The Grand Silk Road Project

ITINERARY ...
Thu 20 Sep 2012 / Sydney - Xian Morning departure from Sydney on China Southern Airlines to Xian via Guangzhou. Late evening arrival in Xian. Transfer to the hotel located within the ancient city walls.

Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province. Known as Changan in ancient China from the 11th century BC to the mid-10th century AD, Xian was the capital of 13 dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, Tang and Ming dynasties. Its long history has left many fascinating historical sites and precious cultural relics. It was the birthplace of a united China and was known as the starting point (or terminus) of the Old Silk Road, linking China in the East, with Europe in the West.

Fri 21 Sep / Xian Full day tour to the Terracotta Warriors, the Banpo Neolithic Village and the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi. The 'Terracotta Warriors' – life-size figurines of armoured warriors and horses arranged in battle formation - are located near the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China (died 209 BC). The main vault contains over 6,000 figures. Continue to the Banpo Neolithic Village which was a typical Neolithic matriarchal community of the Yangshao Culture dating back about 6,000 years. At that time, the Banpo people used tools made primarily of wood and stone. Women, the crucial labour force, were responsible for making pottery, spinning, and raising the family, while men fished.
Finish the day with a visit to the Hanyangling Museum to view the tomb of Emperor Jingdi. (BL)

Sat 22 Sep / Xian Today explore the city of Xian. First see the ancient city wall, the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the wall is surrounded by a moat and features corner towers and city entrance gates. See the Great Mosque (742 AD), the ancient Drum and Bell Towers (1380) and visit the fascinating Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, with its famous collection of cultural treasures.

In the evening attend the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, a performance of Chang'an music and dance which originated in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. It has been recreated according to various historical records as well as ancient art and relics discovered in Xian, the capital of the empire during the Tang Dynasty. (BLD)

Sun 23 Sep / Xian - Lanzhou Morning flight from Xian to Lanzhou. Lanzhou the capital of Gansu province is situated on the upper course of the Yellow River. Mountain ranges surround it in the north and south, and the Yellow River flowing through it from east to west, making it an attractive city. (BLD)

Mon 24 Sep / Lanzhou - Xiahe A day's journey to Xiahe (approx. 300 km / 6hrs). En route, pass Moslem areas and if possible visit Moslem markets and mosques passing through terraced fields and Tibetan villages. Xiahe is located at the northwest corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau with beautiful views over the Sanker Grassland. (BLD)

Tue 25 Sep / Xiahe Xiahe is often referred to as 'Little Tibet'. Visit the Labrang Lamasery, one of the six main lamaseries of the Yellow Sect of Buddhism and the largest Lamaism institute in the world. The Lamasery has a famed large collection of scriptures and volumes. (BLD)

Wed 26 Sep / Xiahe – Lanzhou Return travel to Lanzhou. (BLD)

Thu 27 Sep / Lanzhou - Jiayuguan On a tour of Lanzhou visit the Gansu Provincial Museum and Mount White Pagoda, located on top of the mountain by the same name, with views of the Yellow River and Zhongshan Bridge, which was the old crossing point for travellers and merchants who were heading north on the Silk Road.
In the evening board the overnight train from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan. Accommodation in 4-berth soft sleeper compartments. (BLD)

Fri 28 Sep / Jiayuguan Morning arrival in Jiayuguan, transfer to the hotel for breakfast and morning at leisure.
Jiayuguan is an ancient Han Chinese out-post. The Great Wall once extended beyond Jiayuguan but in 1372 during the first years of the Ming dynasty, a fortress was built. From then on Jiayuguan was considered both the western tip of the wall and the western tip of the empire.

Afternoon tour of Jiayuguan including visits to the Overhanging Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall Museum and the Jiayuguan Fort. Built in 1372, it was dubbed the "Impregnable Defile Under Heaven" and was the last major stronghold of the empire to the west. The Ancient Tombs of the Wei and Jin Dynasties are renowned as the largest subterranean art gallery in the world, with original wall paintings. (BLD)

Sat 29 Sep / Jiayuguan - Dunhuang Morning coach transfer from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang (approx. 360 km / 5hrs).

