Silk Road Explorer

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.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND 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 and admire the panoramic views. Later you will visit the 15th-century 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 treasure-filled 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 wild flowers 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

Tour the Magao Grottoes today, also known as ‘Caves of the Thousand Buddhas’.

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- year-old 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 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.

DAY 27: DEPART BEIJING

This morning you are transferred to Beijing airport to board your overnight flight to New Zealand.

DAY 28: ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

Travel Info

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Inclusions

Exclusions

Images from Silk Road Explorer