[Xing Asia] July 2014 Journey to Silk Road, China
Depart: 12th July 2014, Saturday
Return: 20th July 2014, Sunday
Price from: SGD1,790 (Twin share) / SGD2,090 (Single)
Group Size : 8min /16 max
Open to Clubsnap members and public
Highlight
- Dunhuang was established in 111 BC. It also became an important gateway to the West as a centre of commerce along the Silk Road, as well as a meeting place of various people and religions such as Buddhism.
- Mogao Caves is a system of Buddhist cave temples near the city of Dunhuang. They were a center of culture on the Silk Road from the 4th to the 14th centuries and contain a religious artworks spanning that entire period. 3rd heritage site in China to be inscribed on UNESCO list.
- Gobi desert is most notable in history as part of the great Mongol Empire, and as the location of several important cities along the Silk Road.
- Yadan National Geological Park and Devil town are famous for its largest scale of landforms with unique rock formations developed over a period of 700,000 years.
- Crescent Lake is an oasis Gobi desert, which is surrounded the numerous sand dunes. Camel ride and sunset opportunities at Mingshashan sand dunes.
- Colourful rock formations in the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, where rows of reddish rock formations streaked in pink, white, yellow, grey and green.
- Jiayuguan, the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, is one of the most intact surviving ancient military building in China.
- Largest salt water lake in China, Qinghai Lake offers unique landscape and important ecological position.
Itinerary
Day 1 (-) : Arrive Lanzhou in the noon/evening, the capital city of Gansu province. Check in hotel and rest. Visit Lanzhou antique market in the evening, and walk along Zheng Ning street for the snack food for dinner. Overnight at Lanzhou.
Day 2 (B/L/D) : After breakfast travel to Xining and visit Kumbum Monastery. A Tibetan Buddhism monastery with rich repository of Tibetan culture and art. After lunch, arrive at Qinghai lake. Opportunity to photography the largest interior salt water lake in China. Overnight at Qinghai lake area.
Day 3 (B/L/D) : Sunrise at Qinghai lake. After breakfast, activities around the lake. Continue journey crossing river and arrive at Chaka salt water lake. The lake is not only famous for producing salt, but also for the unique landscapes in the area. Overnight at Delingha, a town located at Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Day 4 (B/L/D) : After breakfast, travel to Dunhuang by driving through the Gobi desert. The Gobi is most notable in history as part of the great Mongol Empire. Arrive Dunhuang by evening, overnight at Dunhuang.
Day 5 (B/L/D) : Morning visit to Yadan National Geological Park, Great Wall ruins, Yumen Pass (Pass of the Jade Gate). After lunch and rest, track down to Crescent Lake, an oasis of Mingshashan sand dunes. Photo shoot the came track during sunset. Overnight at Dunhuang.
Day 6 (B/L/D) : Spend the morning and noon at Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with exquisite Buddhist art and manuscripts. Travel to Jiayuguan in late noon, overnight at Jiayuguan.
Day 7 (B/L/D) : After breakfast, visit Jiayuguan, first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China. Photo shoot at Zhangye Danxia Geographic park. Overnight at Zhangye.
Day 8 (B/L/D) : Drive along Qilian Mountains bordering between Qinghai and the Gansu provinces, with few stops for photo shoot of the landscape and the blossom of cole flower. Overnight at Lanzhou.
Day 9 (B) : Free and easy in the morning, and depart to Lanzhou airport.
Pacakge Inclusions :
- Fully private tour in vehicle
- 8 nights accommodation at comfortable hotel
- All entrance fees, permit, ticket to Sinulog Festival
- All meals as per itinerary above
- Xing Asia tour leader / photography assistance
- Clubsnap members privilege : Basic single trip travel insurance
Exclusions :
- International flight to Lanzhou, China (Participants to purchase flight tickets only upon trip confirmation)
- Visa entry to China (if applicable)
- Additional beverages (including alcohol) not included in meals
- Any other incidental expenses incurred by participants
Weather :
- Lanzhou temperature : 29° / 17°
- Dunhunag temperature : 32° / 16°
Fitness :
- Able to carry own photography equipment and personal chores
Gear :
- Wide angle to mid range tele
- Graduated neutral density filter, Circular Polarizer (CPL), Tripod
- Spare camera, battery, and charger
Flight Detail :
Suggested airline and flight detail as follow :
- Airline : Air China
- Price : Online promotion from SGD600 to SGD850 onwards
- Depart : Saturday 12 Jul 2014 / CA970 / 0015 / 0610
- Depart : Saturday 12 Jul 2014 / CA1277 / 1050 / 1315
- Return : Sunday 20 Jul 2014 / CA1274 / 1120 / 1340
- Return : Sunday 20 Jul 2014 / CA969 / 1525 / 2145
Registration
- SGD700 non refundable deposit
- Remaining balance to be made 1 month before departure
- If the trip is cancelled by organiser, fully refund
Contact
- Organised Xing Asia, Singapore licensed travel agent with ISO9001:2008 certification
- contact me by private message or
- email to info@xing-asia.com
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