Turpan - Shanshan - Dunhuang

Today we will visit the Thousand Buddha Grottoes "Beziklik" and the ancient city of Gaochang, which is situated at the foot of the Flaming Mountains, was founded in the first century B.C. and abandoned by the end of the 13th century. Furthermore we will visit the Astana ancient tombs, which used to serve as the cemetery of the citizens of Gaochang from 273 in the Western Jin Dynasty to 778 in the Tang Dynasty and where mummies were discovered.

After lunch we will drive to the Tuyu valley, which also goes by the name of "Mecca of China", since seven Mohammed seers are laid to rest here. It is said to be the best preserved Uygur ancient village built in a green valley at the foot of the Flaming Mountains (the Gobi Mountain) with ancient Buddhism rock painting and Muslim tombs.

Afterwards we drive to the oasis town Shanshan. Shanshan is the Chinese name for Loulan, a kingdom that existed roughly from 200BC-1000AD at the north-east of the Taklamakan desert. In the evening we will take the train to Dunhuang in the province Gansu.