The largest city in western China, Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The city is home to 49 minority ethnic groups, and an important stop along ancient Silk Road. May to October is the golden season to visit it, when flowers are in full bloom and the fruits, like melons and grape, are ripe with fragrance.

Our tour guide will meet you at Urumqi airport, then we drive to hotel in city center. Free at leisure for the rest of the day. 

After breakfast, we drive to visit Heavenly lake. It nestles in the middle of Bogda Peak(about 110km away from Urumqi). Covering 4.9 square kilometers, this crescent-shaped water area deserves its name, Pearl of Heavenly Mountain. With melted snow as its source, Heavenly Lake enjoys crystal water. Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers exploring opportunities.

Afterwards, we transfer back to city, and visit International Grand Bazaar which has become the window of this autonomous region and Central Asia. The building with a rich Islamic style is the landmark in Urumqi as a city of minorities, as well as the prosperous symbol of Xinjiang business and tourism.  Here visitors can taste local featured food, admire singing and dancing and buy all kinds of ethnic craftworks. Then, we drive back to hotel.

This morning, we drive to Turpan.  Firstly visit the Ancient city of Jiaohe which was one of the world's architectural wonders hiding in Yarnaz Valley. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters. The city is the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. Jiaohe distinguishes itself from other ancient cities owing to three features. First, it had only two city gates, the South and East Gates. The main South Gate vanished long ago, leaving a huge breach. The East Gate cut by the cliff was virtually non-existent. Second, the city faces cliffs on three sides, so there are no city walls commonly seen in other ancient cities. Third, all the buildings were dug from earth, and wood was rarely used.

Continue to Grape Valley which has already won a great fame in the world, as it is a place with both beautiful landscapes and unique cultural features.

 Afterwards, we go to visit Karez irrigation system which is an irrigation system of wells connected by underground canals, and considered as one of the three great ancient projects in China, with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Flaming Mountains is very popular thanks to a classical novel(The Journey to the West).The mountain is barren and extremely  hot in summer. During the trek approaching it, visitors will find the soles of their shoes soften in the intense heat. With the red sun overhead, the red mountain looks like a fiery dragon-truly an unforgettable spectacle!

Finally, we visit Emin Minaret (Sugong Minaret) which is the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China. Right beside the minaret stands Su Gong Ta Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. The grand mosque can accommodate 1000 people despite the inconspicuous appearance. Atter dinner, we drive to train station and take a train to Liuyuan Town. Overnight on train. 

This morning, we drive to visit Mingsha hill. Seen from afar, the hill looks like a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon. As you approach you become aware that the sand has many colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black and white. On days when a strong wind blows, the fast shifting sand roars; but when the wind is little more than a light breeze, the sand produces gentle, dulcet sounds akin to music. It is the same when you are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under your feet just whispers; but the further you slide, the louder the sound until it reaches a crescendo like thunder or a drum beat. Some say that the sand is singing, while to others it is like an echo and this is how the mountain gets its name.

Encircled by the mountain, there is Crescent Lake so called because of its shape. The water in the lake is so pure and sweet that it looks like an emerald set in the sand. Many of the visitors who have made their way down the mountain like to drink from the lake. According to historical record, the lake has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand; it is really a geological wonder. After tour, we drive to hotel in Dunhuang city.

This morning, we drive to Mogao Cave. The cave is located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang, and is regarded as the premier Buddhist spot in China, perhaps in the whole world. The artistic features of the treasured Buddhist murals represent perfectly the artistic style of the Northern Wei (386-543), Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties through the combination of the architecture, statues and murals in the caves. Presently, there are about ten caves and two exhibition centers open to the public, occasionally more during public holidays.

This afternoon, we drive to hotel in Jiayuguan. Located in the Gobi desert, at the middle of Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan city boasts many historical relics referring to two wonders: Great Wall, Silk Road. The famous ones include Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall, the First Fire Tower of the Great Wall. 

After breakfast, we drive to Jiayuguan pass. The pass represents the western starting point of a section of the Great Wall constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The pass is constructed in three concentric layers: the central area is made up of an inner city, containing the largest of the pass' buildings; an outer city section, surrounded by a large wall dotted with watchtowers, turrets, and high-terrace pavilions; and finally, for purposes of defense, a moat. All of these features combined to make it a daunting prospect for any would-be attackers.

Located on the cliff at a height of about 80 meters by Talai river, the First Fire Tower (built in 1539 during Ming Dynasty) of the Great Wall plays a very important role in Jiayuguan Great Wall's defense system and regarded as the First Dangerous Fire Tower under the Heaven. In the Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan dominated 39 fire towers among of which the first fire tower was the most important one. The tower was guarded by a lot of soldiers. If soldiers found enemy, they would give a signal (making thick smoke in daytime or lifting firebrand at night) to the next fire tower (these fire towers were not far from each other and they were useful in military affairs). Standing on the tower, we can experience the grandeur of an ancient civilization while appreciating marvelous view of the vast Gobi.

Continue to visit Overhanging Great Wall which is an important part of the defensive work of Jiayuguan Pass. It was built in the year 1539 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) in order to strengthen the defensive capability of the Jiayuguan area. Viewed from a distance, the Great Wall appears very like a dragon overhanging the slope, hence the name. After tour, we drive to hotel in Jiayuguan city.

No tour is arranged this morning, our representative will meet you at hotel lobby, and escort you to airport.