Day 1. Fly in Dunhuang
Beijing-Dunhuang by air  in the morning (3.5hours)
Shanghai Hongqiao-- Dunhuang by air in previous night and stay overnight in Dunhuang.
If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Dunhuang.

Dunhuang, "City of the Sands", is located in Gansu, northwest of China. It was a former terminal of the ancient Silk Road, perched on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Dunhuang is home to the Mogao Grottos,
Upon arrival, we head straight to the Mogao Grottos, one of the richest collections of ancient Buddhist murals and statues in China. These grottos were carved into a 1600-meter high cliff and created during over nine dynasties (4th - 14th centuries). They contain 492 caves, each housing murals (45,000), Buddhist paintings and terra-cotta statues (2,000).

Then we drive to Mingshashan Mountain and Sand Dunes, which Marco Polo referred to as the "rumbling sands" and ride camels on the Sand Dunes leading to the Crescent Moon Lake - a lush green oasis. A stunning view of a green oasis surrounded by endless desert scenery will open to you when climbing to the top of the dunes. In the evening, we take overnight train (soft sleeper) to Turpan.

Day 2 Turpan
In the morning we arrive in Turpan, a city known for its grape and melon harvest and Uigur people good at songs & dance). The Turpan Basin lies 154 meters (505 ft) below sea level in the second largest depression in the world. But karez, an ancient irrigation system made this part of dessert region fertile land for grapes, melons and cotton.

We first head to Tuyu Gully, a magical place at the foot of Flaming Mountain near Turpan. With great geographical and ecological contrasts, it is home to several ancient cultures, Buddhism and Islam, and is also home to the first Chinese who practiced Islam. Then we visit Keraz Well, an ancient Han irrigation project. Afterwards we stroll under the shade of fruit trees and grape vines and try their 5-6 types of grapes which are grown there. Then we dine with a local Uygur family under the grape shade.
In the afternoon, we tour Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) Ancient City near Turpan. Jiaohe City sits on a 30-meter cliff of plateau surrounded by deep, fertile valleys and used to be a flourishing state capital at the intersection of two rivers, dating back to Han dynasty (206BC - 220AD). Today rivers are gone, but the city ruins remain: high clay city walls, watchtowers, wells, temples and shacks .Stay overnight in Turpan.

Day 3 Urumqi / Kashgar 
We depart Turpan in the early morning and arrive in Urumqi at noon (3 hours' drive). Capital of Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Regions, Urumqi has served and still serving as a main entry for those crossing into Central Asia. Today it becomes a lively metropolis with an urban population of 1.08 million. The main attraction now for Xinjiang is the exhibits of mummies and other artifacts of Uigur ethnic culture and treasures from Silk Road in Xinjiang Regional Museum. After lunch, we visit the Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region Museum, where most unearthed artifacts along the Silk Road are exhibited, including several mummies. Then we transfter to the airport and fly  to Kashgar in the evening and stay overnight in Kashgar

Day 4. Kashgar (Sunday Bazaar & Animal Market !)
Kashgar is the heart of Chinese Islam, which owns the largest Muslim community and best market in China !  Walking along the bustling street of Kashgar, we will arrive in the square and see the Id Kah Mosque, the largest in mosque in China. It attracts more than 10,000 worshippers for Friday prayers.

We will visit the Sunday Bazaar, massive gatherings of thousands of farmers and merchants from the far corners of the region. At this colorful and lively market, you can find some of the Silk Road's most interesting souvenirs, from hand made leather boots, to traditional musical instruments, to bags of fresh spices.

After lunch, we visit the visit the exciting Animal Market (live cattles, sheeps, etc.), where they barter and bargain for goats, cows and donkeys. Then we head to the tomb of Abakh Khoja, considered the holiest Muslim site in Xinjiang. Built in the 17th century, the tiled mausoleum 5 km northeast of the city centre also contains the tombs of five generations of his family.

We dine in a local Uigur family featuring their delicacies such as their yoghurt, Kebab and fruits. Stay second night in Kashgar.

Day 5. Kashgar / Lak Karakuri and Snow Mt. Muztagata / Kazakh / Kashgar
This morning we take Kashgar's side trip to Lake Karakuri & Snow Mount Muztagata. It will be 4 hours' drive one way, but you wouldn't feel bored on the bus, it is durable as you will stop and take pictures of the magnificent landscapes with diversified lakes, mountains, field, wildflowers and plants. We will also meet Kazaks, Tajiks as well as Tibetans, Uighurs. On enroute we drive pass the border sentry to Pakistan, where we will have our baggage and documents checked). Finally we will arrive Lake Karakuri, a majestic glacial lake fed by century-old glaciers, which sits at the base of Muztagh Ata (7,545 meters). We take some walk in the area and then drive back to Kashgar and stay the third night.

Day 6. Turpan / Urumqi / Fly out
We fly from Kashgar to Urumqi and then connect the flight out in the afternoon.
Kashgar-Urumqi - Beijing (arrival around 6-7pm)
Kashgar-Urumqi - Shanghai Hongqiao (arrival around 8pm)