19-day Silk Road Adventure (2008)
 Beijing - Dunhuang - Turpan - Kashgar - Urumqi - Xi'an - Shanghai

Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and rediscover the glorious Silk Road era, from the eastern terminus of the ancient trade route to the western-most tip of China. Please note this is a physically demanding soft adventure tour; accommodations in some locales may be basic.

Scroll down for departure dates and prices.

Day 1/Wed: Departing Home City
The journey begins with our transpacific flight (Air Canada or United Airlines) departing the west coast in early afternoon. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Thu: Arrival in Beijing
Meet the local guide and transfer to hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 3/Fri: Beijing
Beijing, capital of China and host of 2008 Summer Olympics, is not only the country's second largest city in terms of population but also its cultural and educational centre. Today's schedule features Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Enjoy a delicious Peking roast duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sat: Beijing
After breakfast we embark on a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, 85km outside the city. The evening Peking Opera show is optional if available. (B/L)

Day 5/Sun: Beijing
Morning sightseeing at Summer Palace, followed by a hutong tour - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. Free afternoon to explore on your own. We suggest Temple of Heaven and shopping at Silk Alley or Panjiayuan Flea Market. (B/L)

Day 6/Mon: Beijing - Dunhuang
Morning flight to Dunhuang. Afternoon visit to the local museum. (B/L)

Day 7/Tue: Dunhuang - Turpan
Morning sightseeing introduces us to the brilliant murals and sculptures inside Mogao Grottos, one of the most celebrated legacies of the Silk Road era. Situated at a strategic point along the Silk Route, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, the 492 cells and cave sanctuaries in Mogao are famous for their statues and wall paintings, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art.

In the afternoon, we visit the Crescent Moon Lake and Singing Sand Dunes. Board overnight soft-sleeper train for Turpan after dinner. Each private compartment consists of 4 bunk beds (2 upper, 2 lower) and can be locked from inside. (B/L/D)

Day 8/Wed: Turpan
Transfer to hotel for breakfast upon arrival early in the morning. Today we visit Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) Ruins, an ancient garrison town, and the Bezeklik Caves (Buddhist temples) in the Flaming Mountains. (B/L/D)

Day 9/Thu: Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar
Free morning to explore the exotic oasis town, where Muslim Uighurs account for 71% of the population. Travel to Urumqi (180km) in the afternoon by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach to fly to Kashgar. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Fri: Kashgar
Located at the westernmost tip of China, Kashgar, also known as Shufu in the old days, is a vibrant kaleidoscope of Central Asian cultures. An oasis 1200 metres above sea level, Kashgar is a remarkably prosperous and pleasant place, despite remaining, in part, an essentially medieval city.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Karakul Lake, 198 kilometres southwest of Kashgar. Accessed via legendary Karakoram Highway leading to Pakistan, the lake, 3,600 metres above sea level, sits on the laps of Muztagh Ata and Kongur, two towering peaks of the Pamir Mountains. The scenery along the way is simply stunning: high mountain pastures nibbled by camels and yaks tended by yurt-dwelling Tajiks. (B/L)

Day 11/Sat: Kashgar
This morning we visit a Muslim family and kindergarten. Afternoon sightseeing takes in Id Kah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Tomb (also known as Fragrant Concubine's Tomb). (B/L)

Day 12/Sun: Kashgar - Urumqi
Kashgar’s extraordinary Sunday market, when half of Central Asia seems to converge on the city, is as exotic to the average Han Chinese as to the foreign tourist. We spend the whole morning exploring the Sunday market. Late afternoon flight to Urumqi. (B/D)

Day 13/Mon: Urumqi
Urumqi, meaning vast pastureland in local Uighur language, is the capital of Xinjiang (New Frontier) Uighur Autonomous Region, which is equivalent to a Chinese province. We visit the History Museum, Red Hill Park and a carpet factory before having a couple of hours to explore on our own. (B/L)

Day 14/Tue: Urumqi - Xi'an
Morning flight to Xi'an. Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the famous Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. (B/L)

Day 15/Wed: Xi’an
Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city and the emperor's mausoleum nearby. Tonight we enjoy a music and dance show of Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) style after dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 16/Thu: Xi'an
Today's schedule takes in the ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda and the provincial History Museum. (B/L)

Day 17/Fri: Xi'an - Shanghai
Morning flight to Shanghai. The city is not only China's largest city in terms of population but also leads the country in economic growth, having experienced 19% GDP growth per year for the past 16 years. Before visiting Shanghai Museum we drive around glitzy Pudong New District to get a sense of where the city is heading. (B/L)

Day 18/Sat: Shanghai
Morning sightseeing at the Bund and the bazaar surrounding the Temple of Town God. Explore the city on your own following lunch. (B/L)

Day 19/Sun: Shanghai - Home City
Free morning. Transfer to airport on your own to board return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B)

Hotel List
City	Nights	Hotel	Star Rating
Beijing	4	Sheraton Beijing
Dunhuang	1	Dunhuang Hotel	- best available
Turpan	1	Oasis	- best available
Kashgar	3	Qiniwake	- best available
Urumqi	2	Hongfu Hotel
Xi'an	3	Sheraton Xi'an
Shanghai	2	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Overnight train	1	first class sleeping car

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