Arrive Guangzhou in the morning then take connecting flight to Lanzhou. Upon arrival met and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day trip to Bingningsi Temple. The Binglingsi Temple is a series of grottoes filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. You take boat ride to reach the grottoes via the Liujiaxia Reservoir. Return to city and visit Yellow River and the city, including the Waterwheel Park.

In the morning board the high speed train to Jiayuguan Pass (4.15Hrs), which is the western end of the Great Wall of China. Start your tour to the Jiayuguan Fortress, an impenetrable fortress surrounded by 3 inner and outer walls and several lines of defense; then visit Jiayuguan Fort, Great Wall Museum and Xuanbi Great Wall.

In the morning visit the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall before we travel by coach to Dunhuang (takes around 5 hours), a strategic staging post on the Silk Road with a history of more than 2,000 years. Upon arrival Dunhuang, short local visit if time permits. In the evening explore night market.

Today you visit Dunhuang’s most famous monument - The Mogao Grottoes. These grottoes are popularly known as the ‘Thousand Buddha Caves’, and have a history of over 1600 years. The walls of the caves are lined with Buddhist frescoes, Scriptures, murals and sculpted figures; you also visit Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Lake set in an amphitheater of sand dunes. Dinner at own choice and expense

This morning is at leisure. At noon take high speed train from Liuyuan to Turpan (approx. 3.5 hours). Turpan, the oasis town famous for its melons and vineyards, is located in the Gobi desert and the lowest city in China as well as the driest and hottest. Upon arrival met and transfer to hotel after dinner.

Today you will visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, then followed by Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon, which condenses the essence of the landscape of Flaming Mountain - the hottest spot in Turpan. Then to the bazaar and experience the atmosphere of the Uygur way of life. After lunch head to the ancient city of Jiaohe and a Karez Well. The Karez Well is an underground irrigation system unique to the area. Drive to Urumqi in the late afternoon.

This morning you cruise on Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a deep blue lake surrounded by the snowcapped Heavenly Mountain (Tianshan), followed by a visit to Red Hill Park which is regarded as the symbol of Urumqi then enjoy a leisure stroll at Erdaoquiao Grand Bazaar, if time permits visit the Museum of Minorities and History.

Fly to Kashgar this morning. Kashgar is an ancient oasis city at a strategic point dominating the ancient trade routes in far western China. You visit the Abak Hoja (Fragrant Concubine) Tomb, a local village and the Sunday Bazaar. You spend two nights in Kashgar.

Spend the entire day enjoying the beauty of the clear Karakuli Lake, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. The lake lies at an altitude of 3,600m, and is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year. Dinner at own choice and expense

Today you will fly from Kashgar to Guangzhou; upon arrival Guangzhou Airport, please make your own way to check in airport hotel which is next to the terminal.

You will take morning flight back to Sydney. Option: Evening flight available upon request. If you take evening flight returning Australia, subject to hotel check out policy.