welcome to World Expeditions Asia journey of buddhism on the silk road with edmund capon trip highlights why travel with World Expeditions?

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1 Asia journey of buddhism on the trip highlights Sunday Markets in Kashgar Visiting Kizil, one of the most inspiring and beautiful Buddhist sites in the region Ancient ruins of Subashi Exploring the remarkable Kumtura Caves Stunning landscapes at Heavenly Mountains, Urumqi Mogao Caves China s most magnificent Buddhist grottos Travelling in the company of Edmund Capon, one of Australia s pre eminent art scholars Trip Duration 17 days Trip Code: FNS Grade Adventure touring Activities Adventure Touring Accommodation 14 nights hotels and 2 nights train (soft sleeper) welcome to World Expeditions Thank you for your interest in our Journey of Buddhism on the Silk Road with Edmund Capon trip. At World Expeditions we are passionate about our off the beaten track experiences as they provide our travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are committed to ensuring that our unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of small groups or individuals philosophies that have been at our core since 1975 when we began operating adventure holidays. Our itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising World Expeditions can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience!! why travel with World Expeditions? When planning travel to remote and challenging destinations, many factors need to be considered. Our extra attention to detail and operations on the ground ensure that you will have a memorable experience. We take every precaution to ensure smooth logistics, our vehicles and equipment are the best available on the market. Most importantly, our adventures have always sought to benefit the local peoples we interact with, safeguard the ecosystems we explore and contribute to the sustainability of travel in the regions we experience. You will be accompanied by local guides whose knowledge and passion for this region will add a unique dimension to your trip. Their experience and enthusiasm ensures that we maintain the leading edge in adventure travel and therefore providing excellent value for money. Given our local knowledge, experience and excellent leadership, we are quite sure that this tour will be a trip of a lifetime. 1 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

2 May - 02 Jun trip dates trip cost Joining Kashgar: $6290 options & supplements This trip commences in Kashgar, China. Our expert staff will help you with all your flight arrangements and talk to you about stopover ideas to join this exciting adventure. Please contact our staff today to receive a detailed quote. the trip The Silk Road conjures images of caravans carrying incredible wealth across deserts and mountain ranges, with images of colourful bazaars, priceless jewels, richly woven carpets, fabrics and exotic perfumes and spices. On this exceptional trip, and in the company of Edmund Capon, one of Australia s pre eminent Art Scholars, and former Director of the Art Gallery of NSW ( ), you will trace the journey of Buddhism along the northern Silk Road. Our remarkable tour commences in Kashgar, and takes you along the Chinese part of the ancient route from west to east, reflecting the journey of Buddhism itself from India into the heartlands of China. The trip concludes in Xian, which at the critical time, was the capital of the Chinese Empire. Our journey covers around a millennium from the 3rd to the 13th centuries, travels through spectacular scenery with a cosmopolitan history, and makes encounters with the lasting material legacy of the Buddhist faith in this remote part of the ancient world. We hope you can join us on this extraordinary tour. about your escort Edmund Capon is one of Australia s most respected, admired and recognisable figures in the Arts. Edmund is most well known for his Directorship of the Art Gallery of NSW, a position he held for 33 years until his retirement in Prior to his appointment at the Gallery he was the Assistant Keeper, Far Eastern Section of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Edmund Capon is an expert in the field of Chinese Art and Archaeology and has written extensively on the arts of China. He has produced and presented documentaries on Chinese Art Meishu: Travels in Chinese Art (ABCTV China), and during his tenure at the Art Gallery, developed the AGNSW as a centre for Asian art display and education, including the opening and rebuilding of a new Asian Gallery wing which greatly enhanced and expanded exhibition space for the Gallery s Asian Collection. Edmund was awarded the Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of NSW in 2000, from Macquarie University in 2010 and the University of Sydney in 2013 and has been honoured by the governments of Britain, France, Italy and Australia for his contribution to art and culture. Edmund Capon is an avid Chelsea supporter and was Chairman of Sydney Football Club We are thrilled to have Edmund escort this trip. at a glance Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Saturday 17th May - Arrive Kashgar Sunday 18th May - In Kashgar Monday 19th May - Kashi/Kucha Tuesday 20th May - In Kucha Wednesday 21st May - In Kucha Thursday 22nd May - In Kucha. Overnight train to Urumqi Friday 23rd May - In Urumqi Saturday 24th May - Urumqi/Turpan Sunday 25th May - Turpan Monday 26th May - Turpan Tuesday 27th May - In Turpan. Overnight train to Liuyuan Wednesday 28th May - Arrive Dunhuang Thursday 29th May - Dunhuang Friday 30th May - Dunhuang/Xian Saturday 31st May - In Xian Sunday 1st June - In Xian Monday 2nd June - Trip concludes 2 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

