10 Days Silk Road Dunhuang to Kashgar with Xi'an

10 Days Silk Road – Dunhuang to Kashgar with Xi’an Retracing The Footsteps Towards China’s Ancient Frontier (Specially Prepared for Ms Isabel Chua)

The very mention of the Silk Road evokes a sense of romance and remoteness. Join us as we retrace this ancient trade route. Be mesmerized by the ethnic cultures of the Tibetans, Tajiks and Uygurs that you meet along the way; be awed by the impressive grottoes at Dunhuang and gorgeous ruins in Turpan; enjoy the varied landscape from the dunes of the Taklamakan Desert to the alpine scenery in Tian Shan. As you travel through the desert, imagine the caravans and traders that plowed this route hundreds of years ago. The highlight of this trip is without doubt the Sunday market at Kashgar! If you want to have some magical moments, let us know in advance and we can arrange for specially catered breakfast at sunrise on the dunes, BBQ with centuries old archaeological ruins all to yourself

Flights At A Glance: Fly 04May

Singapore / Kunming

MI 912

0810/1220 (4h 10m) – Daily

Fly 04May

Kunming / Xian

CZ 6270

1505/1700 (1h 55m) – Daily

Fly 06May

Xian / Dunhuang

CZ 6347

1230 /1455 (2h 25m) – Daily

Fly 10May

Urumqi / Kashgar

CZ 6803

0850 /1035 (1h 45m) – Daily

Fly 12May

Kashgar / Beijing

CA 1478

1500/2120 (6h 20m) – Daily

Fly 13May

Beijing / Singapore

SQ 801

0005/0625 (6h 20m) – Daily

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 01 04th MAY (SUN) SINGAPORE / KUNMING / XIAN Make your way to Singapore Changi Airport this morning for your flight to Kunming before connecting to Xian Fly 04May

Singapore / Kunming

MI 912

0810/1220 (4h 10m) – Daily

Fly 04May

Kunming / Xian

CZ 6270

1505/1700 (1h 55m) – Daily

On arrival at Xian Xianyang Intl Airport, be met and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Overnight: The Westin, Xian Meals: NIL DAY 02 05th MAY (MON) XIAN This morning start your visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. Afternoon, drive out to visit one of the greatest sights of China - the Terra Cotta Warriors.

Thousands of life-sized soldiers, each with different expressions and horses - all companions for the burial of the first emperor of China who is also builder of the Great Wall, Qin Shi Huang. In the evening, you are treated to the Tang Dynasty show with dumpling banquet. Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous and colorful of all of China's ancient Dynasties. It is famous for its arts and poems, dress and culture, and music and dancing.

Overnight: The Westin, Xian Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dumpling Banquet Dinner DAY 03 06th MAY (TUE) XIAN / DUNHUANG Spend some last moments in Xian before transferring to Xian Airport for your domestic flight to Dunhuang.

Fly 06May

Xian / Dunhuang

CZ 6347

1230 /1455 (2h 25m) – Daily

Upon arrival at Dunhuang Airport, be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. After a short rest, take a tour with a camel ride to view the lovely sunset in the Mingsha Shan (the Singing Sands Mountain), named after the natural phenomena. You will also visit the Crescent Moon Lake - a natural wonder in the Gobi Desert.

Relax and enjoy a fantastic sunset dinner by on the rooftop restaurant in the hotel. You have time to explore the night bazaar this evening.

Overnight: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 04 07th MAY (WED) DUNHUANG / OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO TURPAN This morning, visit the world-famous, UNESCO-listed Mogao Cave site, with its thousands of caves, each with its exquisite Buddhist murals. After lunch, we visit an imitated Song Dynasty city, where you can see the Chinese bar, tea house, stores…in ancient time. Late in the afternoon, we drive for about 2hrs to Liuyuan train station. After dinner, board the overnight train (soft sleeper) to Turpan. (Train ride is about 10hrs).

