Silk Route Adventure

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Xian, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Forest of Stele Museum, Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Ancient City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre. You can walk, rent a bike,rickshaw or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. If the weather is not good for biking on the city wall, we will substitute a visit to the Bell Tower. Your guide will be very glad to take you the Bell Tower after you have been to look at the city wall.
- Shaanxi Provincial Museum: The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Forest of Stele Museum: Forest of Steles in Xi'an was originally built in Northern Song Dynasty (1090 A.D.) when a large Confucian collection of steles cut in A.D. 837 - the oldest existing texts of the Confucian classics - was moved to it for safekeeping. All kinds of calligraphy and scripts tell stories, poems and reports from around the Empire. Other exhibits include early sculptures and objects from Imperial tombs.
- Minjianwagang restaurant(A La Carte): Min Jian Wa Gang Restaurant is located next to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and features for Guizhou cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and the Hunan cuisine, providing a fantastic opportunity for diners to taste food different regions.
- Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory: Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory manufactures the copies of terra-cotta warriors and horses of Jing De porcelain. It has become a popular spot for foreign tourists looking for special, quality souvenirs.For the clients coming from China Highlights, you will have the chance to see the making process and have a try on your own hands. This only happens in Xian with China Highlights. Do not miss it!
Tel: 029-83577031
Address: No.2 East Chanhe bridge, Hua Qing Rd., Xian.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- The Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch): A Wa Village Restaurant was established in 2004, mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine. It provides delicacy by using the material from xancin, obtaining a nationwide reputation from customers. It would be a nice choice to dine while traveling the nearby Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Xian to Dunhuang, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Dunhuang), Mogao Grottoes
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Fengqingyuan Restaurant

- Mogao Grottoes: Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. It is not allowed to take photos.
- Fengqingyuan Restaurant: The restaurant is near the Moon Spring in Dunhuang. It is courtyard-style and the cuisine is based on local flavors. It is very popular with the locals.