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Istanbul to Beijing Overview

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‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

See Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan as you travel from Istanbul to Beijing

Unravel the complex, curious and cultured kingdoms of the Middle East and Central Asia on a gigantic overland expedition through some of the most remote regions on the planet. Shuffle down the cobblestone streets of Istanbul before embarking on a voyage through windswept deserts and across jagged mountain ranges - stopping to visit thriving cities and tiny towns along the way. Follow the legendary Silk Road across Iran’s remote landscapes to culture-rich Tehran, pass through narrow valleys into Uzbekistan, eyeball the intriguing Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an and explore secluded sections of the colossal Great Wall. From Turkey to China, this overland odyssey leaves the tourist crowds behind and forges a path through some of the world’s most captivating destinations.

  • Climb deserted sections of the Great Wall of China
  • Cross the infamous Torugart Pass from Kyrgyzstan to China
  • Discover the romance of the Silk Road in Samarkand
  • See the army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
  • Visit Istanbul and tour the Blue Mosque
  • Visit Kyrgyzstan’s epic Song Kol Lake
  • Walk through Uzbekistan’s historic city of Bukhara
  • Wander through Beijing’s’ Forbidden City

Istanbul to Beijing Summary

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Days 50-51 Song-Kol Lake

Spend the night in a yurt near Song-Kol Lake and join in a game of ulak-tartysh.

Day 52 Bush Camp

Make tracks back to Bishkek, stopping to camp in the wilderness overnight.

Days 53-54 Bishkek

Relax in Bishek. Why not stroll through the city's markets and haggle for bargains. Alternatively, relaxing in an Oak Park cafe and reflecting on the adventure is another good option!

Day 55 Kochkor

Make Kyrgyz friends on an authentic homestay experience in Kochkor.

Day 56 Bush Camp

Take a good book as today's lengthy border crossing meanders through the Torugart pass and into Kyrgyzstan, past rugged mountains and wild terrain.

Day 57 Kashgar

The striking atmosphere of Kashgar provides a refreshing contrast to the past two days' travel. Soak up the exotic sights, sounds and smells of this unique destination.

Day 58 Karakol

Set off early to get to stunning Lake Karakol. Spend the day wallowing in the surrounds of this magnificent setting before spending the night in traditional yurts.

Days 59-61 Kashgar

Travel to the westernmost end of China and visit Kashgar, an exotic fusion of Chinese, Uzbek and Kyrgyz. Wander the streets that weave through the old town and discover the markets and bazaars of this diverse city.

Days 62-63 Bush Camp

Leave Kashgar and head to the outskirts of the enormous Taklamakan Desert. Travelling into seemingly unchartered terrain, spend two days on an overland adventure.

Days 64-65 Heavenly Lake

Travel towards the Tian Shan mountain range, and arrive at the pristine Heavenly Lake. Located at the top of a mountain - and in the middle of a desert - this is a remote spot, perfect for relaxation.

Days 66-67 Turpan

Escape the desert sands in the laidback town of Turpan. Explore the famous Jiahe ruins, visit the night market or perhaps soak up the lively energy among locals in the town square.

Day 68 Bush Camp

Continue the Overland adventure towards the ancient Silk Road town of Dunhuang. Spend the night wild camping beneath the desert stars.

Days 69-70 Dunhuang

Arrive in Dunhuang and relax in this Gansu oasis trading town. Visit the nearby Mogao Caves and discover their breathtaking Buddhist art.

Days 71-72 Bush Camp/Great Wall

Drive to Jiayuguan and discover deserted sections of the Great Wall.

Days 73-74 Liujiaxia

At the crossroads of Qinghai and Gangsu, arrive at Liujiaxia. Visit the Bingling Si Buddhist grottoes to see intricate cliff-side carvings.

Days 75-76 Xiahe

Travel to the Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, often described as one of the most enchanting places to visit in China.

Day 77 Lanzhou

Make tracks to Lanzhou and relax beside the rushing waters of the Yellow River.

Day 78 Pingliang

Overland to lovely Pingliang, located at the base of the verdant Kongtong Mountain. If feeling energetic, climb through five lush terraces to the scared site of Mount Kongtong, passing temples and shrines along the way.

Days 79-81 Xi'an

Admire the 2,000-year-old army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.

Days 82-83 Yan'An

Admire the view from atop the temple-studded Kongtong Mountain and enjoy the spoils of Gansu Province, which has a rich and colourful history as one of the important links on the ancient Silk Road.

Day 84 Lijiashan

The reward for a morning of travel is letting off steam in Shapotou, where daredevils will delight in the dune-sliding madness of this sandy wonderland.

Days 85-86 Pingyao

After a pit stop at the grand temples of Zhongwei Gao Miao, enjoy fraternising with locals amid the ebb and flow of daily life in provincial China in the friendly city of Yinchuan.

Days 87-88 Wutai Shan

Head to the Five Terrace Mountains, a focus for transnational pilgramage for Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols and Manchus alike. Many magnificent artworks are on show and powerful temples are scattered throughout the wilderness.

Days 89-90 Datong

Marvel at the Hanging Monastery and explore the World Heritage-listed Yungang Grottoes.

Day 91 Jinshanling

Take a walk along the monumental Great Wall as it snakes its way through rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

Days 92-93 Chengde

Stroll through the lush Shanzhuang gardens in the footsteps of past Emperors who holidayed here. Take in the rich heritage of Chengde by bicycle or admire Mongolian and Tibetan influences in local temples and monasteries.

Days 94-96 Beijing

End the tour by joining the buzzing hive that is Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City to admire imperial architecture or the sprawling Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lake.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Finish:

    Beijing, China

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 19

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (15 nts), Camping (with facilities) (7 nts), Cave house (1 nt), Guesthouse (4 nts), Homestay (2 nts), Hostel (2 nts), Hotel (55 nts), Yurt (5 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    Ali Qapu Palace, Animal market, Bisu Shanzhuang, Black Dragon Temple, Esfahan walking tour, Forbidden City Tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Great Wall, Entrance, Jinshanling section, Beijing, Guided city tour, Guided tour of ancient ruins of Persepolis, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided Tour of Terracotta Warriors, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Guided walking tour, Hanging Monastery, Entrance, Datong, Hiking, Iman Mosque entrance and guided tour, Ishak Pasha Palace, Jameh Mosque, Puning Temple, entrance,, Regional Museum, Revolution Museum & Headquarters site, Sunday Market, Taihui Temple Cluster, Tehran walking tour, Visit to ancient ruined city, Visit to Lake Tuz, Women's felt-making cooperative, Yunguang Grottos, Entrance, Datong

  • Notes:

    1. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
    2. Due to a British government travel warning, from September 2012 this itinerary will no longer be able to visit Iran. It will instead travel from Turkey to Georgia and then through Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan. Passengers already booked to travel in 2012 have been notified. The new itinerary for 2013 will be published by November.
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About China , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Iran

    • 96
    • KDOZC
    • 4.50 out of 5
    • Contact us Discontinued trips tool tip
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    • Overland
    • Basix
Contact us
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

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