Compare China Scenic with Hong Kong by Affordable World vs Journey on the Silk Road by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 13 days | 12 days |
Price From | $ 2,199 | $ 3,499 |
Price Per Day | $ 169 | $ 292 |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
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Meals Included |
11 Breakfasts |
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Description |
Experience the treasures of China both old and new on our China tours. Our itinerary unveils the very best of this vast country, weaving its most wonderful sights, cultural experiences, and magical scenery with luxury hotels and imaginatively crafted itineraries to create an unforgetable vacation. Stride along the Great Wall from Beijing, soak in exhilarating Shanghai, and see the Terracotta Warriors standing guard in Xian, combining them with the mystical landscapes of Guilin and a stop in pulsating Hong Kong. |
The name Silk Road, introduced to the intrepid traveler’s vocabulary over a century ago by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin, conjures up images of desert caravans, lush oases, snow-capped mountains, and colorful markets where exotic goods change hands amid the cacophony of even more exotic languages. A tour especially designed for real history lovers, Journey on the Silk Road promises enchantment and adventure and is one of the only few that covers all major points of the Silk Road. |
Day 1 & 2: USA – Beijing
Excitement fills the air as we board the international flight to Beijing. As the plane crosses the International Date Line we spend the night aboard.
Touch down in the capital city of China and greet our local guide in the arrivals hall. Transfer to our luxury hotel where we can unwind and relax for our full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar
Day 3: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar
Today, we start our Beijing Capital tour with Qianmen Street. Qianmen Street was a commercial and entertainment hub due to its convenient location, connecting the Imperial Palace with other communities in Beijing. In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, the street underwent a rejuvenation to restore the streetscape to that of the early 20th. A visit to Tiananmen Square, the world-famous and historic Tiananmen Square, or “Gate of Heavenly Peace”. Located in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square was once the main gate to the Imperial Palace during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Today, it is home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People. Afterwards, we drive by the famed Olympic Site and have a photo stop at Olympic National Stadium (the Bird's Nest), Olympic National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube) and National Center for the Performing Art. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to explore the home to Ming and Qing emperors, Forbidden City. Comprised of 800 buildings covering 720,000 sq. meters, it is the world's largest palace complex.
For those travelers joining the Forbidden City optional tour - your passport is required for entry. Please note if your passport does not match the passport on file for your reservation, you will be denied entry at the Forbidden City and your ticket will be nonrefundable
Optional Tours: China Scenic Best Seller Value Pack $149 pp and Forbidden City (only available for purchase prior to trip departure date**) $28 pp
Day 4: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar
Spend the day free or take the tour to visit the Great Wall, which is one of the man-built architectures that can be seen from the from the low orbit of the earth. The Great Wall is a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from invading the mainland. It stretches an impossible 4000 miles across China's north, covering nine provinces. An enormous undertaking that originally began under Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of China) in 200 B.C., the Great Wall was not completed until the Ming Dynasty in 1640. This morning you have plenty of time to walk along its ancient path and experience part of China's fascinating history.
Optional Tours: Great Wall & Sacred Way $49 pp
Day 5: Beijing - Xian
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian or similar
Today we continue our journey by flying to Xian, the capital of Shannxi Province, one of the oldest cities in China. Xian is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China with more than 3100 years of history. The city was known as "Chang'an" before Ming Dynasty. Xian is the eastern teminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Upon arrival in Xian, we will drive into town, passing through its massive City Wall, the best preserved defensive wall structure on earth and have a picture stop at Drum Tower and Bell Tower. In the evening, don't miss the chance to taste the local famous dumpling banquet.
Optional Tours: Dumpling Banquet $28 pp
Day 6: Xian
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian or similar
Rest at the hotel or take the opportunity to visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the four ancient capitals of the world, Xian has been lauded for its abundance of historical relics, including its most famous, the Terra Cotta Warriors. Serendipitously discovered by a farmer in 1974, the realistic army of clay soldiers, horses and carriages has won the city international acclaim. Unearthed from the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, the life size army stand proudly in battle formation. After surveying the troops, we venture back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the best-preserved Buddhist pagodas in China. Tonight, take the opportunity to enjoy the cultural musings of the Tang Dynasty Show, a song and dance performance which reflects the rich cultural history and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Optional Tours: Terracotta Warriors, First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum & Big Wild Goose Pagoda $55 pp and Tang Dynasty Dinner Show $59 pp
Day 7: Xian - Guilin
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or Similar
Depart for Guilin, a city renowned for its picturesque landscapes and dramatic natural beauty. Nestled on the banks of Li River, it is a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby city life. As the old Chinese saying goes, "The scenery of Guilin is unrivalled under heaven.” Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin's landscape with a mystical, dreamlike quality.
