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Silk Road Explorer
From $5,739 - 28 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian cities
IN 1996 WENDY WU TOURS WAS THE FIRST COMPANY IN AUSTRALIA TO VENTURE ALONG THE ORIGINAL SILK ROAD, OVERLAND BETWEEN TURPAN AND KASHGAR.
The Silk Road trading route was the world’s first superhighway, a 4,500km series of desert and mountainous crossings. Almost 2,000 years before being named, this route was first travelled by emissaries of the Han Dynasty. As the centuries passed many caravans set out from Xian and ventured westward to Kashgar, over the Pamir Mountains to Central Asia and finally to Rome. The trading route allowed links between China and the West to flourish and encouraged an exchange of art, ideas, culture and trade. Many of our customers who have travelled on this tour congratulate us for an outstanding journey that leaves a long lasting impression.
As you travel along the original trade route you will be following in the footsteps of explorers like Marco Polo and Genghis Khan. This is a remarkable journey - one that seamlessly joins modern paced adventure with ancient culture.
DAYS 1-2: AUSTRALIA TO BEIJING
Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Beijing for a two-night stay. Your welcome dinner will include a sample of the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’.
DAY 3: BEIJING
An often quoted saying in Beijing goes ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Built over 2,000 years ago, it stretches all the way from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, more than 5,000km away. Walk along the wall, admire the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity of the material and labour required for its construction. Later you will see the 15thcentury Temple of Heaven. Enjoy an acrobatic show this evening.
DAY 4: BEIJING TO XIAN
Stroll through the famous Tiananmen Square, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. Visit the Forbidden City and Summer Palace before you board your overnight sleeper train to Xian.
DAY 5: XIAN
Arrive in Xian this morning where you will visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet, a specialty of the region, whilst watching a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty this evening.
DAY 6: XIAN
Today you will see one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors. You will also visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.
DAY 7: XIAN TO LANZHOU
Explore the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, stroll through the Muslim Quarter and the Islamic food market. Later you will board your overnight sleeper train to Lanzhou.
DAY 8: LANZHOU
Arrive in Lanzhou where you will visit the Baita (White) Temple. This evening sample the local specialty, ‘Hand Stretched Noodles’.
DAY 9: LANZHOU
Today you will travel by speedboat along Lioujiaxia Lake to see the Bingling Caves.
DAY 10: LANZHOU TO XIAHE
Travel through the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to Xiahe today, set in a beautiful mountain valley.
DAY 11: XIAHE
Today you will visit the Labrang Monastery and tour the rolling pastures of the Sangke Grasslands, where wildflowers flourish.
DAYS 12-13: XIAHE TO JIAYUGUAN
Return to Lanzhou where you will board your overnight sleeper train to Jiayuguan. The following day you will see Jiayu Fortress and take a walk along the western end of the Great Wall.
DAY 14: JIAYUGUAN TO DUNHUANG
Today you will travel by coach to the city of Dunhuang.
DAY 15: DUNHUANG
Enjoy a tour to the Magao Grottoes today, also known as ‘Caves of the Thousand Buddha’s’.
DAY 16: DUNHUANG TO TURPAN
See the Crescent Moon Spring and the Singing Sand Dunes before boarding your overnight sleeper train to Turpan.
DAY 17: TURPAN
Arrive in Turpan this morning where you will visit the ancient city ruins of Jiaohe and see the Flaming Mountains.
DAY 18: TURPAN
See the Emin Minaret, visit local homes at Grape Valley and learn about the 2,000-yearold Kerez irrigation canals.
DAY 19: TURPAN TO KURLA
Travel to Kurla and see the ruins of the Iron Fortress. Over the following four days your adventure will take you along the original Silk Road through the Xinjiang Region.
DAY 20: KURLA TO KUQA
Tour the ruins of Subashi today before you continue on to Kuqa. Upon arrival visit the remains of the old City Wall.
DAY 21: KUQA TO AKSU
Today you will visit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves before travelling onwards to Aksu.
DAY 22: AKSU TO KASHGAR
Leave Aksu this morning and continue your journey to the fabled city of Kashgar where you will stay for the following two nights.
DAY 23: KASHGAR
Your tour today includes a visit to the Id Kah Mosque and the elegantly tiled Abakh Hoja Tomb, which was built in 1640 to reflect the artistic style of Samarkand.
DAY 24: KASHGAR TO URUMQI
See the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar today before flying to Urumqi.
DAY 25: URUMQI
Today you will travel to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake). Enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal clear lake at the top of a mountain range. Dinner will be a traditional meal of Uyghur lamb skewers this evening.
DAY 26: URUMQI TO BEIJING
Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, where some 1,000-year-old mummies are housed. This afternoon board your flight to Beijing for your final night in China.
DAY 27: DEPART BEIJING
This morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Beijing airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.
DAY 28: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours Review:
"I recently did the "Silk Road Explorer" tour, my fourth time I have travelled to China with Wendy Wu Tours.
I wish to commend the National Tour Guide on this tour whose name was "Jackie". Apart from a sound and in-depth knowledge of the places visited, his commentary was very interesting and was always backed up with historical data and relevant facts. I also observed that "Jackie" never lost sight of the human element and was always very concerned about our welfare and took good care to ensure that we were well looked after. He sometimes went "beyond the call of duty" and many is the time he would assume the role of waiter, serving us meals at restaurants so that we would not be kept waiting! Full marks to "Jackie" whom I hope will continue to provide an excellent and quality service to future Wendy Wu clients. He is an asset to your organisation. Pleasing people all he time is not easy. "Jackie" accomplished this with the skill of a diplomat.
I might add that on all my tours with you, your National Tour Escorts were the cream of the crop and a credit to Wendy Wu Tours. They do you proud."
Mr Van Cuylenburg, Victoria - September 2011
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