Western China
Explorations
Explorations
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THE SILK ROAD OF CHINA
A Journey along the Legendary Trade Route
Day01 Arrive Urumqi
Take a flight from a major city to Uruqmi, the capital of Xinjiang Province, Meet your guide in airport and
transferred to a hotel (rated at 4 stars).
Day02 Urumqi - Kashigar
Morning driving to Lake of Heaven - The small, deep-blue lake is surrounded by hills vovered with fir trees
and grazed by horses. The lake is 115km east of Urumqi at an elevation of 1980m. Drive back to Urumqi,
visit Museum if time permits. Fly to Kashigar - the key center on the ancient Silk road, and saw a steady
stream of traders from the MIddle East and Central Asia. ( 3 stars)
Day03 Kashigar.
Visit Id Kah Mosque - the biggest mosque in China, Abakh Hoja Tomb - the Chinese call this place the
Fragrant Concubine's Tomb in honour of one daughter of the Joja clan who was married to the emperor
Qianlong. Bazzar - The main market street where you may fine embroidered caps and fur-lined headgear as
well as colorful painted wooden saddles etc. ( 3 stars)
Day04 Kashigar-Pamir-Urumqi
Drive to Karakuri Lake Karakuri Lake, known as the father of glaciers, sitting at an elevation of 3600 meters
(1,1808 feet), is located at the foot of Mount Maztagata. It is an unspoiled place like Shangri-la for its dramatic
and spectacular natural scenery. The surface of the lake reflects the snow-covered peaks of Mount
Muztagata, which towers in the background Drive back to the town and take flight to Urumqi. ( 4 stars)
Day05 Urumqi-Turpan
Drive to Driving 4 hours to Turpan, it is a remote desert city in the far west of China, one of the lowest places
on earth, where rain never falls and summers are scorching hot. Turpan was once an important staging post
on the Silk Road and its large oasis produces most of the best grapes in China. You can see the ancient
Karez system of irrigation whereby the melted snow from the surrounding mountains is brought down to the
town in underground channels, all dug by hand and stretching around some 3000km. Visit Jiaohe Ruins,
Karez Underground Irrigation Channels, Sugong Pagoda. ( 3 stars)
Day06 Turpan - Dunhuang
Visit Thousand Buddha Caves, Grape Valley, Flaming Mountains, Gaochang Ruins, Astana Caves, Bazzar.
Take night train to Dunhuang. ( sleep seat)
Day07 Dunhuang
Morning arrival in Dunhuang,Dunhuang's fame however is largely due to the Mogao Grottoes, which are the
world's richest treasure trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statues. Visit Mogao Caves,
Crescent Moon Lake, ( 4 stars)
Day08 Dunhuang
Drive to the airport and take a flight to return to the departing city or to tour another city. We recommend your
next city of this trip to be Xian, and Shanghai or Beijing afterwards.
Tibet Trips
Planned Trips and Special Tours
are available
Our expert parters in China are experienced to arrange special interest tours to Tibet. If you
are interested in this part of the world, do contact us to book an insightful tour there.
Adventure Tour
If you are looking for something more exciting, adventurous and extraordinary, don't miss this section. These
trekking, bicycling and motor tours will for sure make it unforgettable in your whole life!
Photography Tour
Hey, 'shoot' lovers! Would you like to make your own album of the magical, mysterious and the most
remarkable land? Tours of this section will lead you to the deep inside of Tibet whatever you seek
marvellous scenery or spiritual enlightment.
Family Tour
What if my kids got tired of an endless round of monasteries? Hold there, this section will tell you some
places that might enhance the enjoyment of your trip with your family.
Connecting Tour
No matter where you land in China or where you'd like to further explore to, we provide services to facilitate
your connecting tour. We take care of the details and you can relax and enjoy your holiday!
Tour to Western SzeChuan (Shangri-La)
“The Glories of the Minya Konka” (per Joseph Rock, 1930 National Geographic Magazine)
first introduced the Konka Peak to the western world. The 7556m pyramidal peak and the
lamasery near this Tibetan holy mountain inspired the 1933 classic “Lost Horizon” which first
named this area “Shangri-La”. This trip is most suitable to small to mid size group for people
who are interested in visiting scenic and preserved landscapes.
