Silk Road and Tibet Cultural Tour
17 days
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Private Guided
This 17-day tour focuses on the cultural and religious exchanges that took place along the Silk Road and in Tibet. Important historical sites, such as the Terracotta Army, the Mogao Caves, and the Potala Palace, fill the itinerary. If you are a cul...
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Overview
Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Gain exclusive access to the institute of the Mogao Caves to unveil the mysteries of the Dunhuang murals.
- Escape the bustle and embrace the tranquility of Echoing Sand Mountain with a romantic dinner in the desert.
- Explore Linxia, "China's little Mecca", and be astounded by the rich cultural tapestry of diverse communities.
- Walk through Tuyugou Village to experience Uyghur hospitality firsthand.
- Witness chanting monks in their maroon robes and pilgrims performing prostrations in Lhasa.
- Admire China's greatest archaeological marvel, the Terracotta Army, which shows incredible artistry from over 2,000 years ago.
- Be amazed by the natural magic of colorful mountains and dramatic pillars in Zhangye.
What's this trip about?
This 17-day tour focuses on the cultural and religious exchanges that took place along the Silk Road and in Tibet. Important historical sites, such as the Terracotta Army, the Mogao Caves, and the Potala Palace, fill the itinerary. If you are a culture enthusiast, especially a Buddhism lover, you shouldn't miss visiting Xi'an, Linxia, Dunhuang, Turpan, and Lhasa. Accompanied by our knowledgeable tour guides, China's history would come to life. We would help to finalize your ideal tour according to your interests.
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityXi'an
End CityLhasa
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Itinerary
Day 1 Xi'an Arrival | Airport Transfer
After landing in Xi'an, your tour guide and driver would drive you to your hotel. Spend your free time resting or start to discover Xi'an on your own. Your tour guide would be happy to recommend some good places or restaurants for you to explore.
Day 2 Xi'an | The Terracotta Army
Breakfast & Lunch
The Terracotta Army is a must-visit museum in Xi'an. There are thousands of ancient lifesize statues, each with unique details in their clothing, weapons, and facial expressions. They offer a...
Day 3 Xi'an to Lanzhou | Gansu Provincial Museum
Breakfast & Lunch
It takes about 3 hours on a high-speed train to get from Xi'an to Lanzhou.
Gansu Provincial Museum houses over 350,000 artifacts, spanning a vast period of Chinese history...
Day 4 Lanzhou to Linxia | Bingling Temple Grottoes
Breakfast & Lunch
The Bingling Temple Grottoes are in Linxia, by the Yellow River. From Liujiaxia Dam, you would take a speed boat to the grottoes in about 20 minutes. Then, witness the confluence
Day 5 Linxia to Zhangye | Explore China's Mecca
Breakfast & Lunch
Linxia might be a lesser-known cultural hub in China. However, it's a major center of Islam in northwestern China, which is definitely worth a visit.
Nicknamed "China's Little Mecca...
Day 6 Zhangye | Colorful Danxia and Binggou Danxia
Breakfast & Lunch
Zhangye is famous for its unique geological wonders of the colorful Danxia — the Rainbow Mountains — and Binggou Danxia's spectacular cliffs. They are both breathtaking geological marvels but quite di...
Day 7 Zhangye to Dunhuang | Giant Buddha Temple
Breakfast & Lunch
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is a sight to behold. It was originally built in 1098. The largest indoor reclining Buddha in China is housed in the temple. It is 34.5 meters (113 feet) long and...
Day 8 Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and a Desert Dinner
Breakfast & Lunch
Before you start to explore the famous Mogao Caves, we recommend that you experience a 2-hour mural painting experience at the Dunhuang Research Academy. There, passionate researchers would unlock the...
Day 9 Dunhuang to Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty
Breakfast & Lunch
Constructed from 206 BC to 220 AD, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty was primarily constructed using tamped earth, reeds, and gravel. It was built to defend the northern borders of the Han Empire against noma...
Day 10 Turpan | Uyghur's Essence
Explore the outstanding landmarks of Turpan's over 2,000 years of history.
The ancient city of Jiaohe is one of the world's largest and oldest ancient cities, dating back to about 2,000 years ago. Ruins of ancient buildings, stree...
Day 11 Turpan to Urumqi | Heavenly Lake
Driving from Turpan to Urumqi takes about 3 hours. You would visit the beautiful Heavenly Lake after lunch.
