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CS-23 The Silk Road & Beyond (18D17N) |
| The Silk Road is one of those names which epitomize the mystery of China, and her illustrious past. Unlike our other programmes along this ancient trade route, this panoramic journey focuses not only on the path of Marco Polo - the Great Silk Road, but also takes us to classic sites of Imperial and Modern China. A perfect chance to explore remote Silk Road staging posts, encountering a diversity of cultures, landscapes and religions. We start from Hong Kong, the city of life: compact, diverse, historic and yet modern, then to Macau, the oldest European settlement in the Far East dating back to 1557, where we can experience its last days of Portuguese Colony. We then fly to Xi' an, ancient capital of Imperial China cultural attractions where we can see the world' s famous Terracotta Warriors. From here we travel to Dunhuang to study the spirit art in the Mogao Grottoes, one of China' s greatest cultural attractions. We continue westwards, through the Flaming Mountains and the enchanting oasis of Turfan to Urumqi - a fascinating melting pot of Uygur and Han cultures, and then fly over the Taklamakan desert to Kashgar with its exotic Sunday Bazaar. The Central Asian soul of the city is virtually unchanged since the Silk Road days. Our volunteering project location will be in Khotan, located at the northern foot of the karakorum Mountians and on the Southern fringe of the Taklamakhan Desert, occupies an area of 189 square kilometers with an average elevation of 1372 meters and lies 1987 kilometers from Urumqi. It is the place where the states of Pishan ,Yutian, Yumin, Qule,Jingjue and Shule Kingdoms were established, some dating back in the Western han Dynasty(64BC). Current Population:1.68 million 96.43% Uyghur, Han 3.33%, there are 24 different ethnic groups living in Khotan. Our volunteering project is to help to keep the tradition of making paper made from Mulberry Tree Bark from being extinct. |
After a picturesque day trip through Tianshan to the Heavenly Lake, we fly from Urumqi to Beijing, a modern and ancient capital, before flying home.
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| Day 1 Arrive Hong Kong, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. |
(D) Overnight in Hongkong
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| Day 2 Explore the City of Life: the Victoria Peak offering superb views of the entire city and the South China Sea, then to Repulse Bay, Stanley Market, Bird Market and Jade Market. Lunch at Jumbo Floating restaurant |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Hongkong
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| Day 3 Ferry to Macau which provides a chance to experience the last days of a Portuguese Colony. Visit the city?? s major sites - Penha Hill and Chapel, Kwum Yum Temple, Ruins of St. Paul, Macau Museum as well as Leal Senato Square. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Macau
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| Day 4 Cross the border to Zhuhai, an important city in the Pearl River Delta. Fly north to Xi?? an, ancient capital of China for 1,100 years from prehistoric times until the height of the imperial period. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Xi??an
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| Day 5 Discover the magnificent archaeological treasures and art in and around the city. The Terracotta Army, the Huaqing Hot Spring, the Banpo Museum, the big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Ming Dynasty Wall as well as the historical Museum. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Xi??an
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| Day 6 Continuation of Xi?? an programme before flying to Dunhuang. The Crescent Moon Lake and Mingsha Sand Dunes. |
(B/L/D)Overnight in Dunhuang
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| Day 7 Visit Magao Buddhist Grottoes, China?? s most spectacular trove of Buddhist artifacts. In the evening take soft sleeper train to Turpan. |
(B/L/D) Overnight on the train
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| Day 8 Arrive at the charming Silk Road oasis. Visit Gao Chang and Jiaohe ruins, Astana Tomb, Flaming Mountains, Bazeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the unique Karez underground irrigation system. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Turpan
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| Day 9 Continuation of Turfan programme. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Turpan
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| Day 10 Drive to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province and in the evening take flight across the Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar. Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Kashgar
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| Day 11 One of Central Asia?? s most fascinating oases. Explore the huge Sunday bazaar, the Idkah Mosque, the Abakh Hojia Tomb; shop in handicraft street; visit to a local kindergarten. Lunch with an Uygur family. Song and dance at the old Russian Consulate. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Kashgar
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| Day 12 Drive to the southern oasis of Khotan, famous for its jade and carpets. Visit Khotan, the Baghqi County Bazaar, the Mailikawat Ruins (Yulong Kax), White Jade River and carpet |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Khotan
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| Day 13 Continuation of Khotan programme. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Khotan
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| Day 14 Fly over the Great Gobi Desert back to Urumqi. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Urumqi
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| Day 15 Day excursion to Heavenly Lake, a panoramic lake surrounded by snow-packed peaks of the Tianshan Mountain. Visit to local Kazak yurt en route. Optional boat riding in the lake or horse riding. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Urumqi
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| Day 16 Flight to Beijing, ancient and modern capital of China. The Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square and the Temple of Heaven. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Beijing
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| Day 17 Walking on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a recently opened and less crowded site. Visit the Ming Tombs where 13 emperors were buried. Drive back to hotel. |
(B/L/D) Overnight in Beijing
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| Day 18 After breakfast take flight for leaving. |
(B)
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| Quotation |
Peak Season ( Apr. – Nov. ) |
Slack Season ( Dec. – Mar. ) |
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Budget |
Standard |
Luxury |
Budget |
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Luxury |
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| 2 – 5 pax |
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| 6 – 9 pax |
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| Single Room Supplement |
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| 10 pax up |
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| Single Room Supplement |
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| Monthly Special Offer ( Min. Pax: 10 ) |
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| INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE |
* 3 domestic flights in the economic class with tax ( Beijing/Xi’an/Chongqing, Yichang/Shanghai )
* 4 or 5 star hotel, twin-bed room with private shower and WC
* English speaking local guide
* Daily meals ( exclude the special flavor food )
* Admission charges where applicable as shown in the tour description
* Private car in the program
* Service charges for baggage handling between hotel and airport
* Domestic travel insurance
* Victoria Cruise | |
| NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE |
* International flights and tax
* Personal consumption
* Visa fee
* Tips for guides and drivers | |
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