Nowadays, advanced technology has made travel around the world more easily. For those who crave for experiencing something different from conventional package tours, special interest tours such as green travel, educational, arts, architecture, adventures, photography, etc. may become their pick. Silk Road Travel has been dedicating itself to providing comprehensive travel services. For over the 19 years, we have successfully taken our discerning guests who demand insightful tours to the exotic parts of China and Central Asia, to experience unique aspects of history and culture. From little known cultural essence to sports events in Gobi Desert, Silk Road Travel offers a wide range of special interest tours that can be tailored to meet your needs.
Beijing
Beijing has a long history. As early as 500,000 years ago, ancient "Peking Man" lived at Zhoukoudian 30 miles southwest of Beijing. King Wu was the first to declare Beijing the capital city in 1057 B.C. Beijing is an ancient cultural city, serving for 800 years as the capital of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is the nation's center of government, economy, culture, and international activities, as well as serving as a transportation hub to the entire country.
Datong
Located in the north of Shanxi Province, Datong is one of the historical cities in China and is home to coal fields. It is also famed for its imposing historical relics which are regarded as a perfect blend of northern ethnic characteristics and Han culture. The world-renowned Yungang Grottoes is a landmark in Datong, which has a history of over 1,500 years.
Dunhuang
Dunhuang, a desert treasure trove famed for its historical cave-paintings, is one of the most important oasis towns on the Silk Road. Dunhuang used to be called Shazhou and was one of the “four counties in Hexi Corridor” in Gansu Province. Dunhuang adjoins Anxi to the east, and borders Aksay all the way to the neighbouring Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest. There are many tourist attractions in Dunhuang, including the world famous Mogao Caves which were put into the “World Heritages” by UNESCO in 1987.
Mt. Wutai (Wutaishan)
Located in the northeastern part of Shanxi Province in China, Mt. Wutai ranks top among the four Buddhist mountains in China and is one of the five Buddhist sacred sites in the world. It is said that Mt. Wutai hosts over 100 sacred monasteries and is home to many of China's most important monasteries and temples. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Pingyao
Pingyao, south of Taiyuan, is another fascinating town which preserves a complete ancient town dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. The Ancient Town of Pingyao has a history of over 2,700 years and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Taiyuan
Located in the centre of Shanxi, Taiyuan is one of the main industrial centres in northern central China, with one of the largest steelworks in the country, and is important for chemicals and heavy industry. Despite a rather drab appearance, there are a number of interesting sights in the centre of the city; the remains of the old city walls can still be seen in a few places, and there is a rapidly-diminishing area of splendid traditional courtyard housing.
It was a memorable trip and I really want to thank for all the flexible, thoughtful and fantastic arrangements. All the people I met there were nice and helpful. The cooking course was eye-opening and I really learnt a lot. The visit to Cuisine Cuisine was also amazing. It was my first time to enter a real, professional kitchen. The cultural part of this trip was brilliant. The tour guide knew every story-behind as if he was a master in Chinese history! Though it's just a 4-day trip, I really gained a lot and broadened my horizon.
Karina 4-day Beijing Tour, Cook & Savour (29 Dec 2012 - 1 Jan 2013)
Amazing architecture to see. Lovely weather, nice food and good guide. Thanks Silk Road Travel for organizing such a wonderful trip for me and my family!
S. Han
7 Days Shanxi Tour (May 2005)
Before Departure
A set of travel kit which includes a detailed itinerary, flight schedule, hotel information and contacts will be provided before departure.
Weather
China has a diverse climate which varies from different regions. It is cold and dry in most of the cities during winter. In summer, it is hot and wet in the southeast and southwest China due to rainy season, while it is hot and dry in the northwestern part of China.
Clothing
Light cotton dresses, sunglasses and a hat to guard against sunburn for the summer. Wool and fleece layers, topped with a down jacket with wind-breaking shell, scarves, gloves, hats and woolen socks for the winter. Wear layers that can be added on or discarded as weather changes. Comfortable rubber-soled shoes are recommended.
Food & Beverages
Hotels in China usually offer buffet breakfast or continental breakfast. You may bring some snacks along with you for the trip. Avoid drinking tap water and eating cold dishes or beverages at the street market. Drink only bottled water and well cooked food during the trip.
Transportation
The most efficient and comfortable way to travel is by air. Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines operate regular flights between cities in China. Train and high-speed rail will be arranged occasionally. The itinerary states clearly the transportation that will be used throughout the trip.
China Visa & Travel Document
Most of the overseas passport holders are required to apply for a China Visa to enter China. Please check with your local Chinese embassy for visa application. Remember to check if your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your departure date.
Communication
There are two service systems for China Cell Phone – GSM and CDMA. China Mobile's feature is the GSM system, while China Unicom the CDMA system. Cell phone network covers most provinces in China except that transmission may sometimes be interrupted in certain sub-urban areas. Most hotels have IDD lines where you can make IDD calls in your room. Internet access is available at the business centre of most hotels.
Money
The currency is called Chinese Yuan (CNY), which is also known as Renminbi (RMB) locally. International credits cards like Visa and Master are accepted by hotels in the major cities. US Dollar Travellers Cheques are acceptable for money exchange in most hotels.
