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The history of
the world goes back to and with China. It offers settlements dating
back to over 8 millennia, however for us, it is the era of 2nd
Century BC that is of major interest and emphasis. This was the
time when the Silk Road was born, one that connected China with
India, Central Asia, and the Middle East and all the way to Europe.
Every visit to China is a fascination by itself and the Silk Road
definitely is the most interesting part of the history of China.
It also offers the most prominent of the many archaeological sites
that China has to offer. |
BEIJING
The most
well known of the Asian capitals, Beijing or Peking as it was known
before, offers sites like the Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palace,
Jing Hill, Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, the Great Wall and a
lot more. Our two nights and one day stay allows us a full day tour
of the early 15th century built Imperial Palace followed
by the 18th Century Summer Palace. Time permitting, we
also visit some of the many architecture pieces built during the
Ming dynasty. |
DUNHUANG
An important
cultural exchange centre and oasis during the Silk Road. It is here
that the Silk Road Splits into the northern and southern routes.
Dunhuang houses the World Heritage Site of UNESCO protected Magao
Grottoes – The Thousand Buddha Caves which from part of our tour.
We also visit the 12 meter high White Horse Pagoda. |
KASHGAR
& SUNDAY BAZAAR
If any
place is to been seen with time having stood still, it is Kashgar
or Kashi. One finds walking through the narrow lanes of old town,
a scene from Arabian Nights, a culture that has remained intact
from outside influences and a people that are very friendly. Amongst
the most popular professions include coppersmiths, blacksmiths,
carpenters, jewelers and cobblers all using tools of bygone days.
Our tour of Kashgar includes all this and a lot more like the Abak
Hoja Tomb, the Id Kah Mosque and the old town and an opportunity
to take a ride on the donkey cart taxi.Sunday
Bazaar-Once a week, on Sundays, the population swells by over 100,000
people –all of varied ethnic origins like Uyghurs, Tajiks, Kyrgyzs,
Kazaks etc. Selling wares from scissors to a camel. We take an early
morning tour to allow us to enjoy the scenery as the bazaar is setting
down. |
TURPAN
At 505
feet below sea level, Turpan is the lowest spot in the world after
the Dead Sea in Jordan. Two ancient cities once flourished here
and our tour will cover the history of this very important Silk
Road Oasis town. We visit both Gaochang, founded in the 1st
Century BC and the citadel of Jiahoe. We also visit the 1000 Buddha’s
Caves and the 176 Uyghur Imin Minaret and Mosque. |
URUMQI
The capital
of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region in Western China offers
a mixture contemporary Chinese, early 20th Century Russian
and Islamic buildings. This is probably the most western city in
China where one finds the influence of Chinese culture. |
XIAN
This is where it all began-the Great Silk Road. Xian, today a provincial
capital, was the capital of 11 Chinese dynasties. Our tour of this
historic city includes the well stocked Shaanxi Provincial Museum,
the Big Goose Pagoda, the Little Goose Pagoda, Drum Tower marking
the Muslim district of Xian, and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi
where 6000 life size sculptures exist. |
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