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BEIJING, OLYMPIC CITY & ECLIPSE
10 DAYS HOTELS/CAMP BEIJING AND BEYOND As well as spending time in the Chinese capital Beijing on the eve of its turn in the Olympic spotlight, we travel to Xinjiang Province to witness the eclipse and discover a little of the history and culture of this remote region. Beijing - City of Dreams From 8th August 2008, Beijing plays host to the nations of the world as the hopes and dreams of hundreds of athletes are played out in the Olympic arena. Whilst we're not here for the Olympics, but a special event of a quite different nature, a total solar eclipse, we're bound to get caught up in the excitement of the build-up to the Games during our stay in this vibrant city. Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall The bustling streets of the city radiate out from its heart, the immense open space at Tiananmen Square, a popular meeting place for locals. From here we enter the courtyards and chambers of the fabulous Forbidden City, home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties it was closed off to the outside world for more than 500 years. We also make a journey out into the countryside to Mutianyu, where we've the chance to walk on one of the best preserved sections of the iconic Great Wall. On the trail of the Eclipse We fly to China's far north, to Dunhuang, a stopping off point for caravans along the Silk Road. An exploration of the delicate and beautiful Buddhist artwork in the grottoes at nearby Mogao, helps us to understand how this religion spread from India along ancient trade routes. From Turpan, a centre of Muslim Uighur culture and also grape production, we pay a visit to other relics of the Silk
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FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing; visit Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. 3 Visit Great Wall at Mutianyu. 4 Fly Dunhuang; visit Mogao caves. 5 Sunrise visit Mingsha sand dunes; drive eclipse camp near Hami. 6 Eclipse viewing day. 7 Drive Turpan. 8 Visit Gaochang, Astana tombs, Bezeklik caves and Jiaohe Old City. 9 Fly Beijing. 10 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 6nts hotel, 2nts tented camp; 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners included. See p23. Mode of Travel: Bus/Flights Comment: Designed for those with less time to spare, we make the most of our time to discover the amazing city of Beijing and contrasting remote deserts of the north. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, local guides and driver(s), camp crew. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20.
Road, the nearby ruined cities of Gaochang and Jiaohe. Our reason for travelling to this remote region is of course the chance to witness the eclipse. We plan to base ourselves at a specially erected camp near Hami, within an easy drive to the best viewing point.
DATES AND PRICES 10 DAYS FROM LONDON 27 Jul-05 Aug 1999 Single Room Option: £165* See p.23 for details. Insurance: £79 These are guide prices, see p.25 for details. Land Only Prices also available
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2008 start Sun end Tue Price in £
CHINA
Explore the Forbidden City/Jason Beevis
Beijing, Olympic City & Eclipse Ref SC11
Dzungaria
URUMQI
MONGOLIA
BEIJING
Fly to
Gobi
TURPAN
TIEN SHAN
B og da Sha n
Jiaohe Astana Tombs
Bezeklik CAMP
Kari k S h D e s e r t an ECLIPSE
Hami Eclipse Site
Gaochang
Turpan Pendi
CHINA
Tarim Pendi
URUMQI
MONGOLIA Eclipse Visit Mogao Caves From BEIJING Forbidden City & Great Wall BEIJING
DUNHUANG
DUNHUANG
0 km 1000
CHINA
0
km 300
19
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