With Professor Dru C. Gladney
August 18 - September 3, 2012
The name “Silk Road,” introduced to the intrepid traveler’s vocabulary over a century ago by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin, conjures up images of desert caravans, lush oases, snow-capped mountains, and colorful markets where exotic goods change hands amid the cacophony of even more exotic languages. Where many destinations promise enchantment and adventure, travel on the Silk Road through China is one of the few that really delivers.
Join us for an exciting 17-day tour along this most ancient of Eurasian trade routes. Traveling by plane, train, bus, jeep, and camel, we will visit such legendary sites as the Thousand Buddha Caves of Dunhuang, where Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, and Mediterranean religion and art met and mixed in the first millennium AD; the oasis town of Turpan, with the ruined cities of Gaochang and Jiahoe and the spectacular murals at the Bezeklik caves nearby; Kashgar, home of Central Asia’s most infamous bazaar; Kucha’s remarkable Kizil Grottoes complex, and Khotan, remote outposts of the Han dynasty keeping lonely vigil on the rim of the formidable Taklamakan desert where astride our camels we rediscover the ancient pagoda of Rawak. Leap from your armchair and seize the opportunity to experience this complex and appealing region.
Day 1: Depart Los Angeles.
Day 2: Arrive Beijing. Overnight in the Sino-Swiss Airport Hotel.
Day 3: This morning’s early flight takes us to Gansu Province in northwest China, and the town of Dunhuang, a crucial junction of the Silk Road located at the edge of the Gobi desert. This area was a center for East-West cultural and trade exchanges as early as the Han and Tang dynasties and an astonishingly rich variety of cultural relics remain. By the 4th century AD, the Silk Road had brought Dunhuang both commercial prosperity and a growing Buddhist community. This afternoon is free to rest with an optional outing to the Singing Sand Dunes in the late afternoon. Overnight in the Hotel Silk Road Dunhuang for two nights. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Today’s destination is Mogao caves, one of the most perfectly preserved of the world's great religious sanctuaries and listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Here we are guests of the Dunhuang Academy (the recipient of our donations). The director of the Academy and her staff will open some of the caves that are closed to the public and allow us to examine up close the spectacular murals lovingly painted on the walls and ceilings, most of which date from the 7th to the 11th centuries. In addition, three tombs dating from the 5th and 6th centuries are open to visitors. Filled with one of the most extensive and exquisite collections of Buddhist paintings and sculptures in the world, every surface of the walls and ceilings is covered with decorated stucco, meant to bless those departing on the next stage of their journey or to celebrate a successful return. (B/L/D)
Day 5: As protection from ongoing invasions by Xiongnu forces in the western region, Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty (114 BC) had formidable walls and beacon towers built. Remnants still stand and we will travel to Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass to see these military strongholds. Begin at Yumenguan, or Jade Gate Pass, where a new museum has been recently built that contains artifacts of the era beautifully displayed. Then it's on to Yumenguan Pass where a huge gate in the fortifications is still visible that was built when the emperor opened the areas west of the Yellow River in Gansu. This was a vital strategic point through which passed heavily-laden camel caravans transporting rich fabrics, aromatic spices, and prized jade when traveling westward from Dunhuang to follow the southern route of the Silk Road in Central Asia. Our evening flight takes us to Urumqi where we spend the night at the Hoi Tak Hotel. (B/L)
Day 6: This morning we visit Urumqi’s International Grand Bazaar known locally as the Erdaoqiao Bazaar. Following lunch at one of Urumqi’s excellent restaurants, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Khotan. On the southern part of the Silk Road, Khotan was an early center for the spread of Buddhism from India into China. It fell to the Arabs in the 8th century, and grew wealthy on the proceeds of the caravan trade that traveled the route between China and the West until conquered by Genghis Khan in the early 13th century. Upon arrival visit the Khotan Museum which houses the remains of cultural relics, including textiles and pottery, found in the surrounding area. Finally, follow the White Jade River to the ancient city of Melikawat where we watch the sunset over the ruins. Overnight for two nights in the Hotel Khotan. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Today's trip will be a highlight as we travel deep into the endless desert. First, travel by 4-wheel drive jeeps to the edge of the cultivated area, and then take a two-mile camel ride to Rawak, the ruins of the earliest pagoda of China. As we travel through the desert astride our Bactrian, or two-humped camel, we gain a fleeting glimpse and sense of the ancient caravan journeys. Enjoy a light lunch picnic lunch following our ride including the famous Hami melon and ubiquitous nan flatbread. This afternoon drive out of the city to visit the recently excavated Damoko Temple, a miniature Buddhist temple of the 5th century. In the village of Damoko visit the small site museum and view possibly the oldest known pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument similar to a lute. (B/L/D)