Heavenly Lake is surrounded by snowcapped peaks, dense forests, and alpine meadows. You could take a boat ride
Day 12 Urumqi to Chengdu | Airport Transfer
Say goodbye to Xinjiang! The flight to Chengdu takes nearly 4 hours. Your tour guide and driver would be waiting for you at the airport to escort you to your hotel.
Day 13 Chengdu | Meet the Pandas
It's hard not to see pandas in Chengdu. We recommend heading to Dujiangyan Panda Base. It takes 1½ hours to get there, but it is worth the journey. Situated near Mount Qingcheng, its large area provides a natural environment for panda preservation, ...
Day 14 Chengdu to Lhasa | Airport Transfer
Your last stop is Lhasa on "the roof of the world", which you would reach after a 3-hour flight. As the high altitude may cause altitude sickness on arrival or soon after, your tour guide would help you to check in at the hotel and leave you to rest on the first day to minimize any acclimation effects.
Day 15 Lhasa | The Potala Palace and Barkhor Street
The Potala Palace is perched on the side of a mountain overlooking Lhasa. The red and white building rises majestically, a testament to Tibetan artistic achievement. Your tour guide would tell you the story behind the building, which is sure to help...
Day 16 Lhasa | Lhasa's Monasteries
You would focus on Tibetan Buddhist heritage on day 16, and your first stop would be Norbulingka, which served as the summer residence for the Dalai Lamas for centuries. It is a cultural and artistic hub that shows the connection be...
Day 17 Lhasa Departure
Though this incredible China tour must come to an end, the memories would last forever. We hope to serve you on your future adventures to China, Asia, and the world. See you next time!
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Dates & Availability
Price From $5,699
Price per day$335
Last Updated: 2/13/2025
FromUSD 5,699p/p (2 people) The price based on private tours with 4-star hotels. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
- Visa Fees
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Personal Expenses
- Meals: Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
- Insurance
- Single Room Supplement
- Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers
Accommodation
Details: Hotel Selection —the Icing on the Cake Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Requirements
Payment
Deposit & Final payment
A deposit which is equal to 10% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The full or final payment is required 30 days before departure for your China tour. Should the tour booked within 30 days before departure for your China tour, full payment is required.
Receipt of your deposit or final payment will indicate that you and your travel agent (when applicable) have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you (and your agent) have accepted them.
The Terms and Conditions below form the basis of the contractual relationship between China Highlights International Travel Service Co., Ltd (Business Certificate Number: L-GX00724) and its clients. It is extremely important that our clients understand and accept these Terms and Conditions as well as their quotations, itineraries and other relevant communication from our travel advisors.
Methods of Payment
We are now able to offer 3 methods of Payment:
Visa or Master Card secure online payment via PayPal.
Visa or Master Card by email
Wire transfer.
Cash payment, travelers' check and company check is applicable upon special request, but personal checks cannot be accepted.
or click here to enter the "Payment Center" page to know more.
If we receive a fraud alert from our credit card processor, we'll require confirmation before your transaction can be processed. If the booking is too urgent to get all required confirmation in time, we have the right to cancel the booking and refund the card holder's account for our own and the card holder's protection.
Disclaimer of Difference Caused by Exchange Rate
(For clients who make payment by credit card only).
China Highlights will draw Chinese currency (CNY) from your credit card. The Credit Card Company or Bank will convert this amount to the currency of your credit card account.
China Highlights converts Chinese currency to US Dollars at a rate of CN721 = US$100 for our quotations, but must charge your credit card in CNY (Note: China Highlights will apply the latest exchange rate, which may differ from the one shown above.). Banks and credit card companies must then buy Chinese currency at their local rate to make the payment. The rate may be more or less than our rate. Banks and credit card companies may also make a service charge for the transaction. For these reasons what appears on your bank statement may be more (or even less) than what you were expecting. Click here for an illustration.
Note: Before you pay, please check our exchange rate against your bank's exchange rate and your bank's transaction fee policy.
China Highlights currently quotes tour prices in US Dollars on our web site to give you an idea of the tour cost and quote in CNY to you at the time when you are making bookings.
1. Should a revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi occur, China Highlights will honor all quotations for tours that have been fully paid at the time of the revaluation.
2. Customers who have not paid for their tour in full at the time of any revaluation will be required to pay the difference between the old and new price calculated in Renminbi. China Highlights will never charge more that our quotation that has been accepted by you, our client.
