Great Civilizations along the Silk Road with Peter Bol

May 31, 2010 - June 14, 2010
15 Days / 14 Nights
Group Size: 30 passengers

Starting from $6,990

Delve into the history on this remarkable exploration of the famous Silk Road of China. Visiting Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Hangzhou, Jinhua, and Shanghai, this itinerary uncovers the many facets of China’s ancient civilization. Explore imperial monuments, ancient capitals, and legendary archaeological sites, and also enjoy the dynamic modern cities that continue to reflect the glory of the rich history of China. This itinerary exposes travelers to a region vastly different from the rest of the country and includes such highlights as a visit to the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang, with their world-famous Buddhist scripture and wall murals. These artifacts are extraordinarily beautiful and present an uninterrupted archaeological record of more than 1,500 years.

Trip Highlights

Visit one of the hottest contemporary art scenes in the world, the 798 Dashanzi Art and Culture District
Lectures by Peter Bol, Charles H. Carswell Professor East Asian Languages and Civilizations
Visit the spectacular National Center for the Performing Arts, the “Big Egg,” in Beijing, designed by French architect Paul Andreu

Schedule by Day

DAYS 1-2 Depart the U.S. for Beijing, arriving in China the next day / Transfer to the Grand Hotel
DAY 3 Beijing / Welcome orientation / Forbidden City, special tour of Wuyindian Painting Gallery / Visit the 798 Dashanzi Art and Culture district / Drive by the Olympic Village to marvel at the new stadiums made famous by the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
DAY 4 Fly to Urumqi / Xinjiang Museum, which houses fascinating exhibits from more than 12 minority groups
DAY 5 Urumqi / Tour Nanshan Pasture / Visit the city historic district and local market / Fly to Kashgar
DAY 6 Kashgar / Explore the Id Kah Mosque, an Islamic structure in the central Asian style / Admire the Aba Khoja Mausoleum / Tour the Three Immortal Buddhist Caves, all built in the Han Dynasty
DAY 7 Kashgar / This is the day to wander the Great Market, the unrivaled central Asian experience / Enjoy lunch at an Uighur family home / Return to Urumqi
DAY 8 Turpan / Thousand Buddha Caves hewn into the sides of the Sengim Gorge / Visit the ruins of Gaochang, a city founded as a garrison town in the 1st century CE and by the 4th century had become the capital of the western Han empire
DAY 9 Turpan / Wander the site of Jiaohe / Stop at the karez irrigation site / Examine the collections of the Underground Museum at Astana / Overnight train to Dunhuang
DAY 10 Dunhuang / Explore the Mogao Caves, cut into steep stone cliffs and so provide a secure shelter for the thousands of Buddhist murals and statuary within / Visit a newly built museum featuring replicas of ancient art and religious artifacts / Ride camels over the sand dunes at Crescent Moon Spring Park
DAY 11 Fly to Hangzhou via Xian / Explore Guo Zhuang Garden / Walk from Quyuanfenghe to Su Causeway / dinner at Hu Xue Yan Mansion
DAY 12 Hangzhou / Tour the National Silk Museum / Visit Lingyin Temple, one of the earliest grand Chan Buddhist temples remaining / Visit the Meijiawu Tea Plantation / lunch at farmers home / drive to Jinhua
DAY 13 Jinhua / Drive to the Zhuge Bagua Village in Lanxi County / Visit the Hanging Temple, Daciyan / Visit the Double Dragon Scenic Area
DAY 14 Drive to Shanghai / Visit the Shanghai Museum, explore its world-class displays of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery, furniture, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy / Explore Xintiandi / Farewell reception
DAY 15 Shanghai – U.S.A.

Pricing

(Per person, double occupancy)

Land Arrangements $6,990
Single Supplement $1,490

Accommodations

Two nights at Grand Hotel, located in the heart of Beijing next to the Forbidden City; two nights at the Sheraton Hotel in Urumqi; two nights at the Central West Asia Hotel in Kashgar; one night at the Petroleum Hotel in Turpan; one night aboard Overnight train to Dunhuang, one night at the Shazhou Hotel in Dunhaung; one night at the Shangri-la Hotel by the West Lake in Hangzhou; two nights at the Narada Guomao Hotel in Jinhua; and one night at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shanghai.

Optional Extension(s)

BEIJING: May 29-June 1, 2010
Per person double occupancy: $1,050 /Single supplement: $390

BEIJING & XIAN: May 27-June 1, 2010
Per person double occupancy: $1,950 / Single supplement: $790

HUANG MOUNTAINS: June 14-18, 2010
Per person double occupancy: $1,880 / Single supplement: $790

GUILIN & LONGSHENG: June 14-18, 2010
Per person double occupancy: $1,990 / Single supplement: $890