EXPERIENCE CHINESE CULTURE ALONG THE SILK ROAD!
Take a 2,000 years leap back to the roots of civilisation
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| The Highlights in our program: |
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3 World Heritage Sites: Terracotta Army, Mogao Caves, The Great Wall |
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One Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang (a most melodic musical performance) |
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7 sites on the Tentative list of the World Heritage |
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3 sites applying for the World Heritage |
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Cradle of the Chinese civilisation —— Yellow River |
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China‘s largest inland saltwater lake—— Qinghai Lake |
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Fascinating desert landscape |
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Wonderful food and mouth washing fruit |
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Different peoples, different cultures — Han, Tibetan, Uyghur, Hui |
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THE PROGRAMME:
It's very flexible and allows you to choose from different options. The whole programme lasts four weeks. The first week will be in Xi'an where you start learning Chinese, try our activities (tai chi course, calligraphy, cooking, etc.). During the second and third weeks you'll continue studying Chinese language and culture while travelling along the Silk Road, stopping by at the most enchanting and famous places such as Xining, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi...
The fourth week will be in Beijing (Peking) where you can visit other must see sights: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and so on.
You can choose to travel only along the silk road, Silk Road + Xi'an or Beijing, Xi'an + Silk Road + Beijing.
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HISTORY
The programme we're offering you is amazing for several reasons, mainly historical: the silk road was one of the most important routes in the ancient time where not only goods, spices and precious but also knowledge, traditions, religions, culture were carried along with the merchants.
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ADVENTURE
It goes without saying that although you'll be travelling with experienced tour guides, you'll experience the fascination of the remoteness, the adventure at its best, the dreamy desert, the breathtaking lake.
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WHY US?
Because Xi'an was the starting point of the Silk Road. Caravans left from Xi'an on their epic journey towards the West. Visiting Xi'an will also allow you to see the world famous Terracotta Army and many other interesting sights: the city wall, pagodas, temples and much more.
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LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Our aim is to let you live a great, interesting and unique trip where holidays, culture, knowledge, Chinese language, adventure mix up together to give you an unforgettable experience.
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OUR PROGRAMME:
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Cities:
Xi'an, the eternal city, records the great changes of the Chinese nation just like a living history book. Xi'an enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. It was from here that the Silk Road used to start. Never forget that Xi’an is praised as 'the capital of table delicacies'. |
Lanzhou used to be a key point connecting the central China with the western regions as well as a vital city on the Silk Road. The Landscape along the Yellow River should not be missed, as Lanzhou is the only provincial city through which the Mother River runs. |
| Xining was one the most popular stops along the Silk Road. The scenery of the Qinghai Lake provides an escape from fervent cities and allows you to experience beautiful natural sceneries. To the South-west of Xining, there's the birthplace of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. The gem of the Tibetan culture-Ta'er Monastery was built here. |
| Jiayuguan, one of the key iron & steel bases along the Asian - European Continental Bridge, is the western starting point of the world famous Great Wall as well as the third biggest gliding base in the world. Among the passes on the Great Wall, Jiayuguan is the most intact surviving ancient military building. The pass is also known by the name the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven" |
| The national, historical city of Dunhang is a renowned tourist city famous for the Mogao Caves. Dunhuang, long ago referred to as 'Sha Zhou' (beautiful desert oasis), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. |
| Turpan (Turfan) is a marvellous city blending Western and Eastern religions and cultures together perfectly. Turpan is praised as the 'Hometown of Grapes' and the Grape Valley is a good place to enjoy the grapes of hundreds of varieties. Lying at the junction of the East and the West of China, it has been a key point on the Silk Road since ancient times, with a great number of historical relics as well as unique landscapes. |
| Urumqi is the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Tourist resources of Urumqi have its own advantages and distinctions, which are strategically important in the Silk Road that assembles the cultures of both eastern and western countries. |
| Beijing, One the most fascinating and mysterious cities in the all world, home of the Forbidden city, the Summer palace, Tiananmen square, the Great Wall and many other amazing sights. Venue of the 2008 Olympic games. A city where ancient and new create a most incredible mix. |
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1st day
Arrival
2nd day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon:
The Bell Tower
The Drum Tower
Option: Jiao Zi Yan (10 Eur per person)
3rd day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon and evening:
Xi'an Museum (One of the four richest museums in China),
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
The biggest musical fountain in Asia
4th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon:
Xi'an City Wall
Forest of Stone Steles Museum
dinner: Yang Rou Pao Mo
5th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon:
Culture Course: calligraphy, Tai Chi
6th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon:
The Great Mosque
The Muslim Quarter (shopping)
7th day
Terracotta Army
Hua Qing Pool
8th day
rest
In the evening leaving for Xining 21:52-11:56
9th day
arrival in Xining
afternoon: 4 hour Chinese class
10th day
Qinghai Lake
11th day
Ta'er Monastery
dinner: dinner market
12th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
In the evening leaving for Lanzhou 19:23-22:12
13th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon:
Yellow River
White Pagoda Temple
14th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon: Free
In the evening leaving forJiayuguan 22:40-10:03
15th day
visit Jiayuguan
dinner in Jiayuguan
16th day
leaving for Dunhuang 7:08-13:26
2 hour Chinese class on the train
rest
17th day
Mo Gao Ku
Ming Sha shan
Staying overnight: Dunhuang
18th day
4 hour Chinese class
2 hour practical lesson
In the evening leaving for Urmuqi 20:03-07:05
19th day
arrival in Urmuqi
afternoon: 4 hour Chinese class
20th day
Turpan (Turfan)
21st day
Tian Shan
22nd day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon: visit the city, shopping
23rd day
fly to Beijing
24th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon: Summer Palace
25th day
The Great Wall
26th day
morning: 4 hour Chinese class
afternoon: the Forbidden City
dinner: Beijing duck
27th day
rest, shopping
28th day
Departure |
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Learn CHINESE along THE SILK ROAD 2008 :
28 days, Xi'an + Silk Road + Beijing -- 2599 €,
21 days, Silk Road + Beijing -- 2199 € ,
23 days, Xi'an + Silk Road -- 2199 €,
16 days, only Silk Road -- 1899 €.
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| (It includes airport pick-up and drop-off, accommodation, three meals per day, Chinese classes, placement test, language certificate, domestic transportation, entrance tickets.) |
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| If you want to travel around China, we will be glad to help you plan your trips and give you advice. For more information please visit our homepage: www.ihxian.com or contact us at info@ihxian.com |
