18-Day Silk Road Adventure Tour

Jour 1 Arrivée à Pékin, Accueil & Rencontre à l'aéroport, Transfert à l'hôtel

Destination: Beijing
Repas inclus: Dîner dans un restaurant halal
Hébergement: Hôtel Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao ou similaire

Votre guide professionnel musulman vous rencontrera dans le hall d'arrivée de l'aéroport avec votre véhicule privé prêt à vous assister jusqu'à votre hôtel. Détendez-vous à l'hôtel pour récupérer du décalage horaire.

Jour 2 Place Tiananmen, Cité Interdite, Mosquée de Niujie, Perle d'eau douce, Temple du Ciel

Destination: Beijing
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Mosquée de Niujie
Hébergement: Hôtel Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao ou similaire

Explorez Pékin depuis la place Tian'anmen le matin. Située au centre de Pékin, La place Tian'anmen est la plus grande place urbaine du monde et elle a une grande importance culturelle car elle a été le site de nombreux événements importants de l'histoire chinoise, tels que la déclaration du président Mao de la création de la République populaire de Chine en oct., 01, 1949. Ensuite, marchez jusqu'à la Cité interdite. En tant que résidences royales des empereurs des dynasties Ming et Qing du XVe au XXe siècle, La Cité interdite était le centre du pouvoir d'État dans la Chine féodale tardive et a été témoin de l'intronisation des 14 empereurs Ming et 10 Qing sur 505 ans. Visitez la boutique de perles d'eau douce et le Temple du Ciel après le déjeuner dans un restaurant halal local et Salat à la 900 mosquée Niujie vieille de plusieurs siècles. Le Temple du Ciel, construit entre 1406 and 1420 par le même empereur qui était responsable de la construction de la Cité Interdite, c'est là que les empereurs des dynasties Ming et Qing adoraient le dieu du ciel et priaient pour de bonnes récoltes. C'est un site du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO, considéré comme un chef-d'œuvre de l'architecture et de l'aménagement du paysage.

Jour 3 Grande Muraille, Sculpture de jade, Allée sacrée des tombes Ming, Arrêt photo aux sites olympiques

Destination: Beijing
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Hôtel Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao ou similaire

Visite de la Grande Muraille de Chine et de l'usine de sculpture sur jade le matin. La Grande Muraille a été construite continuellement du 3ème siècle avant J.-C. au 17ème siècle après J.-C. sur la frontière nord de la Chine comme grand projet de défense militaire des empires chinois successifs. Aujourd'hui, le mur est toujours impressionnant avec 3,750 kilomètres de longueur, s'étendant de la mer de Bohai au désert de Gobi. La Grande Muraille incarne une importance sans pareille en tant que symbole national pour protéger la sécurité du pays et du peuple chinois. Visite de la Voie sacrée des Tombes Ming après le déjeuner et Salat dans un restaurant halal local. La Voie sacrée est un chemin pavé de pierres qui s'étend sur environ un kilomètre au nord de la porte principale des Tombes Ming. Suivant, faire un arrêt photo au 2008 Sites olympiques du Nid d'Oiseau (Stade national) et Cube d'eau (Centre national aquatique).

Jour 4 Palais d'été, Fly to Urumqi

Destination: Beijing & Urumqi
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Grand Mercure Urumqi Hualing ou similaire

Visite matinale du plus grand et mieux préservé jardin royal de Chine, le Palais d'été. Utilisant le lac Kunming et la colline de la Longévité comme cadre de base, le Palais d'été combinait les fonctions politiques et administratives, résidentielles, spirituelles, et des fonctions récréatives au sein d'un paysage de lacs et de montagnes, conformément à la philosophie chinoise de l'équilibre entre les œuvres de l'homme et la nature. Le paysage naturel de collines et d'eaux ouvertes est combiné avec des éléments artificiels tels que des pavillons, des halls, des palais, des temples et des ponts pour former un ensemble harmonieux de grande valeur esthétique. Fly to Urumqi in the afternoon. Once a major hub on the Silk Road during China’s Tang dynasty and a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing dynasty in the 19th century, Uruqmi is now the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the far northwest of China.

