Splendid Northern China Sightseeing Tour
Destinations Hong Kong , Xi'an , Yan'an , Urumqi , Turpan , Beijing
Tour Code CET-LS03
Xi'an Highlights
Huaqing Hot Springs
For centuries, the Huaqing Hot Spring (huaqingchi) has been enjoying the reputation as the most wonderful spring for it has appealed to the emperors of the ancient China with its amazing pureness and miraculous healing promotion effect on the rheumatism and arthritis. The Huaqing Hot Spring is known as the Orient Sacred Spring, which means it is as famous as the Thermae of Caracalla in Ancient Rome and the Bath Spring in Britian.
During the Western Zhou, Li Palace was originally established a resort here. Later the First Emperor Qin built a stone pool and gave the name "Lishan Hot Springs," and it was extended by the Han Wudi, Martial Emperor. However, the strongest associations are with the Tang Dynasty, and most of the present buildings have a Tang style.
Later in the ancient China, Emperor Taizong built the Hot Springs Palace and Emperor Xuanzong added a walled palace in 747 A.D. Unfortunately it was damaged during the An Lushan Rebellion in the middle Tang period. The present site was rebuilt on the site of the Qing Dynasty structure
There are picturesque sceneries around the spring. Behind the west gate, Nine-Dragon Pool, the Lotus Flower Pool and the Frost Drifting Hall of the Tang architectural style are waiting for you. Emperor Xuanzong used to spend winter in the company of Yang Guifei (Lady Yang) - his favorite concubine in the Hall of Fluttering Frost. The hall gains its name due to the slightly milky mist and vapor over the pool year around. In winter, the snowflakes soon thaw immediately in front of the Hall because of the lukewarm vapor rising out of the hot spring.
Here is a combination of a miraculous hot spring, the beautiful landscapes and the marvelous historic relics, where will feast your eyes in your leisure time.
40 CNY from March 1 to November 31
70 CNY from December 1 to February 28
Half fare for the student, the soldier, the disabled and the aged over 70
Location: No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong Zone, Xian City, Shanxi Province
Transportation: Bus No. 306, 914 and 915 and tour bus No. 5 will bring you here.
Museum of Stone Steles Forest
Here is the largest museum with the most exhibitions of the stone tablets passed down from the ancient China. Since the completion of the construction in North Song Dynasty the year of 1087, this greatest treasure store has appealed to a great number of visitors for having a close look at the marvelous forest of stone tablets.
With 900 years of history, this treasure house holds a large collection of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. All together, there are 3,000 steles and the museum is divided into seven exhibitions halls, which mainly display the works of calligraphy, painting and historical records. All of these record some achievements in the development of the Chinese culture and reflect the historical facts of the cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
It is a good place to admire all the authentic work of calligraphy of the celebrities who were well known in the Chinese history, to read the Chinese grand classics inscribed on the stone, and to learning about the world's history from the most convinced proofs of the history.
22 CNY for the student, the soldier, the disabled and the aged over 70
Location: No. 15, Sanxue Street, Xian City
Transportation: Bus No. 14, 402, 512, 223, 208 and 704 and tour bus No. 5 will bring you here.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Standing o­n the Jianfu Temple near the east part of the South Friendship Road and is 3km away from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Because the pagoda is lower than the Big Wild Goose, it is called Small Wild Goose. The pagoda had 15 stories before 1556, but the extant is merely 13 stories because its top was destroyed in an earthquake in that year. The foursquare pagoda is 43.3metres high now and each sideline of its base is about11.38meteres. The eaves are jutting out o­n each story. There are arched doors o­n both the south and the north sides in each story. o­n the lintels and the doorcases of the first floor, the vines, grass, flowers and the immortal pictures can be seen carving. There are wood stairs reach to the top of the pagoda, as you stand at there, a beautiful panorama will spread out before you.
Unlike the grand Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it is dainty and exquisite in its appearance. It is an important cultural relic and o­ne of the remaining symbols of ancient Chang'an (the name of Xian in the Tang Dynasty).
The ancient Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the newly-built museum echo each other; and the sonorous bell chimes response to the melodious Chang'an ancient music played here. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area, with its brand-new appearance, welcomes tourists from both home and abroad.
Ticket Price: Asmission: 50rmb, 25rmb for the students and the children.Include: Xi'an museum, the scene in Small Wild Goose Pagoda, and enter into it. With yearly tickets for 2008 Shaanxi travelling, you can visit here at any time,except the short vocation of "1st,May"and"1st,Oct"
Transportation: Bus 18、21、29、32、40、46、203、204、218、224、407、410、508、521、700、707、713、720、or travel bus NO.7、8(610)to "Small Wild Goose Pagoda" stop
Daxingshan Temple
Situated in the suburbs south of Xi'an is the Daxingshan Temple; one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China. It was built during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316). During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Buddhism prevailed widely in Chang'an, Xi'an City's earlier name. Many Indian monks remained there to translate the sutras and promulgate the Buddhist doctrines. Over time, the Daxingshan Temple became one of three temples especially used for translating sutras. The other two are Ci'en Temple and Jianfu Temple.
The present-day Daxingshan Temple is the result of large-scale restorations in 1955 and 1983. Inside the temple, Qing-style architectural features are predominant, including Mountain Gate, Devajara Hall (Hall of the Heavenly Kings), Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), Bell and Drum Towers, Kwan-yin Palace and many other halls in which Buddhist followers can pray.
As one enters the Mountain Gate, the Bell and Drum towers can be seen on either side. A wood-carved Maitreva statue from the Song Dynasty stands in the middle of the Devajara Hall, with four Heavenly Kings flanking it. On walking into the Kwan-yin Palace, a sandalwood-made, thousand-hand Kwan-yin statue is sure to surprise you! During some of the Buddhist festivals, the temple is crowded with believers.
Today, the Daxingshan Temple and its surroundings has been developed into a park temple and is open to tourists.
Blue Dragon Temple
Blue Dragon Temple is a famous Buddhist Temple from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). When it was built in 582, it was called Linggan Temple (Temple of Inspiration) and then renamed to its present one in 711. When Buddhism was prevalent during the Tang Dynasty, some Japanese monks were sent to China to study Buddhism. Six of them studied at BlueDragon Temple, and this led to a flourishing period of the temple in the ninth century.
Kukai, the most learned of the six monks, made great progress in learning Buddhist sutras, Sanskrit, poems and Chinese calligraphy. After his return to Japan in 806, he advocated the building of a Vagra Temple (Vagra means Buddhist Warrior Attendant) and founded the Zhenyan Sect (the True Word Sect). He is highly honored by both Japanese and Chinese, and in 1982 Kukai Monument was constructed inside the BlueDragon Temple. For uncertain reasons the BlueDragon Temple which had no fortune, like other ancient temples was destroyed. This was perhaps during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
The present temple was reconstructed in 1963. Memorial halls for the earlier monks and exhibition halls with some excavations displayed are all built in the Tang architectural style.
