Tour Overview
This grand cultural pilgrimage perfectly combines Maritime Silk Road and Overland Silk Road, tracing over 1,300 years of Islamic civilization spreading from China's southeast coastal ports to the remote northwest frontier. Two flexible starting options: Shanghai or Guangzhou. Both converge in Xi'an, the original starting point of the Overland Silk Road. Optional Kashgar extension available. Gathers China's most prestigious ancient mosques, imperial-style Islamic architecture, desert oasis civilization, frontier nomadic heritage and Central Asian metropolitan customs.
Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive at Shanghai Pudong / Hongqiao International Airport. Private guide and driver welcome and transfer to downtown luxury hotel. Visit Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and The Bund with 52 European-style classical buildings along Huangpu River. Halal dinner with Shanghai Hui specialties.
Shanghai Tower 118th-floor 360 degree panoramic view. City God Temple & Yuyuan Old Town Ming-Qing ancient architecture. Xiao Taoyuan Mosque key Islamic heritage site. Wukang Road & Former French Concession elegant historical block.
Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, one of four most famous in Yangtze Delta. Songjiang Mosque, the earliest surviving mosque in Shanghai area. Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, the root of Shanghai civilization. Evening high-speed rail to Hangzhou.
West Lake UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque, one of China's Four Great Ancient Mosques. Direct flight Hangzhou to Xi'an. Private pick-up and transfer to hotel near Xi'an Muslim Quarter.
Terracotta Army Museum World Cultural Heritage, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, iconic Tang Dynasty landmark. Xi'an Huajue Lane Great Mosque, one of the largest palace-style ancient mosques in China. Evening leisure walk around Muslim Quarter.
Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling, the world's largest and most complete Ming Dynasty city wall. Overlook ancient Chang'an layout at golden sunset. Afternoon high-speed rail to Yinchuan. Optional evening visit to Huaiyuan Night Market.
Yinchuan Sino-Arab Cultural Expo Complex: 57 Muslim Countries Themed Pavilions, Global Muslim Folk Custom Museum, Sino-Arab Friendship Square and World Islamic History Museum. Yinchuan Nanguan Grand Mosque, one of four famous grand mosques in Northwest China.
Helan Mountain Rock Paintings, thousands of ancient rock carvings by nomadic tribes over 3,000 years ago. Western Xia Imperial Tombs known as Oriental Pyramids. Afternoon high-speed rail Yinchuan to Lanzhou.
Zhongshan Yellow River Bridge, landmark symbol of Lanzhou. Lanzhou Qiaomen Grand Mosque, one of four renowned grand mosques in Northwest China. Gansu Provincial Museum with national treasure Bronze Galloping Horse and Silk Road cultural relics.
Flight Lanzhou to Turpan. Karez Underground Irrigation System, Underground Great Wall and one of China's three greatest ancient water conservancy projects. Emin Minaret, the largest existing Islamic pagoda in China. Grape Valley Scenic Area oasis.
Jiaohe Ancient City, the world's largest and best-preserved raw-earth ancient city. Flaming Mountain, the hottest natural land in China and classic Silk Road landmark. High-speed rail to Urumqi. Red Hill Park overlook Tianshan Mountain.
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the largest Islamic-style bazaar in the world with magnificent golden domes and exotic handicrafts. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum with precious ancient Western Regions cultural relics and Silk Road documents.
Free time for souvenir shopping and leisure. Private transfer to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. End of the classic Silk Road Muslim Cultural Grand Tour. Optional Kashgar 3-day extension available: Ancient City, Id Kah Grand Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Tomb and Grand Bazaar.
