Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

The Silk Road

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Detailed Trip Description

For centuries, traders plied the so-called "Silk Road," a long and hazardous adventure linking the markets of Western Europe to the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an. This tour retraces part of that epic journey, traveling along the fabled Hexi Corridor, then out across the deserts of Western China, with a detour to amazing Xiahe, a place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Lamism. Many spectacular sights are witnessed during this journey, including the awe-inspiring Forbidden City in Beijing, various sections of the Great Wall of China, the renowned Terracotta Warriors and the superb Buddhist painting at Dunhuang. The scenery is varied and even hostile in places, but always hauntingly beautiful. Most of all, this tour represents a cultural odyssey. From the heart of the Han Chinese homeland, you travel west, meeting numerous ethnic groups such as the Mongols and the Turkish-speaking Uighurs of Central Asia, en route to the remote oasis town of Kashgar. At the completion of your journey, you fly back to Beijing.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Beijing

 
Hotel

On arrival in Beijing, you are transferred to your hotel, located only a short walk from the city's main shopping street and Tiananmen Square.

Beijing Hotel picture
Food and Dining

In the evening, you will meet your guide and fellow group members for a brief orientation. This is followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant.


Day 2-4 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

Beijing offers endless opportunities for exploration. The enormous Forbidden City, built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. Its size might surprise you, but what makes it fascinating is that every square meter is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways and colorful painted ceilings. The Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven are two other fine examples of extraordinary workmanship. You will also travel to Simatai, a largely unrestored section of the Great Wall, less crowded with other tourists. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. There is ample free time to allow you to make your own discoveries.

Beijing Sightseeing picture
Shopping

Your hotel is centrally located, and a short walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. There are good shopping opportunities at the Silk Market and the more local Dashilan Market.

Performing Arts

In the evening, you have the opportunity to enjoy the unique Beijing Opera (optional).

Train

Depart Beijing on Day 4 on the overnight sleeper train, traveling in 'soft-class,' four-berth compartments to Xi’an. The 14-hour trip is a great opportunity for the group to get to know each other. Meals: 3 Breakfasts


Day 5-6 - Xian

 
Food and Dining

Xi’an is a wonderful place to explore. Food options are excellent here, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese cafes.

Sightseeing

Widely regarded as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, Xi’an is a city rich in history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors introduces you to these entombed statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds this century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height and facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, the great Qin Shihuang. Peasants digging a well only discovered the underground vault, which was home to this army for two millennia, in 1974. Xi’an also has a wonderful Muslim Quarter.

Shopping

You have plenty of free time to wander the narrow streets where you can find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes, and the Great Mosque, one of the most important in china.

Train

On the late afternoon of Day 6, you catch the overnight sleeper train to Langzhou.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Day 7-9 - Lanzhou

 
Lanzhou - Xiahe.
Sightseeing

After an early arrival in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, you travel to Bingling Temple to view some fascinating Buddhist caves. Your journey continues on to Xiahe, a major center for Tibetan Lamaism. You spend two nights in this amazingly remote town set in a beautiful mountain valley, with the highlight being a visit to the impressive 18th century Labrang Monastery. There are many monks walking around the streets, some of whom are on pilgrimage from Tibet.

Bus

On Day 9, you return to Lanzhou by bus.

Train

Board another overnight sleeper train bound for Jiayuguan. Meals: 2 Breakfasts


Day 10 - Jiayuguan

 
Bus

Upon entering the Hexi Corridor, you travel on a strip of desert surrounded by mountains on both sides.

Sightseeing

You arrive in the early afternoon at Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass), the traditional last outpost on the edge of the ancient Han Chinese Empire and visit Jiayuguan Fort, which actually marks the end of the Great Wall. The heavily industrialized modern town stands in stark contrast to the desert scenery. You also visit the Hanging Wall (another section of the Great Wall) and the Wei-jin Dynasty’s Number Six Tomb.