In the late afternoon join Julian Droogan for a lecture about the history and sights of Dunhuang followed by a visit the lively Night Market where an exotic range of souvenirs including leather puppets, scroll paintings, jade items, antique coins and much more is offered for sale. (BLD)

Sun 30 Sep / Dunhuang Morning visit to the Mogao Caves, constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. Visit the Dunhuang Museum, where the exhibits include some of the Tibetan and Chinese scriptures unearthed from Cave No. 17 at Mogao and sacrificial objects from the Han to Tang dynasties.
In the afternoon visit the Crescent Lake and the Sounding Sand Dunes which are considered the meeting place of the sand and the oasis. (BLD)

Mon 01 Oct / Dunhuang - Urumqi - Turpan Morning flight from Dunhuang to Urumqi. On arrival in Urumqi, transfer by coach to Turpan (approx. 200 km / 2.5hrs). Turpan has long been the centre of a fertile oasis with water provided by karez and an important trade centre located along the Silk Road's northern route. (BLD)

Tue 02 Oct / Turpan Full day exploration of Turpan. Visit the Jiaohe ruins, Karez Well and the Emin Minaret. The Karez Well is an irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels and is considered as one of the three great ancient projects in China.

The Emin Minaret was built in 1777 to commemorate the ruler of Turfan, Emin Khoja who successfully suppressed the armed rebellion. (BLD)

Wed 03 Oct / Turpan Full day excursion to the Gaochang Ancient City, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Astana Tombs and the Flaming Mountains. Gaochang Ancient City means "the King City". It was built in the first century B.C. and abandoned in the 15th century. The dead of Gaochang city are buried in the Astana Graves which are famous for their terra cotta figurines and tomb paintings.

Visit the Flaming Mountains when the sun's rays beat down in mid-afternoon and the mountains look as if they are on fire. (BLD)

Thu 04 Oct / Turpan - Urumqi Coach transfer (approx 2.5 hrs) from Turfan to Urumqi in the morning. Afternoon city tour of Urumqi including a visit to the Xinjiang Regional Museum. (BLD)

Fri 05 Oct / Urumqi Full day excursion to the Heavenly Lake located 1900 metres above the sea level. A small, deep-blue lake surrounded by hills covered in fir trees. Scattered around are the yurts (circular tents) of the Kazak people who inhabit the mountains. (BLD)

Sat 06 Oct / Urumqi - Kashgar Transfer to the airport for the morning flight from Urumqi to Kashgar. Even in the 21st century, the name Kashgar (Kashi) still sparks images of a remote desert oasis. Desert brigands, exotic bazaars and colourful silks spring to mind at the mention of China's westernmost city. (BD)

Sun 07 Oct / Kashgar Full day tour of Kashgar including visits to the Idigar Mosque, the Abakh Khoja Tomb as well as the Sunday Bazaar. Once a week Kashgar's population swells by 50,000 as people swarm in to the Sunday Bazaar. Nomads arrive in their donkey carts, often causing traffic jams. Large numbers of minority peoples come to trade, all sporting their distinctive costumes and headgear.

The Idigar Mosque was built in 1426. It is the largest mosque in Xinjiang and the centre of Moslem activities. The Abakh Khoja Tomb served as the family tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a prophet and second only to Mohammed. (BLD)

Mon 08 Oct / Kashgar Early morning departure for the excursion to Lake Karakol. In a stunning location adjacent to the Karakorum Highway and near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges lies Karakul (meaning black) lake. At 3,600m this high altitude lake is surrounded by much higher peaks including Muztagh Ata (7546m), Kongur Tagh (7649m) and Kongur Tiube (7530m). Visit a local Kirgiz family in their yurt before returning to Kashgar. (BLD)

Tue 09 Oct / Depart Kashgar Transfer to the airport for the China Southern flight to Sydney via Guangzhou. (B)

Wed 10 Oct / Arrive Sydney Morning arrival in Sydney.