Sep

09

Friday, depart USA.

Sep

10

Saturday, Beijing, Jian Guo Garden Hotel, D.
Arrive Beijing after crossing International Dateline.  Private airport transfer to hotel.  Dinner if you arrive in time.

Sep

11

Sunday, Beijing, B/L/D.

Morning visit to Dirt Market, also known as Panjiayuan Market.  Afternoon drive by Tiananmen Square, visit Forbidden City and jewelry rooms.  If you have visited China before, you may wish to shop or tour on your own.  Local guides can be arranged at your own expense, you would pay all expenses such as guide fees and tips, taxis, lunch, etc.

Sep

12

Monday, Beijing, B/L/D.

Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car ride in morning, afternoon take pedicab ride for Hutong tour.  Hutong are the alleys and lanes in old Beijing with one story high houses.  They are part of the history and culture of Beijing that is fast disappearing.  We will visit a family in their home.

Sep

13

Tuesday,Beijing-Urumqi, Hoi Tak (Haide Hotel), B/L/D.

Morning flight to Urumqi, late afternoon visit to Erdaoqiao Central Bazaar if time allows.

Sep

14

Wednesday, Urumqi-Turpan, Tuhu Petroleum Hotel, B/L/D.

Morning drive to Turpan, visit Karez Irrigation Complex, an underground water system.  Late lunch, short rest during the heat of the day, resume tour in late afternoon.  Visit Jiaohe ancient city, established by Chinese as a garrison city to defend the borderlands.  The city was decimated by Ghengis Khan. 

Sep

15

Thursday, Turpan, B.L.D.

Visit ancient city of Gaochang (this was the capital of the Uighurs when they moved here in the 9th century), Astana Tombs (the dead from Gaochang are buried here), visit to Bezeklik Buddha Caves and Flaming Mountains which appear red-purple in the intense sunlight, late lunch, short rest period in heat of the day, resume tour in late afternoon.  Suliman Minaret, part of a large mosque built in 1778, the minaret is conical shaped of bricks laid in elegant patterns and visit the local Uighur market. 

Sep

16

Friday,Turpan-Urumqi-Kashgar, Taxian Bangchen Jiudian (Baroni) Hotel, B/L/D.

Drive from Turpan back to Urumqi.  Xinjiang Museum:  ancient Cherchen mummies, artifacts, relics, and textile costume collection of 12 minority groups and a section devoted to Silk Road history.  Late afternoon or early evening flight to Kashgar. 

Sep

17

Saturday,Kashgar.  B/L/D.

Visit Abakh Hoja Tomb, tomb of Islamic sage, built around 1640.  Legend says five generations of the same family are buried here.  Visit to Idkah Mosque, one of the largest mosques in China, built in 1442, visit old town Kashgar and visit a local family (if we are allowed).  Visit local shops.

Sep

18

Sunday, Kashgar, B/L/D.

Morning visit to famed Sunday Bazaar, see market for animals first and then visit the regular market for household goods, furs, bolts of fabric, spices, carpets, etc.  Cumin and saffron are  great buys. 

Sep

19

Monday, Kashgar-Urumqi-Xian.  Hyatt Hotel, B/L/D.

Flight from Kashgar, via Urumqi to Xian.   

Sep

20

Tuesday,Xian, B/L/D.   

Visit Terra Cotta Warriors.  Afternoon visit to Jade Carving Factory and City Wall. 

Sep

21

Wednesday,Xian-Kunming-Lijiang.  Lijiang Grand Hotel B/L/D.

Morning flight from Xian to Lijiang via Kunming.  Explore old town on arrival if time allows.

Sep

22

Thursday,Lijiang, B/L/D.

Morning visit to local market and afternoon visit to Jade Dragon Pond and Dongba Museum, then time for exploring old town, shopping, or get a massage.  You may want to enjoy one of two optional evening performances or check out the local night life.

Sep

23

Friday,Lijiang-Shanghai, Pacific Hotel, B/L/D.

Morning for last minute shopping in Lijiang or visit to Post Office to mail your purchases home.  On arrival in Shanghai drive by the Bund or visit Nankeen Batik Museum and shop if time allows.

Sep

24

Saturday,Shanghai-Nanjing-Shanghai, B/L/D.

Travel by fast speed train to Nanjing.  Morning visit to Brocade Weaving Institute with VIP access to ancient woven items.  We will see demonstration of how gold paper is wrapped around silk core to make couching threads used for embroidery.  Visit to clothing display at the Institute to view many costumes of minority groups in China.  Afternoon visit to Nanjing Museum, one of the best in China.  Late afternoon or early evening train back to Shanghai.

Sep

25

Sunday, Shanghai, B/L/D.

Morning visit to famed Shanghai Museum.  Afternoon visit to YuYuan Garden.

Sep

26

Monday,Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai, B/L/D.

Morning high speed train to Suzhou.  Silk Embroidery Research Institute, Silk Reeling Mill and if time allows, the Suzhou Museum designed by I M Pei.

Sep

27

Tuesday, Shanghai-USA.  B.

Depart for USA, you will take taxi to airport at your own expenses.  This costs much less than hiring private guide and driver.  Arrive home same day after crossing International dateline.