Day 8: This morning we depart for our long drive through the Taklamakan desert to Kashgar. Along the way, pause in the oasis town of Yarkand, once an important stop on the caravan route from India that rivaled Kashgar in importance. Here, we visit the tombs of several of Yarkand kings, as well as the lovely blue and white tiled tomb of Amannisahan, the wife of one of the 16th century rulers. Enjoy a delicious dinner in Kashgar and overnight for three nights at the International Kashgar Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9: This morning, while the city sleeps and before the market is in full swing, we visit the stunning Apaq Khoja Tomb, a complex of buildings covered with elegant glazed tiles in exquisite patterns built circa 1640 by the descendants of a famous missionary of Islam. Their own heirs would one day become loyal subjects of the Manchu emperors of Qing China. Then it is time to visit the renowned Kashgar Sunday bazaar, for over two thousand years one of the great markets of Central Asia. A cacophony of sounds, sights, and smells awaits us in this ancient marketplace. Here colorful Uighurs residents hawk their wares in an exotic scene that will transport you back in time. Much is on offer at this market including handicrafts, textiles, food stuff, farm animals, and much more. Following lunch, we visit the 15th century Id Kah Mosque, built in typical Uighur architectural style, located in the center of Kashgar and considered the largest mosque in China. This evening we enjoy dinner in a traditional Uighur home (B/L/D)
Day 10: Our all day drive through breathtaking scenery takes us to Karakul Lake, a glorious highland lake in the shadow of the Pamir’s, the gateway to the Ferghana Valley (in modern Uzbekistan) and the rest of Central Asia. As we drive, we are likely to observe nomadic Kirghiz families as well as a range of flora and fauna distinct from those of the oases towns far below. En route, located in the village of Upal, we explore the tomb of Mahmud Kashgari. Born into an aristocratic family of the Karakhnid Dynasty in the eleventh century, and an outstanding Uighur scholar and linguist, Mahmud compiled the first Turkic dictionary. His tomb is highly respected by the Uighur people and the entire Turkic world; over the centuries, Islamic scholars have contributed thousands of books and manuscripts, turning the site into a remarkable library. (B/L)
Day 11: Today we have time to walk through Kashgar’s Arts & Crafts street and through the old town with its typical Uighur-styled homes. Following lunch we board the train for our ride to Kuqa, an oasis town lying at the foot of the Tian Shan (“Celestial Mountains”) and an important center on the northern branch of the Silk Road. Many of the monks who introduced Buddhist teachings into China from the 3rd to the 7th century AD were from Kucha. Enjoy a picnic dinner on the train. Overnight for two nights 
in the Kuqa Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 12: This morning we visit the huge Kizil Grottoes complex, containing 236 caves from the Wei and Jin Dynasties (4th-5th centuries AD), among some of the largest and the oldest in China. Kizil was actually a monastery made up of different kinds of caves, some for meditation and residence, others for religious teaching and worship, and yet others for the burial of the relics of eminent monks. In the afternoon, view the ruins of Subashi, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Guici, where we explore two Buddhist temples from the Sui and Tang dynasties. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Our flight this morning takes us to Urumqi, from where we drive to the oasis town of Turpan, located almost 500 feet below sea level in the second lowest spot on earth. The Silk Route was dependent for its 
existence and survival upon a line of oases strategically sited along the edge of the forbidding Taklamakan Desert. This sleepy desert town is shaded by poplar trees and grape arbors, populated by the Turkic-speaking Uighurs, and irrigated by a vast system of hand-dug underground channels (called karezes) that funnel the melting snow of the Heavenly Mountains into Turpan. It is this 2,000-year-old irrigation system that has kept the city alive while other desert boomtowns have withered up and died. Tour the Sugong Minaret, built in the mid-eighteenth century by the chief of Turpan Prefecture as a memorial to his father and then continue to the natural fortress of Jiaohe, built with rammed earth and bricks 2300 years ago. Sited on top of a high plateau formed by two rivers, the beautiful city that existed here was destroyed by Genghis Khan. The size of the existing ruins indicates its great prosperity during the Tang dynasty and its significant role in the economic development of Western and Eastern countries. Dine al fresco at this remarkable site. Overnight for two nights at the Huozhou Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 14: Today’s all-day exploration takes us to several memorable sites. The Astana Tombs is a Tang-era site where the royalty of the old kingdom of Gaochang were interred. Of the more than 1000 tombs, only three are open. Walk down a steep, narrow passage, at the bottom of which lies a small chamber with perfectly preserved mummies still on display. The walls of one chamber are covered with murals depicting Jade Man, Gold Man, Stone Man and Wooden Man, said to symbolize Confucian virtues. Our next stop is Bezeklik, one of the earliest points of arrival of Buddhism in China. The Bezeklik Thousand-Buddha Caves contain 67 grottos, noted for their exquisite murals dating from the Northern and Southern dynasties (AD 317 - 589) to the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368). Then it’s on to the Tuyuq Valley caves, at the far end of the Turpan Depression. (B/L/D)
Day 15: Start the day at the Turpan Museum, boasting many artifacts from Gaochang. From here we move on to Gaochang itself, its impressive ruins lying through a pass in the Flaming Mountains. Built in the first century B.C. and originally called Gaochangbi, it began as a garrison town and later became a key point along the ancient trade route, a large city built of tamped earth and adobe, defended by nine city gates. After lunch, we will drive to Urumqi. Tonight we enjoy our farewell dinner. Overnight at the Hoi Tak Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 16: This morning we explore the Xinjiang Regional Museum and view its many fine collections including many relics from Astana. This afternoon we transfer to airport for our flight to Beijing. Tonight dinner is on our own. Overnight for one night at the Sino Swiss Hotel near the airport. (B/L)
Day 17: Return to U.S.