Day 8: Guilin
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or Similar
Today,we will explore Reed Flute Cave, where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. After lunch, our tour continues to the Longji Ancient Zhuang Village and Longji Rice Terraces. These majestic terraced fields are built along the slope winding form the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest point being 880 m in elevation. The Longji rice terraces are simply breathtaking during every season – from the lush green paddies in the summer to the golden yellow sheen in autumn, the Longji Rice terraces are a sight you won't want to miss.
Optional Tours: Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Xi Street (Min. 6 participants)- will arrange on day 9 $70 pp
Day 9: Guilin - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar
Relax at the hotel today or join our optional excursion to witness the rolling landscapes of Southern China as we cruise down the jade waters of the Li River. A dazzling backdrop of mist-shrouded hills, steep cliffs and leisurely boats meandering by transports us to a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lunch is served aboard. The riverboat will arrive at the town of Yangshuo, where we disembark for a brief city tour before returning back to Guilin. Afterwards we will depart Guilin for Shanghai, China’s most populous and modern city. Once dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” Shanghai holds an important place in modern China. Along the city’s famous waterfront Bund, glittering skyscrapers juxtapose older sections of the city, offering a glimpse into China’s past and present
Upgrades available: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar (Premier Club Room) 2 nights
Day 10: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar
This morning, we visit the Shanghai Museum and view the exhibits of ancient Chinese art. Designed by a local Shanghai Architect, the current building was completed in 1993 and resembles the shape of a bronze cooking vessel. Afterwards, we visit City God Temple Bazaar, the Nanjing Bund and the Bund. Spend the afternoon relax at the hotel or take the optional tour to Lujiazui Finance and Trade Development Zone and a ride on Huang Pu River Cruise. In the evening, do not miss the opportunity to experience the exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show (with dinner).
Optional Tours: Lujiazui FTDZ & Huang Pu River Cruise $25 pp and Acrobatics Show with Dinner $40 pp
Day 11: Shanghai - Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kowloon Hotel (ABF) or similar
Transfer to the airport and board a short flight to the dynamic island of Hong Kong. Upon arrival, check into our selected hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.
Day 12: Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kowloon Hotel (ABF) or similar
Day 13: Hong Kong-USA
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy your leisure time in Hong Kong.we will take you to visit the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen Floating community.Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong’s most famous scenic spots, offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s skyline, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. The Peak, as locals call it, is located on a mountaintop and is reachable by the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 1,200 feet (about373 meters) up the side of the mountain.Stanley also has beautiful beaches that are popular with windsurfers, as well as a wide variety of trendy bars and restaurants to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing.
Our voyage through China and Hong Kong comes to an end as we board our international flight back to the US.
Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Beijing
After your arrival at the Beijing airport you will be greeted by our guide who will drop you off at your hotel. After checkingin, you will have the rest of the day to tour Beijing. With more than 3000 years of history, Beijing has rich assortment of well-preserved cultural and imperial relics. Today we tour Tian’anmen Square, which is an extensive open area in central Beijing. Then walk north into the Forbidden City. For five hundred years, it served as home for the emperors of China. Later we visit the Summer Palace which was constructedfrom 1749 to 1764 and is the grandest imperial playground in China with elaborate Qing-style pavilions, bridges, walkways, and gardens scattered around the immense Kunming Lake.Overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Fly to Xian and tour Xi'an Ancient City Wall and Shaanxi History Museum
After flying to Xian in the morning, you will spend the rest of the day visiting the city’s beautiful landmarks. The City Wall of Xian represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls and also is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Next, visit the Shaanxi History Museum, regarded as “the pearl of ancient dynasties and house of Chinese treasures”. It gives a miniature overview of the thousands of years of Chinese history and the splendid ancient cultures of olden times. Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Xi’an
Believed to be the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horse Museum includes Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3 as well the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. After completing the tour at the museum, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Later visit another archaeological site, Banpo, discovered in 1953, which contains the remains of several well organized Neolithic settlements carbon dated to 5600–6700 years ago. In the evening, enjoy the Tang Dynasty Song and Dance Show at Tang Yuegong Theatre. Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 4: Fly from Xi'an to Zhangye
Today we fly to Zhangye and tour its famous landmark, the giant Buddha temple which is a complex consisting of the Giant Buddha Hall, the Buddhist Classics Hall, and a Clay Pagoda. The Giant Buddha statue of 34.5m lying in the middle of the hall is the temple’s main attraction. It is also believed that the famous Italian traveller Marco Polo was very impressed by the magnificent architecture of the Giant Buddha Temple and by the prosperity of Zhangye city and lived here for more than a year. Overnight in Zhangye.
