Trans Asia Expedition Itinerary

Marrakech to Cairo, Tiblisi, Bishkek and Bejing

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Overland Travel Tour to China - from the 'Roof of Africa' and along the fabled 'Silk Route'

Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

For those travelling from Beijing to Marrakech please follow the itinerary in reverse ( bracketed )

Days 1 – 9 (Days 149 – 156) Our trip begins in the fabled city of Marrakech. Well known for it’s stunning architecture and unique street life it is worth arriving here a couple of days before our trip departs. The bazaar is a great place to wander around and spend a few hours haggling over souvenirs and the like, but the main square, Djemma el Fna is the big attraction and it comes alive at night with food stalls, storytellers and snake charmers. Our first days drive of this marathon journey takes us up into the Atlas Mountains. Leaving the lush greenery behind us we climb through the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka pass. Once we have navigated the hairpin bends and are through the mountainous pass a remarkable scene is unveiled; the lunar desert landscape of the Anti Atlas. Our first night will be spent here camping under the stars.

We stop at Ait Benhaddou which has one of the most exotic Kasbahs in the Atlas and then continue on to Ouarzazate. From here we follow the Dades Valley, also known as ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’, and visit small oasis towns like Skoura and Boumaine on our way to Todra Gorge. Its massive red and orange cliffs rise a thousand feet on each side of a sandy river and it makes for an amazing place to camp the night and to also take a guide and hike some of the many trails in the area. Next is the fortress city of Fez. We spend two days here giving you enough time to wander through the huge covered bazaar with narrow winding alleys crammed with craft workshops, restaurants, food stalls, mosques, dye pits and tanneries and it is definitely worth hiring a local guide to show us around the maze of tiny alleyways and back streets. From Fez we head towards the border with Algeria and the Sahara Desert proper.

Days 10 – 16 (Days 143 - 148) Once in Algeria we begin heading south east into the Sahara Desert. Our destination is the beautiful oasis town of Ghardaia, and we have a choice of routes to take. On our way we will be visiting a number of small towns and settlements and we will be camping out in the freedom of the desert. Also, in Algeria you will notice a more relaxed and slower pace of life than that of Morocco. This is reflected in the Algerian people who are generally friendly, helpful and generous and rarely will you experience any hassle or salesman touting for your attention. When we arrive in the remote town of Ghardaia we spend a couple of days here. It is inhabited mainly by the Mozzabite sect who built the town 1400 years ago. The woman here will generally wear the Hejab and have their faces fully covered. The town is set below an escarpment with nearly all the buildings painted white and blue, with streets only wide enough to allow a mule with side packs to pass. The houses are built around the central mosque and expand concentrically away but are all close enough to hear the call of the Muezzin.

Continuing  north east we visit the town of Ouargla, then travel through Hassi bel Guebbour on our way to Libya.

Days 17 - 21 (Days 139 - 142) We cross into Libya and visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis town of Ghadames. Situated on an ancient desert caravan route from West Africa there is believed to have been a town here for 5000 years. Here you can feel perfectly safe as you get lost in it’s labyrinthine alleyways. You can also venture out of town and climb one of the sand dunes to view the spectacular sunsets. We then drive north via the small town of Nalut which has an exceptional Berber Granary, or Qasr, clinging to a steep hillside. In this unforgiving terrain grain was as precious and as carefully stored and protected as water. Nearby we also visit the fortified hilltop Qasr at Kabow. Over 700 years old and about 5 stories high this magnificent piece of history is usually deserted.

For the next 2 days we cross the desert to Gariyat and then drive to Leptis Magna. This is one of the finest preserved Roman Cities and one of the few where you can actually still picture a living city. With colonnaded streets, a huge triumphal arch, a well preserved Roman harbour with quay side and warehouses still intact and much more, it is well worth investing in a local guide and enjoy the whole day exploring the city.

Days 22 - 26 (Days 134 - 138) We now drive along the Mediterranean coast with plenty of opportunities to freshen up with a swim from one of the many deserted beaches. Our next major stop is at the ancient Greek city of Cyrene. Established in the 7^th Century BC it has an outstanding history having come under the rule of Alexander the Great as well as being rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian after destruction by a Jewish revolt. Plato was also a resident of Cyrene.

