3 independent reviews for China Silk Road tour
Reviews for China Silk Road tour
Stella Wheeler review 9 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult to choose between all the sights, but the Rainbow Mountains and the Karakorum Highway scenery were undoubted highlights!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The security for boarding the high-speed train from Dunhuang to Urumqi is very high. Don't pack scissors bigger than nail scissors and don't pack a penknife. We had both these items confiscated! Also, be prepared for some long days on the road, but it's woth it!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We ate in restaurants that were used by local people and seemed to be run by locals too, so I hope we provided business for them.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic! The arrangements went like clockwork, the guides were all friendly, helpful and attentive and we saw so many interesting historical sites and so much superb scenery. Xinjiang is a beautiful province. well worth seeing despite the extra-high security everywhere.Faye Walker review 15 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We thoroughly enjoyed our whole trip and had difficulty picking the most memorable from the Terracotta warriors, the night markets at Xi'an and Dunhuang, the visit to the Bingling Grottoes, the Rainbow Mountains, seeing the Gobi desert and the various forms of renewable power ( wind and solar farms and solar collector, but also coal fired power stations), the camel ride on the huge sand dune at Dunhuang to Crescent Lake, the drive through the mountains past Lake Bulong and Lake Karakul, and the livestock market in Kashgar. It was a great mixture of history, religion, culture, food and scenery.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for lots of security checks in Xinjiang province (it can be quite variable including not being able to take manicure scissors or a small Swiss Army knife in a suitcase on a bullet train, or hand sanitiser containing alcohol on an airplane), and lots of local tourists. Realise that you will get the official position on various issues. Women should remember to take toilet paper with them each day and be prepared for squat toilets. Also Google, gmail, facebook and WhatsApp aren't available and you need to use alternatives. In some places, there is no internet access, but it can be worth trying. Rely on cash not credit cards and US$ work best.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were conscious of being environmentally responsible and mostly ate in small local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The trip for us is very dependent on the knowledge and communication skills of the local guides. Most were very good to excellent, but sometimes one was not very forthcoming with information. Overall a great experience and excellent mixture - the only thing which we added and would recommend for inclusion, was an evening performance of a Chinese ballet of a legend, in Dunhuang, or something similar.Gill Forester review 28 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The people we met, the range of places we visited, the quality of our guides. The drive through the Karakoram Mountain range from Kashgar to Tashkurgen2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't go with any fixed ideas about what it might be like. Be open to everything you see.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The vacation was excellent and I would recommend it to others. If I was redesigning the itinerary I would not include the Yadan National Geologic Park - too much driving in one day. Include a visit to Yar ancient city Have the extra day by not visiting the national geological park in UrumqiHoliday Reviews
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