3 what s included 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners Good quality 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation on a twinshare basis except in remote towns where best available hotels are used Local sightseeing, including entrance fees to monuments and caves as outlined in itinerary All internal transport by train (soft sleeper) or private bus, jeep or car Internal flights Dunhuang/Xian (valued at $320USD) National tour leader in China plus local specialist guides throughout Emergency medical kit Trip escorted by the renowned Edmund Capon Day 1 Saturday 17th May - Arrive Kashgar Arrive Kashgar. On arrival into Kashgar you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon we will take an orientation walk of Kashgar, hear more about what is in store for the trip, and enjoy an evening meal together. Overnight Tianyuan International Hotel. meals: L,D Day 2 Sunday 18th May - In Kashgar Kashgar is a bustling market town which is prominent on the silk route, and is at the junction between the two main north/south arteries. On Sundays traders come from all over to sell their livestock, amongst thousands of different types of produce. Being populated by an overwhelming majority of Uygur people (93%), it seems on arrival that you have left China. This impression is quickly reversed on viewing the massive monument of Mao near the Idkah Square. Our time in Kashgar is spent predominantly at the markets where we can watch the traders dressed in their Sunday best (waistcoats and all), selling their sheep which were brought from miles away on their donkey cart. We will also wander through the different sections of the market, where hats, spices, kitchenware, carpets, musical instruments richly decorated, clothing and tailors, and almost any other products are sold. The Fragrant Concubines tomb will be visited in the afternoon together with the Idkah Mosque and ApaHoja Tomb. Kashgar was the centre of the Great Game staged between Britain and Russia in their attempts to secure the Central Asian states. Overnight Tianyuan International Hotel. Day 3 Monday 19th May - Kashi/Kucha This morning you will have some free time before being transferred around noon to the station to board your train to Kucha. K9788 departs around 1330 and arrives into Kucha at On arrival you will be transferred to your Kucha Lidu Hotel for overnight. Day 4 Tuesday 20th May - In Kucha Kucha is an oasis town located on the branch of the Silk Road that ran along the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin and south of the Muzat River. It was an ancient Buddhist Kingdom and today we take a full day to visit one of the most inspiring and beautiful of the Buddhist sites in the region at Kizil and Heavenly Mountain Valley. Kizil Caves are located about 75 km northwest of Kucha and includes 265 caves of which around 80 are deemed to be in relatively intact condition. The murals are a marvellous hybrid of Indian, Persian and Chinese styles and date from the late 3rd century to the late Tang period (c early 10th century). The temples were desecrated by Muslim invaders in the 13th century but it is believed about 10,000 sq metres of murals survive. We return to Kucha for overnight. 3 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

4 fast facts Countries Visited: China, Visas: Yes* Vaccinations: Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Escort: Expert local leader in each country Brochure Reference: Journeys of Discovery *Ask our staff for more information. Day 5 Wednesday 21st May - In Kucha We spend today visiting the smaller complex of caves at Kizil Kara as well as Subashi and the Grand Mosque. Kizil Kara is a small complex of caves with beautiful murals and set in a bluff some kms north of Kucha. They date from 3rd to the 10th centuries. Of particular interest is Cave 30 with its famous painting of flying apsaras playing musical instruments. Further north, the ancient ruins of Subashi are extensive and truly evocative of the reality of these once great ancient city-trading post. The Zhaoguli Temple is one particularly impressive ruin. Overnight Kucha. Day 6 Thursday 22nd May - In Kucha. Overnight train to Urumqi We have set aside today to visit Kumtura, located about 25km west of Kucha. The site includes around 110 caves dating from the 5th century to the late Tang period some of which still survive in this complex. There will be some time to rest in the afternoon before boarding our late evening train to Urumqi (overnight soft sleeper). Depart Kucha at 2327 and arriving into Urumqi at 1515 the following day. Overnight