From Cyrene it is a short drive to Tobruk, the scene of some of the most important and viscous battles of WW 2. Here we visit the well kept Commonwealth Cemeteries, containing 6128 graves of mainly British, Australian, New Zealand and South African troops. We will also see some of the 25 kms of fortified trenches and battle remains that circled the town. Don’t forget to wear shoes here as some of the barbed wire still exists in the sand!

Days 27 - 36 (Days 124 - 133) From Tobruk we cross into Egypt and visit El Alamein. Winston Churchill said ‘Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamain we never had a defeat.’ This was the turning point of the Second World War. It is well worth paying your respects at the cemeteries and visiting the excellent War Museum which documents Montgomery’s and Rommel’s momentous battles and it also houses much of the abandoned tanks and other armour. Next we stop at Alexandria where we can visit the old coffee houses or enjoy some of the excellent seafood or take a trip to the Catacombs in the eerie subterranean Roman Necropolis full of bizarre carvings and an ancient dining room for mourners! The beaches and diving here are also excellent with wrecks of Roman Galley’s, French Warships, German U-boats and Cleopatra’s Palace. 

A half days drive away brings us to Cairo which will be our base for the next week. The first day is spent in Cairo visiting the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza with a local Egyptologist guide (this also includes a camel ride around the Pyramids), we also visit the Egyptian History museum in the afternoon.

Those on the 30 day trip finish here in Cairo whilst others join us to carry onto Tbilisi, Bishkek & Beijing

You will have enough free time while here to travel by overnight train to Aswan and Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel or take a felucca trip on the Nile, or if you prefer to chill out on the Red Sea coast you can travel ahead of us to Dahab where you can also do a PADI dive course or spend longer in Alexandria and join us later in Cairo.

The truck spends several days in Cairo so the crew can stock up on supplies & organise visas etc for the next part of the trip.

Days 37 - 41 (Days 119 - 123) We drive for a day and a half through the desert passing under the Red Sea and the Suez Canal where we may well see the amazing spectacle of huge ships seemingly passing through the desert sands. We will stop off at Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery which are deep in the desert. It was here, that Moses received the Ten Commandments. It is a great place, if a little cold, to camp the night and watch the sunrise. Nearby is Dahab, on the Red Sea Coast which is our base for the next few days. Here, you can snorkel or scuba dive to some of the best coral in the world or enjoy the Bedouin hospitality and just relax on the beach.

Days 42 – 50 (Days 110 - 118) From Dahab we have a short drive to catch the ferry across the Red Sea to Aqaba in Jordan. From Aqaba we camp overnight in the desert at Wadi Rum - the desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia. This remote area is best viewed from the back of a camel, but there is also the chance to take a 4WD jeep safari deep into the desert. Petra - one of the main attractions in the Middle East is only a short drive away and is our next stop, this stone-carved city was only uncovered about 60 years ago after being forgotten for over 1000 years. Walking through an incredibly narrow, rocky defile brings you out to Petra's most famous site -The Treasury. The Nabataeans who carved this vast red city in 3 BC controlled the spice and slave caravans on their way to Arabia. From Petra we venture down to the lowest point on earth – The Dead Sea. Here, therapeutic mud baths and not so therapeutic mud fights are followed by an unusual swimming experience in this highly buoyant salt sea! In the late afternoon we have a short drive to Mt Nebo where we camp for the night with its dramatic views over Israel.

Syria is close by and our first stop in this fascinating country is the capital - Damascus. We spend three nights in this, the oldest inhabited city in the world. Syrians are among the most hospitable people you will ever meet. The country has a rich and varied history with the Egyptian, Roman, Babylonian and Persian Empires having all passed through here along with Jesus and his disciples! From Damascus we visit Crac de Chevaliers - an 800-year-old Crusader Castle - perched high on top of a mountain. Before leaving Syria our final destination is market town of Aleppo.

