The Kilday (Bruce and Sue) and Oki (Sam, Margaret, Geoff, Tricia) families hale from Sacramento, CA. The Hughes (Rick, Holly, Morgan) are from Montague, MI. With the exception of the Oki’s, this is the first visit to China. Margaret is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, having been raised in Taiwan.
OUR ITINERARY
Jul 13 In Transit. Arrive Beijing and transfer to Peninsula Palace Beijing.
Jul 14 Beijing. Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tianamen Square.
Jul 15 Beijing. Rise early to see morning exercises in the park and visit the Temple of Heaven. Walk through the Summer Palace and then later take a ride to the Hutong and Houhai tour. Visit local family in their residence.
Jul 16 Transit-Xian-Transit. Rise early- o’dark hundred. Fly to Xian. Visit the Terra Cotta Soldiers and the City Wall. Fly to Dunhuang. Stay at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.
Jul 17 Dunhuang. Morning free. West Qianfo Caves, Crescent Spring Lake, Singing Sand Dunes.
Jul 18 Dunhuang-In Transit. Mogao Caves. Visit residence of Uyghur family. Overnight train to Turpan.
Jul 19 Turpan. Morning arrival and check into Turpan Oasis Hotel. Visit Jiaohe Ruins, Emin Minaret.
Jul 20 Turpan. Gaochang Ruins, Astana Tombs. Pass by Flaming Mountains enroute to Bezikklik Caves. Grape Valley and tour Karez irrigation system. Local Uyghur dinner.
Jul 21 In Transit- Urumqi- In Transit. Travel to Urumqi by bus. Visit Xinjiang Museum (Exhibit- Tarim Basin Mummies). Fly to Kashgar and check into Barony Hotel.
Jul 22 Kashgar. Sunday Market and Livestock Market. Id Kah Mosque, and Tomb of Abakh Hoja Family.
Jul 23 In Transit- Urumqi. Visit Opal a local village within 40 miles of China’s western border with Afganistan, Pakistan, Tour to local Monday market. Buy a sheep (not on the schedule). Tomb of Yusup Hazi Hajup. Fly to Urumqi and check into Sheraton Urumqi Hotel.
Jul 24 Urumqi. Excursion to Heavenly Lake and visit a Kazakh Yurt Camp.
Jul 25 In Transit- Shanghai. Fly to Shanghai and check into Portman Ritz Carlton. Go to Old Town.
Jul 26 Shanghai. Free exploration. Visit Urban Development Exhibit. Shanghai Acrobat Show.
Jul 27 Tour ends. Return to USA