Blue Dragon Temple is a place where the cherry blossoms can be enjoyed. Every year during May and June, an endless stream, of tourists comes to appreciate its beauty.
The site of Weiyang palace of the Han Dynasty
Weiyang Palace was a palace complex, located near the city of Xi'an. Built in 200 BC at the request of Han Gaozu, under the supervision of his prime minister Xiao He, it served as the administrative centre and imperial residence of the Western Han Dynasty, as well as the Western Jin dynasty and several other regimes during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
The palace survived until the Tang dynasty when it was burnt down by marauding invaders en route to Tang Chang'an. This was the largest palace ever built on Earth, covering 4.8 km² (1,200 acres), which is 6.7 times the size of the current Forbidden City, or 11 times the size of the Vatican City.
Today it is located in an open field and few remains of the former palace.The palace consisted of over forty palaces, terraces and pavilions of Chenming, Qingliang, Xuanshi, etc.This spectacular and magnificent palace was not only the political centre of the Western Han dynasty to decree orders, but also the place to make state policy in the Xinmang, Xijing, Former Zhao, Former Qin, Later Qin, Western Wei, Northern Zhou dynasties.
Location: Weiyang County, Weiyang District, Xi'an
Transportation: Take Bus NO.1,211 or 901.
The site of Daming Palace of the Tang Dynasty
The luxurious Daming Palace was one of the three large groups of architecture for the emperor inside Chang'an of the Tang dynasty. The site is on the Longshou Plateau to the north of Xi'an. The palace began to be constructed in 634 (the eighth year of Zhenguan under the reign of Tang Emperor Taizong), covering 3.5 square kilometres.
There were hanyuan, Xuanzheng, Zihuan and other great halls while Hanyuan Hall in front of the palace was the main one. From the site of Hanyuan Hall one could see its large scale with Xiangluan Pavilion to its east and Xifeng Pavilion to its west both of which were linked to the hall with corridors. In front of the Hanyuan Hall was a wave-shaped "Dragon-tail Road".
The magnificent and elegant hall was an important place to hold national grand ceremonies and receive foreign envoies during the Tang dynasty. The picture shows the model of the reconstructed Hanyuan Hall.
Location: East Ziqiang Road, Xi'an
Entrance Fee: RMB 60
Transportation: Take Bus No.2,528,723,708,717,262 or 216 and get off at Tongjiagang.
Feng and Hao Sites of the Western Zhou Dynasty
Fenghao is a combination name for Fengyi and Haojing, set by Kings Wen and Wu of the Zhou Dynasty (11thcentury - 256BC), respectively. With Fengyi located on the west bank of the Fengshui River and Haojing on the east bank, the site covers a total area of 10 square kilometers, spreading a large area including Kesheng Village, Mawang Village, Zhangjiapo, Xinwang Village, Fengcun Village, Luoshui Village, Pudu Village, Doumen Town and Kunmingchi. After an archaeological investigation in 1933, the Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science has carried out a lasting excavation on the site since 1951. Fenghao was then the political, economic and cultural center of the Western Zhou Dynasty.
According to the record in Kaogong Notes, the city covered an area of nine kilometers, with three gates open on each side. Inside the city, nine streets lied vertically while another nine streets horizontally. With the palace built in the center, the ancestral temple on the left, the sacrificial site on the right, imperial court in the front, and downtown streets in the back, the city had presented a general reference rule for overall arrangement. It is obvious that rulers at that time had already got a planning mind to build up an orderly-arranged city.
An imperial palace site was unearthed near Mawang Village and Luoshui Village, together with a number of drainage parts, such as pipeline and tile. Besides, 20 residential sites, built in cave or half-pit houses, cellars and wells were also excavated in the site. About 100 vessels were excavated in these cellars, including 53 vessels in Zhangjiapo, among which 32 had inscriptions, and 25 vessels in Mawang Village, 10 of which had inscriptions. Those inscriptions, which have high historical, artistic and academic values, recorded some important history events of the Western Zhou Dynasty and neighboring states.
Location: Zhangjiapo Village, Mawang Town, Chang'an District
Transportation: Take Bus No.302 or 911 and get off at Mawang Town.
Yan'an Highlights
Baota Hill
Baota Hill is also called Jialing Hill. It stands to the southeast of the urban Yan'an where the Yanhe River and the Nanchuan River meet. The pagoda at the top of the hill is the symbol of Yan'an City which was first built in Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).It underwent renovation in Song Dynasty. The pagoda has nine stories and is 44 meters high (144 ft). Standing at the top of the hill, you will have a bird view of the ancient city of Yan'an. This is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit.
The most famous attraction here is the iron bell which was made in 1628 during Ming Dynasty. It is 1.5 meters high and about one meter in diameter. The tower is of great historical importance in relation to the Chinese revolutionary movement: when the Chinese Communist Party had its headquarters in Yan'an, the bell was used to toll the hour of the day and sound alarms.
On the hill, there is a huge new bell named Ping' an Bell (Safety Bell) and a new huge drum named Taiping Drum (Peace Drum). It is said that luck and happiness will be bestowed on you by Tolling the bell or beating the drum. There is also a Stele Forest upon the slopes of the hill. They are inscribed with a variety of ancient Chinese calligraphy.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Baota Hill was designated by the State Council as one of the first key cultural relics under national protection. Baota Hill is now a public park. It has many pine, cypress and Chinese scholar trees.
Location: Jialing Road, Yan'an.
Entrance Fee: RMB 41 for high season, RMB 31 for low season.
Transportation: Take bus No.1 or No.3 at Railway Station.
Revolutionary Memorial Hall
The Memorial Hall, not far from the Yangjialing Headquarters, is probably one of the best of its kind in China. It was founded in July 1950 in Yan'an City of Shaanxi Province, and it is one of the earliest revolutionary memorial halls in China. It was built in July 1950 and was previously called the Yan'an Revolutionary Museum. It was open to the public in February 1951.
The memorial hall boasts a comprehensive collection of historical literature, graphs and photos dating from the establishment of the "United Front against Japanese Invasion" to the opening of the Seventh General Conference of the Chinese Communist Party.
The main hall houses a huge collection of artifacts from the 1930-50s, including genuine footballs, sewing machines, Marxist books by Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky translated into Chinese and hundreds of communist weapons. Especially noteworthy is a white horse (it has been made into a specimen) that is said to have carried Mao Zedong.
The exhibition halls occupy 3,200 square meters, displaying 1,300 revolutionary cultural relics, more than 200 photos, as well as auxiliary exhibits like graphs, paintings, sculptures and models. All the exhibits introduce the founding of Northern Shaanxi Revolutionary Bases and the 13 years of revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China. The memorial hall has launched the Exhibition of Yan'an Revolutionary Cultural Relics and the Exhibition of Yan'an Spirit, and has staged road shows in other places.