Days 51 – 60 (Days 101 - 109) From the Syria border we travel to the town of Khata. Nearby we climb the 2150m Nemrut Dagi where at the summit the statues of the gods of antiquity lie scattered. These huge statues were carved from solid rock by King Antiochus during the reign of Emperor Nero. We now cross the central plateau, a bleak and isolated area and we visit small towns well off the normal traveller's route. In May, this brown and ochre land is covered with grass and wild flowers. Our next major stop is at the visually powerful, windswept landforms of Cappadocia. Over the centuries houses, churches, fortresses and even underground cities have been carved into this eerily eroded volcanic rock. The Goreme Valley provides us with an astonishing setting in which to spend a few days investigating the region. We will take you to one of the underground cities where you can explore alone or with a guide this ancient and mysterious area! From here we head north to the mountain monastery at Sumela which is a fine example of Byzantine architecture in an awe inspiring location clinging to a cliff face 1,000 feet above the Altindere Valley. We hit the coast of the Black Sea at Trabzon, which is well known for its historic frescos in its old mosques and Ottoman buildings, and then follow the coast to the border of Georgia. For decades this border was hardly used but today it’s alive with Georgians and Russians crossing into Turkey to shop.

Days 61 - 69  (Days 91 - 100) We drive through western Georgia via Bat’umi, the country’s largest port and this is a good place to see the giant ships that operate on the Black Sea. Although small, Georgia is a country that is rich in culture, and has the most glorious landscapes anywhere in Eurasia. The high snow-capped Caucasus Mountains with their fertile valleys and gushing rivers dominate the country. Numerous fortresses, towers and churches will catch your eye as we travel through the countryside. In Kutasi we visit the 1000 year old ruined Bagrati Cathedral that overlooks the town from a high hill.

The nearby Sataplia Nature Reserve is the location of the world's largest collection of dinosaur tracks, as well as wolves and bears. Then at Gori we visit Stalin’s old house, now a museum, which has his private railway carriage parked outside. There is more than likely a good chance to try the local drop, Khuachkara – a sweet red wine said to be one of Stalin’s favourites which is traditionally drunk from a ram’s horn. The historic churches of Mtskheta, former capital of Georgia and today a World Heritage Site, are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture. They show the high artistic and cultural level attained by this ancient kingdom that have lived here for 3,000 years.

We reach Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi and the Old Town has much to offer. Here you can take a stroll along narrow cobbled streets, past traditional old houses with carved wooden balconies, relax in the warm waters of the historic sulphur baths and visit some of the city’s key historical sites; Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church.

Those on the 68 day trip from Marrakech finish here in Tbilisi.

Days 70 - 75 (Days 84 - 90) From Tbilsi and en route to Azerbaijan, we stop for wine tasting at Telavi and visit the impressive 6th century ruins at Gremi. Once in the tiny country of Azerbaijan, we drive through a long valley to Sheiki, which is famed for its silk production and was an important stop over on the silk route. Sheki is also famous for the 18th century Khan's summer palace which was built in 1762 by Hussein Khan who was also well known as a poet under his pen-name Mushtag. The two-storied building is decorated with magnificent frescos and exquisite stained glass work. In the country’s capital of Baku, we catch our first glimpse of the Caspian Sea. This is a bustling city that has made its fortune from oil, but it has a few historic sights such as the old fortress and Medieval Old Town and there is the opportunity to go on a day trip to visit the mud volcanoes at Gobustan. These small cones emit cold mud, water and gas almost continually. From Baku we board a ferry to take us across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan but as the boats are basic local timings can sometimes be erratic.

Days 76 – 85 (Days 74 - 83) It takes us roughly one to one half days to cross the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan. Nearly 80 % of the country is taken up by the Kara-Kum (Black Sand) Desert, and almost all the attractions lie around the fringes of the desert and in its oases. The semi nomadic people, the Turkmen lead an extraordinary life in this remote region and we may have the opportunity to see them and their conical homes known as yurts from the roadside. First we drive through to Bakharden where there are caves to explore and hot springs, and then stop in Geok Tepe to visit the impressive new mosque, before heading into the capital, Ashgabat, on the southern rim of the Kara-Kum Desert. This is a modern city that replaced the one founded in 1881, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1948. There’s a museum to visit that tells the story of the devastating earthquake. The sprawling Sunday market in Ashgabat is the best place to buy Turkmen carpets amongst the livestock & household goods. There may also be the opportunity to try the staple food whilst in Turkmenistan; plov – pronounced ‘plof’ – which consists of chunks of mutton, shredded yellow turnip & rice fried in a large wok. From Ashgabat there is a gruelling desert crossing that could take a few days but you will be well rewarded with camping out at night in one of the world’s most remote environments. Before leaving the country we stop briefly at Kunye Ugench to see the very tall minaret (60m + ).

