GENERAL INFORMATION
- China Quickfacts
- Things to know before you go
- Arrival Guide
- City/Region Descriptions
- Chinese Zodiac
- Mandarin Phrases
ASIA ODYSSEYS
- China Odyssey, 11 or 14 days
- Thailand Odyssey, 13 days
- India Odyssey, 12 days
- Indochina Odyssey, 13 days
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Small Group Journeys
- Beijing, 4 days
- Best of Korea and China, 14 days
- Shanghai, 3 days
- 2010 Expo Shanghai, 5 days
- Xian, 3 days
- Guilin, 3 days
- Guangzhou, 3 days
- Hangzhou, 4 days
- Hangzhou & Wuzhen, 4 days
- Chengdu, 4 days
- Chengdu - Two Mountains, 4 days
- Chengde, 2 days
- Suzhou, 2 days
- Kunming, 4 days
- Luoyang & Shaolin, 3 days
- Tibet, 4 days
- Tibet in Depth, 7 days
- China & Pandas with Tibet Train, 13
- China to Tibet to Nepal, 16 days
- China Showcase, 8 days
- Classic China, 11 days
- Trans Mongolia Express, 21 days
- Silk Route of China, 10 days
AMAZING VALUE VACATIONS
- {package_header}, {trip_length}
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
- Hong Kong & Bangkok, 7 days
- Hong Kong & Beijing, 7 days
- Hong Kong & Shanghai, 8 days
JOIN-IN TOURS
- Beijing In Depth, 5 days
- Classic Shanghai and Beijing, 8 days
- Taste of China, 10 days
- The Essential China, 13 days
RIVER CRUISES
AIR-LAND INCLUSIVES
- Chine
- Tale Of Two Cities - Hong Kong & Beijing Getaway, 8 days
- Tale Of Two Cities - Hong Kong & Shanghai Getaway, 8 days
HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME
ASIA STAYS OF DISTINCTION
- Royal Pita Maha, Ubud
- Peninsula Hotel, Beijing
- Grand Hyatt, Shanghai
- Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong.
- Lake Palace, Udaipur
- Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
- Hotel Seiyo Ginza, Tokyo
- The Imperial Hotel, Delhi
- Carcosa Seri Negara, Kuala Lumpur
- Raffles Hotel, Singapore
- Grand Hotel, Taipei
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok
- Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai
- Amanpuri, Phuket
- The Amansara, Siem Reap
- La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang
- Gems of South East Asia, 10 days
GET A FREE TRAVEL QUOTE
China Independent Travel Idea
Silk Route Tour Of China
10 days
Originally an ancient network of caravan trails across the snow-capped mountains and deserts of Central Asia, the Silk Route has been in existence for more than one thousand years. It was the trading route between Europe and the Far East. One of the main exports from China was silk hence the name of this particular route. So much history prevails along the Chinese portion of the Silk Route side by side a vast array of diverse scenery and people. The contrasts are many and will fascinate the curious traveller.
Day 1. Arrive Beijing. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for overnight accommodation at the Sino Swiss Airport Hotel D.
Day 2. Beijing to Dunhuang. Fly today to Dunhuang, the gateway to Xinjiang Province. Here you may see mirages which led many ancient merchant caravans astray into the "desert of death". In the past ancient caravans from central China to the Western Region stopped at Dunhuang to replenish before they went into the Taklimakan Desert. Check into the first class Dunhuang Hotel.
Afterwards, visit the Mingsha Sand Dunes. The dunes, sand-crusted hills dozens of meters high, stretch 40 km east to west, and 20 km south to north. When people slide down the hill, they hear the sighing of the sand. Visit the Crescent Moon Lake and have a ride on a camel. Dinner and overnight. Silk Road Hotel. BLD
Day 3. Dunhuang to Turpan. Today, visit the Mogao Grottoes. Known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, 492 of these remain today. The caves at Mogao show a fascinating progression of art styles over the centuries, From the Northern and Western Wei periods (386-557 AD) on into the Tang dynasty (618-907) when the grottoes reached their artistic peak. Return to the hotel for dinner after which board the train for the overnight journey to Turpan. BLD
Day 4. Turpan. Arrive in Turpan in the morning. An ancient oasis town along the Silk Road, Turpan stands at the very spot where the ancient caravan route split into the Northern and Southern routes. The city lies in the great Turpan depression, 154 meters below sea level. The climate is favorable for the growth of melons, grapes and other fruits.
Visit today, the ancient Jiaohe city, a place that one had to pass through on the Silk Road, originally established in the 2nd Century AD and abandoned in the 14th Century. Also see the ancient Karez irrigation system. Oasis Hotel. BLD
Day 5. Turpan/Urumqi/Kashgar. Visit the Astana Cemetery and the Bezeklik Caves. Later travel overland to Urumqi. From Urumqi, fly to Kashgar, the westernmost city in China. With its Uygur culture and exotic atmosphere. Visit a mosque and later enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Qinibagh Hotel (2 nights). BLD
Day 6. Kashgar. Today is a highlight of the Silk Route. Visit the colourful Sunday Market at which everything from camels to spices is traded. You won't want to miss this! BLD
Day 7. Kashgar to Urumqi. Fly back to Urumqi. On arrival, visit the Xinjiang Museum. Xinjiang Grand Hotel (2 nights). BLD
Day 8. Urumqi. Full day tour to Heavenly Lake with its natural beauty surrounded by majestic mountains. BLD
Day 9. Urumqi/Shanghai. Fly back to Eastern China. On arrival in Shanghai, transfer to your hotel for overnight. Salvo Hotel. B
Day 10. Depart Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for your next destination. B
Dunhuang Oasis
Tombs along the silk route
Bezeklik Grottoes in the Flaming Mountains
DEPARTURES:
Daily - all year round.
Recommended travel times: April-July & September-October
PRICES:
Please request price for the dates you wish to travel.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Airfares within China
- Rail fares in China
- Accommodation at first class hotels or best available
- All meals as noted above by BLD (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Sightseeing
- Transfers and local guides
NOT INCLUDED:
- Travel insurance.
- Meals not specified.