on train. Day 7 Friday 23rd May - In Urumqi Upon arrival in Urumqui at around 1515 and transfer to our hotel for a quick freshen up before taking an afternoon visit to the Provincial Museum. Situated at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With the opening of the Silk Route, Urumqi became a junction for cultural exchange between the east and west. Today it is an interesting insight into Communist architecture. Overnight Yilite Hotel, Urumqi. Day 8 Saturday 24th May - Urumqi/Turpan This morning we drive from Urumqi to one of the most impressive sights in China - Tianchi, or Heaven s Lake. Set amid the Tian Shan Mountains below the imposing Bogda Peak (5445m), the deep blue lake is framed by fir trees and mountain peaks, and it is sprinkled with yurts and Kazak nomad summer camps. After spending some time taking in the area, we will drive to Turpan. Overnight Houzhou Hotel, Turpan. Day 9 Sunday 25th May - Turpan The town of Turpan is broad and flat with low slung mud brick houses and open channels from which the Uighur draw their water. The slow pace and vast expanses of the surrounding desert and sky make Turpan a wonderful place for relaxation. Grape Valley is a small oasis of vineyards in the desert that we visit with its mazes of grapevines and mud brick buildings used for drying, before heading to the ruins of Jiaohe. Constructed over 2000 years ago, the Karez Underground Irrigation Channels are one of ancient China s most remarkable public works. The 1000 wells that make up the system have been sunk to collect ground water from the melting snow of the Bogdashan Mountains. The water passes from the wells through underground channels to irrigate farms in the valley below, and is fed entirely by gravity. We will also visit the Emin Minaret, a beautiful construction just outside the city and built in 1777 on the instructions of the then ruler of the region, Emin Khoja. Overnight Houzhou Hotel, Turpan. Day 10 Monday 26th May - Turpan Today we have set aside to visit Gaochang and the Beseklik Caves. Gaochang (Kharakhoja) is an ancient city site about 47 km southeast of Turfan and was an important capital of the region in the early Tang dynasty. It echoes the real mixture of peoples who inhabited and travelled in these parts at the time according to a document recently found there was a census conducted in 640AD which indicated that Gaochang had a population of 37,000 in 8,000 households.now it has a population of a few donkeys and stray tourists. Overlooking Gaochang is Flaming Mountain which 4 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

5 responsible travel The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence. World Expeditions were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry s Environmental Achievement award for our Responsible Travel Guidebook. This detailed guide to responsible and sustainable travel is provided to all World Expeditions clients before they travel. Please ask your consultant if you have not received your copy of our award winning book. Alternatively, you may like to download a copy from our website trip grading This is an adventurous journey and we aim to keep the accent on the active. We therefore suggest that any physical training you complete before undertaking the trip will be to good effect. Although there is no sustained physical activity during the trip, to get the most out of it you should exercise regularly before departure. There will be opportunities to some of the great sites along the way or climb a sand dune, and the fitter you are the more this will enhance your experience and enable you to fully participate in the trip. There are long distances covered by road and train during the trip and some of the roads travelled may be bumpy and at times uncomfortable. You should be fit and healthy and mentally prepared to deal with days travelling and the remote nature of the trip, accepting that things don t always go to plan, despite our best intentions. plays a role in that famous adventure Journey to the West relating the travels of the monk Xuanzang (7th century) in which his companion monkey borrows a palm-leaf fan to extinguish the flame, of Flaming Mountain, which takes its name from the searing heat of the midday sun which produces vapours that make it appear as though the mountain is indeed on fire. The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, have a history dating back to the 5th century AD when the oldest caves were chiseled. The newsest caves were carved in the 14th century, giving the complex a construction history of one thousand years. Currently, a total of 57 caves exist and among them, over 40 have murals. The themes of the mural paintings and their artistic style tell us something of the nature of the ancient society is which they were made. Overnight Huozhou Hotel, Turpan. Day 11 Tuesday 27th May - In Turpan. Overnight train to Liuyuan Today we visit Astana burial site where there have been amazing finds from tombs from the Tang dynasty. In addition, you can go down into some of the tombs and see such enduring things as bits of dumplings, breads and pastries that have survived over 13 centuries owing to