Silk Road ExplorerFrom ZAR44 380 - 28 Days, Fully Inclusive From JohannesburgWENDY WU TOURS WERE THE FIRST COMPANY IN AUSTRALIA TO VENTURE ALONG THE ORIGINAL SILK ROAD, OVERLAND BETWEEN TURPAN AND KASHGAR IN 1996. TOUR ITINERARYDays 1-2: South Africa to Beijing
Travel on an overnight flight to Beijing. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel. Our welcoming dinner this evening is a delicious banquet including the delicacy ‘Peking Duck’.
Days 3-4: Beijing
Today we enjoy an exciting walk on the Great Wall and visit the Temple of Heaven. In the evening we will be entertained by a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic Show. The following day we visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Afterwards we board our overnight sleeper train to Xian.
Days 5-6: Xian
We arrive in Xian in the morning and transfer to our hotel for 2 nights. Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda before feasting in the evening on a sumptuous Shui Jiao Banquet, a specialty of the region. Tomorrow we visit the Eighth Wonder of the World, the famous Terracotta Warriors and the Ancient City Wall, which is one of the best preserved in all of China. Complete this magical day with a performance of traditional Tang Dynasty Dancing.
Day 7: Xian to Lanzhou
Today we will visit the renowned Shaanxi Provincial Museum, home to thousands of priceless cultural relics, stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter and see the Great Mosque and Islamic food market alleys. Afterwards board our overnight sleeper train to Lanzhou.
Days 8-9: Lanzhou
Arrive in Lanzhou in the morning and transfer to our hotel for 2 nights. Wander through the park by the Yellow River before visiting the Baita (White) Temple, which sits high above the river. In the evening sample the local ‘Hand Stretched Noodles Banquet’. The next day we transfer by speedboat on beautiful Lioujiaxia Lake to visit the renowned Bingling Caves where stunning Buddhist artworks were carved into the cliff face by travellers along the Silk Road over many centuries.
Days 10-11: Lanzhou to Xiahe
We travel through the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to Xiahe, set in a beautiful mountain valley and renowned as ‘Little Tibet’, transferring to our hotel for 2 nights. The following day we visit the mystical Labrang Monastery, one of China’s six great monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect, which was founded by a living Buddha and is currently home to over 1200 monks. In the afternoon we tour the Sangke Grasslands, rolling pastures where wildflowers flourish.
Days 12-14: Xiahe to Lanzhou to Jiayuguan
Return to Lanzhou where we will board our overnight sleeper train to Jiayuguan arriving at midday the following day. Visit Jiayu Fortress, set between the snow-capped Red Mountains in the south and the Black Mountains in the north and then take a walk along the western end of the Great Wall. The next day we travel by road into the beautiful oasis city of Dunhuang for 2 nights.
Days 15-16: Dunhuang to Turpan
Visit one of the highlights of our tour, the world acclaimed Buddhist murals and sculptures of the Magao Grottoes. The next day tour Crescent Moon Spring and the spectacular ‘Singing Sand Dunes’ witnessing some of the most dramatic scenes found along the Silk Road. Later we will board our overnight sleeper train to the oasis city of Turpan, where our journey into the Xinjiang Region begins.
Days 17-18: Turpan
Arrive at Turpan in the morning, transferring to our hotel for 2 nights. Visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe and see the richly coloured Flaming Mountains. Tomorrow see the Emin Minaret, visit local homes at Grape Valley and learn about the amazing 2000 year old Kerez Irrigation Canals that are still in use today.
Days 19-22: Turpan to Kurla to Kuqa to Aksu to Kashgar
Over the next 4 days of adventure we will travel along the original Silk Road through the Xinjiang Region, viewing many ruins and sites largely unvisited by other tourists. Travel to Kurla and visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress. The next day we tour through the ruins of Subashi, arriving in Kuqa where we will visit the remains of the old city wall. Tomorrow we visit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves and then travel onwards to Aksu. The following day arrive in the fabled city of Kashgar and transfer to our hotel for 2 nights. Kashgar’s old town is said to bear a close resemblance to Casablanca and it is certainly one of the highlights of our tour.
Days 23-24: Kashgar
Our tour of Kashgar includes the National Minorities Museum, the Abakh Hoja Tomb and the Id Kah Mosque. The following day visit the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar. We will also visit the livestock market where huge crowds of donkey carts, horse carriages, animals and people of many races gather at this bargain extravaganza. Fly to Urumqi at the end of this exciting day, for the next 2 nights.
Day 25: Urumqi
Today we take an excursion to the marvellous Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake) enjoying breathtaking views of a crystal clear lake at the top of a stunning mountain range. 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 South Africa.
Day 28: Arrive Johannesburg
Arrive home this morning.
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