Days 86 – 94 (Days 65 - 73) Uzbekistan has well preserved relics from the time when Asia was a centre of empire, learning, and trade along the famous silk route. Some of its cities have abundant old architecture, mosques and minarets cloaked with the mystery of the orient dating back thousands of years. Our first stop is in Khiva, one of the most noteworthy of the cities and towns of Central Asia. It is a unique monument town, completely preserved in the cultural style of the region, and is a World Heritage Site for its historical significance. It has more minarets than any other place in Asia, and the Juma Mosque which has an amazing 218 ornate carved wooden columns is another of the main attractions. We will spend at least a couple of nights here to explore the ancient madrassahs, medinas, mausoleums and museums and soak up the unique atmosphere. Next we explore another town with much historical influence that was also on the great silk route.  Bukhara is situated on a sacred hill, and was founded in the 13th century BC and it is home to over 350 mosques and some 100 Islamic colleges. It’s an attractive city with narrow streets, green parks and gardens and is a pleasure to wander around and there will be the opportunity for a bout of good humoured haggling in the bazaar.

The Kyzylkum Desert is about 300,000 sq km and lies between the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya rivers. This is a vast arid plain with a number of isolated bare mountains rising to 900 metres and we spend at least one night camping out in the desert before driving to Samarkand, the second largest city in the country. The history of Samarkand is about 2,500 years old and it’s as old as Babylon or Rome. Here we have a couple of days to explore the splendid architecture such as the 15th century Bibi—Khanum Mosque which when it was built was considered to have the largest dome in the Muslim world. Today it stands next a noisy and colourful Oriental market, and other sights include stately squares and mausoleums. From here we drive northwards to Tashkent, the present capital of Uzbekistan. Although the city has always been an important international transport junction, unfortunately only a small part of its architectural past is preserved, due to demolition of historical and religious buildings after the revolution of 1917 and a massive earthquake in 1966. Of interest among the older buildings are the 16^th century Kukeldash Madrassah and the Kaffali-Shash Mausoleum, and there is a choice of modern museums to visit. There is also the opportunity to sample some of the excellent Russian restaurants in the city.

Days 95 - 104 (Days 55 - 64) Kyrgyzstan is a rugged country with the Tien Shan mountain range covering approximately 95% of the whole territory. The mountaintops are perennially covered with snow and glaciers. The drive from Tashkent takes us through the dramatic Fergana Valley and over the border. Our first stop is Osh and there are good views of the town surrounded by tobacco and cotton fields from the Sulayman Rock in the middle of town. At the bazaar there are some small taverns, where you can sit on balconies beside the river which overlook the entire bazaar.

From here we head into the heart of the mountains and spend about three—four days driving through snow capped peaks and camping in the wild. En route we visit the Song-Kul Lake which is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 m above sea level, and it’s a stunning spot with the surrounding glaciers reflected on the still water. We also drive through the spectacular Kochkorka Valley where we pay a visit to one of the many carpet shops and it may be possible to go horse riding as well. We then stop at another mountain lake, Lake Issyk-Kul in the northern Tien Shan Mountains and with a surface area of 6,300 sq km this is considered to be one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, and is famous for its magnificent scenery.

The surrounding countryside is full of fruit trees and the local people transport their wares by traditional donkey and cart. On the southeast shores of the lake is the town of Karakol with its attractive houses and tree-lined streets, and behind it are the Terskay Ala-Too Mountains, an unspoilt wilderness populated only by nomadic shepherds and only then during the summer. On the northern shore of the lake is Colpon Ata, and we stop to enjoy a mud cure at one of the many number of spas and health-resorts here.