Luggage AllowanceIn accordance with regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the free baggage allowance within China is 20kg for the economy class, 30kg for the business class, and 40kg for the first class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within China specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft.
Alteration of Itinerary
Alterations to your itinerary before the booking are happily processed free of charge. Alterations after payment of the deposit will attract a fee of $25.00 per request. All expenses incurred by China Highlights in alteration of the booking are the responsibility of the customer. This includes all fees and charges levied by third parties such as cruise operators, airlines and hotels.
Liability & ResponsibilityChina Highlights provides tour information and China tour bookings. China Highlights publishes travel information and services gathered from the selected quality hotels, air ticket agencies and tour companies & operators. Chinahighlights will not be responsible for errors, emissions or inaccuracies in information provided by third party providers.
China Highlights shall not be responsible for any wrongful or negligent or fraudulent, omissions, changes of itinerary, cancellation or the failure of any equipment operated by those suppliers or any other party not directly owned or controlled by China Highlights.
China Highlights shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property, alteration of itineraries or cancellation in part or in full, caused by climatic conditions, sea fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, terrorist activities, or any other actions, omissions or conditions beyond China Highlights's control. Neither China Highlights nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses of liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes
China Highlights is not responsible for a client's failure to comply with customs regulations.
China Highlights is not responsible for the theft or loss of any customer's valuables or items of personal property due to the negligence of the customer.
China Highlights reserves the right to substitute hotels, flights, trains, or cruise ships, to alter itineraries, or to cancel the tour prior to departure. If China Highlights has cancelled any tour prior to the commencement of the tour, China Highlights is liable for a full refund of the money received from the client.
Many of China Highlights tour packages include activities which require care and attention. Such activities include boarding and going ashore from boats, climbing hills and entering and exiting tombs and caves etc. You will receive help and advice from our representatives but all activities are undertaken at your own risk. China Highlights, its employees and agents cannot be responsible for any action or event that occurs after its said employees and agents have exercised their duty and taken the necessary care.
China Highlights reserves the right to modify or rescind the terms and conditions in whole, or in part at any time with or without notice.Modification or Discontinuance of Service
China Highlights reserves the right to modify or discontinue service to clients who behave illegally or objectionably toward its employees and agents. Offensive behavior includes behavior which is obscene, racially offensive or of a sexual nature.
CommunicationsYou can contact China Highlights via the web form from www.chinahighlights.com, email, fax, or phone. If for any reason, you fail to receive any reply from China Highlights in regard of your tour status within 48 hours from the time you submitted the request for booking, modifying, or canceling a tour, please contact China Highlights customer service center at customercare@chinahighlights.com to ensure that we are able to deal with your enquiry under the terms of our Terms and Conditions. Contact Us Form
Complaints and ClaimsShall you feel unsatisfied with any service China Highlights has provided, please notify your 7x24 hours available travel advisor or China Highlights Customer-care service to avoid the potential for similar problems happening again during your trip.
Phone no. or WhatsApp: +86 18007839275
Email: customercare@chinahighlights.com
In the event of a complaint or claim for compensation, you must inform us by email, regular mail, or facsimile in writing within 15 days from the end of your tour. Relevant receipts and substantiating evidence must be attached to the letter of claim. China Highlights will not be liable for any claims made later than 15 days after the completion of your tour.,
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Refunds
We would deeply regret your decision to cancel your trip to China, however we realize that there are many valid reasons that this can happen.
In the event of a cancellation, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure. The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows except specified by your travel advisor:
- Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
- No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
- After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
Special Notes:
- The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask you travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.
Travel Insurance
China Highlights tour packages include Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance up to a maximum of $30,000 per adult provided free of charge as part of our package. We still highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin. Insurance provided by China Highlights is not applicable where only hotel or China flight booking are purchased through China Highlights.
Visa requirements
All clients must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentation is the sole responsibility of the client. Your travel advisor may assist you in applying for the necessary travel documentation upon request. China Highlights accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
Health & Safety
Clients should take into account all international travel risks and familiarize themselves with health requirements applicable to the areas they intend to visit. The client is solely responsible for checking the safety and security conditions, vaccination, and other health requirements of governments in countries visited or transited. Travelers to Tibet are required to provide a doctor's certificate stating that the he/she is fit to travel and his/her blood pressure and heart condition are normal. This is a necessary requirement because of the possible effects that the very high altitude may have on certain people.
Meals Included
Breakfast & Lunch
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
chinah-SiRoTiCuTo
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