Silk Road Explorer
China tour information
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| Great Wall of China | Terracotta Warriors | Buddhist Site | Beautiful Scenery | Desert | Temples & Palaces | UNESCO World Heritage | Cultural Show | Shopping |
In Marco Polo's Footsteps
27 days from $ 5490
Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and discover the fascinating history of the Silk Road on our Silk Road Explorer group tour. This centuries-old route serves as a unique record of the strong Muslim and Buddhist influence on the region. The tour takes you to a number of ancient forts and beautiful desert oases you can explore. You can walk along the far western end of the Great Wall and experience the famous Sunday Market in Kashgar.
This tour reaches a maximum altitude of 10,200ft at Xiahe
Days 1-2 : US – Beijing
Fly to Beijing, China's capital city. Arrive the following day.
Day 3 : Beijing
Walk on the Great Wall, visit the unique Temple of Heaven and enjoy a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show.
Day 4 : Beijing – Xian
Sightseeing today includes a stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City. We also tour the exquisite Summer Palace before boarding the overnight train to the former ancient capital of Xian.
Days 5-6 : Xian
Arrive in Xian and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. The next day, visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century – the Terracotta Warriors and walk along the Ancient City Wall.
Day 7 : Xian – Lanzhou
Visit the renowned Shaanxi Museum which is home to thousands of priceless relics. We also stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque and explore the Islamic food markets before boarding the overnight train to Lanzhou.
Days 8-9 : Lanzhou
Arrive in Lanzhou and stroll through the park by the Yellow River, visit the Baita (White) Temple and sample the local hand-stretched noodles. The next day, transfer by speedboat on picturesque Lioujiaxia Lake to visit the renowned Bingling Caves.
Days 10-11 : Lanzhou – Xiahe
Travel through the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to Xiahe. The next day, visit the mystical Labrang Monastery of the Gelugpa sect, which is home to more than 1,200 monks and tour the rolling pastures of Sangke Grasslands where wild flowers flourish.
Days 12-13 : Xiahe – Lanzhou – Jiayuguan
Return to Lanzhou and board the overnight train to Jiayuguan. The next day, visit Jiayu Fortress and walk along the western end of the Great Wall.
Day 14 : Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
Travel to Dunhuang, which is located at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
Days 15-16 : Dunhuang – Turpan
Visit the world famous Buddhist murals and sculptures of the Mogao Grottoes. The next day, tour Crescent Moon Spring and see the spectacular Singing Sand Dunes. Later, board the overnight train to Turpan.
Days 17-18 : Turpan
Visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe and admire the Flaming Mountains. The next day, see the Emin Minaret, visit local homes at Grape Valley and the 2,000 year old Kerez Irrigation Canals.
Days 19-20 : Turpan – Kurla – Kuqa
Over the next four days, we travel along the original Silk Route through the Xinjiang Region, viewing ruins and sights largely unvisited by other tourists. We travel to Kurla and visit the ruins of the Iron Fortress. The next day, tour the ruins of Subashi, arriving in Kuqa to visit the remains of the old City Wall.
Days 21-22 : Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar
Visit the Kyzil Thousand Buddha Caves before travelling to Aksu. The next day, arrive in Kashgar, an ancient market town and once the flourishing center of the Silk Road.
Days 23-24 : Kashgar
Visit Abakh Hoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque and Id Kah Square. The next day, explore the world’s largest Sunday Bazaar and visit a livestock market, where large crowds of people and animals gather to haggle and trade. Later, fly to Urumqi.
Day 25 : Heavenly Lake day tour
Travel to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake). In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal of Uyghur Lamb Skewers.
Day 26 : Urumqi – Beijing
Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum, home to 1,000 year-old mummies. Later, fly back to Beijing.
Day 27 : Beijing – US
Fly to the US, arriving home later the same day or the following morning depending on airline chosen.
