A journey to the farthest and least accessable areas of China, this tour offers sights that most will never have the opportunity to see. Experience the mystery of the great Buddhist temples and monasteries in Lhasa. Fly to the Silk Road town of Urumqi; the hub of the western provinces and a cool oasis town tucked into the Tianshan mountains. Tour the Heavenly Lake and then transfer directly down the road to the desert city of Turpan. Includes internal flights, hotels, lunches per itinerary, private vehicle transfers, expert English-speaking guides, activities and entrance fees.

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Lhasa is a fascinating city and a renowned center of Buddhism. Attractions include the Potala Palace was originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. It is a steep climb to the palace which is spectacularly sited overlooking the city. Jokhang is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. In Tibetan, "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here during the summer from the Potala Palace. Drepung Monastery is situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, this huge complex is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Sera Monastery is at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Beijing to Lhasa.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Afternoon to rest at your hotel to allow your body to acclimatize. Try to minimize physical activity to avoid the effects of altitude sickness.

Named after Lhasa's Kyichu River "river of happiness" the Kyichu Hotel is a a smaller and more value focused hotel that makes up for it's humble infrastructure with a level of service and food that consistently make it one of Lhasa's top rated hotels. The Kyichu Hotel is located in Lhasa a short walk to both the Jokhang Temple in Barkhor Square and the Potala Palace.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel.

Full day private guided tour of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Bhakor Street with deluxe lunch. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, Potala Palace was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. Jokhang Temple is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. Barkhor is the oldest road in Lhasa which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. The circular road is also a marketplace for printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags and religious items.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel.

Full day private guided tour of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery with deluxe lunch. The Drepung Monastery is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice, so it was given the name 'Drepung' which in Tibetan means Collecting-Rice. The Sera Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built, so it was named Sera which means "wild rose" in Tibetan.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel.

Urumqi is a cool oasis from the searing western deserts, it is called an emerald at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The most notable sights are the Heavenly Lake, the Southern Pastures, the Red Hill, the Southern Mosque, the Tartar Mosque, and the Xinjiang Regional Museum.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from Lhasa to Chengdu.

Direct flight from Chengdu to Urumqi.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Hoi Tak Hotel, Xinjiang is situated in the premier city center opposite the People's Square. Being the farthest inland city in the world, the hotel is beautifully decorated with ocean murals and fish tanks that provide a relaxing environment. Soaring to 33 stories, the Hoi Tak Hotel provides guests with breathtaking views of Urumqi and the famous capped "Tian Shan Mountains." All rooms feature comfortable guestrooms that are well equipped with a host of in room amenities, while restaurants provide an excellent selection of oriental and western cuisine. For the enjoyment of guests interested in sports or leisure, there are squash courts, sauna, steam room, tennis courts, outdoor pool, indoor pool on the grounds.

Overnight at Hoi Tak Hotel.

Turpan is an ancient city with traces of human habitation dating as far back as 6,000 years. The city is also known as Huo Zhou (a place as hot as fire), and is the hottest place in China. For half the year the temperature exceeds 40C (100F). The abundant sunshine gives its famous melons and grapes ideal conditions to grow. Highlights include; Flaming Mountain, Emin Minaret is the largest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang; and Jiaohe Ancient City and Gaochang Ancient City are witnesses to the long history of Turpan. Most hotels have their own grape vines and wineries open to visitors, and have evening traditional Uygur singing and dancing shows.

Enjoy a full day private guided tour of Heavenly Lake with cruise and cart riding around the lake. The most famous landscape gem near Urumqi is Heavenly Lake (also named Tianchi Lake), particularly refreshing to travelers arriving in Urumqi from the barren Xinjiang deserts or from China's granite cities. A moraine lake hemmed in by majestic snow-crowned peaks west of Bogda Mountain, Tianchi is 3,400 meters (11,125 feet) long, 1,500 meters (4920 feet) wide, 1,980 meters (6494 feet) above sea level. The pristine scene is stunning. After eating lunch at a local restaurant (included) you will finish your tour and transfer with private vehicle and guide to Turpan.

The Tuha Petroleum Hotel (Tuha Shiyou Dasha) is located on Wenhua Road in Turpan's commercial area. This Turpan hotel has various rooms and suites equipped with internet access, international/domestic dial phones, safes, air-conditioners and mini bars. The restaurants serve all kinds of Chinese cuisines and western foods as well as local dishes.

Overnight at Tu Ha Hotel.

Embark on a full day private guided tour of Sugong Pagoda, Flaming Mountain & Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes. Stand high on the cliffs of west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountain. Of the 83 original caves, 57 caves currently remain. Murals cover an area over 1,200 square meters in more than 40 caves. Many of the caves were destroyed during centuries of religious clashes. Vandals dug out the eyes of many of the portraits human figures contained in the murals. Later, at the beginning of the 20 century, foreign explorers robbed the caves of much of the treasures. Despite all the destruction, the surviving parts, such as the delicate Buddha seat and the bright color of the murals, give us some idea of its past glory.This tour includes special access to Cave #38. It is not open to the public and allows you special access to view the caves/grottoes more quietly and thoroughly. Lunch is included.

Overnight at Tu Ha Hotel.

Urumqi airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Urumqi to Beijing.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).