This
unusual variation of the Silk Road theme offers the casual visitor to the region an
extremely exciting journey through the heartland of Western China. In less than three
weeks we will tour not only the historicaly important sites of Turpan and Dunhuang, and
the far flung oasis of Kashgar, where Central Asia's largest bazaar is held every Sunday,
but also the adjacent Tibetan areas of northern Amdo.
From the once thriving Buddhist
caves of Dunhuang, we will fly to the large and historically important city of Lanzhou on
the banks of the Yellow River from where we set off through Muslim farmlands, past the
town of Linxia, to the vibrant Yellow Hat monastery of Labrang which remains an important
seat of monastic learning for the entire northern Tibetan Plateau.. After two restful
nights in the Old Summer Palace we drive over high nomadic pastureland which marks the
watershed of the Yellow River, and descend to Xining from where we'll make an excursion to
Kumbum Monastery, the birthplace of Tsongkhapa - father of the Yellow Hats.
The contrast between the
beautiful but austere ruins of Dunhuang, and the sheer energy of these Tibetan monasteries
with their enthusiastic monks and throngs of pilgrims, is quite astounding. The result is
a different perspective on the Silk road in general, and a better understanding of the
forces that have shaped the lives of those who now live along this ancient trade route.
ITINERARY:
 Day
1: Arrive Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
Day 3: Beijing to Urumqi
Day 4: Urumqi to Kashgar
Day 5: Kashgar
Day 6: Kashgar to Urumqi
Day 7: Urumqi to Turpan
Day 8: Turpan to Dunhuang
Day 9: Dunhuang
Day 10: Dunhuang to Lanzhou
Day 11: Lanzhou to Labrang
Day 12: Labrang Monastery
Day 13: Labrang to Xining
Day 14: Kumbum Monastery
Day 15: Xining to Lanzhou
Day 16: Lanzhou to Peking
Day 17: Beijing
Day 18: Leave Beijing
Price in
USD/pax |
Above
10 pax |
6 to 9
pax |
4 to 5
pax |
Single
Supplement |
Land Cost |
3486 |
3619 |
4309 |
1144 |
Land Cost in Mainland China includes: All
transfers, all domestic flights/trains/local airport taxes, land transport, 3
meals daily, service of guide and driver, sightseeing & entrance fees, tourist class
hotels on twin share basis, a welcome and a farewell banquet.
Landcost excludes: International
flights and related airport taxes, supplementary trips and services not mentioned,
personal expenses, visa costs, tips to tour guide and driver, supplement cost for those
who wants to accommodate on a single basis.
Booking Information |
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