Countries Visited: China
A fascinating journey along the most famous of ancient trade routes
This fascinating region has so much on offer: overnighting in a nomadic yurt, watching deals being struck in the amazing Sunday market at Kashgar and coming face-to-face with Xi'an's impressive terracotta army.
Traversing mountains, crossing vast plains, skirting great deserts and visiting fabled cities, we gain an insight into the various cultures and landscapes of one of the world's most inspiring regions.
Day 1
Depart London.
Day 2
Arrive Beijing; traditional Beijing Duck dinner.
Day 3
Full day sightseeing to the Great Wall.
Day 4
Day sightseeing in Beijing, visiting Tiananmen Square, Hutongs and Forbidden City; evening sleeper train to Xi'an.
Day 5
Arrive Xi'an; walking tour of markets, Muslim area and mosque.
Day 6
Morning visit the famed Terracotta Warriors; evening overnight train to Jiayuguan.
Day 7
Afternoon arrive Jiayuguan; free time on arrival.
Day 8
Day sightseeing in this former Ming Dynasty garrison town; visit Hanging Wall and Jiayuguan Fort.
Day 9
Into the Gobi desert and on to the oasis town of Dunhuang.
Day 10
Visit Mogao 'Thousand Buddha' Caves, containing the largest collection of Buddhist art in China.
Day 11
Morning camel ride in the giant sand dunes; evening sleeper train to Turpan.
Day 12
Arrive into the Turpan depression this morning, the second lowest point on earth; afternoon visit Emin minaret and Jiaohe ruins.
Day 13
Visit Gaochang, an ancient Buddhist city on the edge of the Taklamakan desert, Bezeklik Buddhist caves and the Karez underground irrigation system.
Day 14
Transfer to Lake of Heaven passing through the Tian Shan mountain range; explore the area and stay in yurts.
Day 15
Drive to Urumqi; afternoon visit the regional museum and the 'Loulan Beauty', one of the oldest mummies in the world.
Day 16
Train to Kashgar through Taklamakan desert.
Day 17
Arrive Kashgar this morning; city tour including Abakh Hoja's Tomb and Id Kah Mosque.
Day 18
Explore Kashgar and Sunday bazaar.
Day 19
Fly to Beijing.
Day 20
Fly to London.
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Images from THE SILK ROAD
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Emin minaret and mosque, Turfan
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