|
|
|
China's Ancient Silk Road
China's ancient history, fascinating culture, and archeological artifacts from the Silk Road will all be topics explored during this two week journey. Beginning in the first century AD, trade along the Silk Road became the major conduit for exchange of goods, ideas and traditions between East and West. Visit many of the most important stops along this route and learn about the ancient and modern traditions which have shaped now only the history of China, but our own western civilization.
|
| Call (800) 395-9550 for more information or to book today! Mention code 6806676 | | Collette Vacations | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight: Beginning in the first century AD, trade along the Silk Road became the major conduit for exchange of goods, ideas and traditions between east and west. Visit many of the most important stops along this route and learn about the ancient and modern traditions which have shaped not only the history of China, but our own western civilization. | | Day 2 | Xi'an | Arrive Beijing, China - Xi'an: Upon arrival in Beijing you will transfer to the domestic terminal for your connection to Xi'an where your tour begins. An important city in ancient Chinese history, Xi'an was the capital intermittently for 1,087 years and eleven dynasties. | | Day 3 | Xi'an | Xi'an: Begin your journey with a welcome ceremony at the ancient city wall, where you will receive a key to the city and have the opportunity to climb the 600-year-old wall that the Ming emperors rebuilt during their dynasty. This afternoon, visit the fascinating excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Army, which includes more then 8,000 unique terra-cotta warriors and horses that guard the tomb of China's first emperor. Tonight, enjoy dinner and a dramatic Tang Dynasty Show.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 4 | Dunhuang | Xi'an - Dunhuang: After a morning flight, arrive in the oasis town of Dunhuang, a crucial junction along the Silk Road, a series of caravan trails which stretched more than 4,350 miles from China to the Mediterranean. These trails served as a highway not just for merchandise, but for religious, cultural and artistic ideas. This afternoon visit the Mogao cave temples located at the edge of the Gobi Desert. These caves house one of the most extensive and exquisite collections of Buddhist paintings and sculptures in the world and they remain one of the most perfectly preserved religious sanctuaries. Row upon row of miniature images of the Buddha adorn virtually every cave, and give the site its popular name of the Cave of the Thousand Buddhas.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 5 | Overnight Train | Dunhuang - Overnight Train: Begin your day with a visit to Crescent Spring, a natural wonder in the Gobi Desert. The spring is surrounded by the Echoing-Sand Mountain and offers a rare glimpse of where the oasis meets the desert. Enjoy a camel ride here as well as the opportunity to try "sand dune" sliding if you wish. This evening, board your overnight train* to Turpan.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 6 | Turpan | Turpan: Early this morning disembark in Turpan. Following breakfast, visit the ancient city of Gaochang. Built in the first century BC and originally called Gaochangbi, the city is a former garrison town and later a key point along the ancient Silk Road. By the 7th century, the establishment of Buddhism in this region led to the construction of many temples and monasteries. Your adventure along the Silk Road continues with a visit to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, seventy-seven caves dating from 420-589 to the Mongol Empire (1280-1368), and located on the cliffs overlooking the Valley of the Flaming Mountain. Forty of the caves contain murals of thousands of Buddhas. Next, explore one of the world's architectural wonders located just west of Turpan. The largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe, which lies between two rivers, boasts a history of 2,300 years and contains relics dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907). End your day with a visit to Karez, an underground irrigation system that was constructed over 2,000 years ago and is considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of ancient China. Many cities along the Silk Road, some as far as Iran, relied on this system as a primary water source. This evening, enjoy dinner and a local dance performance.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 7 | Urumqi | Turpan - Urumqi: This morning drive to Urumqi. En route, view the snow-covered Bogda Peak and enjoy a cruise on Heavenly Lake. This crescent-shaped lake features crystal clear water from melted snow. Next you will have the opportunity to explore the Xinjiang Regional Museum. In total there are over 50,000 items in the collection representing the ethnic lifestyle and revolutionary spirit of the region.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 8 | Kashgar | Urumqi - Kashgar: Marco Polo heralded Kashgar in the 13th century as the "starting point from which many surrounding merchants set out to market their wares around the world." Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China, which accommodates up to 20,000 worshippers on Friday afternoons. Id Kah means "a place of praying and celebrating in festivals." Later you will have leisure time to walk along the handicraft street where many traditional wares are still made today.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 9 | Kashgar | Kashgar: Begin your morning with a visit to the livestock market where cattle, sheep, and camels are traded. Next, visit the famous Kashgar Sunday Bazaar. For millenniums, this bazaar has been a crucial trading post for the flow of goods between China and the Middle East. Every Sunday, 100,000 people gather at the bazaar, where the traditional costumes and food give it an almost medieval feel and bring to life the legends of the Silk Road. After lunch, visit the Abakh Hoja Mosque, the holiest site in all Xinjiang, with a large dome of dazzling glazed green tiles. The tomb is known to the Chinese as Xi'angfei Mu, or Tomb of the Fragrant Concubine. It is a masterpiece of Uiguar architecture. Later, visit the Old City, a maze of curvy, unpaved medieval streets running between rows of two story wooden houses built between the 18th and 19th centuries. You will visit a local family and learn about their day-to-day life.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 10 | Beijing | Kashgar - Urumqi - Beijing: Your morning flight connects through Urumqi, where you will have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Beijing. After arrival at your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.Today breakfast and lunch are included. | | Day 11 | Beijing | Beijing: Begin your day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world, located at the very center of Beijing. It was here on October 1, 1949 that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China. Crossing Changan Avenue, you arrive at the Forbidden City. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 by 100,000 artisans and a million laborers, the Forbidden City was the palace for 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Continue your exploration of historic Beijing during a rickshaw tour through the narrow streets and alleys of the oldest part of the city. Stop to meet with a local family to learn about their culture and everyday life and share lunch with them in their home. You will then meet a kite master and learn the history and art of this favorite Chinese pastime. Dinner this evening is a traditional and famous local specialty: Peking Duck.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 12 | Beijing | Beijing: No visit to China would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel at the Juyongguan section. Travel through the Valley of the Ming Tombs to the Sacred Way where you will visit the burial site of one of China's past emperors. After dinner this evening, a special treat is in store: a performance of the Peking Opera.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 13 | Beijing | Beijing: Visit the Temple of Heaven where city residents engage in their morning Tai Chi ritual. You will also have time to explore this ornate sanctuary where Chinese emperors worshiped their gods. Travel just outside the city to visit the Summer Palace and its beautiful classical gardens. In 1998, it was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This evening you will join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and salute to a most memorable journey.Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. | | Day 14 | Beijing | Beijing - Tour Concludes: Your tour ends in Beijing. On your return flight home you will cross the International Dateline.Today breakfast is included. |
| | | Overnight Flight | | Grand New World Hotel, Xi'an | | Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang | | Overnight Train | | Turpan Oasis Hotel, Turpan | | Urumqi Hongfu Hotel, Urumqi | | Kashgar Barony Hotel, Kashgar | | Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven, Beijing |
| | Total meals - 33 | Breakfasts - 12 | | Lunches - 11 | Dinners - 10 |
| Base Rates Per Person
Air rates are based from the following airport: San Francisco Intl AirportTour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on double occupancy and include fuel surcharges and internal flights, these rates are subject to change. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Taxes and fees are additional, for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices above.
*All special offers are valid on non-group and new bookings only. Special offers can not be combined with any other offer, except AARP discounts. |
|
|
|
|
