China Unlimited: THE SILK ROAD - JOURNEY TO THE WEST
In the ancient world, the Silk Road was a network of trading routes that connected Asia and Europe. At its peak, the journey stretched from Japan to the Mediterranean Sea. Although our methods of transportation have modernized since then, the majestic wonders that were part of the Silk Road can still be experienced today.
Join us on a 10 (11)-day journey through China to walk through the footsteps of history. From Xi'an to Dunhuang, you will find amazing sunrises, stunning temples, and daring landscapes awaiting you.
In the ancient world, the Silk Road was a network of trading routes that connected Asia and Europe. At its peak, the journey stretched from Japan to the Mediterranean Sea. Although our methods of transportation have modernized since then, the majestic wonders that were part of the Silk Road can still be experienced today.
Join us on a 10 (11)-day journey through China to walk through the footsteps of history. From Xi'an to Dunhuang, you will find amazing sunrises, stunning temples, and daring landscapes awaiting you.
Hexi corridor, or Gansu corridor, towards the west of the Yellow River, has always been a significant passageway of the ancient Silk Road; Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Zhangye and Wuwei were primary economic, political and cultural exchange centers along the corridor.
The Hexi Corridor, which lasts for 1200 kilometers from steep Wushaolin hillside to Xingxingxia Gorge, at the border of Gansu and Xinjiang, is really a narrow but long stretched passage.
Since ancient times, the Hexi corridor has been an artery between China and the Western Regions as well as the North Silk Road. Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Yangguan Pass are all located in the west of the corridor.
During the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian who was delivered to the Western Regions twice must pass the Hexi Corridor in his whole journey. And it was the right place that Huo Qubing, a general of the Han Dynasty, driven out the huns, making the Silk Road channel unobstructed.
Nowadays, the Hexi Corridor is a must for Silk Road tours. Travelers are willing to have the overall view of the gorgeous landscapes as well as enjoy the ancient civilization with long history; experience the greatness of the Great Wall as well as posts on the Silk Road.
The Hexi Corridor, which lasts for 1200 kilometers from steep Wushaolin hillside to Xingxingxia Gorge, at the border of Gansu and Xinjiang, is really a narrow but long stretched passage.
Since ancient times, the Hexi corridor has been an artery between China and the Western Regions as well as the North Silk Road. Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Yangguan Pass are all located in the west of the corridor.
During the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian who was delivered to the Western Regions twice must pass the Hexi Corridor in his whole journey. And it was the right place that Huo Qubing, a general of the Han Dynasty, driven out the huns, making the Silk Road channel unobstructed.
Nowadays, the Hexi Corridor is a must for Silk Road tours. Travelers are willing to have the overall view of the gorgeous landscapes as well as enjoy the ancient civilization with long history; experience the greatness of the Great Wall as well as posts on the Silk Road.
Itinerary
Day 0 - Xi'an Arrival, airport - Hotel transfer.
Day 1 - (Optional) Xi'an City tour
Visit the Terracotta Figures Reproduction Factory & Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Shopping time in downtown city, Visit Bell & Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter
Day 2 - (Optional) Xi'an City tour - continued
Visit Shaanxi History museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and cycle/stroll on Xian Ancient City Wall
Main Party arrives in the evening.
Day 0 - Xi'an Arrival, airport - Hotel transfer.
Day 1 - (Optional) Xi'an City tour
Visit the Terracotta Figures Reproduction Factory & Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Shopping time in downtown city, Visit Bell & Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter
Day 2 - (Optional) Xi'an City tour - continued
Visit Shaanxi History museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and cycle/stroll on Xian Ancient City Wall
Main Party arrives in the evening.
Day 3 Xian - Xining by bullet train. Visit Ta'er Monastery and overnight in Qinghai Lake.
Transfer from Xian downtown hotel to Xian North Train Station to take the bullet train to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province. This city is mainly inhabited with Tibetan but also a home to Uygur, Kazak and Hui minorities. We will visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), located in a narrow valley about seventeen miles southwest of Xining. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Kumbum is one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat, and it is rich in fascinating arts. The famous butter sculptures, the barbolas, and the murals are considered to be the three most unique arts of superb craftsmanship. Then, transfer to Qinghai Lake.
Day 4 Visit Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, back to Xining city.
.Get up early to enjoy the amazing sunrise in Qinghai Lake. As the largest saline lake in China, Qinghai Lake, historically known as Koko Nor or Kuku Nor, is situated in
the Qinghai Province. The names Qinghai and Kokonor both mean "Blue/Teal Sea" in Standard Mandarin and Mongolian. People considered Qinghai Lake as "green lake" or "fairyland" because of the marvelous and natural beautiful reflected on it.
In the afternoon, we move on to visit the Chaka Salt Lake. This natural crystallized saline lake is regarded as the eastern gateway to Qaidam Basin, which reserves the largest salt mine in the world. The snow-white lake bed and the crystal blue water against the azure sky win it the reputation of ‘Mirror of the Sky’. Travel to such a beautiful world of salt embedded in the snowy mountains and verdant meadows, tourists would inevitably feel like they are in a fairyland. After the this fantastic tour in Chaka, we will drive back to Xining.
