Day 2 - Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China with an incredible mix of historic and modern landmarks. You are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3 - Beijing (B/L)
Explore the landmarks of imperial Beijing: the famous Tiananmen Square; the imposing Forbidden City, a treasure trove of art and heirlooms; the Temple of Heaven's exuberant interior and delightful park setting; and the breezy landscapes of the Summer Palace, still much as they were during the court of Empress Dowager.

Day 4 - Beijing (B/L/SD)
With its various segments stretching nearly 4,000 miles across the rugged terrain of northern China, the Great Wall is truly a world wonder. Today's visit will allow ample time to linger at the site, photograph it from dramatic perspectives, and contemplate the resilience of the ancient people who toiled under the harshest conditions to erect the wall entirely by hand. Continue to the Ming Tombs, burial site of the Ming Dynasty's royalty before returning to the city for a delicious Peking duck dinner.

Day 5 - Beijing/Urumqi (B/L/D)
Fly to Urumqi, a city marked by ancient gates and towers.

Day 6 - Urumqi (B/L/D)
Sightsee this exotic city in the shadow of the Tian Shan range. Urumqi was on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Visit Xinjiang Provincial Museum and take a boat ride on the beautiful Lake of Heaven (Tianchi). Visit a Kazakhs family yurt in the surrounding grasslands and foothills of the Heavenly Mountains.

Day 7 - Urumqi/Kashi (B/L/D)
This morning you will fly to Kashi, formally know as Kashgar. Kashi is located in the southwestern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region where the northern and southern ancient Silk Road meet. You will spend the rest of the day shopping in the famous Sunday Bazaar, which means "farm trade market". This busy market dates back to 2,000 years ago, and it still remains the distributing center of goods

Day 8 Kashi/Urumqi (B/L/D)
Today you will further explore the rich culture of Kashi. You will visit the Id Kah Mosque, which means "Square of Festivals". The Id Kah Mosque is over 500 years old, and is the  largest mosque in Xinjiang, able to accomodate 100,000 worshippers. Next you will visit Apak Hoja Tomb and observe the everyday life of the local town. You will conclude the day with a flight back to Urumqi.

Day 9 - Urumqi/Turpan (B/L/D)
Enjoy a coach ride to Turpan, site of the former Che Shi Kingdom. Sightseeing features the Astana Tombs, the Karez Well, the legendary Flaming Mountains, the Suliman Minaret, the ruins of Gao Chang City and Jiaohe City. This evening, enjoy a local minority dance show under the grape trees.

Day 10 Turpan/Liu Yuan (Dunhuang) by overnight train (B/L/D)
During your last day in Turpan, you will visit the Suleiman’s Minaret, The Flaming Mountain and the Bezelik Thousand Buddha Grottoes. Conclude the day by aboard an over night train where you can relax all the way to Liu Yun.

Day 12 - Dunhuang (B/L/D)
Enjoy a full day tour of the magnificent art treasures at the famed Mogao Grottoes, among the most ancient and consummate creations in China. The grottoes show an uninterrupted history of Chinese art over a period of more than 1,500 years.

Day 13 - Dunhuang/Xian (B/L)
Your journey continues with a short flight to the ancient city of Xian.

Day 14 - Xian (B/L/SD)
Xian was the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4,000 BC, and the capital city for eleven dynasties up to the 9th century. Tour the highlights of the city and outskirts today, none more spectacular than the army of Terra Cotta Soldiers buried around the tomb of Emperor Qin for 22 centuries, but hidden beneath the earth until their discovery in 1974. Also explore the Provincial Museum, the landmark Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Ming-era City Gate. This evening, enjoy a dazzling dinner banquet and stage show at the Tang Dynasty Theater.

Day 15 - Xian/Shanghai (B/L)
Take a flight bound for cosmopolitan Shanghai, once known as the "Paris of the East". The balance of the day is free.

Day 16 - Shanghai (B/L/D)
Immerse in the culture and sophistication of Shanghai on a full day tour of the city's premier sights. Wander the lovely paths and pavilions of the 500-year-old Yu Garden; stroll the riverfront Bund; and view all manners of Chinese arts displayed in the astounding galleries of the new Shanghai Museum. Return to the hotel at day's end to prepare for a thrilling show of the Shanghai Acrobats.

Day 17 - Shanghai/USA (B)
Relax aboard your return flight home.