2008 China Solar Eclipse Tour
Beijing—Lanzhou—Jiayuguan—Dunhuang—Hami—Karatoruk—Turpan—Urumqi
10 days 9 nights
Day 01 26 July. Arrive in Beijing, meet the local guide and transfer to the Hotel. (D) Overnight in Beijing 4*
Day 02 27 July. In the morning take flight from Beijing to Lanzhou. Meet the
local guide and visit White Pagoda Hill, the mountain stands at the northern bank of the Yellow River and has its name after the white pagoda on top of it, the White Pagoda Hill Park is a large and nice place for strolling, with green forests, scattered pavilions, teahouses and, from its heights, some good views of both the churning river and the city beyond. Don’t want to walk down the hill? Take the zip-line. The nearby bridge, Zhongshan Bridge, was the old crossing point for travelers and merchants who were then to head north on the Silk Road. Mother Statue of Yellow River, a modern sculpture in Xihu Park. In China, the Yellow River is also called Mother River, because so much Chinese civilization was born alongside it. Iron Bridge over the yellow river (zhongshan Bridge). Zhongshan Bridge, also called the first bridge over the Yellow River, lies at the foot of Bai Ta Mountain and in front of Jin Cheng Pass in Lanzhou city, the capital of Gansu Province. In the evening take soft sleeper train to Jiayuguan.
(B/L/D) Overnight on the train
Day 03 28 July. Arrive in Jiayuguan. While waiting for your room to be ready, join morning Tai Chi in the park or consider renting a bicycle. After a short time in your room, we meet the local guide and visit Jiayuguan Fortress. Jiayuguan was the end of the Great Wall. Passing through the gates of the Jiayuguan fortress was leaving Chinese culture behind for the harshness of central Asia. Today the Jiayuguan fortress is a World Heritage site and a truly impressive structure. the Great Wall Museum, it was the first of its kind to offer comprehensive and systematic understanding of the history of the Great Wall. Covering a total area of 3 acres, the “beacon tower” styled complex is made up of seven different sections, with the central theme of the “Great Wall”. With the help of scale models, diagrams, words and photos spanning from the Warring States Period to the Ming Dynasty (a total of more than 3,000 years), the museum gives visitors a fairly good representation of the life of this vast, snaking wall. You will have a chance to shoot arrows at invaders or ride horses and chase them away. (B/L/D) Overnight in Jiayuguan 4*
Day 04 29 July. After breakfast drive to Dunhuang. Visit Sand Dune. Dunhuang has a spectacular natural scene: Mingsha (Sighing) Sand Dune. The dune, a sand crusted hill of dozens of meters high, is 40km east to west, and 20km south to north. In fine days, sand roars like thunder which can be heard in the city, hence the name. when visitors climb up to the dunes and slide downward from the summit, the sand can collapse with them and give out a pearl of loud sound. Crescent-Moon Spring, the spring lies at the foot of the Mingsha Sand Dune and is named for its shape. It is about 100m long and 25m wide, and has fish and water weeds that are said to be good for the health. The area is often hit by windstorm, which drives up sand to shut out sun-light. Interestingly enough, however, for hundreds of years people have never seen the spring filled up with or covered by sand.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Dunhuang 4*
Day 05 30 July. After breakfast visit Mogao Grottoes. The Mogao Grottoes, commonly named Thousand-Buddha Caves, and praised as “a glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road”, are the most famous grottoes in China. Located 25km
southeast of Dunhuang County, these caves are carved out of the sandstone cliffs of Mingsha Mountain, extending some 1600m from south to north. Constructed during 10 dynasties from the fourth to the 14th century, its 45000 square meters of mural
paintings and more than 2000 color statues are regarded as the greatest treasure-house of Buddhist art existing in the world. Each grotto has its own Buddha, carved inside the cave. Then drive to Hami on the Silk Road Expressway, meet the local guide and check in the hotel. (B/L/D) Overnight in Hami 3*
Day 06 31 July. In the morning visit Hami King Mausoleum ( built 16th century
with combination of Chinese Uighur architectural style building complex ), visit Hami Museum. Lunch will be at local family , in the afternoon visit local Uighur kindergarten where kids show their presentation of singing and dancing, also visit Hami Uighur classic embroidery family. (B/L/D) Overnight at Hami 3*
Day 07 1 Aug. In the morning drive to Karatoruk county through the Tianshan mountain and enjoy its gorgeous scenery, drive pass ancient beacon tower ruin. Visit White Stone scenic area, dipping irrigation system, Natural salt lake ,Tang Dynasty military garrison camps ruins. About 1845 ready for the eclipse observation, and be on the site (it start 2005 to 2045 ). After the viewing drive back to hotel.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Hami 3*
Day 08 2 Aug. Drive to Turpan. Turpan depression 154m below sea level , second lowest place in the world after the dead sea in Jordan. Very important cultural and historical town in Xinjiang China, on the way visit Bezeklik caves(4th century), Astana tombs ( ancient burial ground for the nobles –aristocrat , for more than 400 tombs excavated with best preserved artifacts, so named ‘underground museum’ by the world scholars). In the afternoon visit Grape Gorge which is a long valley 5km at the foot of the flaming mountain , clients can taste grapes and wine.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Turpan 3*
Day 09 3 Aug. In the morning visit ancient citadel of Jiaohe with history of over
2500 years, the city was built on a natural earth cliff , still up to now outline of the city well preserved , and protective archaeological site by the UNESCO. Visit Kariz under ground irrigation system ( one of the three manmade ancient project of China )?visit Emin minaret ( 1777 years built ,mosque complex building, for commemorate
the religious head of Turpan ). In the afternoon drive to Urumqi.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Urumqi 4*
Day 10 4 Aug. In the morning take flight to Beijing, then take flight for leaving.
Included in the tour price:
* 2 flights in the economic class with tax ( Beijing/Lanzhou, Urumqi /Beijing )
* 4 Star hotels with buffet breakfasts, twin-bedded rooms with private shower and
WC. ( if there is no 4 star hotel, we will supple the best local hotel )
* English speaking local guide.
* Daily meals (as detailed in the tour description )
* Admission charges where applicable as shown in the tour description
* Transportation in the program
* Service charges for baggage handling between airport and railway station
* Domestic travel insurance
Not included in the tour price:
* International transportation and tax
* Personal consumption
* Visa fee
* Tips for guide, driver and porter
