Follow the footsteps of Marco Polo and exploring the storied
ancient Silk Road
2 departures :
04 September 2006 & 14 May 2007
Featuring Lanzhou & BingLing Temple , Jiayuguan & Jiayuguan pass ,
Dunhuang
& Mogao Grottoes ,
17 days from $ 4799.00 (CAD) per person
Day 01 Home City - Beijing
Your journey begins with your transpacific flight to Beijing. Cross the International Dateline.
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Day 02 Beijing
Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to the impressive Beijing International Hotel located downtown. Just 5 minutes driving to the Forbidden City and 10 minutes walk distance to the Wangfujing shopping area
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Day 03 Beijing
A free day to relax and/or explore China's capital. Wangfujiang Street and the Silk Alley as well as a lot of different Chinese and Western restaurants as well as stores are all within a short walk. (B)
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Day 04 Beijing - Lanzhou
Fly to Bejing and then fly to Lanzhou. Overnight at the 4 star Jinjiang Sun Hotel . (B/L/D)
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Day 05 Lanzhou - Jiayuguan
Take a morning coach ride to Liujiaxia Dam, which is one of China’s Hydropower dams along the Yellow river. Enjoy a short hovercraft ride where you can see the excavated caves on Jishi Hill. Visit Bingling Temple, which means Ten Thousand Buddha in Tibetan. They were initially made in 420 AD and have been expanded several times through the ages.
In the afternoon, visit White Pagoda Hill and enjoy the view of Yellow river and Lanzhou City. After dinner take overnight train Lanzhou/Jiayuguan T657 2217/0811. (Soft sleeper with 4 berth to one private compartments). (B/L/D)
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Day 06 Jiayuguan
Arrive Jiayuguan at 0811 and transfer to your hotel to freshen up and have breakfast.
Jiayuguan Pass, the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, was built during the Ming Dynasty. The Great wall, winds through the Gobi desert and up towards Black Mountain (Hei Shan). The wall appears to hang over the cliff and block the vital pass of Shiguan Xiakou. Spend the night at the 4 star Great Wall Hotel. (B/L/D)
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Day 07 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang
Coach ride to Dunhuang (6hrs). Mogao Caves, a shrine of Buddhist art treasures – UNESCO designated World Heritage Site , are a reservoir of historical and cultural items that are more than a thousand years old. 4-Star Dunhuang Hotel New No.8 Building. Dinner with some local favoured dishes is planned. (B/L/D)
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Day 08 Dunhuang - Turpan
Crescent Spring can be called a natural wonder in the Gobi Desert; it resembles a crescent moon that has fallen into this desert. Echoing-Sand Mountain, which is also known as the sand dunes of Mingsha, offers superb desert scenery.
After dinner, take an overnight train Dunhuang to Liuyuan N949 1940/0514. (Soft sleeper with 4 berth to one private compartments). (B/L/D)
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Day 09 Turpan
Arrive Liuyuan at 0514 and then a coach transfer to Turpan. After freshening up and breakfast, visit the Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs, which are part of the Underground Museum of Turpan and the Living Archives of Gaochang.
The Grape Valley is a green paradise of 400 hectares covered with layer upon layer of grapes. The intricate Karez systems are the life source of Turpan. Enjoy a local ethnic show at your hotel, the 3 star Oasis Hotel. (B/L/D)
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Day 10 Turpan - Urumqi
Ancient city of Gaochang, built in first century B.C. was originally called Gaochangbi. It used to be a garrison town and later became a key point along the ancient Silk Road.
The Bizalkik Thousand Buddha Caves stand high on the cliffs of west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountain. Take a coach ride to Urumqi (3hrs) and stay at the 4 star Xinjiang Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) (B/L/D)
Day 11 Urumqi
In the morning, take a trip to the Xinjiang Regional Museum. Which is an excellent resource for archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and local cultural relics. The Red Hill is a symbol of Urumqi, owing to its uniqueness. The body of the mountain, made up of aubergine rock, has a reddish brown colour, hence, the name Red Hill. Crescent-shaped, crystal water, Heavenly Lake, is the pearl of Heavenly Mountain (Tianshan Mountain) Dinner with some local favoured dishes is planned. (B/L/D)
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Day 12 Urumqi - Kashgar
Morning visit to Southern Pastures (West White Poplar Gully)Traveling through this narrow verdant gully is a unique experience for sightseers who love natural scenery. Snowcapped peaks, dragon-spruce trees and wild flowers are just a few of the beautiful things to see. Visit a local Kazahks where an optional horse ride is available. Visit a Silk carpet Factory. Evening flight to Kashgar. 3 star Friendship building of Qiniwake Hotel (B/L/D)
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Day 13 Kashgar
A masterpiece of Uigur architecture, this is Abakh Khoja Tomb, the 17th Century family cemetery of the Kashgar area Islamic leader. In China it is know as the Fragrant Concubine’s tomb. IhKak Mosque, the biggest mosque in China, it is a group of old Islamic constructions with strong ethnic style and religious features. Dinner with some local favoured dishes is planned. (B/L/D)
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Day 14 Kashgar - Urumqi
Sunday Bazaar! Bazaars are the focus of activity nearly every day, stalls and people everywhere. Throughout the bazaars, you will find some stalls that sell everything while others specialize in local produce, arts and crafts, garments, knives, timber, coal, and animals.
Afternoon visit to a local Uygur Minority family and Kindergarten. Evening flight back to Urumqi. Overnight at Xinjiang Hotel (B/L/D)
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Day 15 Urumqi – Shanghai
Transfer to the airport to fly to Shanghai , China’s largest cosmopolitan city. Emerging from the sea thousands of years ago, Shanghai literally means “ out to the sea “.
Transfer to the 4 star Ocean hotel or similar . (B)
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Day 16 Shanghai
A free day to explore and find your bargains. Both Nanking road and Huai Hai road are within a short distance from your hotel . On the Bund , the splendid row of early 20th century European buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight.
Overnight at Ocean hotel or similar . (B)
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Day 17 Shanghai – Home City
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight . Arrive in North America on the same day . (B)
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