Day 5: Morning sightseeing then take a train to Duhuang
Today we visit the famous Matisi grottos or caves. The Thousand Buddha Caves are just inside the entrance gateway to the Matisi Scenic Area, and walking up the road is a pleasant experience, with the river rushing past on one side, and the decaying niches studding the cliff face on the other. Later we visit the temple of the legendary King Gesar. In the evening, you get to witness the excellent sunset over the picturesque landscape of Danxia. Later, take a train to Duhuang to spend the night.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Duhuang: Hechang Military Depot: 95km, 3-4 hours
Today we visit Hechang Military Depot, which is located in the northwest part of Dunhuang, about 20km away from Yumen Pass. The military depot was used to store food and clothing when fighting with the nomadic Xiongnu people during the Han dynasty. Overnight in Duhuang.
Day 7: Sightseeing in Duhuang: Crescent Lakeand Mogao Grottoes
We begin the day by visiting the beautiful Crescent Lake, which is a small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. We even enjoy the beauty of the area with a camel safari. Next, you will tour Dunhuang’s famous Mogao Grottoes also known as the Dunhuang Grottoes. The site showcases China’s largest collection of Buddhist grottoes, the oldest ones dating back to as early as a thousand years ago. While touring the site you will also get to marvel at the murals that have Buddhist stories, folk culture, farming, and hunting as their main themes. Take a train to Yumen and finally to Turpan to spend the night.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Turpan
Begin sightseeing in Turpan with a visit to the Suleiman’s Minaret also known as the Sugong Pagoda. Built in Uighur architectural style, the Pagoda is an old brick tower dating back to 1778, almost as old as the United States! Next, visit the grape valley, a small paradise with a thick maze of grape trellises. Today you will also tour the Karez channels, which is a unique underground water system, invented and built by ancient farmers from various ethnic minorities of Turpan. Another highlight of today would be visiting the Astana Tombs from where thousands of priceless historical relics have been unearthed. End the tour by passing through the legendary Flaming Mountain, believed as the hottest place on earth.
Day 9: Drive to Urumqi
Drive to Urumqi after breakfast and visit the Terai Camp followed by Nanshan Grassland, both beautiful natural sites. Nanshan Grassland, also known as Mount Nan Pasture, is a large pasture region with many beautiful streams and a waterfall. While in Urumqi you can also enjoy a traditional meal of ethnic Kazakhs, who were traditionally nomadic, tribal shepherds and ranchers of cattle, sheep, goats, and horses.
Day 10: Fly to Kashgar
After checking in at your hotel in Kashgar, you will visit the Etigar Mosque, a famous mosque, which is well known among muslims in central and west Asia with the name of “Little Mecca”. Also visit the Tomb of Abakh Khoja, a much revered muslim leader and prophet of the 17th century. Next, enjoy strolling in the world’s livelest market in Kashgar, an oasis in the centuries-old Silk Road before calling it a day.
Day 11: Sightseeing in Kashgar: Karakuli Lake
You will spend the whole day enjoying the beauty of Karakuli Lake which is popular among travellers for its beautiful scenery and the clarity of its reflection in the water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue. The lake lies at an altitude of 3,600m, and is the highest lake of the Pamir plateau, near the junction of the Pamir, Tian Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges. Surrounded by mountains which remain snow-covered throughout the year, the three highest peaks visible from the lake are the Muztagh Ata (7,546m), Kongur Tagh (7,649m) and Kongur Tiube (7,530m). Overnight in Kashgar.
Day 12: Final departure
Your journey on the Silk Road ends today. You will fly to Beijing and board an international airplane to fly home. On the way, you can reminisce on your incredible journey on the Silk Road.