27-Day Silk Road and Solar Eclipse Adventure


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Detailed Trip Description

Experience the rich culture, food and hospitality that China has to offer first hand. Visit some of the Wonders of China, including the Yangtze River and the Great Wall of China. Also featured are the marvels of Shanghai. Itinerary: Starting in In Flight with stops in Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Hami, Yiwu, Dunhuang, Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai.


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
In Flight.
Commercial Flight

Depart USA, The adventure begins.


Day 2 - Beijing

 

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will have a guided hotel transfer.


Day 3 - Urumqi

 
Commercial Flight

Airport transfer for flight to Urumqi.

Shopping

Today visit the Grand Bazaar area. B, L, D.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Dinner and a Uigher show.


Day 4 - China

 
Commercial Flight

Airport transfers for flight to Kashgar.

Guided hotel transfer.

Sightseeing

This afternoon visit the, The Southern Pasture and the The Khazak Yurts. B, L.


Day 5 - Urumqi

 
Sightseeing

Tour Day Highlights: Famous Sunday Market, Id Kah Mosque and Abakh Khoja Tomb.

Commercial Flight

Airport transfer for flight back to Urumqi. B.


Day 6 - Urumqi

 
Sightseeing

Tour Day Highlights: Heavenly Lake. Optional boat ride and hike to less visited sections. Return to Urumqi for dinner in the Grand Bazaar area.

Dinner Show Option:
Performing Arts

Uigher dancers, performers and a high wire act.


Day 7 - Turpan

 
Sightseeing

Turpan Tour Highlights: visit the Bezelik Caves, lunch with a local Uygher family in the Grape Valley, and the famous Gaocheng Ruins. B, L, D.


Day 8 - Turpan

 
Tour Day Highlights:
Sightseeing

Tour of the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), visit the Wells of Kerazl, see the Sugong Tower. Return to Turpan and ride on donkeys before browsing in the lively Turpan city bazaar. B, L, D.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Uygur Dance Performance.


Day 9 - Hami

 
Sightseeing

An early start on the drive to Hami, visiting the Mausoleums of the Hui Kings en route. B, L, D.


Day 10 - Yiwu

 
Eclipse Day!
Sightseeing

Drive from Hami to Yiwu, located in the foothills of north Tianshan. Yiwu is ECLIPSE CITY, the only area in China offering more than 2 minutes of totality with the best weather prospects along the entire 2008 totality path. This evening as we return to Hami for the night, enjoy the sunset, relax as you reflect on the day's rich experience. B, L, D.

Yiwu Sightseeing picture

Day 11 - Dunhuang

 
Sightseeing

Drive to Dunhuang. The city holds the richest treasure troves of ancient Buddhist murals. B, L, D


Day 12 - Dunhuang

 
Sightseeing

Visit the Mogao Grottos, ride on a camel to visit Crescent Moon Lake. Climb to the top of a dune and see the beautiful view of this area.

Optional :
Sightseeing

Box sledding down the dune.

Commercial Flight

Then we will fly you to Beijing.

Hotel

Guided hotel transfer. B, L, D.


Day 13 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

The day begins with a tour of a Chinese Hutong. This includes a rickshaw ride, a short walking tour and a visit with a local family. After lunch visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor went to commune with the gods. B, L.


Day 14 - Beijing

 
Sporting Events

This day is free to explore the Olympic area. B.


Day 15 - Beijing

 
2-day OPTION A:
Sightseeing

2nd Hand Market, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall + Ming Tombs. Visit TianAnmen Square, Forbidden City, See the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Collections (which Westerners rarely see). B, L.

2-day OPTION B:
Sightseeing

2nd Hand St. Mkt and OVERNIGHT ON THE GREAT WALL! visit to TianAnmen Square, and the Forbidden City. Then stay overnight in a guard tower on the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling B, L, D.


Day 16 - Xian

 
2-day OPTION A:
Sightseeing

Visit the Ming Tombs, and the Sacred Way, explore the incredible Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Airport transfer for flight to Xi'an. In Xi'an visit the City Wall. B, L, D.

2-day OPTION B:
Sightseeing

You will wake up one of the Wonders of the World! Airport transfer for flight to Xi'an. If there is time visit the City Wall in Xi'an. B, L, D

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Wild Goose Pagoda Water Show.


Day 17 - Xian

 
Sightseeing

Explore some of the Silk Road aspects of this ancient city: the Great Mosque, the Muslim Quarter, and see the Hui people, who are Chinese Muslims. B, L.


Day 18 - Xian

 
Sightseeing

The old city wall, the Wild Goose Pagoda and its Drum Tower & Bell Tower, and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. B, L, D.


Day 19 - Xian

 
Sightseeing

The Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum & Factory.

Airport transfer for flight to Chongqing.

River or Barge Cruise

Where you will visit the Three Gorges Museum, for an overview of your cruise. After a delicious Sichuan Dinner board the 5-star Victoria Cruise Ship for your river cruise. B, L, D.


Day 20-21 - At Sea

 
Yangtze River Cruise.
River or Barge Cruise

The Yangtze River Cruise continues (The Ghost Temple, Shendong stream and beautiful scenery. B, L, D.


Day 22 - Guilin

 
River or Barge Cruise

Visit the Three Gorges Dam project and then reboard the ship for the end of cruise. Disembark at Yichang where you will be driven through the Land of Fish and Rice.

You reach the Wuhan airport for your flight to Guilin.

Hotel

Guided hotel transfer. B, L.


Day 23 - Guilin

 
Sightseeing

Half day tour of Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and the Reed Flute Caves. B, L, D.

Afternoon option:
Spa/Wellness

The world famous Foot Massages of Guilin.


Day 24 - Yangzhou

 
River or Barge Cruise

Take the 3-4 hour Li Jiang River Cruise through this beautiful area catching a glimpse of the people who live along the riverbanks. Disembark in Yangshuo a quaint village very close to the beautiful mountains.

Bicycling

Take a bicycle ride or a drive through these fantasy-shaped mountains. B, L.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

The Spectacular show Impressions.


Day 25 - Shanghai

 
Commercial Flight

Drive through the beautiful countryside to the Guilin Airport for flight to Shanghai.

Hotel

Guided hotel transfer.

Sightseeing

In the evening enjoy dinner and the Bund, which is particularly beautiful at night. B, L, D.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

The famous Peace Hotel Jazz Band (in the Bund area).


Day 26 - Shanghai

 
Sightseeing

Tour of the classic YuYuan Gardens, which exits into China Town, and the world-class Shanghai Museum. B, L.

Evening Option:
Performing Arts

Shanghai Acrobats.


Day 27 - Shanghai

 

You will make your way back to the airport for your flight back to your home city in the USA with many wonderful memories!


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