Jour 5 Xinjiang Regional Museum, Red Hill Park, Fly to Kashgar

Destination: Urumqi & Kashgar
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Kashgar Luxemon Qinibagh Hotel ou similaire

Visit Xinjiang Regional Museum in the morning. Xinjiang Regional Museum is a large building of Uyghur architectural style, containing a diverse range of historical artifacts unearthed in Xijiang. These items represent the ethnic lifestyle and culture of Xinjiang. Most interestingly of all, the museum contains a fascinating exhibition of ancient Indo-European mummies that were excellently preserved through their natural environment over 3,800 il y a des années,. Continue visiting Red Hill Park to enjoy the skyline of Urumqi. Fly to Kashgar in the afternoon. Located at the foot of the Pamirs Mountains between a vast desert and immense mountain range, Kashgar was once an isolated oasis on the long trade route across the Asian continent. It was a major hub along the great Silk Road as the northern and southern Silk Routes crossed here and caravans departed for Central Asia, India, Pakistan and ancient Persia (current Iran). Kashgar was described as ‘fruitful soil, cotton aplenty, and inhabitants who live by trade’ by Marco Polo.

Jour 6 Kashgar Old Town, Abakh Hoja Mausoleum, Id Kah Mosque, Grand Bazaar

Destination: Kashgar
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Id Kah Mosque
Hébergement: Kashgar Luxemon Qinibagh Hotel ou similaire

Visit Kashgar Old Town in the morning. The Old Town of Kashgar has a history of more than 2,000 ans. Amongst the most popular professions in the old town are coppersmiths, carpenters, jewelers and cobblers, all using tools of bygone days. Take a walk through the Old Town and visit the friendly Uyghur people in their home and experience their unique culture. Suivant, visit Abakh Hoja Mausoleum. This mausoleum is one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in China. It is an ancient Islamic building complex and a cemetery where five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried. Salat prayer at the 500 year old Id Kah Mosque. Ensuite, explore the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of China’s most famous weekend markets. The weekly Sunday Bazaar draws a variety of ethnic groups like the Uyghur, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Kazakh to the streets of Kashgar. They come on foot, bikes, horsebacks, modern motorcycles and donkey carts, all with the hope of selling merchandise that ranges from scissors to camels.

Jour 7 Fly to Urumqi, Heavenly Lake, Drive to Turpan

Destination: Kashgar & Urumqi & Turpan
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown ou similaire

Fly to Urumqi in the morning. Visit Heavenly Lake upon arrival. With Pine trees covering the hillsides and the snow capped mountains in the background, this huge lake (3km long and 1km wide) sits half way (560 ft) up the Tianshan mountain range and offers excellent walking with breathtaking views. Take a boat ride around the lake and see some local nomadic Kazakhs herding their sheep. Drive to Turpan in the afternoon. Turpan has long been the center of a fertile oasis famous for its grapes and melons, and an important trade center on the main northern branch of the Silk Road from Hami to Kashgar, with an alternative northern route, via Uruqmi running into Central Asia. At 154m below sea level, Turpan is the second-lowest depression in the world and the hottest spot in China.

Jour 8 Ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, Flaming Mountain, Emin Minaret, Karez Wells

Destination: Turpan
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Turpan Emin Minaret Mosque
Hébergement: Mercure Hotel Turpan Downtown ou similaire

Visit the ancient city of Gaochang in the morning. Built of mud and adobe bricks as a garrison town in the 1st century AD, the city of Gaochang was abandoned during the early Ming dynasty and what is left now is just ruins of the ancient temples, houses, palaces and the old city wall. Suivant, visit the Flaming Mountain. Nothing grows on this mountain and the highest temperature of summer could reach 47.8 degree centigrade or 118 degree fahrenheit, making it the hottest place in China. Perform Salat at Emin Minaret. This 40 meter-high brick minaret is part of a large mosque, built in 1778. The minaret has an elegant conical shape; its brick laid in patterns that make it looked knitted. Ensuite, visit the Karez Wells. Karez is covered water channels that bring melt-water from the Tianshan Mountains to the north and west into the Turpan basin. Today over 1,100 Karez Wells are still in use bringing water to this dry and hot city.