Location: Zaoyuan Road, East Bank of Yanhe River, Baota District, Yan'an.
Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
Transportation: Take Bus No.1 or 3.
Yangjialing Revolution Headquarters
After an epic Long March the pitiful remainder of a once strong, though hounded, Red Army arrived to set up base in a little town called Yan'an. The leadership clique at that time, including such revolutionary martyrs as the all powerful Mao Zedong, the wise patriarch Zhou Enlai and the military strategist Zhu De, arrived weary to start again from where they had left off in the Jiangxi Soviet. The base area was first commanded from the Yangjialing Revolution Headquarters (Yangjialing geming jiuzhi), about 3km north from the town, although the HQ was moved about a number of times between October 1938-March 1947 by the wary troops. This first site, however, is of particular note for the holding of both the first Central Committee (CC) meetings and the seventh National Plenum that was to officially instate Mao as the Chairman of the revolutionary struggle.
Like much of the town, the headquarters nowadays remains very much undisturbed by the tourist hordes that used to pour through here on communist pilgrimage. Of interest are the Meeting Hall where the CC met, and more particularly, the mound behind that contains the Former Dwelling Holes of the leading military cadres. These 'rooms' can still be seen, where Mao and the rest were to sleep, write and plot. They are elegant enough affairs with white plaster over straw, mud or brick walls, and wooden lattice entrances faced with paper, typical of the traditional local architecture. Further up the hill are also a series of caves where the communist offices were located (including the secretariat and the propaganda departments.
Yangjialing Village
Yangjialing which is about three kilometers northwest of Yan'an was the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party. Many strategic guidelines and decisions had been made here by the top leaders of Communist Party since the beginning of Anti-Japanese War. During this time, large-scale Production Campaign was carried out among people and army with vigor and vitality. Rectification Campaign started and the Seventh National Congress of CPC and Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art were held .The Seventh National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party held from April 23 to June 11, 1945, opened the new page of the modern Chinese revolutionary history.
Many constructions were destroyed in 1947 while Hu zongnan (KMT military Leader) occupied Yan'an, luckily most of them have been rebuilt after 1949, and many evergreen trees were planted around later. Today we can still visit: Central Hall, Central General Office, Central Organization Department, Central United Front Work department, the old resident place of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu de and where Mao Zedong and Anna Louis Strong talked.
At the entrance is an auditorium with brick and wood structure. The building behind was the office of the Central Committee's General. Mao Zedong and other high-level leaders of the revolution lived on a small hill in the north. There also is an exhibition hall; the objects displayed here show the revolutionary activities of the communist leaders and the people in Yan'an. Therefore, Yangjialing Village is a very important politic center in Chinese history. It has great significant meaning for most Chinese.
Location: Shengdi Road, Baota District, Yan'an.
Transportation: Take Bus No.1, 3, 7,8,12 or 13.
Date Garden
Date Garden is 8 kilometers northwest of Yan'an. The garden used to be the manor of a landlord.It served as office of CPC Central Committee Secretariat during the war period of anti-Japanese and liberation after the Army entered Yan'an City. It is a special garden filled with revolutionary history. Secretariat directed the war against the Japanese invaders here, the Rectification Movement in 1942, and the production movement in 1941 and 1942 held here to supply the food and clothing to the people and army during the war in order to struggle with military attacks against the Japanese and economic blockade by the Kuomintang.
Many leaders such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De once lived here. What's more, Mao Zedong wrote many of his revolutionary works. The Date Garden, with flourish trees and flowers, is a nice place to visit. There are lots of relics among which most reflect or present the Chinese revolution and the tough time of war. The garden has been destroyed by Kuomintang when the communist party left, and it was rebuilt by the local government. Date garden has become the one of the most bases of Chinese revolutionary education.
Location: Zaoyunag Road, Yan'an
Transportation: Take Bus No.8 or 13.
Cool Hill
The Cool Hill is also called Qing Liang Shan Mountain, which used to be the center for CPC news, while central CPC committee was in Yan'an, the CPC newspaper committee, Xinhua News agent, Liberation Daily, Yan'an Xin Hua broadcast, Central Press, Central Publishing Department and so on were all located here, therefore, the Cool Hill was the birth place of Chinese News and Publishing, the cradle of news warriors, who believes that a pen and a gun are both sharp weapons. They created news agencies, broadcasted and published newspapers in the dark and wet caves, spreading Marxism, Mao's thoughts and propagating policies, approaches of CPC. Under the direct led of CPC, they sent Chinese Revolutionary voice to all around China and the world. Their contribution to the Chinese revolution is indelible. Yan'an News Memorial Hall located in the south wing of the Cool Hill, As the unique Journalism thematic memorial hall, it is divided into 5 unites , with about 180 historic relics, 400 pictures, and documents, this period of history revives.
During the War of Resistance, the Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua Broadcasting Station, and Jiefang Ribao (Liberation Daily) all had their offices here. There is a stone cave on this hill called Ten-Thousand Buddha Cave (Wanfodong) which was carved out during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. It contains more than ten thousand Buddhist sculptures. The Moon Well (Yue'erjing), the Piba Bridge, and many other scenic spots with fancy names on the hill are all connected with beautiful legends.
Location: Nothern Bank of Yanhe Rider, Yan'an
Trasportation: Take Bus No.1,4,5,6,11 or 19.
Yulin Town
Yulin Town, in the far northern section of Shaanxi Province, lies at the boundary between a Yellow Soil Plateau and the Mao Wu Su Desert (Maowusu shamo). The town is renowned as a garrison and patrol post that worked the northern fringes of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) empire. Although a tiny town and not especially old, Yulin still retains much of its charm through being little renovated.
The town boasts a large number of sights for its size and the most notable include the fortress and beacon tower at the Zhengbei Terrace (Zhengbei tai), the Incense Burner Temple (Xianglu si), the remainder of the ancient Great Wall (Changcheng) and an old Bell Tower (Zhong lou). The nicest section of town is the Old Quarter, which still retains its Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing (1644-1911 AD) Dynasty look, hidden behind encircling walls and old, stone gates. This area is great to walk around, with pebble paved alleys, grey-tiled quadrangular courtyards (Siheyuan) and delicate copper rings upon wooden gates and windows. In places you will come across the original city walls.
Urumqi Highlights
Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake is 110 km from Urumqi. Located at the half way of the Begeda Peak of Tianshan Mountain, it has an elevation of 1,980 meters and an area of 4.9 square km. The lake is 3,400 meters long, with the widest section being 1,500 meters and the deepest 105 meters. It was named "Yaochi" in the old days.
The Heavenly Lake is a moraine by nature. Splendid peaks and glaciers were developed some 200,000 years ago. As a result of prolonged scouring and wearing off of the glaciers, a gigantic pit was formed. Later, the climate turned warmer, glaciers receded and a large amount of gravel accumulated, resulting in huge terminal moraines. In the end, the Heavenly Lake took shape.
