A once in a lifetime journey travelling through historical towns and the lesser explored desert regions of China's ancient Silk Road
Flight - 1 night
Xian - 2 nights
Tianshui - 1 night
Lanzhou - 2 nights
Zhangye - 2 nights
Jiayuguan- 1 night
Dunhuang - 2 nights
Turpan - 2 nights
Chengdu - 2 nights
Gansu, the 1200 kilometres Hexi Corridor, was the artery of the ancient silk road, connecting trade and cultural exchange of three continents; Asia, Africa and Europe. Routes shifted as empires rose and fell and traffic declined with the rise of maritime trade but regional powers are looking to revive these historic commercial lifelines to reconnect Asia with Europe, and beyond.
With the foothills of the Tibetan plateau, in the form of the Qilian Shan range, and a merciless combination of desert and mountain, the Hexi Corridor offered the only feasible route. Today, the Hexi Corridor is a must for travellers to explore the Mogao Grottoes with fabulous frescos, Jiayuguan Pass – the best-preserved pass of the Great Wall, Crescent Lake and the singing sands, the majestic geology of Binggou and Gaochang, the ruins of a former ancient trading post.
Xian and Dunhuang are the most important cities along the ancient Silk Road. Xian, marked the eastern end of the Silk Road and Dunhuang, on the edge of the Gobi Desert served as a gateway where western and eastern nations merged and created a vibrant and creative culture.
Culture & Natural Wonders
Jules Verne Sightseeing
High-Speed Train Included
5 UNESCO Heritage Sites
13 Lunches & 12 Dinners
Jules Verne Representative
Enjoy dinner and a special show of traditional Uyghur music and dances in Turpan.
Day 1 Fly overnight from Heathrow to Xian via Beijing.
Day 2 Transfer to the 5-star Grand Noble Hotel for two nights.
Day 3 Visit the Terracotta Warriors, Small Wild Goose Pagoda and walk the ramparts of the ancient City Wall. Dumpling dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Visit the Grand Mosque and the Muslim Quarter. High speed train to Tianshui (2 hrs). Overnight at the 4-star Tianshui Emperor International Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Visit the Maijishan Grottoes, a series of caves cut in the side of the hill. High speed train to Lanzhou (1½ hrs). Two nights at the 4-star Lanzhou Legend Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Visit Bingling Temple, a series of grottoes with Buddhist sculptures carved into caves and Zhongshan Bridge, the first permanent bridge on Yellow River. (B, L, D)
Day 7 High speed train to Zhangye (4 hrs), two nights at the 4-star Zhangye Lvzhou Holiday Hotel. Visit the Giant Buddha Temple, the largest architectural relic in Gansu and Matisi Grottoes, a combination of cave art and the Qilian Mountain scenery. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Visit Danxia Scenic area, Qicai Park and Binggou, a landscape of red cliffs with isolated peaks formed by erosion of red sandstone. (B, L, D)
Day 9 High speed train to Jiayuguan (1 hr). Visit Jiayuguan Pass, the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall. Overnight at the 4-star Jiayuguan Holiday Plaza Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Transfer to Dunhuang, en route visiting the Yulin Grottoes, delicate and colorful murals painted from various dynasties. Two nights at the 4-star Dunhuang Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Visit the Mogao Grottoes, for their exquisite mural paintings and statues. Yumen Pass once a military defensive pass and Yangguan Pass an important border for trading along the ancient Silk Road. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Visit Crescent lake and Mingsha Shan Sand Dunes, famous for its flute-like sounds when the wind picks up! Transfer to Liuyuan for the high speed train to Turpan (3½ hrs). Two nights at the 4-star Mercure Huozhou Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Visit Gaochang and Jiaohe Ruins and Karez in the stark Gobi desert, the ruins of ancient Gaochang shining like a precious jewel. Karez and its maze of underground tunnels is one of China’s ancient engineering feats. Dinner and traditional Uyghur music and dances. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Travel to Urumqi, visit Xinjiang museum. Fly to Chengdu for two nights at the 5-star Tibet Hotel. (B, L)
Day 15 Visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, home to 50 pandas. At the base the pandas live in large enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitat. Walk along Jinli Street. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Fly to Heathrow arrive same day. (B)
Notes
Tour involves carrying luggage on and off trains and some uneven surfaces and inclines.
This Chinese 5-star hotel is centrally located, a five-minute walk from Bell and Drum Tower. Restaurants, bar, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 428 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A comfortable 4-star hotel in the centre of Tianshui. Restaurant, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 148 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A traditional 4-star hotel in the Chengguan district in Lanzhou. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and WiFi (free). 361 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A comfortable 4-star hotel in Zhangye. Restaurant, WiFi (free) and 117 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A modern 4-star hotel close to the railway station. Restaurant, gym and WiFi (free). 114 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A comfortable 4-star hotel conveniently located in the city centre. Restaurant, WiFi (free) and 106 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A comfortable 4-star hotel , in the downtown Turpan south of Shuiyun Square. Restaurant, bar, gym and pool. 134 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
This 5-star hotel features a Tibetan theme with modern art decor and it is a 15-minute walk from Chengdu train station. Restaurants, bar, gym, WiFi (free) and 275 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
2023
Wednesday
per person in a twin/double room
Air China from London Heathrow
| September 6 | £3575 |
Wednesday
per person in a twin/double room
Air China from London Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £675
Flight Options
London/Beijing/London
Air China Business Class from £1595
Extension Options
Extra Nights - Xian
Grand Noble Hotel
(per night) £40
Single supplement £40
Extra Nights – Chengdu
Tibet Hotel
(per night) £45
Single supplement £45
Privately Guided
Add £1595 per person
Tour Only
Save £550
Arrival transfer add £30
Departure transfer add £35
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 14 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 13 lunches and 12 dinners, itinerary as described, Jules Verne Representative, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, tipping, visa, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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VAT No. 805146159
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