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Silk Road Explorer
From $6,193 - 28 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian cities
WENDY WU TOURS WERE THE FIRST COMPANY IN AUSTRALIA TO VENTURE ALONG THE ORIGINAL SILK ROAD, OVERLAND BETWEEN TURPAN AND KASHGAR IN 1996.
Almost two thousand years before being named ‘The Silk Road’, the great east-west trade route was first travelled by emissaries of the Han Dynasty. As the centuries passed many caravans set out from the ancient capital of Chang’an (Xian) and ventured westward along a route that took them to Kashgar and then over the Pamir Mountains to Central Asia and finally to Rome. One extremely important trade item was silk, manufactured in China and treasured in Rome. The name 'Silk Road' has become synonymous with the many amazing images, cultures and diverse people that you will encounter along this amazing journey. Starting in Beijing we travel to Xian, the ancient capital and the eastern end of the traditional Silk Road. An overnight train then takes us to Lanzhou, with a side trip to Xiahe revealing the mystical Labrang Tibetan Monastery. Continuing our journey west we reach Jiayuguan by train and then Dunhuang and Turpan by road. The next four days of true adventure take us along the original trade route to the fabled city of Kashgar, where the Sunday Bazzar and animal market will evoke the atmosphere of centuries past - a bustling crowd of people, produce, donkeys and colour. We return via Urumqi to our finishing point in Beijing. This is a truly remarkable journey – come join us and discover for yourself a completely different part of China.
TOUR ITINERARY
Wendy Wu Tours Review: "I would have to say that Wendy Wu offers the best holiday package I have ever been on. Everything about the holiday was far better than I could have ever imagined. Mr Link Lee our National Guide would have to be the most professional, efficient and empathetic National Guide I have ever encountered and I would have to say that he is what makes Wendy Wu Tours the best. His representation of your company has done you proud and I would have no hesitation in organising further trips with Wendy Wu or recommending your holidays to my friends."
Mr and Mrs Evans, Queensland - Sep 2008
Days 1-2: Australia to Beijing
Fly overnight to Beijing via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. Our welcome dinner this evening will be a delicious banquet including the local delicacy ‘Peking Duck’.
Days 3-4: Beijing
Enjoy a walk along the Great Wall and visit the Temple of Heaven. This evening we witness a Chinese Acrobatic show. The following day we visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Afterwards we board our overnight train to Xian.
Day 5: Xian
We arrive in the ancient city of Xian, where we visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight we enjoy a Shui Jiao Dumpling Banquet.
Day 6: Xian
Today we visit the life-size Terracotta Warriors and the ancient City Wall. This evening enjoy a live performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
Day 7: Xian to Lanzhou
Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, stroll through the Muslim Quarter to the Great Mosque and Islamic food market. Later we board our overnight train to Lanzhou.
Days 8-9: Lanzhou
Arrive in Lanzhou where we visit the Baita (White) Temple. In the evening enjoy a sample of the local ‘Hand Stretched Noodles’. The following day we travel by speedboat on Lioujiaxia Lake to visit the Bingling Caves.
Days 10-11: Lanzhou to Xiahe
We travel through the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to Xiahe, set in a beautiful mountain valley, renowned as ‘Little Tibet’. Tomorrow we visit the Labrang Monastery and tour the Sangke Grasslands, rolling pastures where wildflowers flourish.
Days 12-13: Xiahe to Jiayuguan via Lanzhou
Return to Lanzhou where we board our overnight train to Jiayuguan. The following day we visit Jiayu Fortress and take a walk along the western end of the Great Wall.
Day 14: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
Today we travel by road to the city of Dunhuang for 2 nights.
Days 15-16: Dunhuang to Turpan
Today we visit the Magao Grottoes. Tomorrow tour the Crescent Moon Spring and the Singing Sand Dunes, before we board our overnight train to Turpan.
Days 17-18: Turpan
Arrive in Turpan and visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe and see the Flaming Mountains. Tomorrow we see the Emin Minaret, visit local homes at Grape Valley and learn about the 2000 year old Kerez Irrigation Canals.
Days 19-22: Turpan to Kurla to Kuqa to Aksu to Kashgar
Over the next 4 days our adventure will take us along the original Silk Road through the Xinjiang Region. 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 visit the remains of the old City Wall. Tomorrow we visit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves and travel onwards to Aksu. The following day arrive in Kashgar, one of the highlights of our tour.
Days 23-24: Kashgar
Over the next 2 days we visit the Abakh Hoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque and the Sunday Bazaar.
Day 25: Kashgar to Urumqi
Fly to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake), enjoy breathtaking views of a crystal clear lake at the top of a mountain range. Tonight we sample a traditional meal of Uyghur lamb skewers.
Day 26: Urumqi to Beijing
Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, where some 1000 year old mummies are housed, before boarding our flight to Beijing for our final night in China.
Day 27: Depart Beijing
Enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport to board our overnight flight to Australia.
Day 28: Arrive Australia
Arrive home this morning.
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