Days 105 - 112 (Days 45 - 53)From Lake Issyk-Kul we head for the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek via the famous hot springs and red rocks in the Djety—Oguz Valley. Bishkek is a largely Soviet-built city, and along Ulitsa Sovietskaya, the broad tree-lined road between the railway station and the city centre, are the Kyrgyz State Opera and Ballet Theatre and the State Art Museum. Other attractions include the History Museum and the Lenin Museum. Less than an hour's drive from Bishkek the Ala-Archa Nature Reserve offers spectacular scenery for trekking and skiing.

Those on the 16 week trip from Marrakech finish here in Bishkek whilst those on the 45 day trip to Beijing join us

From Bishek we spend a few days driving south through the mountains again for a couple of days to reach the border with China. This is a difficult journey along rough roads and at high altitude so expect to be cold and a little uncomfortable. The border is crossed via the Torugat Pass in the Tien Shan Mountains which at 3,752 m is one of the highest passes in the world. On the way we cross vast high plains where Kyrgyz nomads, living in their traditional yurts, practice a lifestyle which has changed little over the centuries. Once on the other side of the pass we descend into China and eventually reach our first Chinese city, Kashgar which is an old city in the far western Chinese province of Xingjian. We take the opportunity to stock up with provisions and explore and if we are here on a Sunday visit the local market which attracts a rather staggering 60,000 shoppers. Also here is one of the few statues of Chairman Mao still standing which gazes across People's Square.

From Kashgar we travel on through the string of oases which skirt the inhospitable Taklamakan Desert, also dubbed the desert of death or the place of no return. It takes several days to cross the desert which constitutes one of the largest moving bodies of sand in the world, stretching west from Kashgar to the mysterious desert of Lop in the east. It extends for 960 kilometres from west to east, and is 272,000 sq km in size and its dunes conceal the ruins of numerous ancient civilizations. On the way we stop in Hotan which despite being in a remote location is home to 1.2 million people and we have our first experience of how populated China is. It’s a clean and modern city and is best known for its carpet making, silk production and jewellery made from the local jade. We will have the opportunity to visit a carpet shop and watch the weavers at work. On the eastern edge of the desert we stop at Korla which is situated at the foot of Mount Tianshan.This is the centre of China’s oil and gas industries and the new petroleum economy has left its mark all over downtown Korla, from the smart department stores and shopping malls that line the broad streets of the central city to a large nightclub district that bathes in flashing neon after sunset. By night, flares from the new oil fields blaze on the horizon in every direction on the bleak roads that run along the edge of the desert. There is also presently much excavation going on in this region by archaeologists who have discovered relics from a 6th century dynasty.

Days 113 - 124 (Days 33 - 44) Bosten Lake which is 57 kilometres northeast of Korla, is the largest freshwater lake in Xinjiang, which serves as a natural reservoir. Covering over 1,000 sq km, the lake is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Gobi Desert. To accommodate developing tourism, recreational facilities have been gradually set up around the lake and here we have the opportunity to go on a boat ride or go water-skiing. We then drive north through the mountains to the city of Urumqi which has a population of 1.5 million and is surrounded by snowy peaks. Although the city is made up of a dense crop of skyscrapers, the region around Urumqi is been made up of lush pastures populated by many minorities who herd their sheep and cattle; Urumchi actually meaning ‘beautiful pastures’ in Mongolian. This is the first truly Chinese city on our route, and here we can witness the consumer boom that is sweeping the high streets of China in the many shopping malls.

From here we head southeast to Turpan, which lies in a dust bowl at low attitude and is frequently dubbed one of the hottest places in the world. The town is picturesquely covered in vine trellises, shading the friendly locals from some of the fiercest heat in China. We visit the town’s old mosques and take a tour to the ruins of Goachang City which was founded in the 2nd century BC, which at its height had a multi-ethnic population of perhaps 30,000 and was doubtless an impressive sight to those arriving on caravans.  Its massive rammed earthen walls were 11.5 m high and about the same thickness. We also visit the Thousand Buddha Caves which were dug out and painted by monks from the 4th century. Many of the images have disappeared or been renovated, but the wall paintings, depicting religious scenes, are still in a wonderful state of preservation.

We leave Turpan and start our long journey east to cross the Gobi Desert via the oasis towns of the Gansu Province. The first place of interest is Dunhuang and here we visit the famed Mogao Grottoes. This honeycomb of caves was constructed from the 4th to the 14th centuries, and is one of the world's richest treasure houses of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. We also take a trip to the edge of the oasis to Min Sha Hill and the Crescent Moon Pool.

