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Luxury EscapadesPrivateJourneyHighlightsDay 7: To TurpanEmbark on a truly extraordinary tour that issteeped in historic traditions. Visit the magnificentMogao Caves, lying at the foot of Sighing SandsDune and 15 miles southeast of DunhuangCity. Constructed over a millennium, from the4th to the 14th centuries, this UNESCO WorldHeritage site holds the world’s richest treasurehouse of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures.Continue to the beautiful Crescent Lake, withsweeping dunes and epic Gobi desert scenery.Tonight board an overnight train to Turpan (FirstClass cabin). (B, L)Day 8: TurpanUpon arrival in Turpan, you are transferred toyour hotel. Enjoy breakfast and freshen up toexplore the town. Tour the ruins of the ancientcity of Gaochang (the early Uyghur Capital), builtas a garrison town in first century B.C and a keypoint along the Silk Road. Continue to the AstanaTombs, once a public cemetery but now a partof the Turpan Underground Museum. Lastlyhead to the legendary Flaming Mountains madefamous by the classical Chinese mythologicalnovel, Journey to the West. Situated in the deserton the northern edge of the Turpan basin, itstretches over 62 miles long and 6 miles wide.Hotel Tulufan (Suite room) – 1 night (B, L)Day 9: To UrumqiToday you will drive to Urumqi. En route, visit theKarez wells, an amazing irrigation system whichmade Turpan a rich oasis. Next visit the Afghanstyle Emin Minaret, built in 1777 to commemoratethe much celebrated general of Turpan, EminKhoja. Finally, visit the Grape Valley, a small andvery fertile valley where vines amazingly grow inthe midst of the desert. Kempinski Hotel Urumqi(Executive room) – 2 nights (B, L)Day 10: UrumqiToday embark on a full day tour to visit thebreathtaking Tianchi Lake. Literally translatinginto ‘Heavenly Lake’, it was formed more than awww.coxandkings.commillion years ago. Legend has it that the ‘TianchiLake Monster’, China’s version of the Loch Nessmonster, resides within these icy waters. Folkloreaside, enjoy a cruise around the lake which issurrounded by alpine meadows and ruggedsnow-capped mountains densely covered in Fir,Pine and Cypress. (B, L)Day 11: To KashgarFly to Kashgar and transfer to your hotel. Kashgaris an oasis outpost and a Silk Road junction. Theold section remains much as Marco Polo foundit - a spectacular confluence of Indian, Persian,Arabian and Chinese cultures. In the afternoon,visit the 15th century Id Kah Grand Mosqueand the 16th century tomb of Abakh Hoja, oneof Kashgar’s most influential political andIslamic leaders. Explore the old town ofKashgar. Barony Hotel (Executive suite) / Tian YunHotel – 1 night (B)Day 12: To UrumqiToday visit the famous Kashgar Sunday Market,a busy confluence of trade traversing the oldSilk Route, held here for the past 1500 years.It is a bustle of farmers and merchants hagglingover livestock and fabrics! One can even‘test ride’ a horse or mule. Evening flight toUrumqi. Kempinski Hotel Urumqi (Executiveroom) – 1 night (B, L)Note: Departures not falling on Sunday will notvisit the Kashgar Market and alternatively visitLake Karakuli. A pristine lake 11,811 ft above sealevel, at the foot of the Maztagata Mountain, LakeKarakuli is located approximately 118 miles fromKashgar. Karakuli means “black sea” in the localdialect, and resembles a glittering pearl embeddedamong the alpine peaks, reflecting the surroundingsnow-capped mountains.Day 13: To ShanghaiToday fly to Shanghai and transfer to yourhotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.The Peninsula Shanghai (Deluxe Gardenroom) – 2 nights (B)• Discover UNESCO WorldHeritage sites likethe Forbidden City,the Great Wall andthe Terracotta Warriors.• Tour Beijing’s Summer Palace,the largest and bestpreservedroyal gardenin China• Explore the Mutianyusection of the Great Wall• Tour Beijing’s hutongs• View the incredibleTerracotta Warriors in Xian• Explore the magnificentMogao Caves• Experience differentcustoms and culturefrom different ethnicgroups in Xinjiang• Visit the legendaryFlaming Mountains• Boat ride on thebreathtaking Tianchi Lake• Step back in time as youexplore Kashgar’s famedSunday MarketDay 14: ShanghaiThis morning, explore the main sights of thisthriving metropolis on a city tour starting with avisit to the Yu Yuan Gardens, the old shoppingarea of the city. Stroll along the lively waterfront,known as the Bund and considered to be asymbol of Shanghai. Following lunch, visit the JadeBuddha Temple and enjoy panoramic views fromthe main observatory of the Oriental Tower. Inthe evening, enjoy an astounding performance atthe Acrobatic Show. (B, L)Day 15: Depart ShanghaiToday you will be transferred to the airport foryour international flight. (B)Asia & Pacific 2011 I 21