8 Days Yiwu Total Solar Eclipse along Silk Road

Trip Length

8 Days

Route

Urumqi - Turpan - Yiwu - Hami - Dunhuang

Attractions

Total Solar Eclipse, Tianchi, Karez Well, Flaming Mountains, Demon City/Yadan Landform, Mogao Grottoes

Tour Map

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Itinerary Day by Day

July 28: Arrive in Urumqi

Today's Highlights:

Airport/train station transfer to hotel

Details:

Arrive in Urumqi Diwopu Airport by air or Urumqi Railway Station by train. Our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest time is free. You can have a good rest in the hotel, or roam the local streets nearby recommended by our guide.

Tips:

Xinjiang is the largest one of the five autonomous regions in China. The total land area is 1/6 of the whole China with 47 minorities, the largest one in China. The clock time in Urumqi, Xinjiang is the same as Beijing Time, but there is 2-hour difference because of the longitude. You should adjust your rest and dinning time 2 hours later as compared with that in mainland China.

July 29: Urumqi-Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)-Urumqi

Today's Highlights:

Tianchi/Heavenly Lake, Tianshan Mountain, Erdaoqiao Bazaar

Details:

Drive to Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), a marvelous view of mountain lake formed more than million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch. It is famed as the "Jewel in the Crown". The pine trees covering the hillsides and the snow capped mountains in the background make the huge clear water spectacular sight-reminiscent of Switzerland or the Rocky mountains but somehow with more vibrancy and color. Bogda Peak-the highest peak stands to the east of the lake in the east part of Tianshan Mountain which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming fabulous scenery. Back to Urumqi city to ramble around the Erdaoqiao Bazaar.

Tips:

Have a cruise on the Heavenly Lake-Tianchi, another way to embrace the nature. The clear blue water captures the reflection of the surrounding mountains as you enjoy cruising the serene waters.

July 30: Urumqi-Turpan

Today's highlights:

Karez Well, Emin Pagoda, Jiaohe Ruins

Details:

Only in Turpan, you can find the Karez Well, the underground canal. It is one of the three greatest irrigation systems in ancient China together with the Jinghang Manmade Cannel, and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Reflecting Turpan's Islamic history, the chimney-shaped Emin Minaret stands adjacent to its mosque, designed in a distinctive Iranian style.

The ancient city of Jiaohe claims a history dating back 2,300 years. It's the world's oldest and largest earthen city - and certainly the best-preserved, too, thanks to the dry climate. The city, rather than being built "up" was built "down," its roads, homes, and temples literally dug into the desert soils.

Tips:

Turpan is a very hot city indeed. You have to expect 40 Centigrade from June to September which is the best time to visit. Also, it's the grape harvest season. Turpan is one of the most amazing places if you like desertic landscapes.

July 31: Turpan-Hami

Today's highlights:

Flaming Mountains, Local family visit, Gaochang Ruins

Details:

Pass through the Flaming Mountains named of the red clay mountains reflect the heat and glow of the desert in the evenings and seem to burn. It is an intensely hot part of the desert without a single blade of grass to be seen for miles. In July, the mountains seem to be on fire in the burning sun and become a purplish-brown colour.

Visit a local family on the way. Gaochang Ruin, the Uygur city-state around the 9th century to the 13th, which was founded a few hundred years earlier than that, and gradually became known as a trading post on the Silk Road.

Tips:

As you will pass Flaming Mountains today, it's necessary to take a hat, sunglasses, and sun cream to avoid being burnt. Long sleeved shirt is also a good idea, as temperature is high in the day time, but drop down at night.

August 1: Yiwu Total Solar Eclipse 18:09:24-20:04:38

Today's highlights:

Total solar eclipse

Details:

Yiwu, a perfect "eclipse-viewing" territory due to the not-cloudy sky. Yiwu Total Solar Eclipse with the best weather prospects is the only area in China 2008. Let's start our exciting trip in the morning from Hami to Yiwu. Totality will be 1 minute 55 seconds duration, with eclipsed sun at approx. 20 degrees over horizon. Back to Hami for the night to have a good sleep.

Tips:

Never look directly at the sun only during totality to avoid damaging your vision. Turn away immediately before the sun reappears. The best way to see the eclipse safely is by a pinhole viewer or special filtering glasses, and make sure it is.

August 2: Hami-Dunhuang

Today's highlights:

Traverse the desert to Dunhuang

Details:

A relatively long journey today, about 5 hours' driving distance. You will traverse the desert along the old Sild Road to Dunhuang, the oasis city. Following dinner you can have a night walking at Shazhou Night Market.

Tips:

Long distance on the vehicle today, but exceptionally scenic our of the window.

August 3: Dunhuang

Today's highlights:

Yumenguan Great Wall

Details:

Today, we will start our tour to Yumenguan Pass as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty. It is quite ruined by the shifting sands but still shows the ever splendor. Walk to the Great wall of the Han dynasty which was build for defending the nomadic Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty (206 BC--220 AD).

Aug. 04: Leave Dunhuang

Today's highlights:

Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain, Yueya Spring, Hotel shuttle to airport/railway station

Details:

After breakfast we go to visit the Mogao Grottoes also known as Thousand Buddha Cave is one of three noted grottoes in China and also the largest, best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. Despite years of erosion, the murals are still brightly colored, with clear lines. Through pictures of different styles and schools drawn in different historical periods, they tell Buddhist stories and ways as well as life in the secular world.

Then, we go to Mingsha Mountain and Yueya Spring. The sand storms at Mingsha Mountain are said to create almost melodic sounds as millions of minute particles bounce and rub. Countless Silk Road travelers, nomads, merchants and tourists today have quenched their thirsts at Yueya Spring or called Crescent Lake.

Finally, you will be transferred to airport or train station for your next destination.

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