Day 11-12 - Dunhuang

 
Bus

You journey across the desert landscape by bus to the oasis of Dunhuang, another important stop on the Silk Road.

Sightseeing

After a night in Dunhuang, you get up to experience the sunrise over desert sand dunes and see Crescent Lake. Nearby are the stunning Mogao Caves, which house some of the best Buddhist murals in the world. The first cave was carved out and painted in 366 AD, but they had been largely forgotten until a Taoist monk stumbled upon them in 1907. Currently there are more than 492 caves, most containing murals, and over 2,415 colored statues.

Sightseeing

Central in every cave are the painted murals, featuring numerous personages such as the ‘Flying Apsaras,' the goddesses of fragrance and music often depicted dancing and playing a musical instrument.

Bus

After Mogao, you catch a bus to Lieyuan.

Train

Transfer to another overnight train to Daheyan. Meals: 2 Breakfasts


Day 13 - Turpan

 
Sightseeing

After arriving in Daheyan, you drive for 50 minutes to the delightful oasis town of Turpan. The Turpan Depression is second only to the Dead Sea in Jordan as the lowest point on Earth and the temperature can soar to 105 F during summer, hence its name 'Fiery Land.' It is a small city, but the surrounding area is full of interesting places such as Gaochang and Jiaohe, once great cities on the Silk Road. At one time, Gaochang was the capital of the Uighur people and the ruins here are very impressive with temples, pagodas and courtyards still distinguishable even though they were abandoned over 700 years ago. The Atsana Graves nearby are where the people of Gaochang were buried. Turpan is well known for its seedless, white variety of grapes grown in the surrounding fields. To provide irrigation to this arid land, the local people have devised a unique sunterranean waterway. The Karez Wells are fed from melted snow and conducted to the channels that wind their way beneath the city.

Sightseeing

Another famous Buddhist site found on the western side of the Flaming Mountains is the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Unfortunately, most of the artwork was removed and taken to Germany (where they were subsequently destroyed in bombing during World War II), so the caves are just a sad reminder of their former glory.


Day 14 - Urumqi

 
Sightseeing

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, a multi-national province with many languages, customs and colorful ethnic traditions. The city is China's gateway to central Asia, with air links to all the former Soviet states, and is widely regarded as ‘the city farthest from the ocean’. Lake of Heaven (Tianchi) resembles a little piece of Swiss alpine scenery with hills covered by fir trees and the area dotted with tiny Kazak settlements. The local people live in tent-like structures made from animal skin, known as yurts. In winter the road becomes impassable due to snow.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 15 - Kashi

 
To Kashgar.
Commercial Flight

You fly across the Taklimakan Desert to Kashgar, also known as Kashi, the 'crown jewel' of the Silk Road.

Sightseeing

Situated at an altitude of 4,228 feet at the end of the spectacular Karakoram Highway, the city is still an important trading center. It first fell into Chinese hands nearly 1,000 years ago when extensions to the Great Wall and explorations along the Silk Road opened the area to trade. When the Han Dynasty collapsed, an interregnum followed until the town was captured briefly for the Tang Dynasty before falling again, this time into Arab hands. The great Genghis Khan occupied the city in 1219, and Marco Polo was reputedly a visitor here in 1265. With the downfall of the Mongols, the town was incorporated into Tamerlane’s empire before entering another period of instability, this time lasting 350 years.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 16-17 - China

 
Kashgar.
Shopping

Kashgar is a great place to finish. The colorful Sunday Market sees the town come alive as merchants from near and far bring in their wares.

Sightseeing

It is a photographer’s dream with the endless stream of fascinating faces and varied activities taking place.

Commercial Flight

On Day 17, you will fly back to Urumqi before making your connection by air to Beijing. Meals: 2 Breakfasts


Day 18 - Beijing

 
Beijing - Onward.
Airport Transfer

Your trip ends in Beijing this morning, after one last breakfast. Your guide will be available to assist with onward arrangements.


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