At Asia Inspirations we get to put together all sorts of incredible itineraries, but every so often we get to do something extra special. Back in November, tailormade consultant Katherine got to work on the itinerary below for Mr Campbell, who will be embarking on his Silk Road adventure in a couple of months. Take a look:
Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai.
Days 2-3: Days at leisure in Shanghai.
Day 4: Fly from Shanghai to Xian where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Day 5: Visit the Terracotta Warriors before spending the afternoon exploring Xian itself, walking on the old city wall and wandering through the atmospheric Muslim Quarter.
Day 6: Continue your explorations of Xian with the Shaanxi Museum and the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight, enjoy a Shui Jiao dumpling dinner and watch a traditional Tang Dynasty dancing show.
Day 7: Take the train from Xian to Lanzhou. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 8: Explore Lanzhou with a speedboat ride around Liujiaxia Lake and venture into the Bingling Caves. Tonight, dine on delicious Lanzhou-style noodle, made with hand-stretched dough.
Day 9: Climb the scenic Jishi Mountain Pass to arrive in Tibetan Xiahe.
Day 10: In Xiahe, explore the Labrang Monastery where you’ll find thousands of exquisite Buddhist statues. Visit the Sangke Grasslands.
Day 11: Transfer back to Lanzhou and pay a visit to the White Temple.
Day 12: Take the bullet train to Jiayuguan. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 13: Admire the Jiayuguan Fort, constructed in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty. You can also visit the Great Wall Museum while you here. Jiayuguan marks the western extremity of China’s Great Wall – you’ll be able to stand on it today and gaze over the stark nothingness beyond.
Day 14: Travel by road to Dunhuang, a city on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 15: Venture to the Mogao Grottoes, famous for their Buddhist sculptures and ancient manuscripts.
Day 16: Head into the desert and experience the Singing Sand Dunes and the oasis of Crescent Moon Spring. Clamber aboard a camel for a ride and go sand surfing.
Day 17: Take the bullet train to Turpan, a city famous for its Silk Road history. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 18: Wander amongst the striking Flaming Mountains and visit a typical home in grape valley. You can also learn about the fascinating Karez irrigation canals.
Day 19: Explore the ruins of ancient Jiaohe and admire the elegant Emin Minaret. Travel on to Kurla, visiting the ruins of the Iron Fortress.
Day 20: Transfer from Kurla to Kuqa and see the Grand Mosque, bazaar and Kizil Caves.
Day 21: Drive to Hotan, a long but beautiful journey across the Taklimakan crossing.
Day 22: Experience Hotan, visiting the Jade Market and bazaar.
Day 23: Admire the mausoleum of Yarkand King before transferring to the city of Kashgar.
Day 24: Explore the city with visits to the Aidkah Mosque, the local bazaar and the old town. Head just out of the city to Abakh Khoja’s tomb in Haohan, a village of beautiful architecture.
Day 25: Take an excursion out to the crisp air and breathtaking scenery of Lake Karakul. On its banks see herds of wild horses and the yurts of the Tajik ethnic group.
Day 26: Fly to Urumqi. On arrival travel to see a Kazak family in the Southern Mountain area before continuing to your hotel.
Day 27: Spend the day cruising on the Heavenly Lake, admiring the surrounding meadows, forests and snow-capped peaks.
Day 28: Fly from Urumqi back to Shanghai where you will spend the night.
Day 29: Depart Shanghai and fly back to the UK.
We think you’ll agree that that is a truly epic itinerary. If you feel inspired to do the same, something similar or just like the idea of a big adventure, give the team a call and start planning!