Transfer from Xian downtown hotel to Xian North Train Station to take the bullet train to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province. This city is mainly inhabited with Tibetan but also a home to Uygur, Kazak and Hui minorities. We will visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), located in a narrow valley about seventeen miles southwest of Xining. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Kumbum is one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat, and it is rich in fascinating arts. The famous butter sculptures, the barbolas, and the murals are considered to be the three most unique arts of superb craftsmanship. Then, transfer to Qinghai Lake.
Day 4 Visit Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, back to Xining city.
.Get up early to enjoy the amazing sunrise in Qinghai Lake. As the largest saline lake in China, Qinghai Lake, historically known as Koko Nor or Kuku Nor, is situated in
the Qinghai Province. The names Qinghai and Kokonor both mean "Blue/Teal Sea" in Standard Mandarin and Mongolian. People considered Qinghai Lake as "green lake" or "fairyland" because of the marvelous and natural beautiful reflected on it.
In the afternoon, we move on to visit the Chaka Salt Lake. This natural crystallized saline lake is regarded as the eastern gateway to Qaidam Basin, which reserves the largest salt mine in the world. The snow-white lake bed and the crystal blue water against the azure sky win it the reputation of ‘Mirror of the Sky’. Travel to such a beautiful world of salt embedded in the snowy mountains and verdant meadows, tourists would inevitably feel like they are in a fairyland. After the this fantastic tour in Chaka, we will drive back to Xining.
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Day 5 Xining - Dunhuang (Liuyuan Station) by bullet train
Morning transfer to Xining train station to take the bullet train to Dunhuang Liuyuan Station. Upon arrival, pick up by local tour guide and driver and take you to the hotel in Dunhuang for check in. Evening visit the Shazhou Night Market. Then transfer back to your hotel.
Day 6 Visit Echoing-sand Mountain, Mogao Grottoes, overnight in Dunhuang .
Start today’s tour with Mogao Caves, one of the four most famous caves in China. In the afternoon,continue to visit the Echoing-Sand Mountain. When you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands, hence the name. A short Camel Ride will leave you a unforgettable memory. Riding along the mountain to reach the Crescent Lake, your eyes will be feasted on the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert. Transfer back to your hotel.
Morning transfer to Xining train station to take the bullet train to Dunhuang Liuyuan Station. Upon arrival, pick up by local tour guide and driver and take you to the hotel in Dunhuang for check in. Evening visit the Shazhou Night Market. Then transfer back to your hotel.
Day 6 Visit Echoing-sand Mountain, Mogao Grottoes, overnight in Dunhuang .
Start today’s tour with Mogao Caves, one of the four most famous caves in China. In the afternoon,continue to visit the Echoing-Sand Mountain. When you slide down the slope, you can hear the roaring echo of sands, hence the name. A short Camel Ride will leave you a unforgettable memory. Riding along the mountain to reach the Crescent Lake, your eyes will be feasted on the crescent-shaped spring surrounded by the endless Gobi desert. Transfer back to your hotel.
Day 7 Drive to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Pass, Great Wall Museum, Hanging Great Wall and Wei- Jin Tomb, then drive to Zhangye.
After breakfast, drive to visit the Jiayuguan Pass, the very west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall. Here you will see the Great Wall constructed on cliff and you will have chance to visit the Great Wall Museum where you will get a comprehensive knowledge of Great Wall as a military defensive system in ancient China. Then visit Hanging Great Wall and the Wei- Jin Tomb before heading to Zhangye.
Day 8 Visit Giant Buddha Temple and Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, overnight in Zhangye.
In the morning, you will go to Giant Buddha Temple to visit the existing architectures in Giant Buddha Temple: the Giant Buddha Hall, the Buddhist Classics Hall and the Clay Pagoda to get a cultural nourishment and feel your inside tranquility. After lunch, you will go to a dream and legendary place- Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also know as Rainbow Mountains by many people. The Zhangye Danxia landform area is known as “the eye candy of Zhangye”. Many artists admire this masterpiece as it is unbelievably colorful, like an imaginative oil painting. Overnight in Zhangye.
After breakfast, drive to visit the Jiayuguan Pass, the very west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall. Here you will see the Great Wall constructed on cliff and you will have chance to visit the Great Wall Museum where you will get a comprehensive knowledge of Great Wall as a military defensive system in ancient China. Then visit Hanging Great Wall and the Wei- Jin Tomb before heading to Zhangye.
Day 8 Visit Giant Buddha Temple and Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, overnight in Zhangye.
In the morning, you will go to Giant Buddha Temple to visit the existing architectures in Giant Buddha Temple: the Giant Buddha Hall, the Buddhist Classics Hall and the Clay Pagoda to get a cultural nourishment and feel your inside tranquility. After lunch, you will go to a dream and legendary place- Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also know as Rainbow Mountains by many people. The Zhangye Danxia landform area is known as “the eye candy of Zhangye”. Many artists admire this masterpiece as it is unbelievably colorful, like an imaginative oil painting. Overnight in Zhangye.
