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China Touring
The Silk Road
12 Days Beijing to Beijing from £2026, Independent Tour.
Beijing (2 nights), Dunhuang (2 nights), Jiayuguan (1 night), Overnight Train (1 night), Turpan (1 night), Urumqi (2 nights), Kashgar (2 nights).
This incredible journey traces the steps of the first merchants on their trading route linking Xian with the Mediterranean. Travelling through Xinjiang, China's largest province, you will cross through deserts and oasis towns, past towering mountains and crystal clear lakes. Steeped in history, culturally diverse and undoubtedly unlike the rest of China, this province shares more with Central Asia than the motherland.
RUSSIA
MONGOLIA
Urumqi
Hightlights Include · Mingsha Shan, the Singing Sand Mountain · Buddhist Mogao Grottoes · The western end of the Great Wall of China · Full day touring in Turpan · Kashgar's Sunday Market
Departures: Daily April-October(departures on Friday recommended) Day 1: Arrive Beijing On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Beijing. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Lido, Beijing Day 2: Beijing - Dunhuang Take an early morning flight to Dunhuang. There you will be met and transferred to your hotel, which boasts stunning views over the surrounding desert. After lunch visit Mingsha Shan, known as the Singing Sand Mountain, and Yueyaquan, the Cresent Moon Lake. (BL) Accommodation: Silk Road Hotel, Dunhuang Day 3: Dunhuang Today explore the Mogao Grottoes, the largest site of Buddhist statues and frescoes in China. You will also visit the Western Thousand Buddha Caves before heading back to town and the Dunhuang Museum. (BL) Day 4: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your five hour drive to Jiayuguan. (BL) Accommodation: Garden Hotel, Jiayuguan Day 5: Jiayuguan - Turpan Jiayuguan is the starting point of your Silk Road experience. This afternoon visit the western end of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass. After dinner, transfer to the railway station for the overnight train, bound for Turpan (a 4 berth compartment is offered for private use). (BLD) Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train (Soft Sleeper Class)
Turpan Beijing Jiayuguan Dunhuang
Kashgar
NEPAL BANGLADESH INDIA MYANMAR LAOS Rail Air
Tibet
Kashgar Tomb
Day 6: Turpan Arrive early in Turpan and transfer to your hotel for breakfast. Then visit the Afghan-style Emin Minaret, the ruins of Gaochang (the early Uyghur capital), Jiaohe (Han Dynasty) and the Astana Graves. Lunch is at Grape Valley, where vines grow in the midst of the desert, before a visit to the ancient cave monastery of Bezelik. In the evening you can choose to visit a Uyghur Cultural Show at your own expense. (BL) Accommodation: Turpan Oasis Hotel, Turpan Day 7: Turpan - Urumqi Today drive to Tuyog Village, a traditional Uyghur village, displaying authentic courtyard houses painted with religious and scenic murals. Tuyog is set against the Huoy Shan, the Flaming Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop. (BL) Accommodation: Hoi Tak Hotel, Urumqi Day 8: Urumqi Visit the impressive Provincial Museum and its fine array of exhibits including 12 mummies dating from BC 2000. High on the slopes of Tian Mountain you will visit Tianchi (the
Lake of Heaven). In Urumqi enjoy meandering around the vibrant local markets. (BL) Day 9: Urumqi - Kashgar Fly to China's westernmost city of Kashgar, where the northern and southern Chinese Silk Routes merged. Kashgar is rich in Central Asian culture with a variety of ethnic minories living here. In the afternoon explore the old town's traditional calligraphy and musical instrument shops and its eclectic bazaars, or head to the Idkah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mosque & Mausoleum. (BL) Accommodation: Qinibagh Hotel, Kashgar Day 10: Kashgar One of the most talked about sights in all of Central Asia is the Kashgar Sunday Market. Today, enjoy a visit here to experience the locals plus nomadic travellers buying, selling and bartering. Crowded and noisy, this makes an unforgettable experience! Afterwards head to the Ivan Bazaar and the livestock market. (B) Day 11: Kasgar - Urumqi - Beijing Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Beijing via Urumqi. (B) Accommodation: Holiday Inn Lido, Beijing Day 12: Depart Beijing Transfer from your Beijing hotel to the airport for your onward journey. (B)
We recommend starting this tour on Friday to ensure a visit to Kashgar's famous Sunday Market, one of the Silk Routes main highlights. This tour does not operate November-February due to extreme weather conditions.
Prices Include
· Transportation as detailed, including private guide. · All accommodation, meals and admission charges as included in the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Prices Exclude
· Gratuities to guides and drivers · International airfares and personal expenses
Tour Prices
Prices per person, in £'s from
01Apr08-31May08 01Jun08-31Oct08 Tour not available 01Aug08-31Aug08
The Silk Road
The Silk Road
Twin 2026 2071 Single 3047 3127
Brochure prices may change. See booking conditions.
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