The
Takla Makan Desert constitutes one
of the largest moving bodies of
sand in the world. Stretching west
from the ancient Silk Road trading
center of Kashgar to the
mysterious desert of Lop in the
East, it's dunes conceal the ruins
of numerous ancient civilizations.
Therefore, despite the popular
rendering of "Takla Makan"
into English as "you go in,
you don't come out," it's
literal meaning in Turkic is
"covered or locked
house" or "buried
city." Traditionally looked
upon with dread, caravanners
related tales of strange
apparitions and alluring voices,
that if succumbed to, led its
members to death among the endless
sea of billowing dunes. Others,
like explorers Sir Aurel Stein and
Sven Hedin have trodden its sands
and lived to tell their stories.
This is an
epic journey which takes us right
around the Taklamakan desert on
both the northern and southern
arms of the Silk Road. It is a
rare chance to experience the
immensity of this fearful desert,
as well as the fascinating peoples
who populate its oases.
Brief
Itinerary
Days 1-2.
Arrive in Beijing
Met and check in a hotel right in
the centre of Beijing.
Forbidden City,
Temple of Heaven, etc. Soft Class
Night train to Xi'an.
Day 3. Xi'an
Visit Terra Cotta Armies and the
Stone Tablets.
Day 4.
Xi'an-Dunhuang
Visit the most western section of
the Great Wall. Afterwards
transfer to Dunhuang.
Day 5.
Dunhuang-Turfan
Visit Mogao Grottoes and the Sand
Hill. Transfer to Liuyuan for a
night train to Turpfan.
Day 6.
Turpfan
After breakfast, visit Gaochang,
Jiaohe ruins, Bezikelik grottoes,
Raisine valley.
Day 7
Turpan-Taklamakan
Long day transfer through the
desert highway to the middle of
the desert. Camp.
Day 8
Taklamakan - Hotan
Continue driving to Hotan, the
home town of Hotan Jade.
Days 9-10
Hotan markets and handicrafts
workshops, and a day of camel
trek.
Days
11-12 Hotan--Kashgar
Mosquee Id Kah, Mausolee Abakh
Hodja, old town and Bazzar.