The trip is to tour the mountain ranges of the eastern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau. This place is also
known as the Eastern Alps, though the mountain peaks are much higher and grandeur, and the Tibetan
people and their lamaseries offer a unique culture experience.
The tour generally takes 9 days, including 3 days in and near the metropolitan city of Cheng-Du, which is full
of cultural and historical sites, and 5 days in the highland area, which features Panda Reserve, the Konka
peaks and their glaciers, and the beautiful lakes, meadows and towns on this part of the Tibetan Plateau.
Visitors may add a couple of days on route to see cities like Shanghai or Beijing.
Tour to Inner Mongolia
The steppe of the Chinese Inner Mongolia has raised two groups of fierce warriors, the Huns
and the Mongol. They established themselves in world history by defeating the Roman
Empire and conquering a vast piece of land across Asia and Europe. The first part of the trip
is to visit the scenic grassland of Chinese Inner Mongolia, including the horse back life of the
people and the remains of Kublai Khan's summer palace Xanadu (or Xandu, where Marco
Polo enjoyed his stay as the Khan's honored guest.) The second part of the tour is to visit
the northern part of Sanshi Province, where many of the historical battle grounds along the
Great Wall, and landmarks of Chinese architectural and Buddhist arts of the Tang and Liao
Dynasties, are preserved. This trip will take about 10 days with a stopover at Chinese
Capital Beijin. Historically, Beijin was built by Kublai Khan, and it was called the Tartar City by
Westerners until Chinese Republic was formed.
Your Contact:
International Grandway Travel
2883 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena CA 91107
Tel 626-577-7277
intlgrandway@yahoo.com
A Journey along the Legendary Trade Route
- 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. Where many destinations
promise enchantment and adventure, travel on the Silk Road through China is one of
the few that really delivers. The trip will visit such legendary sites as the Thousand
Buddha Caves of Dunhuang, where Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, and Mediterranean
religion and art met and mixed in the first millennium AD; the oasis town of Turpan, with
the ruined city of Gaochang and the spectacular murals at the Bezeklik caves nearby;
Kashgar, home of Central Asia’s most fabulous bazaar; and archaeological ruins from
2,200 years ago at Kucha and Khotan, remote outposts of the Han dynasty keeping
lonely vigil still on the rim of the formidable Taklamakan desert. The tour includes
sightseeing in the old Tang capital of Xi’an. It’s sure to be the trip of a lifetime.
Day01 Arrive Urumqi
Take a flight from a major city to Uruqmi, the capital of Xinjiang Province, Meet your guide in airport and
transferred to a hotel (rated at 4 stars).
Day02 Urumqi - Kashigar
Morning driving to Lake of Heaven - The small, deep-blue lake is surrounded by hills vovered with fir trees
and grazed by horses. The lake is 115km east of Urumqi at an elevation of 1980m. Drive back to Urumqi,
visit Museum if time permits. Fly to Kashigar - the key center on the ancient Silk road, and saw a steady
stream of traders from the MIddle East and Central Asia. ( 3 stars)
Day03 Kashigar.
Visit Id Kah Mosque - the biggest mosque in China, Abakh Hoja Tomb - the Chinese call this place the
Fragrant Concubine's Tomb in honour of one daughter of the Joja clan who was married to the emperor
Qianlong. Bazzar - The main market street where you may fine embroidered caps and fur-lined headgear as
well as colorful painted wooden saddles etc. ( 3 stars)
Day04 Kashigar-Pamir-Urumqi
Drive to Karakuri Lake Karakuri Lake, known as the father of glaciers, sitting at an elevation of 3600 meters
(1,1808 feet), is located at the foot of Mount Maztagata. It is an unspoiled place like Shangri-la for its dramatic
and spectacular natural scenery. The surface of the lake reflects the snow-covered peaks of Mount
Muztagata, which towers in the background Drive back to the town and take flight to Urumqi. ( 4 stars)
Day05 Urumqi-Turpan
Drive to Driving 4 hours to Turpan, it is a remote desert city in the far west of China, one of the lowest places
on earth, where rain never falls and summers are scorching hot. Turpan was once an important staging post
on the Silk Road and its large oasis produces most of the best grapes in China. You can see the ancient
Karez system of irrigation whereby the melted snow from the surrounding mountains is brought down to the
town in underground channels, all dug by hand and stretching around some 3000km. Visit Jiaohe Ruins,
Karez Underground Irrigation Channels, Sugong Pagoda. ( 3 stars)
Day06 Turpan - Dunhuang
Visit Thousand Buddha Caves, Grape Valley, Flaming Mountains, Gaochang Ruins, Astana Caves, Bazzar.