Jour 9 Bullet Train to Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan Mosque, Jiayuguan Pass, Wei & Jin Mural Brick Tomb

Destination: Turpan & Jiayuguan
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Jiayuguan Mosque
Hébergement: Jiayuguan Plaza Holiday Inn ou similaire

Take second class bullet train to Jiayuguan (environ 5 heures). Jiayuguan is the first frontier fortress at the west end of the Ming dynasty Great Wall. Visit Jiayuguan Pass after Salat prayer at Jiayuguan Mosque. Also known as “the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven”, Jiayuguan Pass is the best preserved and most magnificent military building among the three passes of the Great Wall. Located at the narrowest point of the western part of Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan Pass is a key passageway of the ancient Silk Road. It commands fascinating views of the boundless Gobi Desert and the snow-capped Qilian Mountains. Then proceed to Wei & Jin Mural Brick Tomb, a huge tomb group of more than 1,400 tombs built between the 3rd and 5th century and houses vast collection of murals.

Jour 10 Bullet Train to Dunhuang, Mosquée de Dunhuang, Singing Sand Dunes, Crescent Moon Spring

Destination: Jiayuguan & Dunhuang
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Mosquée de Dunhuang
Hébergement: The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel ou similaire

Take second class bullet train to the oasis city of Dunhuang (environ 4 heures). Throughout Dunhuang’s history of over two thousand years, it has always served as a critical gateway leading to the west due to its unique geographical location at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. Therefore Dunhuang is one of the most important crossroads on the Silk Road. Starting from Dunhuang the Silk Road was split into the northern and southern routes. After Salat at Dunhuang Mosque, enjoy a camel ride on the scenic Singing Sand Dunes, called by Marco Polo as the rumbling sands. Then relax at the desert oasis, the Crescent Moon Spring, a small freshwater lake that has been a vital source of water here for thousands of years.

Jour 11 Mogao Caves, Bullet Train to Zhangye

Destination: Dunhuang & Zhangye
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Zhangye Ding He International Hotel ou similaire

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mogao Caves in the morning. The Mogao Caves (also known as the Dunhuang Grottoes) boast the largest collection of Buddhist grottoes in existence in China. Housed in the 492 cave temples are over 2000 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of frescos dating back as early as one thousand years ago (covering a period of ten dynasties). The statues are painted and carved directly into the cave walls. The most famous aspect of Dunhuang’s grottoes is the murals that feature Buddhist stories, folk culture, farming, hunting as their main themes. Take second class bullet train to Zhangye which is famous for its Rainbow Colored Mountain, one of Allah’s creations mentioned in the holy Quran.

Jour 12 Rainbow Colored Mountains, Bullet Train to Xining

Destination: Zhangye & Xining
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Xining Qinghai Hotel ou similaire

Morning visit to Rainbow Colored Mountains located inside Zhangye Danxia Geopark. Covering 200 square miles, Zhangye Danxia Geopark was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The Rainbow Mountains are considered one of the geological wonders of the world. These mountains take their colors from the colorful rock formations. No one would think of any mountains to take such amazing colors but the Quran mentions the existence of colorful mountains as one of Allah’s creations. Here is the verse of the Quran: “Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby fruits of varying colors? And in the mountains are tracts, white and red of varying shades and [some] extremely black.” Take second class bullet train to Xining in the afternoon. Situated on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Xining has been a commercial hub along the Northern Silk Road’s Hexi Corridor for over 2000 ans, and was a stronghold of China’s resistance against nomadic attacks from the west.

Jour 13 Qinghai Lake, Sun Moon Mountain, Dongguan Mosque, Bullet Train to Lanzhou

Destination: Xining & Lanzhou
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Xining Dongguan Mosque
Hébergement: Mercure Lanzhou Downtown ou similaire

Drive out of Xining to visit Qinghai Lake (151 km). Qinghai Lake is the largest salt water lake in China, its surface at an elevation of about 10,500 pieds (3,200 metres) above sea level. The length of the lake approaches 65 miles (105 km) and the width 40 miles (65 km). The greatest known depth is about 125 pieds (38 metres). Both Tibetans and Mongolians regard this lake a holy lake. Many Tibetan worshippers can be seen praying along the shore of Qinghai Lake. Later, visit the Sun Moon Mountain, a memorial dedicated to the Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng, who is credited as one of the people who brought Buddhism to Tibet. Perform Salat prayer at Dongguan Mosque upon returning to Xining. Ensuite, take second class bullet train to Lanzhou (environ 1 heures). Located on the banks of the Yellow River, Lanzhou has been a major link on the Northern Silk Road and it stands to become a major hub on the New Eurasian Land Bridge. It is now the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China.