The water is very clear and the banks are covered with tall trees. Surrounded by mountains, the jade-green lake is an ideal place for excursions and rest for most of the year. It provides an excellent skating ground in winter.In summer, the beautiful lake is an ideal cool resort. Boaters on the lake see the ever-changing silvery mountains soaring into the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild flowers. Fishing at dusk has its own special charm. A day in this fairyland promises restoration.
Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers exploring opportunities.
As if the natural beauty of Heavenly Lake were not enough, legend adds a mysterious touch. It is said that the West Queen (Xi Wang Mu) entertained King Mu of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100B.C.-771B.C.) at the Lake. The West Queen fell in love with the king and asked him in her poem, 'The white clouds drift while the mountains reach the blue sky. Passing thousands of mountains, crossing ten thousands of rivers, you come to us from a faraway place. If you are still strong and fine, would you like to come back to us again?' The king answered in his poem, 'After I go back to central China and lead the people to a prosperous life, I will come to you again.'We do not know why the king never returned. Only the placid lake and the silent mountains witnessed the lovesickness of the West Queen.
Southern Pastures
In the suburb of the city of Urumqi there lies the Southern Pastures, a beautiful pasture that the pastoral Kazakh inhabit and graze in summer.
Covering an area of 119 square kilometers (about 45 square miles), Southern Pastures, the natural large and famous summer resort, is 75 kilometers (about 46 miles) away from the city, and located in the Southern Mountain, an area at the northern foot of Karawuquntag Mountain.
It takes about one hour by bus from Urumqi to get to West White Poplar Gully, which is one of most typical sights. On the way, you can see the bright snowcapped Karawuquntag Mountain, the wandering valleys, and hear the gurgle of springs, smell the lush spruce
trees. In the thicket of the lush spruce trees, just let your eyes delight in the traditional villas and the scattered Kazakstan yurts as they paint the grassland and pastures.
Standing in the pastures, you can see the forest of emerald green spruce on a chain of undulating grass hills dotted with combined flocks and herds. As you immerse yourself in this beautiful site, the singing of the Kazakh may envelop you and inspire you to sing with them. You can visit one of the traditional yurts locating in the spruce forest where you will be welcomed by a generous host with fragrant milk tea, mare's milk, cheese and roasted lamb. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to observe the amazing horseracing and traditional Kazakh dancing.
Additional beautiful spots in Southern Pastures from west to east are respectively Chrysanthemum Tai (a table-board of alluvial fan), East White Poplar Gully, Zhaobi Mountain, Miao'er Gully and Da'xi Gully. With the embellishment by these other sights, Southern Pastures is even more beautiful and fascinating.
Red Hill, 1.5 kilometers long and one kilometer wide and 910 meters above sea level, is situated on the east side of the Urumqi River and at the very center of the city, running from east to west. The hill top looks like a mighty lion in its quiet sleep and the ridge like a wriggling dragon. The hill's rocks are reddish-brown, hence the name "Red Hill".
At the top of the hill stands a nine-story, solid, gray brick pagoda, which is 8 meters high, facing the top of Yamalike Hill. It is so-called "Zhenlong pagoda" that means "Pagoda to Suppress Dragons". According to historical documents, Red Hill overflowed in 1785 and the year after and later formed Urumqi River. It is said that it was done by a vicious dragon and the Red Hill and Yamalike Hill would join together to block it up, otherwise, Urumqi area would turn into a vast expanse of water. In the year 1788, the fifty-third year of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, Shang an, the governor of Urumqi, had a pagoda built at the top of each hill in order to suppress the evil dragon. After two hundred years of weathering, the pagoda still remains basically intact. There used to be a number of historical sites on the hill. As early as the time of the nomadic Oyrat Tribe, an "Ebo" was built at the top of the hill; "Ebo" is the name of a kind of cairn used by the tribesmen to worship and offer sacrifice to their gods.
During the Qing Dynasty, the Temple of the Jade Emperor was built at the top of the hill as well as the Temple of the Great Buddha; and the Palace of the Dipper and the Temple of Ksitigabha were built at the foot of the hill. These splendid temples attracted a great number of visitors and made the hill a holy place where worshippers chanted the Buddhist sutra and conducted religious services. Unfortunately almost all these magnificent buildings were burnt down in wars among warlords and nothing was left except a shaky temple gate and the pagoda standing at the top of the precipitous Red Hill. Today, local people regard Red Hill as the symbol of the city. As a result of the construction in the past thirty years or more, the barren Red Hill is now covered with emerald green trees and embellished with tourist facilities such as stone-stepped paths and an asphalt road winding to its top.
Today, Red Hill has been developed into the beautiful Red Hill Park. Modern entertainment facilities and ethnic performances bring a fresh and lively atmosphere to the park. On the peak of Red Hill, you will have the whole city of Urumqi before your eyes!
Location: No.2 Hongshan Road, Urumqi
Transportation: Take Bus No.1, 7, 17 or 61 and get off at Hongshan Stop.
The Museum of Xinjiang Uygar Autonomous Region
Covering an exhibiting area of 7800 sqm, the museum of Uygur and Russian styles, is constructed in 1953. A green-tiled dome tops 18m above the main hall and enormous mural relieves decorate the walls, domes, and entrance. The exhibiting article of this museum center lies in two sources that are archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and the local cultural relics.
The first section displays over 50,000 cultural relics excavated on the ancient Silk Road, which including the silk, pottery and porcelain, terra-cotta figures, weapons, scriptures and so on.
The second section show some mummies discovered in the vast desert. Among over 10 mummies, one named 'sleeping beauty' is the most famous one. Buried underground for about 3,800 years, it keeps unbroken, ranking as the earliest and best preserved mummified body in China. Besides, various articles of ethnic groups are also showed in the museum, which include clothing, household utensils, handicrafts, hunting accoutrements and musical instruments as well as the Uygur house and different styles of yurts, giving a vivid introduction of the customs and cultures of different ethnic groups.
Location: No.132 Xibei Road, Urumqi
Opening Hours: Summer9:30-19:00, Winter10:30-18:00, Holidays10:00-18:00.
Transportation: Take Bus No.7 at Hongshan Department Store.
Kanas Lake
1374 meters high above sea level, Kanas Lake (Kanasi Hu), which means "beautiful, rich and mysterious" in Mongolian, can be found in the deep forests and mountains of Altai, covering an area of 44.78 square kilometers which is 10 times bigger than Tianchi on Bogda Mountain. This is typical ice erosion & Moraine Lake shaped like a new moon, or rather, a long hyacinth bean. The reflections of the surrounding snowcapped, tree-covered mountains can be seen inverted on the lake water. During autumn especially, there is a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green all reflected in the clear lake water here.