Overnight: Overnight Train (Soft Sleeper) Dunhuang to Turpan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY 05 08th MAY (THU) TURPAN The train arrives at the Turpan train station at about 0600hrs in the morning. Thereafter you drive about an hour to Turpan town. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. After breakfast, you set off for your tour of Turpan, an oasis town 154 meters below sea level. You start with the Flaming Mountain, of the Monkey God fame; the ruins of Gao Chang, an ancient Chinese Silk Road garrison town where you will be taken by donkey cart to visit the temple area; and the Bezeklik Caves; where “Bezeklik” means “a place with beautiful decorations”.

After lunch, you can have a short siesta before we continue your tour to the Emin Minaret, the Karez underground irrigation system and the Turfan Museum.

Overnight: Hotel Tuha, Turpan Meals: Breakfast & Lunch DAY 06 09th MAY (FRI) TURPAN / URUMQI This morning you continue to explore Turpan. We visit the Jiaohe Ruins with a history of over 2500 years and Grape Valley. Turpan is most famous for its grapes and raisins, especially the seedless variety called sultanas when dried. Enjoy lunch under the grape tree with local family. After lunch, you will drive about 200km to Urumqi. This is a scenic drive where you see the Gobi Desert, the windmill hydro plant and ruins along the way.

Arrive in Urumqi in the evening and check into your hotel. Before dinner, you will have time to explore the Bazaar by night.

Overnight: Sheraton Hotel, Urumqi Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

DAY 07 10th MAY (SAT) URUMQI / KASHGAR / LAKE KARAKUL Early this morning, transfer to Urumqi Airport for your domestic flight to Kashgar.

Fly 10May

Urumqi / Kashgar

CZ 6803

0850 /1035 (1h 45m) – Daily

On arrival at Kashgar Airport, be met by your guide and continue on a 4hr scenic drive to Lake Karakul. Travel through some of the most remote landscapes and spectacular scenery with an average elevation of 4000m above sea level. Snow-capped mountains, turquoise glaciers and vast open spaces welcome you into the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people close to the border of Tajiskistan. Experience an unique stay in a Kyrgyz yurt, hike around the scenic valleys and an authentic evening under the starlit skies.

Overnight: Nomadic Yurt Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner DAY 08 11th MAY (SUN) LAKE KARAKUL / KASHGAR Travel back to Kashgar on the same scenic journey and experience the oasis in the hostile Taklamakan Desert (biggest dessert in China and second in the World); now, as it was 2,000 years ago, it is a cultural and commercial crossroads. Visit the outstanding Sunday market, the biggest in Asia. It attracts 50,000 people to view, thousands of donkeys, camels and sheep, as well as a huge range of merchandise, this will be a memorable experience. If time permits, visit the Yusuf Has Hajip Mazar and the handicraft street.

Overnight: Tianyuan Hotel, Kashgar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner KASHGAR / BEIJING / SINGAPORE DAY 09 12th MAY (MON) This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Kashgar Old Town and visit a Uygur family and in the afternoon, transfer to Kashgar Airport for your flight to Beijing for connection to your international flight return on Singapore Airlines to Singapore.

Fly 12May

Kashgar / Beijing

CA 1478

1500/2120 (6h 20m) – Daily

Fly 13May

Beijing / Singapore

SQ 801

0005/0625 (6h 20m) – Daily

Meals: Breakfast END OF TOUR #04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON: - The following prices are based 2 adults travelling together; - The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we have your date of travel, the exact number of people in your groups and other specific requirements.

Our Recommended Hotels: 2N in The Westin, Xian 1N in The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang 1N Overnight train from Dunhuang to Turpan 1N in Hotel Tuha, Turpan 1N in Sheraton Hotel, Urumqi 1N in a nomadic yurt in Lake Karakul 1N in Tianyuan Hotel, Kashgar

Airport & Fuel Taxes

GRAND TOTAL (2 Adults)

LAND TOUR Price Per Person

S$6,150 PER PERSON

S$365 PER PERSON

S$13,030

Cost includes: - One way economy airfare on Silkair (Singapore – Kunming); - One way economy airfare on China Southern Airlines (Kunming – Xian); - One way economy airfare on China Southern Airlines (Xian – Dunhuang); - One way economy airfare on China Southern Airlines (Urumqi – Kashgar); - One way economy airfare on Air China (Kashgar – Beijing); - One way economy airfare on Singapore Airlines (Beijing – Singapore); - All accommodations with daily breakfast as stated; - All tours, entrances, visits as stated; - Other meals as stated; - Services of English-Speaking Driver Escort and Private air-condition vehicle; - Applicable taxes / VAT - Drinking water Cost excludes: - Visas if any; - Gratuities to guides and drivers; - Personal and other expenses not stated; - Travel Insurance; - Any extra meals other than specified; - Any expenses incurred beyond our control due to natural disaster, weather conditions, etc.

