit Echoing-Sand Dune and Crescent Moon Lake,which is well known as Mingsha Mountain and celebrated for the sound of the moving sand. The Crescent Moon Lake is actually a special spring in the desert, which used to offer water for the caravans along the silk road. It looks like a crescent moon in shape, so the name was called crescent moon lake. You have chance to experience the interesting camel ride in the sanddune. In the afternoon, take bullet train to Turpan.
Accommodation: In Turpan
"Echoing Sand Dune and Crescent Lake"
"Camel ride experience in the sand dune"
Day 8 Turpan Urumuqi (200km, around 3 hours bus ride)
Hotel breakfast and then go to visit historical Flaming mountain ,which is the hottest spot in the desert. Then drive to visit Tuyoq Village in the south east of Turpan 70 km, which is a special Muslim religious pilgrimage site. The village is located in a 12 km long primitive Uighur agricultural valley with vineyards and fields in the northern and southern valleys which are connected with a narrow ravine. After thisdrive back to Turpan to visit Emin Minaret,which was built in 1778and the largest Islamic minaret in Turpan. Then visit the Karez well ,an traditional and special irrigation system in Turpan. After Turpan tour then drive to Urumqi, overnight in Urumqi.
Accommodation: In Urumuqi
"Karez Folk Costum Park"
"Emin Minaret"
Day 9 Urumuqi Tianchi (Heavenly lake) (120km,around 1.5 hours bus ride)
Hotel breakfast and then drive to visit Tianchi(Heavenly Lake) (including electrical car ). The scenic area covers an area of 548 square km. The Tianchi(heavenly lake) is 3.5 from south to north and 0.8-1.5km from east to west.The sea level of Tianchi is over 1900 m ,and the deepest point is 103 m.
Then drive back to visit Urumuqi International Grand Bazaar,which is a complex bazaar not only for shopping. It also provide a nice place to enjoy the local flavor , have a rest and meet friends.
Accommodation: In Urumuqi
"Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)"
"Urumuqi International Grand Bazaar"
Day 10 Urumuqi
After breakfast the guide will take you to Urumqi International Airport to catch your departure flight. Wish you a pleasant journey back home! (Note: If the timing of your flight is ok, you may choose to visit the Xinjiang Museum before going to Urumuqi airport )
Price Unit: USD.
Number of Tourists | Five- star Class | Four-star Class | Three-star Class |
2—4 persons | N | 2280 | 2160 |
5--9 persons | N | 1960 | 1760 |
10 persons & Above | N | 1500 | 1390 |
Single Room Supplement | N | 230 | 210 |
Service Included:
* Private vehicle with good AC throughout the itinerary
* Accommodation based on the condition of two people sharing one standard room and breakfast included.
* Excellent English-speaking guide
* All sightseeing listed in the itinerary and only admission fee included
*The shuttle buses in Zhangye Danxia and In Tianchi scenic spot included
* Camel ride in the sand dune of dunhuang included
* 2 bottles of water each person every day
* Train: Second class train from Lanzhou to Xining, Xining to Zhangye, Dunhuang to Turpan
* allowance for the guide and driver
* Travel insurance and government tax
* Visa support letter if need
Service Excluded:
* Personal expenses and tips to theguide and driver (10usd/person/day for reference)
* Flights arriving in Lanzhou and leaving from Urumqi
* some other tours not listed in the itinerary
* other lost due to weather condition
* luches and dinners
Start Date | Price Per Person | Hotel Single Supplement | Book |