Dates and Prices
| Depart US | Arrive US | Price pp from | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr 2012 | 23 May 2012 | $5,490 | |
| 11 May 2012 | 6 Jun 2012 | $5,490 | |
| 31 Aug 2012 | 26 Sep 2012 | $5,690 | |
| 14 Sep 2012 | 10 Oct 2012 | $5,690 | |
| 28 Sep 2012 | 24 Oct 2012 | $5,690 |
Tour departs Friday and returns Wednesday
- Prices are fully inclusive from the US
- Based on New York and Los Angeles departures
- Regional departures available from many US cities
- Flight upgrades available on request
- Land only from $4,290 (Beijing - Beijing)
- Single supplement from $990
- Tipping payable locally $95
Hong Kong Extension - 4D/3N
This itinerary can easily be added after most of our China tours.
Day 1: Arrive Hong Kong
You will be met at Hong Kong Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Hong Kong
Enjoy a half day island tour visiting Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village and an optional sampan ride (paid locally). The afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Hong Kong
A free day to enjoy the delights of this vibrant city as you wish. (B)
Day 4: Depart Hong Kong
Transfer to Hong Kong Airport. (B)
Hotel Prices:
Price is per person based on:
3* accommodations from $390pp
4* accommodations from $490pp
5* accommodations from $690pp
Price from $ 390.00pp
Other Supplement from:
Tour departs any day subject to availability
Single supplement from $260pp
Sole passenger price from $650pp
Includes accommodation,local transportation and touring
by motorcoach, entrance fees, guides and meals as stated
Excludes flights, departure taxes, visas and tipping
Price is subject to seasonal variation
Hong Kong & Lantau Island - 4D/3N
This itinerary can be easily added after most of our China tours.
Day 1: Arrive Hong Kong
Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Hong Kong
Enjoy a half day island tour visiting Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village and an optional sampan ride (paid locally). The afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Lantau Island
Begin with a ferry ride across the Victoria Harbour to Silvermine Bay to visit beautiful Cheung Sha beach and Tai O Fishing Village. Then travel to Ngong Ping Plateau to see the Giant Buddha and explore Po Lin Monastery where you'll enjoy a vegetarian lunch. Later, visit Ngong Ping Village before a ride aboard the Skyrail cable car. (B,L) If the cable car is canceled due to weather or any other reason, alternative transportation will be arranged.
Day 4: Depart Hong Kong
Transfer to Hong Kong Airport. (B)
Hotel Prices:
Price is per person based on:
3* accommodations from $540pp
4* accommodations from $640pp
5* accommodations from $840pp
Price from $ 540.00pp
Other Supplement from:
Tour departs any day subject to availability
Single supplement from $260pp
Sole passenger price from $650pp
Includes accommodation,local transportation and touring
by motorcoach, entrance fees, guides and meals as stated
Excludes flights, departure taxes, visas and tipping
Price is subject to seasonal variation
Hong Kong & Macau - 4D/3N
This itinerary can easily be added after most of our China tours
Day 1: Arrive Hong Kong
Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Hong Kong
Enjoy a island tour visiting Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village and an optional
sampan ride (paid locally). (B)
Day 3: Macau
Travel by hydrofoil to Macau. Visit the ruins of the St. Paul's Church, Ama Temple, Macau Museum (closed Mondays) and a local casino (minimum age 18). Return by hydrofoil to Hong Kong. (B,L)
Day 4: Depart Hong Kong
Transfer to Hong Kong Airport. (B)
Hotel Prices:
Price is per person based on:
3* accommodations from $590pp
4* accommodations from $690pp
5* accommodations from $890pp
Price from $ 590.00pp
Other Supplement from:
Tour departs any day subject to availability
Single supplement from $260pp
Sole passenger price from $650pp
Includes accommodation,local transportation and touring
by motorcoach, entrance fees, guides and meals as stated
Excludes flights, departure taxes, visas and tipping
Price is subject to seasonal variation
This document is designed to be read in conjunction with the other pre-departure information provided by Wendy Wu Tours including the tour itinerary as described in our brochure and/or website. It aims to provide a straightforward description of the physical activities involved in sightseeing or travelling during the tour.
If there are any particular challenges, from the length of time spent on your feet, the length of drives and flights, to the standard of remote accommodation for our more adventurous tours; they will be explained here.
All passengers must read this document to ensure the itinerary is suitable for their interests and physical capabilities. This is not your final itinerary and therefore does not mention all the sites visited. The order of sightseeing is subject to change.
| Silk Road Explorer Tour Dossier |
