Holidays and tours in China

Day 2: Beijing.
Arrive in the Chinese capital and transfer to your hotel. Visit the Temple of Heaven

Day 3: Beijing.
Full day guided tour to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an.
Visit Tiananmen Square, and the adjacent Forbidden City, former home to China’s emperors. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace before transferring to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Xi’an.

Day 5: Xi'an.
Arrive in Xi’an and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon a city tour of Xi’an.

Day 6: Xi'an.
The highlight of your visit to Xi’an, the excursion to the famous excavations of the Terracotta Warriors. Return to Xi’an for free time.

Day 7: Xi’an - Dunhuang.
Flight to Dunhuang. Transfer to your hotel. Visit the Magao Grottoes (‘Thousand Buddha Caves’). One of the world’s great repositories of Buddhist art in the world, there are several hundred caves filled with statues and murals dating back almost 2000 years.

Day 8: Dunhuang - Turfan.
Spend time in Dunhuang, perhaps visiting the Singing Sands and the Crescent Moon Lake before taking the overnight sleeper train to Turfan.

Day 9: Turfan.
Arrive in the charming oasis town of Turfan, one of the lowest places on earth. Visit the ancient abandoned city of Jiaohe, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the Karez underground irrigation system.

Day 10: Turfan - Urumqi - Kashgar.
A two hour drive to Urumqi the modern, regional capital of Xinjiang Province. City sightseeing before taking a short flight to Kashgar.

Day 11: Kashgar.
At the foot of the Pamirs, Kashgar is a romantic oasis town largely inhabited by Uyghurs. A city tour might include the Abakh Hoja Mausoleum, the vast Id Kah Mosque and the old town.

Day 12: Kashgar - Urumqi.
The famous Sunday Market, a dusty, colourful glimpse into timeless local life. Buy anything from silk to a sheep or camel! Flight to Urumqi.

Day 13: Urumqi - Beijing.
Journey out from Urumqi to visit the Heavenly Lake, a green jewel set in alpine scenery. Flight back to Beijing.

Day 14: Beijing.
Further sightseeing in Beijing.

Day 15: Beijing - London.
Depart Beijing.

Bookings

If you would like more information on this tour please email walking@star.co.uk or telephone (+44) (0)1242 633680 or fax: (+44) (0)1242 633683.

Price

From £1750 per person based on two people sharing (Valid until March 2006).

Includes

11 nights accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotels
2 nights overnight train in soft class sleeper berth
11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 3 dinners
4 internal flights
Full sightseeing programme
Private vehicle with driver English speaking local guides; transfers to/from airports/stations within China; guide & driver expenses (except tips)

You may have a particular interest – architecture, gardens, painting and pottery, food, activity holidays – let us know and will put together an itinerary to suit you.