PRIVATE JOURNEY
Journey on The Silk Road
The Silk Road evokes images of camel caravans journeying across deserts and mountains between the cities of the East and Arabia, Persia and Rome. This journey traces one of these routes, from the Tang Dynasty capital of Xian, past the Great Wall to oasis towns in the Gobi Desert and Kashgar in the far west.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be welcomed by your Cox & Kings local representative and transferred to your hotel. The Peninsula (Club Deluxe Room) – 3 nights
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be welcomed by your Cox & Kings local representative and transferred to your hotel. The Peninsula (Club Deluxe Room) – 3 nights
Day 2
Beijing
Enjoy a full day tour of Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the stunning Imperial Summer Palace. End your day with a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake. (B, L)
Enjoy a full day tour of Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the stunning Imperial Summer Palace. End your day with a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake. (B, L)
Day 3
Beijing
Full day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs. (B, L)
Full day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs. (B, L)
Day 4
To Xian
Morning visit to the Temple of Heaven, one of the city’s historic masterpieces. Continue on a tour of the Hutongs, the narrow back streets of Beijing. Later, you will fly to Xian. Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square – 2 nights (B)
Morning visit to the Temple of Heaven, one of the city’s historic masterpieces. Continue on a tour of the Hutongs, the narrow back streets of Beijing. Later, you will fly to Xian. Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square – 2 nights (B)
Day 5
Xian
Today you visit the world-famous Army of Terracotta Warriors. (B, L)
Today you visit the world-famous Army of Terracotta Warriors. (B, L)
Day 6
To Dunhuang
Fly to the oasis town of Dunhuang. Later, visit the Yumen Guan Pass which was a strategic pass on the ancient Silk Road and served as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty. Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel – 1 night (B)
Fly to the oasis town of Dunhuang. Later, visit the Yumen Guan Pass which was a strategic pass on the ancient Silk Road and served as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty. Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 7
To Turpan
Visit the magnificent Mogao Caves, lying at the foot of Sighing Sands Dune. Continue to the beautiful Crescent Lake. Tonight board an overnight train to Turpan (First Class cabin). (B, L)
Visit the magnificent Mogao Caves, lying at the foot of Sighing Sands Dune. Continue to the beautiful Crescent Lake. Tonight board an overnight train to Turpan (First Class cabin). (B, L)
Day 8
Turpan
Upon arrival in Turpan, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy breakfast and freshen up to explore the town. Tour the ruins of the ancient city of Gaochang (the early Uyghur Capital). Continue to the Astana Tombs, once a public cemetery but now a part of the Turpan Underground Museum. Lastly head to the legendary Flaming Mountains. Petro Hotel – 1 night (B, L)
Upon arrival in Turpan, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy breakfast and freshen up to explore the town. Tour the ruins of the ancient city of Gaochang (the early Uyghur Capital). Continue to the Astana Tombs, once a public cemetery but now a part of the Turpan Underground Museum. Lastly head to the legendary Flaming Mountains. Petro Hotel – 1 night (B, L)
Day 9
To Urumqi
Drive to Urumqi, en route visiting the Karez wells. Next visit the Afghan style Emin Minaret and the Grape Valley. The Sheraton Hotel (Deluxe Room) – 2 nights (B, L)
Drive to Urumqi, en route visiting the Karez wells. Next visit the Afghan style Emin Minaret and the Grape Valley. The Sheraton Hotel (Deluxe Room) – 2 nights (B, L)
Day 10
Urumqi
Today embark on a full day tour to visit the Tianchi Lake including a boat cruise. (B, L)
Today embark on a full day tour to visit the Tianchi Lake including a boat cruise. (B, L)
Day 11
To Kashgar
Fly to Kashgar. In the afternoon, visit the 15th century Id Kah Grand Mosque and the 16th century tomb of Abakh Hoja. Explore the old town of Kashgar. Tian Yun Hotel – 1 night (B)
Fly to Kashgar. In the afternoon, visit the 15th century Id Kah Grand Mosque and the 16th century tomb of Abakh Hoja. Explore the old town of Kashgar. Tian Yun Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 12
To Urumqi
Today visit the famous Kashgar Sunday Market, a busy confluence of trade traversing the old Silk Route. Take an evening flight to Urumqi. The Sheraton Hotel (Deluxe Room) – 1 night (B, L)
Note: Departures not falling on Sunday will not visit the Kashgar Market and alternatively visit Lake Karakuli.
Today visit the famous Kashgar Sunday Market, a busy confluence of trade traversing the old Silk Route. Take an evening flight to Urumqi. The Sheraton Hotel (Deluxe Room) – 1 night (B, L)
Note: Departures not falling on Sunday will not visit the Kashgar Market and alternatively visit Lake Karakuli.
Day 13
To Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai. The Peninsula Shanghai – 2 nights (B)
Fly to Shanghai. The Peninsula Shanghai – 2 nights (B)
Day 14
Shanghai
Morning visit to the Yu Yuan Gardens, the old shopping area of the city and the lively waterfront, known as the Bund. Following lunch, visit the Jade Buddha Temple and enjoy panoramic views from the main observatory of the Oriental Tower. In the evening, enjoy an astounding performance at the Acrobatic Show. (B, L)
Morning visit to the Yu Yuan Gardens, the old shopping area of the city and the lively waterfront, known as the Bund. Following lunch, visit the Jade Buddha Temple and enjoy panoramic views from the main observatory of the Oriental Tower. In the evening, enjoy an astounding performance at the Acrobatic Show. (B, L)
Day 15
Depart Shanghai
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight. (B)
Note: The infrastructure in Western China is still developing and travelers should lower expectations as they travel in this less visited part of China. Hotels are very basic and meals are simple. The train to Turpan is very basic and consists of lockable 4-berth compartments, with toilets and washrooms at the end of the corridor. This tour includes some long drives, which are beautiful but arduous, as the roads are unsealed in many areas.
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight. (B)
Note: The infrastructure in Western China is still developing and travelers should lower expectations as they travel in this less visited part of China. Hotels are very basic and meals are simple. The train to Turpan is very basic and consists of lockable 4-berth compartments, with toilets and washrooms at the end of the corridor. This tour includes some long drives, which are beautiful but arduous, as the roads are unsealed in many areas.
Extend Your Journey
Journeys:
Highlights:
- Discover UNESCO world heritage sites like the forbidden city, the great wall and the terracotta warriors.
- Tour Beijing's Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China
- Tour Beijing’s Summer Palace
- Explore the Mutianyu section of The Great Wall
- Tour Beijing’s Hutongs
- View the incredible Terracotta Warriors in Xian
- Explore the magnificent Mogao Caves
- Visit the legendary Flaming Mountains
- Boat ride on the Tianchi Lake
- Explore Kashgar’s famed Sunday Market
Travel Details & Dates:
15 DAYS & 14 NIGHTS
Beijing, Xian, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar & Shanghai
2012 Dates:
Apr - Oct
Single Supplement
Apr - Oct
Single Supplement
Prices From:
$7,920
$2,515
$7,920
$2,515
Note:
Upon request, your travel consultant can provide an exact price based on your specific dates of travel.
Includes:
All accommodation (including private berth on train to Turpan), breakfast daily, select other meals, internal air (priced separately), and private transfers. Guiding is on a private basis.