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Day 9 Visit Mati Grottoes and then take bullet train to Lanzhou.
In the morning, drive to visit Mati Temple. The uniqueness of Mati Temple Grotto lies in the grand scale of Buddhist towers, caves and shrines in the cave. In the afternoon, take bullet train D56(16:17/19:45) to Lanzhou. Met by local guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.
Day 10 Visit attractions in Lanzhou and then take bullet train to Xian.
Morning visit the Mother Sculpture of Yellow River, Iron Bridge and Waterwheel Garden. After lunch, take the bullet train D2568(15:00/18:05) back to Xian. Our driver and guide in Xian will meet you at the train station and directly escort you to Xian airport.
Day 11 Departure to Singapore (Evening)
Free and Easy, shopping at Xi'an
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Conclusion
Because of the Silk Road, some of the ancient world’s greatest empires were able to thrive. The journey was a way to encounter new cultures, enjoy new experiences, and embrace the explorer’s heart.
Now is your time to explore. Follow the paths of old and you may just discover something new.
Because of the Silk Road, some of the ancient world’s greatest empires were able to thrive. The journey was a way to encounter new cultures, enjoy new experiences, and embrace the explorer’s heart.
Now is your time to explore. Follow the paths of old and you may just discover something new.
- Sometimes, you feel yourself weightless, thinned. You draw back the curtains (if there are any) on a rectangle of wasteland at dawn, and realise that you are cast adrift from everything that gave you identity. Thousands of miles from anyone who knows you, you have the illusion that your past is lighter, scarcely yours at all. Even your ties of love have been attenuated. Dangerously, you may come to feel invulnerable.” ― Colin Thubron, Shadow of the Silk Road
LAND COST
$1750 SGD (MAIN PARTY)
$1850 SGD (ADVANCE PARTY with XI'AN TOUR)
$1750 SGD (MAIN PARTY)
$1850 SGD (ADVANCE PARTY with XI'AN TOUR)
Pricing includes:
* All private transfers using Air-conditioned bus and bullet trains
* Accompanying professional English-speaking Guide (From Day 01 Day 09 )
* Entrance tickets
* 3 star accommodation on twin sharing basis with daily breakfast
* Bullet train tickets (2nd class seat ) : Xian - Xining , Xining - Dunhuang Liuyuan, Zhangye - Lanzhou, Lanzhou - Xian ;
* China Travel Accident Insurance
* Government taxes and service charges
Pricing excludes:
* Int’l flight tickets and tax
* Travel insurance
* Gratuities, Tip for driver and guides
* Expenses of personal nature for e.g. tele calls, laundry, porterage, mineral water or any other services not mentioned above
* Excess luggage charge
* Lunches and dinners ;
* Any optional program;
* Any other services not mentioned above Itinerary;
Choice of Flights
We will update our participants that have paid the deposit accordingly.
Others
Registration and Payment Details:
Step 1- Deposit of $450 SGD via ATM/Bank transfer to ADVENTURES UNLIMITED, DBS CURRENT A/C - 0039351950
Step 2: Whatapp proof of payment receipt to tel: 9455 1524 (ALICE)
(IMPORTANT: PLEASE INDICATE "SILKROAD 2018")
Step 3 Receipt for payment will be issued and you will be added into a dedicated whatsapp chat for this trip.
Refund Policy
* The deposit will be fully refunded if the trip does not commence due to insufficient participants.
Others:
1. This event is organised by Adventures Unlimited (TA02844), a licensed travel agent registered with the Singapore Tourism Board.
2. Insurance
From 15 July 2015, a travel agent is required to inform and ask attending participants if it is their wish to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for business insolvency of travel agencies when:
– they are buying a leisure travel product/package; or
– their travel product/package costs at least S$1,000 (including GST) per person; or
– they are paying a deposit or payment of at least S$500 per person.
Step 1- Deposit of $450 SGD via ATM/Bank transfer to ADVENTURES UNLIMITED, DBS CURRENT A/C - 0039351950
Step 2: Whatapp proof of payment receipt to tel: 9455 1524 (ALICE)
(IMPORTANT: PLEASE INDICATE "SILKROAD 2018")
Step 3 Receipt for payment will be issued and you will be added into a dedicated whatsapp chat for this trip.
Refund Policy
- Deposit (non-refundable)*
- Until 60 days prior to departure – 100% Refund of balance paid
- Until 40 days prior to departure – 50% Refund of balance paid
- Until 30 days prior to departure – 0% Refund of balance paid
* The deposit will be fully refunded if the trip does not commence due to insufficient participants.
Others:
1. This event is organised by Adventures Unlimited (TA02844), a licensed travel agent registered with the Singapore Tourism Board.
2. Insurance
From 15 July 2015, a travel agent is required to inform and ask attending participants if it is their wish to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for business insolvency of travel agencies when:
– they are buying a leisure travel product/package; or
– their travel product/package costs at least S$1,000 (including GST) per person; or
– they are paying a deposit or payment of at least S$500 per person.
