If there is one trip you must make in a lifetime, it is a classic tour taking in some of the most interesting sights of the Silk Road. Known as the greatest trading route between east and west, Silk Road tours can take you right back in time through the pages of history, to explore and marvel at the ancient cities and sights that unfold before you.
Escorted tours and private tours for these epic journeys, often beginning at Beijing, can really excel themselves, and some can include even detours off to Everest base camp and the Himalayas. Many focus on China, but other tours include lesser visited countries like Uzbekistan and their very important trading cities in Silk Road history.
The Silk Road (or roads) – named in 1877 by a German geographer called Ferdinand von Richthofen - is a series of ancient trade and cultural routes connecting east and west which, from way back in the Han Dynasty around 114 BC, began linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers and laypeople.
The Silk Road exists between Xi’an in China and its two routes, north and south, extend right the way through to southern Europe. Most escorted tours understandably, due to the extensive travel involved over its stretch of 5000 miles, focus on one region, often the northern route around China, but other tours include lesser visited countries like Uzbekistan, with its very important trading cities in Silk Road history.
There is enough to see and do in this region alone, of course! Many tours spend time in Beijing, taking in the impressive Summer Palace and tasting Mongolian Hot Pot. The city of Xi’an is then often one of the highlights many look forward to, where the famous 2000 year old Terracotta Warriors can be seen. The oasis town of Dunhuang, situated on the edges of the Taklamakan desert, is another must-see inclusion on Silk Road tours.Explore the Mogao Caves and their evocative Buddhist murals and sculptures.
Generally, escorted tours and private tours will take in Turpan (to marvel at the Karez Canals and see the Emin Minaret), Kashgar (known as the ‘Casablanca of China’) and Urumqi (to take in the splendour of the Heavenly Lake) – though there are many idiosyncrasies with each individual tour and tour operator, so it pays to get some expert advice and help while deciding which might be the tour for you.
Of course, with tailor-made tours you have more options to create the tour of your dreams, while with escorted tours and private tours that have been planned, you know that you will see the highlights without missing out on great historical sights and adventures.
For more details or to book a tour, call Andrea on 0845 475 0342.
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