The Silk Road
20 Days

Days 1-4: China’s capital is a fitting starting point for this incredible journey – a vast and vibrant city of great historic sights and cultural enclaves. Tiananmen Square, the elaborate grandeur of the Forbidden City and 2000 year old Great Wall are just a few of the attractions that Beijing has to offer.
Tiananmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, shields the Forbidden City from the vase expanse of the Square. Its lavish palaces and ornate courtyards telling their own story of China’s rich history. During your time in Beijing you will explore this historic area as well as the magnificent Temple of Heaven, the vast Summer Palace and the intricacies of Beijing Opera.
On Day 3 you will take a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu with time in the afternoon to visit one of Beijing’s great clothing or souvenir markets.
One evening venture into the hutongs for a succulent Beijing Duck dinner. This courtyard restaurant is one of Beijing’s most traditional, the family has been preparing Beijing Kaoya for generations.
In the late afternoon of Day 4 board your overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.

Days 5-6: Capital of Chinese empires for more than 2000 years, Xi’an is a city of ancient treasures - the most magnificent and famous of which is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di. The thousands of soldiers, crafted in intricate detail, stand in battle formation to guard the mausoleum of the emperor who ordered their creationThe city has many other attractions including the Great Mosque, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and fantastic evening food markets. The center of Xi'an is enclosed by an enormous city wall which can be climbed for a small fee - the top is a great place to view the setting sun. In the evening head out to the Muslim Quarter for some of the best street food in China – great spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favorite.

Day 7: With a long history as a vital stronghold at the head of the Hexi Corridor, staging post on the Silk route and a major crossing point on the Yellow River Lanzhou remains an important transport hub, stretched along a narrow valley on the banks of the Yellow River - thick and silty, 1500kms from the sea. Nearby are one of the best examples of Buddhist cave art at Bingling Si - carved into a canyon on the Yellow River, the trip there shows not only the Buddhist heritage of the region, but the power of the Yellow River and the life of the fertile loess plateau - the people of the Yellow Earth.

Day 8: Situated at the very end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan was considered the western frontier of the empire during the Ming Dynasty. The town's impressive fort is a remarkable sight, with 17m-high towers flanking the main gates. The early morning flight to this former garrison town, leaves plenty of time to visit the fort and the last remnants of the wall.

Days 9-11: Dunhuang lies, literally, on the edge of the desert - there are spectacular sand dunes right at the edge of town. Set into cliffs above a dry river valley, the 4th Century Mogao Grottoes contain some of the most extraordinary Buddhist art to be found in China. The art illuminates a time when Dunhuang was a major center of Central Asian culture and the main contact point between China and the rest of the world.

Days 12-13: The Xinjiang Museum in Urumchi exhibits the treasures of the region including the famous mummies discovered in the Tarim Basin which revealed an incredible amount of information about the early migrations and settlers of this busy trade route. Climb into the Tian Shan (mountains) for a relaxing break exploring this stunning alpine area - home to semi-nomadic Kazak people. Savour the fresh air, hikeor horseride through pastures and woodlands towards Boga Feng (5445 m) or the brave can venture a swim in the refreshing waters of the lake.

Days 14-15: Turpan is a beautiful oasis town famous for its vineyards, stone fruits and the nearby Flaming Mountains - once an important staging post on the Silk Road. The country roads are lined with poplars and lovely old mud brick dwellings of the Uighur people. Visit some of the many attractions surrounding the town including the beautiful Emin Minaret, the ruined city of Jiaohe and the famous Grape Valley to sample the grapes and wine of this region.

Days 17-19: Your final Silk Road destination is the trading town of Kashgar, a fabulous place to wander around. The main landmark of the town is the famous Id Kah Mosque with its surrounding square and bazaar. Here you will encounter some of the many different nationalities bringing their wares into town for trade; Uighurs, Han Chinese, Kazaks, Kyrgyzs, Tajiks, Pakistanis, and Afghanistani!
Every Sunday around 100,000 people gather in the enormous Kashgar Bazaar area where you can buy anything from goats' heads and hooves to colorful painted wooden saddles. The traditional costumes and food give it an almost medieval feel and bring alive the legends of your trip along the Silk Road. Don't miss the huge animal market or the local craftsmen either!

Day 20: Return flight to Beijing. Trip ends on arrival at Beijing airport.

Tour Costs
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
from €2360p/p

single supplement:
€300