Spring water trickles up into a depression between huge sand dunes, forming a crescent-shaped pond. Here we will be able to scramble up and slide down one of the giant dunes and there is the opportunity to take camel ride on a Bactrian camel ( the two humped variety) over the sand dunes.

Days 125 – 133 (Days 24 - 32) A couple of days drive takes us east to Jiayuguan which gives us our first glimpse of the Great Wall of China as the city is at its most western end. This incredible feat of engineering was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). This section of the wall has been upgraded and we can take a walk along it and visit the Jiayuguan Fort which was the last outpost of the Great Wall. We also visit the Wei Jin Tombs which date from somewhere between 220 – 420 AD which have early rock art on the walls and the mummies unearthed at the tombs can be seen in the adjacent museum.

Our next stop is the town of Wuwei, another centre for Buddhism. Places of interest include the Haizang Temple, Loshi Pagoda, Confucian Temple and the Leitai Taoist Temple. As well as the attractive temples, there's a pleasant new town and some quite substantial remains of the old settlement. The town's single most famous object, the Han-dynasty Flying Horse of Wuwei, dating from 206 BC - 220 AD was discovered here in 1969 in an ancient tomb. The original is now housed in the Lanzhou Museum but the symbol of the horse, depicted in full gallop and stepping on the back of a swallow, can be seen everywhere in town.

We then move on to Lanzhou, a city that has a 2,000-year history and is capital of Gansu Province. It spans the wide Yellow River, so named because of its sludgy colour. With a population of 2.83 million people, it is one of the largest cities in the northwest, and this concentration has done little to improve the pollution that thickens the air and that flows downriver. We have some time to explore and from the White Pagoda Temple Park on a mountain overlooking the city there are tremendous views of the skyline and river. If time allows we make two short excursions from Lanzhou. One is to the Maijishan Grottoes which is a steep rock face with 194 cave-shrines chiselled out of it that provide shelters to 7,200 stone and clay figurines and 1,300 square metres of murals. It’s a compelling sight and the clay figures are fastidiously crafted to the tiniest detail.  The second excursion is to the Bingling Grottoes, also known as the Bingling Temple, which are another intriguing series of Buddhist caves on a cliff face, some 80km from Lanzhou and accessed by boat across the Yellow River. At present, there are 183 caves housing hundreds of sculptures and 900 sq meters of murals. The largest statue is a giant 27 meter-high seated Maitreya, the future Buddha. The first cave was built here in 420 AD by daring Buddhists who descended from the cliff on ropes to carve their masterpieces. Today there are a series of winding walkways and stairs that lead you around the site. Note that this excursion is only available in summer months.

From Lanzhou we drive Xiahe to visit the Tibetan style Buddhist Labrang Monastery and see the grand halls, the white towers, and the tens of thousands of gold Buddha statues decorated with ivory and jade. Then continuing south, we head for Chengdu, stopping off at Huanglong National Park on the way to savour some of the spectacular scenery and hiking trails.

Days 134 - 140 (Days 17 - 23) Chengdu is another mega-city that is home to over 10 million people. In the downtown area, long and wide avenues are flanked by high rise buildings and there are a number of shops, bazaars, restaurants and traditional teahouses to visit. We have the opportunity to take a city tour to see the sights such as the Wuhou Memorial Temple and Wenshu Monastery and it’s also the best place in China to see giant pandas. We can visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, which is the world's only giant panda breeding and research base. This is a very informative excursion and the centre has been listed by the United Nations in the top 500 environmental programs in the world due to the fact that nearly 50 pandas have been born here.

From Chengdu we head 160 km southwest to Emeishan which is part of one of the four mountain ranges in China that Buddhists consider sacred and there are a number of temples to explore. The mountains stretch more than 200 km from south to north. Its main peak, Wanfo Top, is 3,099 meters above sea level, and the high rising peaks are home to gurgling springs, towering ancient trees and fragrant flowers. From the mountains we now have a short drive to Leshan to visit the 71 metre high Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world which sits at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. He is depicted barefooted with drooping ears and has his hair arranged in a spiral topknot. His chest is exposed and his hands rest on his knees, and carved from the side of the Lingyun Hill, his head is level with the cliff top.