There are also some fun legends about Kanas Lake. It is said that huge lake monsters live in the lake's depths. In recent years, others claim to have seen 4 meter long blood red fish in the lake. The "Emei Spectacle", lights in the clouds after a morning rain, adds an air of mystery to the lake too.
The practices of the Tuwa and local Mongolian ethic minority, and Altai Mountain rock-paintings have been attracting explorers and travelers to this area for decades.
Location: Kanas Lake is 140km from Burqin County and 246km from Altay City.
Entrance Fee: RMB 230
Transportation: There are flights to Altay City and tourist coaches to Burqin County from Urumqi. You can enter the nature reserve by car or on horseback with local guides.
Yarrwo
Located in the east rely upon Yanr cliff, and west is close to Urumqi River, the Yarrwo is about 6 square kilometers in perimeter, it is a seasoning scenic zone in south suburb of cantonal. In summer, miscellaneous wild roses, rosebush and bushes bloom red, yellow, blue, white and purple, the flowers make this place a green and bright-colored world. In deep winter, icebound and snow touch down white flower that covered whole tree and shaped a different scenery.
It is said that there was a hero who named "Yanr" in ancient times who dived into Urumqi River and killed the devil and stopped a flood from overspreading, The spirit later become ten millions little swallows, and make here become "swallow fairyland". The ancient nomad called the place "Urabo", namely means "red shooting range". It is report that a tribe of ancient nomad often demonstrates and competes in military stills and target practice in open field here, the winner drape red silk band to show off portliness.
Glacier No.1
120 kilometers away from south of city, the No.1 Glacier belongs to sightseeing site. It lies in Kalawuquntage Mountain near the Shengli Slope that is the middle section of the Tianshan Mountains, The altitude here is 4,800 meters, distributed gigantic modern glacier. There are fantastic and ploy post glacier landforms, Its three sides encircled hills like a vast bucket, so people called it glacier bucket, The snow doesn't thaw all the year round in the mountains which around the number one glacier.
The snow become thicker due to yearly accumulated. And at last it slide down, fell into the hollow of the glacier bucket, and become translucent pale-blue glacier. The west branch moves 27 meters downwards every year, and the east 11 meters downward. When the fronted, namely glacial tongue moves below the snow line, it melts. The melted snow water of the No.1 Glacier becomes the main original of Urumqi River.
The City of Demons is another name for the "Wuerhe Wind City" (Wuerhe Fengcheng), which refers to one of the Yadan landforms. Bushes like camel thorns are grown in sand hills spreading everywhere because of lack of water. In the open ground, the table -like mountains originally formed by burnt ochre stones and gray green rocks which have been fallen into pieces after thousands of years' wind and water erosion look like ancient castles and palaces with Gothic, Chinese and Egyptian styles.
So this area is called "the window of the world". There are many lively shaped models such as the towering stone mushrooms, stone bamboo shoots, stone pavilions, stone columns, wide streets, narrow lanes and caves cutting down to the rocks, lively shape of birds, animals, fishes and human bodies. In summer and autumn, 7 to 8 degrees of great storms usually blow along the valley, raising the sands, whistling like ghosts and wolves. So that's the derivation of another name of the Wuerhe Wind City---the City of Monsters.
Location: Wuerhe Area, 100 kilometers away to the northeast of Karamay
Transportation: Take long-distance bus at Karamay to Wuerhe. Then take shuttle bus to Ghost Town after arriving at Wuerhe.
Turpan Highlights
Ancient City of Gaochang
The ancient city Gaochang, with a cover of 2,000,000 square meters, is located in 46 kilometers (29 miles) southeast of Turpan near the 'Flaming Mountains', Xinjing Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Built in the first century B.C. and originally called Gaochangbi, it used to be a garrison town and later became a key point along the ancient Silk Road. In ancient times, it had been one of the political, economic and culture centers in the Western Regions, and it was a hub of exchange of economy and culture between ancient China and the West. The famous Buddhist monk Xuan Zang taught in the city for several months during his epic 18 year journey to India.
Though the ruins have not been as well preserved as the ones in the Ancient City of Jiaohe, it still provides interesting insight into this unique civilization. The city is split into 3 parts, the inner and outer cities and a palace complex. Nine city gates were built at cardinal points; three in the south and two in each other three directions respectively. Visitors are usually suggested to enter the best preserved one in the west to the core. Inside visitors can see remnants of "Khan Castle", a 15 meter (49ft) structure, temples, manuscripts ,Buddhist paintings and so on.
Two temple remains, one in the southwestern and the other in the northwestern parts of the outer city are worth a visit. The first one, 130 meters (427 feet) long from east to west, 85 meters (279 feet) wide from south to north covers 10,000 square meters. It consists of an arched gate, a courtyard, a lecture hall, a library of sutras, a main hall and the monks' dormitory. It is said that Xuan Zang the renowned Buddhist monk of the Tang period had lectures here in the year of 628 on his way to India. The second is smaller but the murals remains are impressive.
Ancient City of Jiaohe
The largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe is 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) by 300 meters (984 feet) at its widest; with an area of 220,000 square meters (2,368,168 square feet). It was the capital of the former Cheshi State. An Indian proverb says, 'Intelligence is bound to exist where two rivers meet'. Jiaohe, meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet, is such a place. According to historical records it was home to 700 households, 6500 residents plus 865 soldiers.
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.
The central avenue, 350-meters (1148.3-feet) long, runs north from South Gate, separating the city into three parts; namely, residences for common people, temples, and residences for aristocrats. To the west of the avenue, low buildings with sparse small temples were residences for commoners, while the high ones in the east were for aristocrats and troops. At the end of the avenue stands a large well-preserved Buddhist temple, Jiaohe Temple, with an area of 5,000 square meters (53,824 square feet).
The relics we see today featured Tang Dynasty (618-907) architectural style. Houses were dug downward from the earth, and as no house gates faced the streets, military defense was apparently priority.
At the end of the 8 Century, the city was tossed into the reigns of the Turpan, Hui, and Mongols. Residents fled from the destroyed city continuously until in the beginning of the 14 Century, the city was abandoned, as was its glory and prosperity of over 2000 years. Miraculously, owing to the arid climate and remote location, the ancient city of Jiaohe remains intact, leaving us a rare exemplar of an earthen castle.
Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves
The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves, 48 kilometers northeast of the Turpan urban area, are located in the Flaming Mountains' MuTou valley. As Buddhism was the first religion from abroad introduced to this area, Xinjiang witnessed the earliest development of Buddhist cave art in China. Soon after the religion's establishment in the region, Turpan became the Buddhist center on the Silk Road owing to its geographic location. Among the Buddhist caves found in Turpan, Bizalkik Thousand Buddha Caves are considered most valuable.