Jour 14 Musée provincial du Gansu, Water Wheel Park, Mosquée Xiguan, Bullet Train Train to Xian

Destination: Lanzhou & Xian
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Mosquée Xiguan
Hébergement: Mercure Xian Downtown ou similaire

Visit Gansu Provincial Museum in the morning. There are more than 140,000 collections in the Provincial Museum including the world-famous bronze Galloping Horse’s Hoof Stepped on a Flying Swallow. The galloping horse is honored as the mysterious and rare treasure in the history of Chinese ancient sculpture art. Suivant, visit Water Wheel Park by the Yellow River. Waterwheels are ancient irrigation devices that use flowing water to create power by means of a set of paddles mounted around a wheel. The force of the water moves the paddles and the consequent rotation of the wheel is transmitted into machinery via the shaft of the wheel. Take the old-fashioned sheepskin rafts for a ride down the Yellow River as an optional tour if you are adventurous. After Salat at Xiguan Mosque which was recently renovated according to traditional Arabic style, take second class bullet train to Xian (environ 3 heures), the ancient capital city of China and the starting point of Silk Road.

Jour 15 Guerriers en Terre Cuite & Reproduction Factory, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter

Destination: Xi'an
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Xian Great Mosque
Hébergement: Mercure Xi ‘an Downtown ou similaire

Morning visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses and its reproduction factory. Considered one of the foremost archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army was discovered by accident in 1974 by local farmers digging a well. The 8,000-plus life-sized figures are arranged in vaults to guard the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, a major architect of the Great Wall and unifier of China. Visit the Muslim Quarter after lunch and Salat at Xian Great Mosque. The area north of the Drum Tower is the Muslim Quarter of Xian which covers several blocks with an estimated 60,000 Muslims in the region. There are about seven ancient mosques in the area, among which the Great Mosque built in 742 is most famous and popular among all. Experience a seemingly endless labyrinth of street food, restaurants and bustling local life at Xian’s Muslim Quarter.

Jour 16 Little Wild Goose Pagoda, Musée de Xian, Mur de la ville, Fly to Shanghai

Destination: Xian & Shanghai
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Hébergement: Hôtel Pullman Shanghai Jing’an ou similaire

Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Museum in the morning. With a history of more than 1,300 ans, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built to store the Buddhist scriptures delivered from ancient India. It is a perfect example of the multi-eaved square brick pagodas built in ancient China. Currently there are 13 storeys left as the top two storeys were destroyed in earthquakes. Continue to visit Xian Museum. Xian Museum boasts nearly 130,000 relics that all relate to the history of Ancient China and Xian specifically. Afterwards visit Xian City Wall. The City Wall of Xian is one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in the world. Walking atop the Wall you can get the panorama of Xian skyline. Fly to Shanghai late in the afternoon or at night.

Jour 17 Jardin Yuyuan, Magasin de soie, Le Bund & Rue Nankin, Place du Peuple, Musée de Shanghai

Destination: Shanghai
Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel, déjeuner & Dîner dans des restaurants halal
Prière du Salat: Mosquée Xiaotaoyuan
Hébergement: Hôtel Pullman Shanghai Jing’an ou similaire

Visite matinale du jardin Yuyuan. Ce jardin est un labyrinthe de pavillons de la dynastie Ming, rocheries élaborées, ponts cintrés, et étangs à poissons rouges, tous entourés d'un mur dragon ondulant. Puis passer un peu de temps à faire du shopping au marché Chenghuangmiao situé à l'extérieur du jardin. Ensuite, se promener le long du Bund et de la rue Nankin à proximité. The Bund refers to Shanghai’s famous waterfront stretching for 1.6km along the west shore of the Huangpu River. Nanjing Road is the main shopping street of Shanghai and one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Continue with a visit to silk store, the People’s Square and Shanghai Museum after lunch and Salat at Xiaotaoyuan Mosque. The People’s Square was once the finest racecourse in Asia before 1949, it is now a large open space in which locals hang out all day, every day, practicing Tai Chi and flying kites. Shanghai Museum is specially celebrated in the world for its rich and high-quality collection of 120,000 precious works of art including ancient Chinese bronze, céramiques, painting and calligraphy.

Jour 18 Departure from Shanghai

Repas inclus: Petit-déjeuner à l'hôtel.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (without guide). Wish you a pleasant journey home and thank you for traveling with IslamiChina.