China: Silk Road Eclipse Quest (Jul. 23 - Aug. 8, 2008)
At A Glance
- Travel in the footsteps of traders and adventurers on the ancient silk road of China
- Experience the unique culture of northern China. Meet Turkic speaking Uighurs and Han Chinese, amongst others groups.
- Climb sand dunes, explore ancient buddhist caves, marvel at a centuries-old 3,000-km irrigation system.
- See the famous Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an.
- See Shanghai, where the very old blends with the very new.
- Enjoy performances of traditional dance, music and acrobatics.
- Flights within China mean more time to explore.
- View the eclipse from the centre line with an avid group of astronomers, including Don Hladiuk & Glenn Hawley of the R.A.S.C.
Brief Itinerary
Jul. 23: Depart Canada and fly to Shanghai.
Jul. 24: SHANGHAI. Check in; welcome dinner & orientation.
Jul. 25: SHANGHAI. Full day of touring: Yu Garden, the Old City, Jade Buddha Temple, Cruise on the Huangpu River.
Jul. 26: to URUMQI. Fly to Urumqi - a crossroads of many interesting nationalities; afternoon at leisure.
Jul. 27: URUMQI. Full day of touring: Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum, Erdaoqiao Bazaar.
Jul. 28: to TURPAN. Drive to the oasis of Turpan. See the Karez Irrigation System, Jiaohe Ancient City, Emin Minart and the local bazaar.
Jul. 29: TURPAN. Visit Gaochang Ancient City, the Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik 1000-Buddha grottos, Astana tombs and the lush, shady Grape Valley.
Jul. 30 & 31: HAMI. Drive to Hami on the 30th. Day at leisure on the 31st.
Aug. 1: HAMI & YIWU. Eclipse Day!
Aug. 2 & 3: DUNHUANG. Drive to the oasis town of Dunhuang. See the Magao grottos (492 caves), towering sand dunes, go on a camel ride, and see crescent moon spring.
Aug. 4 & 5: XI’AN. Fly to Xi’an; Tang Dynasty dinner and show. Next day: Terracotta Warriors, Bell Tower, Great Mosque, Old City Wall.
Aug. 6 & 7: SHANGHAI. Fly to bustling Shanghai; night tour to the Bund; visit to Shanghai museum. Special Farewell Dinner.
Aug. 8: DEPART. Board flights to Canada.
Above for “Group A” routing. Group B: Jul. 23 to Shanghai; Jul 24/25 in Shanghai; Jul. 26/27 in Xi’an; Jul. 28/29 in Dunhuang; Jul.30/31 & Aug. 1 in Hami; Aug 2/3 in Turpan; Aug 4/5 in Urumqi, Aug 6/7 in Shanghai. Groups are together in Shanghai & Hami.
Cost
Starting in Shanghai and ending in Shanghai:
- CA$ 4,699 based on twin-share
- Single supplement for a private room: CA$1,315.00
All quoted prices effective at time of publication (Nov. 21, ‘06). While not expected, itinerary and prices are subject to change.
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