Dru C. Gladney received his BA in both Philosophy and Religious Studies at Westmont College, a Chinese Diploma from Peking University, two MAs (in Cross-cultural Studies and in Theology) from Fuller Theological Seminary, a MA in Anthropology and PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Washington, Seattle. A Post-Doctoral MacArthur Fellow, he is presently a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Pomona College. He has published extensively, both articles and books, including Dislocating China: Muslims, Minorities, and Other Subaltern Subjects, Ethnic Identity in China: the Making of a Muslim Minority, and Muslim Chinese: Ethnic Nationalism in the People’s Republic. Professor Gladney is renowned for his work on the Uyghur culture and Islam in western China and Central Asia. (http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200106/kashgar-china.s.western.doorway.htm). He has been the consultant to the U.S. House of Representatives, the World Bank, UNESCOS’s Silk road Project, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; speaker for the Council on Foreign Relations; and worked with National Geographic – all concerning ethnic minorities in western China and along the Silk Route. He has done field work in many countries including China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Professor Gladney has been interviewed by many newspaper and magazines including the New York Times, Associated Press, Newsweek Magazine and International Herald Tribune, interviewed on television and radio with CBS, Channel 4 (London), Al–Jazeera, and Canadian Television, National Public Radio, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe. He speaks and reads several languages including Modern Chinese, Turkish, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz. Dr. Gladney was voted one of the ’90 Fabulous Faculty’ when teaching at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and has received unusually high ratings on ‘Rate My Professor’.
August 18 - September 3, 2012
$9,995.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes international airfare; six domestic flights in China; all hotels; meals as noted in the brochure; entry fees; and land transportation.
Cost Does Not Include: The tax-deductible check for $150.00 written to the “British Library/International Dunhuang Project”; passport or visa fees; airport taxes; food, alcoholic beverages and other drinks not on the regular menu; laundry; excess baggage charges; gratuities to guides and drivers; telephone, fax or email charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Single Supplement: $795.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases when additional fuel charges are levied.
Donation Checks: The cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $150.00 (per person) to the “British Library/International Dunhuang Project”. The International Dunhuang Project (http://idp.bl.uk) is a ground-breaking international collaboration to make more than 100,000 manuscripts, paintings and artifacts from Dunhuang and other Silk Road sites freely available on the internet with top quality color images. As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an 'insider's view' of work being done in each country.
A deposit of $500.00 to Far Horizons and a separate check for $150.00 to British Library/International Dunhuang Project is required upon making your reservation, along with a completed and signed registration form. Upon receipt of your deposit and a completed registration form, you will be sent travel information to assist you with planning for the trip. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days prior to departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the tour, we will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance that includes trip cancellation upon registration.
Private Tours of Archaeological SitesThe private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
This trip is for the hardy! We will often travel through unpredictable territory with a will of its own. If its itinerary changes... so does ours! We will journey into the remote areas of western China where the hotels and transportation may not be up to our standards. Changes in both accommodations and flight times may occur, and there may be times when no bellhops are available. During several days we will be walking over uneven terrain for a mile or more. We will be traveling into the desert in the summer when temperatures are high and the roads may be poor and very bumpy. A good book to read while riding the train and waiting in airports, a flexible attitude, team spirit and a good sense of humor are helpful! If you have any concerns about your ability to manage this tour, please feel free to call Far Horizons with any questions you may have.
THIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR ALONG CHINA'S SILK ROAD IS LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS
