Itinerary for: Silk Road Explorer (WWSRE )
| China | Beijing |
| Xian | Lanzhou |
| Xiahe | Jiayuguan |
| Dunhuang | Turpan |
| Kuqa | Aksu |
| Kashgar | Tian Chi |
| Urumqi |
Days 1-2 : UK – Beijing
Fly overnight to Beijing, China's capital city. Our evening meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck.
Day 3 : Beijing
Walk on the Great Wall which stretches over 3,000 miles to the Gobi Desert and visit the unique Temple of Heaven. Enjoy a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show in the evening.
Day 4 : Beijing – Xian
Sightseeing today includes a stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City, which has the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China. We also tour the exquisite Summer Palace before boarding the overnight train to the former ancient capital of Xian.
Days 5-6 : Xian
Arrive in Xian and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening we will enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. The next day, visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century – the Terracotta Warriors, followed by a walk along the Ancient City Wall.
Day 7 : Xian – Lanzhou
Visit the renowned Shaanxi Museum which is home to thousands of priceless relics. We also stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque and explore the Islamic food markets before boarding the overnight train to Lanzhou.
Days 8-9 : Lanzhou
Arrive in Lanzhou and transfer to our hotel. Wander through the park by the Yellow River before visiting the Baita (White) Temple, which sits high above the river. In the evening, we sample the local hand-stretched noodles. The next day, transfer by speedboat on picturesque Lioujiaxia Lake to visit the renowned Bingling Caves where Silk Road travellers have carved their artwork into the cliff face for many centuries.
Days 10-11 : Lanzhou – Xiahe
Travel by coach through the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to Xiahe, set in a beautiful valley known as ‘Little Tibet’. The next day, visit the mystical Labrang Monastery of the Gelugpa sect, which is home to over 1200 monks. We also tour the rolling pastures of Sangke Grasslands where wild flowers flourish.
Days 12-13 : Xiahe – Lanzhou – Jiayuguan
Return to Lanzhou and board the overnight train to Jiayuguan arriving the next day. Visit Jiayu Fortress, set between the snow-capped Red Mountains in the south and the Black Mountains in the north and then walk along the western end of the Great Wall.
Day 14 : Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
Travel by coach to the beautiful oasis city of Dunhuang, which is located at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
Days 15-16 : Dunhuang – Turpan
Visit the world famous Buddhist murals and sculptures of the Magao Grottoes. The next day, tour Crescent Moon Spring and see the spectacular Singing Sand Dunes, which offer some of the most dramatic scenes found along the Silk Road. Later we board the overnight train to the oasis city of Turpan.
Days 17-18 : Turpan
Arrive in Turpan in the morning. Visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe and admire the Flaming Mountains. The next day, see the Emin Minaret, visit local homes at Grape Valley and marvel at the 2000 year old Kerez Irrigation Canals.
Days 19-20 : Turpan – Kurla – Kuqa
Over the next four days, we travel along the original Silk Route through the Xinjiang Region, viewing ruins and sights largely unvisited by other tourists. We travel to Kurla and visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress. The next day, we tour the ruins of Subashi, arriving in Kuqa where we will visit the remains of the old City Wall.
Days 21-22 : Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar
Visit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves before travelling to Aksu. The next day, we arrive in Kashgar, an ancient market town and once the flourishing centre of the Silk Road. This fabled city embraces a rich mix of people and cultures which create a truly central Asian atmosphere.
Days 23-24 : Kashgar
Sightseeing today includes visits to the Abakh Hoja Tomb and the Id Kah Mosque. We also explore the old alleys that intertwine around Id Kah Square. The next day, explore the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar. We also visit the livestock market, where huge crowds of donkey carts, horse carriages, animals and people of many races and cultures gather to haggle and trade. Later we fly to Urumqi.
Day 25 : Heavenly Lake day tour
Travel to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake) for breathtaking views of the crystal clear water at the top of a stunning mountain range. In the evening we enjoy a traditional meal of Uyghur Lamb Skewers.
Day 26 : Urumqi – Beijing
Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, home to 1,000 year-old mummies before flying back to Beijing.
Day 27 : Beijing – UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day or the following morning depending on airline chosen.