They were called the ningrong grottoes in the Tang Dynasty. There are 77 numbered grottoes, about 40 of which still have murals in them. The group of grottoes in Bizaklik, with a total of 1,200 square meters of murals, has the most grottoes, most diversified architectural styles and the richest mural content in the Turpan area. The oldest grottoes were hewn in the period of qushi gaochang. From the Tang Dynasty in the thirteenth century, it was an important Buddhist gathering place. Its most prosperous period was under the reign of the xizhou huigu government, which built the royal temple of the king of huigu on this site. Most of the existing grottoes were extended or reconstructed during the huigu period.
Bizaklik Caves was the royal temple of Huihu (the predecessor of today's Uygur) State and the existing caves were enlarged or renovated during that time. The murals take us back to the ancient Huihu State, where we can see the King and Queen and people from all walks of life. The inscriptions, written in ancient Uygur, Chinese and other languages, provide authentic reference for valuable historic research.
The most exceptionally rare mural topics in Bizaklik Caves are found in Caves No.16 and 17. Cave No.16 depicts a musician playing Xiao Hu Lei-- a lute-like instrument originating from southern China's Yunnan province. This strengthens the belief that cultural exchange between northern and southern China was unprecedented during Tang Dynasty.
In addition to the murals and inscriptions, a piece of gold foil wrapping paper found at the caves is also intriguing. A stamp on it revealed the address of the shop on the south side of Tiahelou Street, Hangzhou, Zhejiang of Song Dynasty. It also advised clients to examine their goods carefully before purchase to avoid being cheated. As an apparent piece of advertisement, the foil shows that Gaochang Huihu kept close economic ties with Song Dynasty as the trade extended as far as to the East China Sea.
Emin Minaret
Emin Minaret, 3km (2 miles) east of central Turpan is the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang; it is the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China. Construction of this religious tower and mosque complex began in 1777 at the request of the then ruler of Turpan Emin Khoja. He was an outstanding patriot who defended the unification of China throughout his life. He had eight sons but the eldest son died of illness at a young age. Influenced by Emin, all his remaining sons made contributions during the war against Jungar rebellions. It was Suleman, Emin's second son, who built this minaret with his own money. This is the reason why the minaret is also named Su Gong Ta. Upon Emin's death, Suleman inherited his father's rank and became the second Turpan ruler.
Emin Minaret is made of sun-dried bricks and is decorated with delicate geometric and floral patterns. The adjoining mosque has a latticed ceiling and a domed sacred space, all supported by wooden pillars. From the top of the mosque there is a good view of the surrounding vineyards and mountains.
At the entrance to the minaret, two steles were set up. On one is a Chinese inscription that explains that the purpose of building the minaret was to show gratitude to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and to commemorate exploits of Emin Khoja while the Uygur inscription on the other stele gave thanks to Allah.
The historical background of Emin Minaret is underlined by the architectural significance. The 44-meter (144 feet) high minaret has no stories. From the base with a diameter of 10 meters (32.8 feet), the minaret tapers to an Islamic dome. In the center of the minaret is a brick-piled pillar with 72 steps around it spiraling to the top. There are 14 openings for ventilation and lighting, which are located in different directions and at various heights. On the top, there is an attic of 10 square meters (107 square feet) with large windows on the four sides through which the marvelous landscape could be admired. Unfortunately, tourists today cannot climb to the top due to the protection given to the minaret.
However, the unique exterior of the minaret will make up for this lack. The huge column made of grey bricks and earth would be dull if not for its decorative patterns. Smart Uygur architects used bricks to form 15 different patterns such as waves, flowers or rhombuses. What's more, the architects even took the surroundings into consideration. Set against the azure sky, silvery Tianshan Mountain and the scarlet Flaming Mountain , Emin Minaret displays a pristine but dignified air. Only when you look up at the minaret will you find how crystal blue and high the sky of Turpan is!
The Flaming Mountains
The Flaming Mountains are so named because in the evenings the red clay mountains reflect the heat and glow of the desert and seem to burn. Situated on the northern edge of the Turpan basin, and stretching over 100 km long and 10 km wide, this is an intensely hot part of the desert without a single blade of grass to be seen for miles. In the severe heat of July, the mountains seem to be on fire in the burning sun and become a purplish-brown color. Hot steam rises upwards from the burning cliffs and it is no surprise that this is where the hottest temperatures in China ever, were recorded.
The mountains lie 10 km (6.2miles) east of Turpan city, covering about 100 km (62miles) from east to west with a width of 9 km (5.6miles). The average height is 500m (1640feet), while the 831-meter (2726-foot) - high peak rises above Shengjinkou, a vital pass of the ancient city of Gaochang.
The Flaming Mountains are very popular thanks to a classical novel, The Journey to the West by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) writer, Wu Cheng'en and its charming hero-- The Monkey King.
In the Han account of the legend, it is said the Monkey King stirred up trouble in Heaven and kicked off the oven for making immortal pills. Charcoals fell from the sky to where the Flaming Mountain now lies-- in the middle of Turpan Basin.
According to the Uygur version, a vicious dragon lived in deep Tianshan Mountain and ate little children. A Uygur hero fought gallantly against the dragon for three days and three nights and cut the dragon into eight parts. The remains of the dragon turned to a scarlet mountain colored by its blood. The eight scars turned into the eight valleys in the Flaming Mountain, including the famous Grape Valley.
Scientific explanation cites tectonic plate movement on the earth's surface during the formation of the Himalayas 50,000,000 years ago. The mountain is barren and extremely hot in summer. During the trek approaching the mountain, 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!
Grape Valley
On the western face of the Flaming Mountains, east of Turpan is the Grape Valley. It is a world of unique with vineyards and fruit trees. The Grape Valley of the Flaming Mountains, fifteen kilometers from the city center, is also a world of unique beauty, presenting a striking contrast with the hot, dry and barren outside. "...Grapes in Turpan grow up; Anarhan's heart is ecstatic..." This folk song of the last century is well known in China. Turpan, a place truly flowing with milk and honey in the Turki language, is famous for its fruits. Among them, grape is the most famous.
Every August the sweet air will herald the vintage. The best place to enjoy the grapes is Grape Valley. In the valley you will find a park as well as patios and outdoor tables where you can eat the grapes and other fruit or enjoy a delicious meal complemented by the locally produced wine. Every single grape is crystal and watery-some are as green as emerald; some as red as agate, some as small as pearls while others are like olives. Among dozens of kinds of grapes, Wuhebai (white seedless) grape is reputed as a green pearl with the sugar content as much as 22%.
Karez Irrigation System
Karez irrigation systems are the crystallization of ancient people's diligence and intelligence. Without the Karez, there would be no Turpan culture.
The history of the karez, which have mainly been used in the Hami and Turpan areas of Xinjiang, where it is hot and dry, dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.). It is considered one of the three great projects of ancient China, along with the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
The karez system consists of four parts: a hole as deep as 50 to 60 meters, an underground canal, an aboveground canal and a small reservoir. It has many advantages, such as little evaporation from season to season and little percolation and can provide a stable water supply that does not consume energy or cause pollution.
