The Silk Road, named after the ancient way to carry silk from China to western Europe, has been for thousand years the most important route between these continents. Even today it is still an important part of trade between east and west. Starting from Beijing, we will visit some important ancient cities along this road such as Xi’an, Dunhuang, Turfan and Kashgar. Among them, Xi’an, the former capital of China, is the most important one. It has a history of over 3000 years and has been the capital of the country for more than 10 dynasties. It is also geographically the very beginning of the Silk Road. Its Terracotta Warriors, the so called Eighth Wonder of the World, attract thousands of visitors from all over the world year by year. The city Dunhuang is the place that people always connect with the famous Mogao Grottoes with their splendid frescoes and sculptures. Turfan, in the east of the western province Xinjiang is located in the lowest valley of the whole continent. Kashgar, in the south of this province, is a fascinating old market town with a medieval-oriental kind of atmosphere. Both places are rich examples of this multi-cultural region and offer a formidable insight into the a past that is - as it seems - not long ago. travelling duration: 14 days in China. best travelling time: May-September.
