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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS
DAY 1: FRI - NORTH AMERICA
/ CHINA
Depart late this evening and begin your journey to China's ancient
Silk Road. Cross the International Date Line en route.
CHINA
DAY 3: SUN - ARRIVE
BEIJING
Morning arrival in Beijing, China's historic capital city. The
remainder of the day is at your leisure. MOVENPICK AIRPORT HOTEL
D
DAY 4: MON - BEIJING
/ XIAN
Fly to historic Xian this morning, capital of Shaanxi Province
and eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Formerly known as Chang'an,
this first Imperial Capital of China was settled over 5,000 years
ago and reached its height during the Tang Dynasty or China's
"Golden Age" from 618-907 AD. This evening you are treated
to a traditional Tang Dynasty Show, focusing on the ancient culture
of the period. SHERATON XIAN L, D
DAY 5: TUE - TERRA COTTA
WARRIORS
Today you visit the Qinshihuang Mausoleum, home to one of the
world's greatest archaeological finds - the 7000 terra cotta warriors
of the Emperor Qin, who unified the country and began construction
on the Great Wall over 2,200 years ago. Buried for centuries,
this magnificent treasure was rediscovered in 1974 while local
farmers where digging a well. The statues of foot soldiers, generals,
cavalrymen and horses are arranged in battle formation as if to
protect the tomb of the great emperor. Returning to town you visit
the inspiring and graceful Big Wild Goose Tower. B, L, D
DAY 6: WED - XIAN /
DUNHUANG
Fly today to Dunhuang in Gansu Province, terminus of the Gansu
Corridor section of the Silk Road. Not only silks, but also furs,
lacquerware, bronze and ceramics were sent westward from China.
Eastward from India, Persia and Rome came gold, ivory and glass
as well as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Dunhuang marked the
then limits of China, where Chinese traders turned over their
goods to Central Asian caravanserei. Enjoy a city tour this afternoon.
DUNHUANG HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 7: THU - MOGAO CAVES
Today you explore the world famous Mogao Caves, carved in the
4th century by the Buddhist monk, Yue Zun. More than a thousand
Buddhas were carved over the years. Explore the highlights of
the 500 grottos which were elaborately adorned over a period of
centuries. Envisioned as "Cavern Heavens" deep within
the sacred mountain, Dunhuang was believed to be one of the few
chosen places of refuge on earth where saints and the chosen would
seek protection at the end of the world. The more than 2000 painted
figures at Dunhuang present a mixture of the Tang and Six Dynasties
styles, a form which eventually found its way into Japanese Buddhism.
Colorful murals depict heavenly scenes, such as the meditation
chapel portraying cosmic deities. B, L, D
DAY 8: FRI - DUNHUANG
/ LIUYUAN / TURPAN
Travel overland today to Liuyuan passing the westernmost portions
of the Great Wall. Arrive in Liuyuan and board the overnight train
to Turpan, an oasis populated by a myriad of colorful ethnic groups,
predominantly the Uighur and Hui peoples. B, L, D
DAY 9: SAT - ARRIVE
TURPAN
Irrigated by the nearby "Celestial Mountains," the oasis
of Turpan was an important stop on the Silk Road. Visit the Gaochang
Ancient City - ruins of a once important garrison town dating
back to the 1st century BC. TURPAN HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 10: SUN - TURPAN
/ URUMQI
Further sightseeing today of this desert oasis. Your city tour
today will visit the Sugong Mosque or "Suleiman's Minaret"
and the Thousand Buddha Caves. Then board your coach for Urumqi
viewing spectacular scenery en route. An oasis in the desert,
Urumqi is home to many of China's Moslem minorities, as you will
see from the local customs and costumes. Long an outpost of the
Silk Road, it was here that ancient caravans bound for the Roman
Empire rested their camels, loaded with silks and other treasures
of the Celestial Empire. HOI TAK HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 11: MON - LAKE TIANCHI
/ KASHGAR
Today you visit the scenic Tianshan region and cruise on the Heavenly
Lake of Tianchi. With its placid crystal waters surrounded by
green forests, meadows and snow capped peaks, this mountain lake
is one the beauty spots of Central Asia. This evening you are
flown to Kashgar. To the north you see the mighty mountains which
separate China from Russia. KASHGAR HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 12: TUE - KASHGAR
CITY TOUR
Kashgar, also known as Kashi, is China's westernmost city, only
80 miles from the former Russian border, lying on the junction
where the northern and southern routes of the Silk Road combine.
