Total Solar Eclipse Over China (10 Days) 

     Arrive Beijing and connect on to Urumqi, a growing metropolis that today, as in days past, is an important crossroad for those traveling between China, Tibet, and Central Asia. On arrival we transfer to the MIRAGE HOTEL for 2 nights. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (BLD)

     We begin the day with a visit to the Heavenly Lake. This pristine lake is situated at a refreshing height of 2,000m and is surrounded by jagged snow-covered peaks, forests of pine trees and green meadows. Option to take a boat ride on the lake and then hike up to the less visited sections. Afterwards, we return to Urumqi for dinner. We dine in a local Uygur style restaurant featuring Xinjiang delicacies such as lamb. After dinner, stroll through a nearby night market and take in the sites and sounds of this former Silk Road city. (BLD)

     We depart Urumqi for Turpan. Visit the Bezelik Caves – a set of Buddhist cave temples that was an important center of Buddhism from the 6th to 13th centuries. Today, it houses rare examples of Buddhist mural art. These 67 caverns are in a cliff face above the stunning Murtuk River gorge. For lunch, dine with a local Uygur family in the Grape Valley, where at least seven types of grapes are grown, along with fruit trees and fruit plants. The grapes are also used to produce local Xinjiang wine. Then we visit the Gaochang Ancient city. Lounging in the family courtyard under the shade of grape vines, we enjoy a dinner of local noodles. Overnight at TURPAN GRAND HOTEL (BLD)

     We tour the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) near Turpan. Jiaohe dates back to the Han dynasty (206BC - 220AD). Set on a plateau surrounded by deep, fertile valleys, the ancient ruins are a truly memorable sight to behold. After lunch, we visit the Keraz Well, a fascinating ancient Han irrigation project, and then head to Sugong Tower, the largest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang. We return to Turpan and ride on donkeys before wandering the lively Turpan city bazaar. The Turpan city bazaar is famous for its handicrafts, which attract tourists from all over Xinjiang. We end the night with a spirited Uygur dance performance at the hotel. (BLD)

     An early start on the drive to Hami, visiting the Mausoleums of the Hui Kings en route. From 1697 to 1930, Hami was controlled by Muslim (Hui) kings. After the death of these rulers, they were all buried in the tomb complex, which comprises a number of domed mausoleums in Islamic styles, as well as a mosque. (BLD)

     Today is the day of the eclipse! Drive from Hami to Yiwu, a county located in the foothills of north Tianshan. With only 20,000 people in an area of 19,821 square kilometers, there is ample of space in the Gobi Desert. Yiwu is ECLIPSE CITY, the only area in China offering more than 2 minutes of totality with the best weather prospects along the 2008 totality path.
Considering our location, we expect a spectacular and immaculate totality view over the Gobi Desert’s horizon, with its distant Eastern Tian Shan Mountains in the background.
This evening as we return to Hami for the night, enjoy the sunset, relax as you reflect on the day’s rich experience. (BLD)

     After breakfast , we drive to Dunhuang. Known as the City of the Sands, it is a former terminal of the ancient Silk Road, perched on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. The Taklamakan Desert is one of the world's largest deserts with an area of 272,000 sq km. The city holds the richest treasure troves of ancient Buddhist murals. Overnight DUNHUANG HOTEL. (BLD)

     Visit the Mogao Grottos, which mark the height of Buddhist artistic development in China. The Grottos were created over nine dynasties, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, and contain 492 caves, each housing murals (45,000), Buddhist paintings and terra-cotta statues (2,000). At dusk we visit the Mingsha Sand Dunes, which Marco Polo referred to as the "rumbling sands". Riding on camels, we visit Crescent Moon Lake, where the oasis meets the desert. Climbing to the top of the dunes, we take in a spectacular view of a green oasis surrounded by an endless desert landscape. The sands don't smother the lake because of a certain earth movement that creates winds that blow the sand away from the spring. (BLD)

     Fly to Xian and continue on to Shanghai. Overnight at SHANGHAI CROWNE PLAZA (BLD)

     Today you depart Shanghai on your return flight home.