China suggested Tailor made holidays

THE SILK ROAD

Venture along the Chinese section of one of the Silk Routes, stopping at desert towns that were once prosperous cities living on the wealth of passing trade caravans. Start the journey in dynamic Beijing where you will have time to visit the spectacular Forbidden City at the heart of the city and the magnificent Great Wall. Travel to Xian with its walled city and the incredible Terracotta Warriors guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. 

Fly to Lanzhou, once an important meeting point on the Silk Road, where you will marvel at the monumental sculptures of the Binglingsi grottoes carved into the cliffs. The journey continues to remote Xiahe, totally surrounded by soaring mountains, where you will visit the Labrang Tibetan Monastery.

Continue by overnight train to the oasis town of Dunhuang, surrounded by rolling sand dunes 
and justly famous for its treasury of Buddhist cave art at Magao, beautifully preserved by the dry desert climate. The journey continues through the Gobi Desert to Urumqi, visiting the Heavenly Mountains, a stunning area that is home to nomadic Kazakh herders. From here fly to Kashi, formerly known as Kashgar, once a remote desert oasis, now bustling with Nomads, exotic bazaars and the Sunday market where hundreds of donkey carts and locals congregate and the bargaining is fierce.

Cost per person from £2,147.00 (based on two people travelling in a twin/double room)

ANCIENT SPIRITS OF CHINA

Start your journey in Beijing, the exciting cultural capital of the Middle Kingdom, taking in such sights as the magnificent Great Wall, the ornate pavilions of the Forbidden City and the serene gardens of the Summer Palace. Step back in time when you head for ancient Pingyao in Shaanxi Province, a World Heritage Site, whose massive city walls are perfectly preserved. Inside are hundreds of traditional buildings dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, many with delightful courtyards.

Next take in one place that is the ‘must see’ for most visitors - Xian. Here you will discover the fortified city walls and the Wild Goose Pagoda before continuing to the awesome Terracotta Warriors, the vast army created to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. From here travel to traditional China and the haunting landscape of Guilin with its intriguingly shaped limestone mountains, which have so captivated China’s painters and poets. 

Then on to sleepy Yangshuo, where you can spend time watching the famous cormorant fishermen and explore the surrounding countryside on bicycle. Leave peaceful Yangshuo and head towards frenetic Shanghai, China’s economic powerhouse, with its futuristic skyline hiding such gems as the grand old colonial Bund and the Yu Yuan Garden from which the design for the ‘willow pattern’ pottery. Continue by train to Nanjing, a major city during the Ming Dynasty, whose people suffered so greatly during the Japanese occupation from 1937-1938. Visit the Massacre Memorial and the mausoleum of Sun Yat Sen. 

Then on to Suzhou by train a pure retreat and you will have time to enjoy its delightful gardens and serene canals before returning to Shanghai, where your tour ends.

Cost per person from £1,752.00 (based on two people travelling in a twin/double room)

A Silk Steps inclusive holiday price includes:
• Private return transfers between airports and hotels (unless otherwise specified)
• The services of English speaking guides and representatives at each stage of the tour. Between most places you will travel unescorted
• Accommodation in a standard room (shared twin) with private facilities (unless otherwise specified) with breakfast
• Government taxes and compulsory service charges
• All tours and sightseeing as specified, inclusive of entrance fees
• Economy class air travel within all countries on the scheduled services of the national or domestic carrier as specified in each tour
• The services of our local representative
Extras:
• International flights - please contact us for up-to-date prices
• Travel insurance
• Meals - unless otherwise stated
• Optional sightseeing other than specified
• International airport departure tax payable overseas
• Visa fees
• Single supplement (on request)

Spread over such a vast area the country has a great range of climates, but the following can be used as a guide.  In Beijing, from December to March the average temperature is minus 2°C and further north it is much colder. In July and August the tempera  

For up to date weather details try BBC weather   www.bbc.co.uk/weather/