the intensely dry conditions. Some of the most interesting relics are some of the documents that have been found there. We will also aim to visit the Toyuk Buddhist Caves (pending road to the caves being open - currently under repair). In the evening we will transfer to the train station for our overnight train to Liuyuan. Overnight on train. Day 12 Wednesday 28th May - Arrive Dunhuang You will arrive into Dunhuang in the morning where you will be met and transferred by road 128km to Dunhuang. You will have a packed breakfast picnic along the way. Dunhuang is another of the Silk Road s oasis towns with the geographic boundaries of the Gobi Desert to the north and the Qilin Mountains to the south defining the Hexi Corridor. Dunhuang is also home to China s most magnificent Buddhist grottos. The grottos are set amidst mountainous towering sand dunes. The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddhist Grottos, are 1,000 metres long, and are filled with superb Buddhist art, dating from 366AD. Over 45,000 square metres of frescos in the nearly 500 caves record the life of the Buddha. They are one of the great sights of China. Overnight Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang. Day 13 Thursday 29th May - Dunhuang Today we will visit the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring (optional: camel riding). Oasis meets desert at the Crescent Moon Spring, a lake miraculously lying in the midst of the Singing Sand Mountains. Despite the constantly shifting sands, the 100 metre lake has never been filled. The view from the top of the dunes is magnificent. We might be lucky enough to view a sunset from the Mingsha dunes, the tallest of which, Mingsha Mountain, is 250m high. The dunes make a beautiful backdrop to the city of Dunhuang. Overnight in Dunhuang Hotel. Day 14 Friday 30th May - Dunhuang/Xian This morning we will transfer to airport for our flight to Xian. Xian is the eastern end of the Silk Road and today the old walled city of Xi an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a vivid example of the old and new China. The modernized new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where old men can be seen smoking pipes as butchers pull their carcass-laden carts and hawkers sell their wares. We will have a tour of the old Muslim section of Xi an and the inner city. There is also an option this evening to dine at a special dumpling restaurant, which is highly recommended and very unique. Visit Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight Tang Garden Hotel. 5 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

6 adventure travel By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your consultant or travel agent. important note These trip notes represent the most current information for this itinerary, and may supersede any information in the current brochure, including but not limited to the itinerary and price. The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature and other circumstances beyond our control. Day 15 Saturday 31st May - In Xian Today we have a full day to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors. The thousands of Terracotta Warriors who stand outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang, were uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. Each warrior stands over six feet tall and has individual features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers, others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one. Overnight Tang Garden Hotel. Day 16 Sunday 1st June - In Xian For those who still have the energy for some sightseeing, we will conclude this tour with some sightseeing of Xian visiting the City Wall, History Museum, Muslim quarter and Great Mosque. Tonight we will enjoy a special farewell meal to conclude our incredible journey. Overnight Tang Garden Hotel. Day 17 Monday 2nd June - Trip concludes Your tour concludes today. You will be transferred the the airport for your onward journey. meals: B suggested extensions Beijing and Great Wall Explorer php?section=trips&id= country information Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire in 330 B.C, and with him, came Greek ideas, mythology and the language. It is believed that the people of the Hunza valley in the Karakoram are the direct descendents of the army of Alexander. After the Greeks, the tribes from Palmyra in Syria and then Parthia took over control of the Karakoram region. What follows is a history of conquest as various local peoples vied for supremacy. The ancestors of the Huns and Kushan people among them. The remnants of Greek culture eventually fused with Buddhism. The Romans, it is thought, first encountered silk in 53 B.C during their campaigns against the Parthians. Learning from Parthian prisoners that the silk came from a mysterious tribe in the east they sent agents to explore the route. The birth of the Silk Road in China came as the Warring States period was brought to an end with the consolidation of the Qin Dynasty. This saw the unification of language, the standardisation of systems and the birth of Xi an as the capital, as well as the joining of the sections of the Great Wall. In 