Kashgar was conquered by the Chinese in 76 AD and established
as a garrison during the Tang Dynasty. Nestled between the Tai
Shan and Pamir Mountains visible from the city, Kashgar was a
natural stop on the Silk Road. Here in the least Chinese city
in China, you return to the distant past as you visit the colorful
and vibrant bazaar, where the locals haggle over camels, fabric,
fur and hand-made carpets - a way of life unchanged by the centuries.
B, L, D
DAY 13: WED - KASHGAR
/ URUMQI
Today's highlight includes a visit with a local Uighur family
to learn about another culture and a visit to the fascinating
Kashgar Museum. Later you transfer to the airport for your return
flight to Urumqi. HOI TAK HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 14: THU - URUMQI
/ BEIJING
Return to Beijing by air today. Remainder of day at leisure. MOVENPICK
AIRPORT HOTEL B, D
DAY 15: FRI - BEIJING
/ HOME
Bid farewell to the Middle Kingdom as you are transferred to the
airport for your flight back home. Bring with you an insight into
a centuries-old way of life as well as the faces and smiles of
another culture. B
OPTIONS: Extend your stay in the fabulous Orient.
PAKISTAN EXTENSION
DAYS 1-12: AS ABOVE
DAY 13: WED - KASHGAR
/ TAXKORGAN
Today you travel to Taxkorgan viewing the mighty Pamir Range en
route. Enter the famed Khunerjerab Pass where ancient caravans
ascended. PAMIR HOTEL B, L, D
PAKISTAN
DAY 14: THU - TAXKORGAN
/ HUNZA
Bid farewell to the Middle Kingdom as you cross the border into
Pakistan, the "Cradle of Civilization" and the northern
terminus of the Karakorum Highway. At 15,380 feet it is the most
spectacular border crossing in the world. After clearing customs
formalities proceed to a local hotel for lunch. After lunch continue
on the Karakorum Highway to Hunza stopping at several photogenic
spots. BALTIT INN HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 15: FRI - HUNZA
/ GILGIT
Early morning free to wander in this mountain Shangri-la. Then
continue on the Karakorum Highway stopping at the Rakaposhi viewpoint
for a traditional lunch. Continue onto Gilgit with sightseeing
en route. GILGIT SERENA HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 16: SAT - GILGIT
/ BESHAM
You continue your descent into the valley of the mighty Indus
River. En route you will see Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain
in the world. Later you will pause at some rock drawings made
by early Buddhists who traveled this route from the 4th to 8th
centuries. PTDC HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 17: SUN - BESHAM
/ TAXILA / ISLAMABAD
Your descent into the Indus Valley ends as you drive through the
beautiful green regions of Mansehra and Abbottabad. This afternoon
you will stop at the ancient city of Taxila and marvel at the
Buddhist monasteries and temples, some dating back to the 6th
century BC. Arrive this afternoon in the modern capital city of
Islamabad. PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL B, L, D
DAY 18: MON - ISLAMABAD
CITY TOUR
Today's tour will cover the highlights of the twin cities of Rawalpindi
and Islamabad. Your tour includes the Shah Faisel Mosque, an excellent
example of modern Islamic architecture; the Folk Heritage Museum
with Pakistan's largest collection of traditional costumes, musical
instruments and artifacts; the bustling Raja Bazaar and the Government
Quarter. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the contrasting
old and new cities. B, L, D
THAILAND
DAY 19: TUE - ISLAMABAD
/ LAHORE / BANGKOK
This morning you will take a short flight to Lahore, the old capital
of the Punjab. Tour the highlights including Lahore Fort - a true
gem of Mughal architecture, the lovely Shalimar Gardens - laid
out during the reign of Shah Jahan in the early 1640's, and the
imposing Badshahi Mosque. Late this evening, fly to exotic Bangkok,
Thailand. B, D
DAY 20: WED - BANGKOK
CITY TOUR
After a morning at leisure, visit the Grand Palace, home to the
Thai Monarchy and the sacred Emerald Buddha. This evening enjoy
a special Thai dinner accompanied with classical dance and music.
REMBRANDT HOTEL D
DAY 21: THU - BANGKOK
/ HOME
Board your flight to return home, filled with memories of your
fantastic adventure along China's ancient Silk Road, Pakistan
and Thailand.
Home
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