Wandering underground over 5,000 kilometers, the system has also been called "the underground Great Wall."
Karez systems also functions as the natural air conditioner for the locals because they can sit in one while chatting or doing some chores. When exhausted during the scorching weather, sitting in a Karez, picking some grapes as they hang over the vertical wells and savoring their taste, you will be thoroughly refreshed.
Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs
The Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs are the Living Archives of Gaochang.This Tang-dynasty burial ground known as the "Underground Museum" attracts stream of archaeologists both at home and abroad. It provides some very valuable and fascinating artifacts such as tomb figures of wood, wall paint, ceramics, and documents and silk which were as well-preserved and as colorful as new ones by the hot and dry atmosphere. Astana means "capital" in Uygur and Karakhoja is the name of a legendary hero of the ancient Uygur Kingdom who expelled the evils by killing a vicious dragon.
The tombs are located 42 km (26miles) southeast of Turpan city and 6 km (3.7miles) from the Ancient City of Gaochang. The tombs range 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from north to south and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from east to west. The tombs were the public cemetery of the ancient Gaochang residents, both aristocrats and commoners. However, curiously, among the excavated 456 tombs the tomb of King Gaochang has been found nowhere in the tombs. According to the documentation buried with them, the era must have been between 273 and 778. The outsides of the tombs are shaped like small low hills, sloping down towards to the grave rooms. The tomb design appears from the sky to be like a "Jia" shape of Chinese character. Three tombs among them are open to visitors.
China, with a long history and brilliant culture, has magnificent natural sceneries and attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. This tour brings you to experience colorful and unique sceneries in Northern China. Our tour starts in Xi'an. This ancient capital city is a Chinese history book, be marvel at the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, and admires those ancient buildings such as the Wild Pagoda Tower. Tour to the Hukou Waterfall will to enjoy the marvelous view. Then we fly to the Urumqi, where you experience the exotic and colorful mountains and mysterious Kanas Lake. The Grape Valley in Turpan welcomes you with its abundant sweet fruits. Our tour ends in Beijing, the capital of China, witness and climb the magnificent ancient construction of the Great Wall, get a brief impression of this famous capital.
Day 1: Hong Kong-Xi'an
Take a flight to Xi'an from Hong Kong. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. With a history of more than 3,000 years, Xi'an has abundant collection of archaeological relies to express its rich history. The rest of the day is on your own, you may have a rest and adjust yourself to this northwest environment, and later you may enjoy a walk in the city center or explore more.
Stay overnight in Xi'an.
Day 2: Xi'an
This morning we will go to visit [Banpo Museum], where you can see lots of precious unearthed cultural relics and artworks, indicating the civilization of the Matriarchal Community, the period of the prehistoric time. The hall provides us precious and indispensable evidence to our study of the people of that period. Next we will visit a Terra Cotta Fine Art Factory which is very close to the Banpo Museum. There we can see the Terra-cotta Warrior replicas, and have the opportunity to know the manufacturing operation of them. After the visit, we will travel by van/bus for 30 minutes to the world-renowned Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Situated east of Xi'an city, the [Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum] the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, is famous throughout the world for its life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses. The three pits of the terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated shows you how magnificent the structure of Emperor Qin Shihuang's (the First Qin Emperor's) Mausoleum was.
In the evening you may choose local special Dumpling Dinner and the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Day 3: Xi'an-Huashan Mountain-Xi'an
Enjoy a day tour to [Huashan Mountain], we drive to the mountain's foot and take a cable to climb the precipitous mountain whilst admiring the wonderful views along the way. It is known as 'The Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven'. Pay a visit to the [Grey Dragon Mountain Range] and other scenic spots. Later this afternoon we will drive back to Xi'an.
Day 4: Xi'an-Yan' an
This morning we will drive to visit the [Mausoleum of Huang Emperor], which is reputed as "No.1 mausoleum under heaven". It is the biggest imperial mausoleum in ancient China. Also included is a visit to the [Xuanyuan Temple] also called the Temple of Yellow Emperor, is part of the Huangdi Mausoleum. After lunch, you will have a great time at the [Hukou Waterfall], the largest waterfall on the Yellow River. You will be marveled at the imposing vigor that the waterfall shows. Its earth-shaking sound and billowy water let you understand the famous saying that "draw in the Yellow River into a bottle". Later you will be transferred to the hotel in Yan'an city.
Stay overnight in Yan'an.
Day 5: Yan' an-Xi'an
Today, we will drive from Yan'an back to Xi'an. Upon arrival back to the city, we will visit the Ming [City Wall], the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. And next is the [Provincial Museum], a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. Also included is a visit to the [Big Wild Goose Pagoda]. It is one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xi'an today.
Day 6: Xi'an-Urumqi
Enjoy your free time wandering around the Xi'an city and you may buy some unique souvenirs until you're transferred to the airport to take a pm flight to Urumqi. It is a long flight that you may have a good rest on plane.
Stay overnight in Urumqi.
Day 7: Urumqi
After breakfast, we will drive to the [Heavenly Lake] that is 110 km from Urumqi, located at the half way of the Begeda Peak of Tianshan Mountain. Covering 4.9 square kilometers (1.89 square miles), this crescent-shaped lake deserves its name, Pearl of Heavenly Mountain (Tianshan Mountain). Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers exploring opportunities. The water is very clear and the banks are covered with tall trees. Because of the surrounded mountains, the jade-green lake is an ideal place for excursions and rest for most of the year. It provides an excellent skating ground in winter, while the beautiful lake is an ideal cool resort in summer. Boaters on the lake see the ever-changing silvery mountains soaring into the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild flowers.
Day 8: Urumqi-Turpan
Today we will go to visit the beautiful [South Mountain Pasture] and [Kazak Yurt]. It is a mountain region about 70 kilometers (40miles) south of Urumqi that is kind of like Colorado high-mountain grassland, but greener, and there are evergreens, dotted with combined flocks and herds. As you immerse yourself in this beautiful site, the singing of the Kazakh may envelop you and inspire you to sing with them. You can visit one of the traditional yurts locating in the spruce forest where you will be welcomed by a generous host with fragrant milk tea, mare's milk, cheese and roasted lamb. Sometimes, you will be able to observe the amazing horse-racing and traditional Kazak dancing.
Then we will take our van/bus to Turpan (2.5 hours). Visit the [Sugong Minaret] and [a Uygur family] tasting their home made food under the grape. Sometimes they present Uygur dance and song show when we are hosted at those places.
Stay overnight in Turpan.
