Silk Road from Xi’an to Kashgar with Asia Connect Tours

This item appears on page 46 of the February 2009 issue.
Ed Lifset at the Magao Caves, which house one of the largest collections of Buddhist paintings and sculptures in all of China, some of it more than 1,500 years old. — outside of Dunhuang in Xinjiang Provence, China. Photo by Mary Waters

Having traveled to China five times since 1973, I had never traveled the famed Silk Road from Xi’an to Kashgar or in the vast area east of Chengdu. I selected a trip in April ’08 offered by Asia Connect Tours (Wayne, NJ; 800/803-3656, www.asiaconnect tours.com), which is the agent for China International Travel Service (CITS) out of Beijing, PRC.

The total cost of the 15-day trip was $2,774, which excluded international airfare but included six domestic flights; transfers to/from airports; 3-star or better hotels; all meals; English-speaking guides at each location; all entrance fees; two nights of excellent entertainment shows; single supplement, and a late-signup fee. We also had a free day in Beijing at the start of the trip and two days and nights in Shanghai at the end.

All of the domestic flights were on Chinese airlines and all were on time and most satisfactory. All Chinese airports were relatively new, uncrowded and quite efficient.

The trip was excellent — all that I anticipated and much more. It included travel by motor vehicles as well as camel.

I originally intended to take a similar tour with another company; however, in several conversations the agent was so knowledgeable and helpful on the phone that I elected to go with Asia Connect.

Our group of only eight comprised well-traveled, compatible adventurers. This made the trip most enjoyable.

ED LIFSET

Oceanside, CA