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NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET
CHINA * NORTH KOREA
Inside North Korea
12 DAYS HOTELS THE LAST BASTION OF COMMUNISM
Ref KO
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
With its unashamedly different society, North Korea is perhaps the most isolated land on earth. We journey into the heart of one of the last bastions of communism, aiming to unravel some of the mysteries of this fascinating country; contrasting the outstanding natural beauty of the Myohyangsan Mountains with the awe inspiring, flamboyant socialist architecture of the capital Pyongyang.
Beijing Our journey begins in Beijing. During our time here we visit the Forbidden City, listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. There's also free time to visit less wellknown places such as the Hutongs (the narrow alleyways of the old city) with their bustling markets; a great opportunity to see something of everyday life in the capital. Into the Hermit State' In North Korea's Pyongyang, we discover a country dominated by the late Great Leader Kim Il Sung, and his Juche Idea', a philosophy aimed at developing self-reliance, which for over 50 years has dominated everyday life. Inspirational monuments testify to the uniqueness of this North Korean version of communism. We make the obligatory tribute to Kim Il Sung at the Mansudae Monument, as well as visiting his birthplace at Mangyongdae. There is the opportunity to witness breathtaking acrobatic performances in the evening, or to stroll with our guides along the bank of the River Taedong.
Juche Tower, Pyongyang
Rafting on the Yellow River/Fran King
CHINA
Inner Mongolian Adventure
17 DAYS HOTELS/GER/CAMPING DESERT LANDS OF THE FAR NORTH
Ref
IM
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Inner Mongolian Adventure Ref IM
MONGOLIA
Camel trek in the desert/Vicky Sotriffer
G
DESERT OBI
Stay in Ger; meet Mongolian family
Great Wall Mutianyu Buddhist caves
XILAMUREN PASTURE
DATONG HOHHOT BEIJING
Forbidden City
Te n De gge se r rt
Visit Xia tombs
YINCHUAN
Qingtongxia Wuzhong bazaar Sheepskin raft trip
3-day camel trek
Y
e ll o
w R iv e r
CHINA
To the Mountains Leaving the capital we travel 160 kilometres north to the beautiful Myohyangsan Mountains where we can enjoy a gentle afternoon walk. The famous Friendship Exhibition' displays the massive and eclectic collection of items given to the Great Leaders' Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. We continue on near deserted highways, to the ancient capital of Kaesong. We then travel to one of the most fortified areas on earth at the 38th Parallel the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) where soldiers of the North and South, stand either side of a demarcation line, ensuring that the peninsular remains divided.
ZHONGWEI
Changtang Traditional Village' km City tour 0 300
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing. 3 In Beijing; Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City; overnight train Pyongyang. 4 Arrive Pyongyang. 5 In Pyongyang, city tour; visit Kim Il Sung birth place. 6 Visit Kumsusan Memorial Palace; drive to Myohyangsan Mountains. 7 Visit Friendship Exhibition and temple; return Pyongyang. 8 AM visit Art gallery and film studios; PM drive to Kaesong. 9 Visit DMZ; return to Pyongyang. 10 Overnight train to Beijing. 11 In Beijing. 12 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 8nts hotel, 2nts overnight Sleeper train; 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Sleeper train/Bus/Flight. Comment: Tourism within North Korea is tightly controlled by the government. For those intrepid travellers willing to accept certain restrictions currently in place, this tour offers an amazing insight into a totally unique society, so offering one of the ultimate travel experiences. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, national and local guides plus drivers. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
XIAN
Terracotta Army
Inside North Korea Ref KO
CHINA
Sinuiju border town Overnight train from/to BEIJING
Camel Trek in Tengger Desert After sightseeing in Beijing we take an overnight train to Xian, to see one of China's true highlights the Terracotta Warriors. A flight north then takes us to the charming capital of Ningxia Province, Yinchuan. We drive out to the ancient Western Xia Mausoleum in the windswept Helan Shan mountains then follow the Yellow River upstream to Zhongwei via the curious 108 Dagobas (Stupas) at Qingtongxia. From Zhongwei we trek into the wilderness of the Tengger desert on the desolate fringes of the Mongolian Plateau. Accompanied by woolly bactrian camels, we explore a changing landscape of salt lakes, shifting sand dunes and weird desert forests. Rafting the Yellow River Following the Yellow River upstream, we drive to the traditional village of Changtang where Traditional Gers/Fran King
Mongolian Gers & Datong Buddhist Caves Continuing by train we reach Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, and travel on by bus through the rolling steppe. We stay in gers (traditional felt tents) and spend time in the company of a Mongol family, learning about their ancient, peripatetic lifestyle. Next, we take the train to Datong to see the fine Buddhist statues that are hewn into caves in steep cliffs 50,000 statues of differing sizes in all! Finally, we return to Beijing.
Yellow Sea
km 0
Ancient capital
KAESONG
60
SOUTH KOREA Panmunjon Tomb of Demilitarized zone King Kongmin
Im j i
n
In the distant northern limits of China we explore the harsh landscapes of Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, venturing into the Tengger desert on camels. We also spend time in the traditional pasture lands of the nomadic Mongols, and embark on a fascinating trip aboard sheepskin rafts following the broad sweep of the Yellow River.
MYOHYANGSAN
life appears to have stood still for centuries and where they still use the old waterwheels. From there we board sturdy sheepskin rafts and travel at the river's pace, floating past villages on the hilly shoreline.
Friendship Exhibition Pyohun Temple
PYONGYANG
Mansudae Monument Juche Tower Film studios
Nam
NORTH KOREA (DPRK)
National dress
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing. 3 Visit Forbidden City; sleeper train to Xian. 4 & 5 Sightseeing in Xian. 6 Fly Yinchuan; city tour. 7 Drive to Helenshan Rock Carvings and Western Xia Mausoleums; then on to Zhongwei via Wuzhong and Qingtongxia. 8 & 9 Camel trek in the Tengger desert. 10 Drive to Zhongwei; visit Gao Miao Temple. 11 Visit Changtang Village; raft on Yellow River to Daliushu. Overnight train to Hohhot. 12 Visit Mongol family and stay in gers. 13 Train to Datong. 14 Visit Yungang Buddhist caves and Xuankong Si Monastery; overnight train to Beijing. 15 & 16 In Beijing; visit Great Wall. 17 Fly Beijing/London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel, 1nt Ger, 2nts camping, 3nt sleeper train; 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Camel/On foot/ Raft/Flight. Comment: An adventurous tour including camel trekking and sheepskin rafting. We camp in the desert and stay in nomadic tents (gers) on the steppes. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, plus driver, some local guides, camelteers and cook. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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