138B.C the Western Han Dynasty emperor Zhang Qian, in an attempt to shore up alliances against troublesome northern tribes, sent emissionaries west to gather intelligence. Their stories of hitherto unknown states and of a strange large breed of horse, led to further exploration. What ensued was a history of capture and escape; at one stage the emissionaries were captured and held hostage for 10 years. In pursuit of the now immortalised horses, others pushed further west and may have reached Persia. They brought back with them many objects of art and beauty, including early Buddhist art, and in doing so opened the ancient world s most valuable trading links. Perhaps the most significant commodity to be carried along the route was religion. Buddhism came to China from India along the northern branch of the Silk Road. Various emperors sent missions to India to learn more about this mysterious religion. Slowly, as merchants, pilgrims and missionaries came into contact with Buddhism it spread along the route and stampas, monasteries and grottos bearing murals and Buddhist artwork, began to appear(some of the finest examples we will see in Dunhuang). China never fails to conjure up myriad feelings, images and a sense of mystery. Its history cannot be summed up here in a few paragraphs and to fully appreciate the currents that have shaped the country and its people; you must take the time to read at least one of the many excellent books available. Within the almost four million square miles of China s vast territory live 6 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

7 more than 1.2 billion people, which makes it the most populated nation on earth. For centuries, outsiders have yearned to visit China and it s only since 1976 that tourism really started. As much as China is keen to display its stunning scenery, historical sites and impressive cities, it is also dedicated to conveying something about how its society works. Although its political system has set it apart from the west, China is now moving forward in leaps and bounds, especially in the areas of trade and commerce. The major cities are indicative of the burgeoning economy of modern China. As in the days of Marco Polo, travellers are still regarded as guests. climate Journey of Buddhism on the Silk Road with Edmund Capon takes place during the northern hemisphere springtime. On our April / May departures temperatures will be slightly cooler in western China. Weather is unpredictable so we recommend being prepared for a range of climates. The pre departure information will give you suggestions on clothing you should bring with you. a typical day When touring in cities we will meet our guide early in the morning and full days will be spent sightseeing. what you carry You will be required to carry all your luggage between hotels and transportation. On sightseeing days you will be required to carry a day pack with your camera, water proof clothing and any other personal items you may require during the day. equipment required Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre departure information provided on booking). what s not included Meals not indicated in the program Any optional tours, and entrance fees and permits during free time Flights to Kashgar Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry Visa costs Tips and gratuities International airfares and taxes Personal travel insurance (compulsory) Excess luggage charges info nights World Expeditions invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel information nights. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers and mountaineers. Ask our staff for a info night schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! subscribe to our e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, or contact our office. 7 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM

8 trip availability If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to call us now to check availability. There are many reasons why you may not be able to join your desired departure and limited space on our small group departures is just one of them. Many of our adventures require us to secure services on your behalf; such as trekking permits, train travel and visa invitation letters. The demand is increasing each year making it difficult to join a trip last minute. To ensure we can assist you onto your adventure of a lifetime we ask that you check your trip availability with our team at your earliest convenience. how to book To book this trip, please visit our website to complete a booking form and pay a non refundable deposit which you can do by using our online booking function, or if you prefer, download a booking form from the website and return to us by fax, or mail your booking form and deposit to your nearest World Expeditions office. We can also help you with any additional arrangements that you require, such as competitive airfares to get you to your destination, stopovers, pre or post trip accommodation or any additional tours that you wish to take in conjunction with the main World Expeditions trip. 8 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 27/06/2013 4:27:40 PM