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

HOTELS Xian: The Westin – Boasting an on-site Chinese museum with over 2000 artifacts, The Westin Xian offers a luxurious getaway in one of the major ancient cities of the world - Xi'an. Besides an indoor pool, it also offers guests refreshing workouts at WestinWORKOUT® Gym and massage treatments at Heavenly Spa by Westin™.

Free tickets to Xi’an Qu Jiang Museum of Fine Arts are provided as well. Spacious and stylish, all airconditioned rooms are equipped with a 37-inch flat-screen TV and free bottled water. The comfortable Westin Heavenly Bed® comes with down pillows and a duvet. En suite bathrooms have a separate shower and bathtub, complete with soft bathrobes. The Westin Xian is 200 metres from Big Wild Goose Pagoda and 800 metres from Tang Paradise. The famous Qin Terracotta Warriors are 34 km away. It is about 31 km from Xianyang International Airport. Free parking is available. Day trips and limousine transfers can be arranged at the tour desk or concierge counter. There is also a sauna, as well as a children's playground. The hotel also provides a business centre and 24-hour room service. Japanese cuisine is served at Mai Restaurant, while Cantonese delights can be sampled at Zen5es. Other dining options include international meals at Seasonal Tastes, desserts at Daily Treats and drinks at The Lobby Lounge. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3118

Dunhuang: Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel – This magnificent hotel is clearly a winning choice; with it's unique architecture design and outstanding location against the backdrop of the Mingsha Sand Dune. Guests with an appetite for Chinese history will not be disappointed with the hotel's prominent framework that showcase the spirit of Tang Dynasty--large rooftops, ornate furniture, garden courtyard and long corridors. Boasting 271 tastefully appointed guest rooms, each unit is decorated simply and furnished with Chinese style decor. Guests are minutes away from a myriad of sightseeing attractions such as the Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Moon Lake, Yumenguan and Yangguan Passes and White Horse Pagoda. Head to Feng Yi Ting restaurant to sample an outstanding selection of Chinese and international cuisine. The rooftop snack bar is another great venue to unwind with a drink while enjoying the fantastic view of Gobi desert. http://www.the-silk-road.com/index.php?route=culturehoteldet/culturehoteldet&culturehoteldet_id=3

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg

Turpan: Hotel Tuha – Opened in 2007, the Tuha Petroleum Hotel is a comprehensive international hotel located in the bustling city center of Turpan. It is about 56km away from the Turpan Railway Station.

Urumqi: Sheraton Hotel – Conveniently located in Urumqi, Sheraton Urumqi Hotel is a great base from which to explore this vibrant city. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With the city's main attractions such as Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum within close reach, visitors to the hotel will just love its location. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is renowned for its quality services and friendly staff, and Sheraton Urumqi Hotel lives up to expectations. The hotel offers access to a vast array of services, including business center, nightclub, Wi-Fi in public areas, disabled facilities, salon. All guest accommodations feature thoughtful amenities to ensure an unparalleled sense of comfort. The hotel's spa, fitness center, steamroom, indoor pool, massage are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. Sheraton Urumqi Hotel is a smart choice for travelers to Urumqi, offering a relaxed and hassle-free stay every time. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1707

Kashgar: Tianyuan Hotel – Opened in 2007, the Kashgar Tianyuan International Hotel is just located on the west of the People's Square at the city center of Kashgar. The hotel just faces the well-known Kashgar Old Town. It is 7km away from the Kashgar Railway Station and 9km away from the Kashgar Airport.

#04-20/21 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247909 Tel : (65) 6334 6120 Fax: (65) 6337 4166 (Business Reg. No. 199307023G) enquiries@countryholidays.com.sg Web. www.countryholidays.com.sg