Days 141 - 150 (Days 7 - 16) Chongqing, the capital of Sichuan Province is China’s largest city which covers a rather staggering 82,000 sq km and is home to 31 million people and is our next stop. The vista of skyscrapers goes on forever. We have a day here to go sightseeing before we embark on our three day cruise on the Yangtze River. Dozens of luxury cruise ships operate on the river on the stretch between Chongqing and Yichang and pass through the impossibly scenic narrow and meandering gorges of Xiling, Wu and Qutang, This is a very relaxing excursion and the boats have a full range of modern facilities and onboard entertainment. We disembark at Yichang where there is a very impressive suspension bridge over the wide expanse of the Yangtze River and a tangle of aerial highways snaking through the city.

Presently there is a large dam project going on 27km upstream from Yichang that is due to be completed in 2009 and will create a massive lake where the Yangtze will be damned. This will create the world’s largest hydro electric scheme. Yichang is also where we re-join our vehicle and we then drive due east, before arriving in Wuhan. In this city, the Hanjiang River joins China's great Yangtze River and Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province, is the biggest hub city in Central China. It has a history going back 3,500 years and starting here, early merchants followed the great Yangtze River and lake network to expand trade throughout the entire country. These days it is another mecca for shopping and nightlife, though the Yellow Crane Tower is worth a look, which is a fine pagoda originally built in 223 AD before being destroyed by fire several times. The present one which is 51 meters high, with five storeys and red pillars was built in the 1980s. 

Driving via Zhengzhou another commercial city and capital of the Henan Province, with a population of 2 million we soon reach Shaolin to visit the monastery which although destroyed on several occasions has been on this site since 495 AD. This is thought to be the birth place of Kung Fu and centuries ago it is believed the monks at the monastery to relieve themselves of the great monotony of daily life, imitated the movements of various different animals, which gradually developed into a unique martial art. Nowadays much of the spiritual side of Kung Fu has been lost, and today there is a Kung Fu Academy here. If we are lucky we may see some of the orange robed monks perform. Moving on we pass through Luoyang, a giant industrial city located on the southern banks of the Yellow River with a population of 5 million and reach the world-famous Longmen Grottoes. Here two hills confront each other with the Yi River running northward between them. Another World Heritage Site, the grottoes were first sculptured around 493 AD. Today, there are 2345 caves and niches, 100,000 Buddhist images ranging in size from 2 cm to 17m, more than 2800 inscribed tablets, and 43 Buddhist pagodas. The most extraordinary statue is in the Fengxian Temple and is the Grand Vairocana Buddha, which is 17.14 meters tall with his head 4 meters long and his ear 1.9 meters wide. 

Days 151 - 156  (Days 1 - 6) From Luoyang we climb aboard the truck for our last days drive and head east to the city to Xi’an, which is well known for its cultural and historical importance. Its history goes back over 6000 years and over time 13 dynasties placed their capitals here, and today Xi’an enjoys equal importance with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the world’s four major ancient civilisation capitals. There are an abundance of relics and sites to see and we spend a couple of days here to absorb everything.

Of these the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is probably the most famous. These are the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century and work is ongoing at this site. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 in 246 BC, Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China began work on his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish and it is believed he built this army to accompany him into the afterlife. The museum covers over 16,000 sq metres and the armies of soldiers with their horses and chariots are arranged in lines under a giant aircraft hanger type roof. There are over 7,000 figures and it really is a remarkable sight and quite rightfully earns its title as a World Heritage Site. Other sites in Xi’an include the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang which is also on the World Heritage List, and the City Wall which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Around Xi'an, the Famen Temple is a fine Buddhist pagoda. Xi’an is also well known for its food and nightlife and there are some attractive restaurant districts to wander around in the evening.

From Xi'an we begin our last journey -  by train to Beijing.

We arrive in Beijing after a 15 hr train journey ready to explore China's capital and soak up the atmosphere. Beijing is a heaving, thriving place, an economic power house of Asia, and the cultural centre of China. We include a guided city tour on our last day of the trip, before enjoying our last night party in some of the many bars and clubs in the city.