Day 9: Turpan
This morning we will visit the [Karez Well] and the [Jiaohe Ancient City], [Gaochang Ancient City] and the [Tuyugou Valley]. Wandering underground over 5,000 kilometers, the Karez system is a unique underground water system invented and built by ancient farmers from the various ethnic minorities of Turpan, and known as "the underground Great Wall". The visit of twin ancient cities Gaochang & Jiaohe will help you have a better understanding of the history once played here 1000 years ago, all which made the Turpan region the only place where four ancient civilizations once met and melt each other in the world. Next we will go to the Tuyugou Valley. It is close to Turpan and is only about 70 kilometers (about 43.5miles) away by road. It is 15 kilometers (about 9.3miles) directly east of Gaochang. You will visit a peaceful village nested in the mountains together with the very well preserved Uyghur style architecture.
Day 10: Turpan-Urumqi
Take our van/bus back to the capital city Urumuqi. In the afternoon, we will visit the [XinJiang Provincial Museum]. The exhibiting article of this museum center lies in two sources that are archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and the local cultural relics which is known for the mummy. Later, you may do some shopping in the International Grand Bazaar. Bargain hunting for handicraft souvenirs such as rugs, carpets, Uygur-style hats, knitted sweaters, ethnic costumes, hand-made embroideries and jade carvings, will definitely draw your intense interest.
Stay overnight in Aletai.
Day 11: Urumqi-Kanas
This morning we will take an early flight to Kanas Lake Airport. Enjoy spectacular views along the way, we will pass the golden mountain -- Aletai Mountain, and see the silver water -- Erqis River. Then we continue to the [Kanas Lake] which is only 150km away from Burqin County. The lake was born around 200, 000 years ago during the Quaternary period, formed as a result of glacier movement. Arrive there in the afternoon. Kanas Lake is the most beautiful mountain lake that enjoys a reputation as "the Swiss scene in Asia". Its unparalleled scenery and mysterious legend attract many tourists. The long bean-shaped lake reflects the surrounding snowcapped mountains. In autumn, it presents a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green, which excites your sights and senses. Enjoy a cruise on the lake. Walk along the bank to feel its tranquility and indulge yourself in the beautiful scene. We will also pay a visit to a local Tuwan People residence that can only be found in this part of China.
Stay overnight at Kanas Lake Aera.
Day 12: Kanas-Urumqi
This morning we will continue to explore more about this mysterious lake area and visit wooden houses there. The lights up the clouds after a morning rain, adds another air of mystery to the lake. Then we will drive to the airport for a flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel.
Day 13: Urumqi-Beijing
This morning is for your own to relax, and then we take a flight to Beijing. Arrive in Beijing, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Beijing is the capital city of China, centers of politics, economy and culture.
After breakfast, will guide you to have a visit to the [Temple of Heaven], whose complex has two parts: the inner temple and the outer temple and is surrounded by two high walls, its organization indicates relationship between Earth and heaven. Enjoy a walk on the [Tian'anmen Square], one of the largest city squares in the world. Also it is the people's square, where grand state ceremonies are held on important occasions. In the center of Tian'anmen Square stands the [Monument to the People's Heroes]. Then we will go to the [Forbidden City], imperial palaces for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City is enclosed by a 10-meter-high (about 32.8-feet-high) defensive wall, which has a circumference of 3, 430meters (about 11253feet); inner contains 800 ceremonial buildings, 9,999 rooms, and a courtyard that can hold 100,000 people. Best ancient Chinese architectural styles are well preserved here, consist an imposing view. Later the day will be on your own to explore more about this city.
There is a famous saying goes "one cannot be a hero unless he climbs on the Great Wall." This morning we will drive to the [Jinshanling Great Wall], the best preserved part of the Great Wall with many original features and less commercial section of the Wall. As it winds up and down the precipitous ranges, this historic construction is somewhat a challenge to the climbers. But as a reward, splendid views are available.
This morning we will go to visit the [Summer Palace] -- one of China's architectural masterpieces. The Summer Palace has natural beauty resembling that of the mountains and rivers of the northern China and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and it has the manmade beauty of grand imperial palaces and exquisite residences. The pavilions, kiosks, terraces, bridges, dikes, corridors are delicately crafted and placed, well displaying the thousand-year old Chinese landscape gardening. The scenic spots contain a nation's profound philosophical and aesthetic tradition. Our tour ends after a farewell lunch. You are free at leisure until ready to be transferred to the airport for departure.
If you want to fully enjoy your trip abroad, a good health and confidence in physical strength are important. This trip may contain a fair amount of walking up and down steps in towns or climbing mountains. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders or local guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In China pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting a tour please carefully read the itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is highly suggested to bring forth. ChinaExpeditionTours reserves the right to exclude any traveler from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader or local guides they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
students corps
Alex Guan did an awesome job of putting together a fun itinerary for me and my friends, and at a great price at that. While I was there I felt like I had an authentic Chinese experience, which was a blast! My favorite city was Guilin, which is Alex's hometown. It was simply breathtaking! I would definitely use Alex again, and would recommend him to anyone else thinking about doing a tour of China!
Mr. Ron
We've just returned from this particular tour, but our minds are still constantly thinking of our China trip.The tour-guides, who are all marvelous. There's no words to express how much we enjoyed this China Tour.
Dear , We happily got the flexible individual tour we wanted. The reason we paid extra money to tour as a small family was the expectation that each guide would to be able to be flexible to meet our individual needs and interests. We could not be happier with the delivery of CET and each of their city guides. They met and exceeded our standards consistently. We spent the most time with your guides. The visit to the wall including the bike ride was enjoyed by all. The Li river cruise is simply outstanding and memorable. The drive through the country side in open air bus was a hit. Thanks,
Angga Kencana Lim & Tan Venisia Dewi
I have a breathtaking tour experience the amazing Guilin with my son, I've been dreaming to travel around such lovely place in all my life, together with my son, we had unforgettable memory of spending every moment in Guilin. Thanks so much for China Expedition Tour work team, we had fabulous time. And our tour guide is also awesome and knowledgeable.On top of Yao Mountain we overlooked the whole Guilin city, green hills and clear water around, Guilin has its unique sight in spring, we felt so pleased when getting so closed nature. Daxu is the old town with local folk style, it reminded me a lot of the past time, that's funny, and my son said he'd love to travel through time and experience a special moment with local people. LOL.I would like to recommend my friend in Malaysia to travel around China especially Guilin with help of China Expedition Tour. They would plan the best trip for you.
Terry Findy
Guilin and Yangshou were our favorite part of our trip to China.The scenery was breathtaking and the river cruise down the river was the highlight of our trip. Our tour organizer Chanel with China Expedition was beyond amazing! She would make sure to point out every detail, took great care of us and was truly wonderful. I can't praise her enough and would recommend anyone to ask for arrange tour.The countryside in Yangshou is beautiful and we rode mopeds around the fields and mountains. We spent one night at the Yangshou Mountain Retreat hotel on the river and wished we could have spent another couple of nights there. It is on a perfect spot on the river with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop. So relaxing!