Take night train to Dunhuang. ( sleep seat)
Day07 Dunhuang
Morning arrival in Dunhuang,Dunhuang's fame however is largely due to the Mogao Grottoes, which are the
world's richest treasure trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statues. Visit Mogao Caves,
Crescent Moon Lake, ( 4 stars)
Day08 Dunhuang
Drive to the airport and take a flight to return to the departing city or to tour another city. We recommend your
next city of this trip to be Xian, and Shanghai or Beijing afterwards.
Tibet Trips
Planned Trips and Special Tours
are available
Our expert parters in China are experienced to arrange special interest tours to Tibet. If you
are interested in this part of the world, do contact us to book an insightful tour there.
Adventure Tour
If you are looking for something more exciting, adventurous and extraordinary, don't miss this section. These
trekking, bicycling and motor tours will for sure make it unforgettable in your whole life!
Photography Tour
Hey, 'shoot' lovers! Would you like to make your own album of the magical, mysterious and the most
remarkable land? Tours of this section will lead you to the deep inside of Tibet whatever you seek
marvellous scenery or spiritual enlightment.
Family Tour
What if my kids got tired of an endless round of monasteries? Hold there, this section will tell you some
places that might enhance the enjoyment of your trip with your family.
Connecting Tour
No matter where you land in China or where you'd like to further explore to, we provide services to facilitate
your connecting tour. We take care of the details and you can relax and enjoy your holiday!
Tour to Western SzeChuan (Shangri-La)
“The Glories of the Minya Konka” (per Joseph Rock, 1930 National Geographic Magazine)
first introduced the Konka Peak to the western world. The 7556m pyramidal peak and the
lamasery near this Tibetan holy mountain inspired the 1933 classic “Lost Horizon” which first
named this area “Shangri-La”. This trip is most suitable to small to mid size group for people
who are interested in visiting scenic and preserved landscapes.
The trip is to tour the mountain ranges of the eastern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau. This place is also
known as the Eastern Alps, though the mountain peaks are much higher and grandeur, and the Tibetan
people and their lamaseries offer a unique culture experience.
The tour generally takes 9 days, including 3 days in and near the metropolitan city of Cheng-Du, which is full
of cultural and historical sites, and 5 days in the highland area, which features Panda Reserve, the Konka
peaks and their glaciers, and the beautiful lakes, meadows and towns on this part of the Tibetan Plateau.
Visitors may add a couple of days on route to see cities like Shanghai or Beijing.
Tour to Inner Mongolia
The steppe of the Chinese Inner Mongolia has raised two groups of fierce warriors, the Huns
and the Mongol. They established themselves in world history by defeating the Roman
Empire and conquering a vast piece of land across Asia and Europe. The first part of the trip
is to visit the scenic grassland of Chinese Inner Mongolia, including the horse back life of the
people and the remains of Kublai Khan's summer palace Xanadu (or Xandu, where Marco
Polo enjoyed his stay as the Khan's honored guest.) The second part of the tour is to visit
the northern part of Sanshi Province, where many of the historical battle grounds along the
Great Wall, and landmarks of Chinese architectural and Buddhist arts of the Tang and Liao
Dynasties, are preserved. This trip will take about 10 days with a stopover at Chinese
Capital Beijin. Historically, Beijin was built by Kublai Khan, and it was called the Tartar City by
Westerners until Chinese Republic was formed.
Your Contact:
International Grandway Travel
2883 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena CA 91107
Tel 626-577-7277
intlgrandway@yahoo.com
