Day 1. Arrival to Beijing.
Early in the morning as soon as you land and get off the plane you will be carefully met and taken to the hotel. Right from this moment you are starting your amazing acquaintance with China and this country is worth crossing all seas and oceans. To be sure! This is the country with a 5000-thousand-year history! It is really able to astonish. Just imagine: 29 out of 754 UNESCO World Heritage objects are located here, which results in the fact that China is ranked third in the world with respect to the number of the world heritage objects. Now you are in the country, people of which invented compass, sail, printing, plough, umbrella, porcelain, calendar, seismoscope, kite, and arbalest…

First of all you will visit Tiananmen Square located in the centre of Beijing. Long ago it was a palatial square situated behind the Platform of the Forbidden Palace. Appreciate the chance given to you by luck as in the times of the emperors ordinary people were not able to visit this square! Take a look at its majesty, symmetry and thrilling mightiness. This square is the largest in the world, thus, try to imagine the following: it can fit up to million people at a time!

Then you will see former residence of the Chinese emperors, which without a doubt is the main attraction of Beijing. Full name of the emperor’s palace in Chinese sounds like «Zijin Cheng» - «Purple Forbidden City», and the name «Gùgōng» meaning the «Former Palace» appeared later. Nowadays people in Beijing mostly use the name «Gùgōng» when referring to the palace and this name has almost replaced the first one.

The next place our guide will direct you to is the Great Chinese Wall! Well, of course not all of it. You will see the part of the wall, which is located in Beijing. It’s not just another attraction of China; it is the symbol and the pride of the whole body of the Chinese civilization, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Do you know that this wall has been built for more than 2000 years?! And do you know that its alternative names are «The largest cemetery in the world» and «The Wall of Tears»? Don’t you? then it’s time to pack and head for China, time to start the tour along the great Silk Road! Here you will find a lot of thing, which are impressive, terrifying and intriguing, the things you won’t ever find in any other country of the world.

After visit the "miraculous” wall you will continue your way towards the Mausoleum of the Ming emperors. We have to be quick because, unfortunately, the day is not endless... Well, Ming Tombs… 13 Ming emperors and empresses rest in peace here. Isn’t it scary? Don’t worry! Chinese security systems are up and running. Here you will see not only the tombs by themselves but the whole underground palace ("Underground Palace of Dingling”) - the place where almost every offspring of the Ming dynasty found his/her ultimate and final destination.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 2. Beijing - Xian (T27 21:30 - 08:36).
Tonight you will leave Beijing for Xian, which is another beautiful Chinese city.

However, while you are still here you can visit the Summer Imperial Palace, which has got more than a 800-year history. There is the largest and pretty well-preserved Imperial Garden in China, which was laid out around the palace. During the tour around the Summer Imperial Palace you will see the East Glorious Gate, the Hall of Literary Glory, the Hall of Nephritic Waves, the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, roofed gallery, marble boat and other fine monuments of the past centuries’ architecture.

In the afternoon you will find out what the real Temple of Heaven looks like! This is the place where the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties gathered annually for a prayer to heaven for peace and good harvest. The most amazing thing here is the Echo Wall. Could you imagine that every word said by you facing the wall will echo to your interlocutor at the other side of the wall? Well, definitely there is nothing to say about the confidentiality of such a conversation!

In the evening you will be delivered to the railway station to catch a night train to Xian (Т27 (21:30 - 08:36)).

Day 3. Xian.
As you arrive and check in to the hotel, you will have a full day sightseeing in Xian. You can be sure that you’ve come here not for nothing, because long ago Xian was the starting point of the Great Silk Road. The first caravans were starting from here in the II C BC. It happened due to the following: Emperor Wu of Han, who ruled that time, required pedigree horses for his cavalry. In 138-126 BC imperial envoy Zhang Qian, who were in Central Asia that time, saw local pedigree horses. Upon coming back he told the Emperor that in the region he was travelling across there is no silk weaving at all, however, there are excellent horses, fruit, wine, etc. These news suggested emperor an idea to create a trade corridor and as it is known nowadays the idea was worthy! In 121 BC the first camelcade loaded with the silk and bronze mirrors headed for the Ferghana Oasis through the Turpan Depression along the Flaming Mountains and Tian Shan ridges. Therefore, Xi’an is the spot where the beginning of a many-century history of the Great Silk Road was initiated.

Nowadays Xian is an administrative centre of the Shaanxi province. It is situated in the western part of the Guanzhong Plain and is the largest urban area there. In ancient times Xian was called Chang"an and was a world-famous capital. The history of the city is more than 3000-year long. For that period many unique monuments were created here.

In Xian you will see the most astonishing attraction of China - the Terracotta Army of the first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang. The hundreds of warriors of different appearance and with different eye expressions will stare at you amazed by the fact that you’ve dared to trespass upon their domain where they are used to guard the emperor’s peace.

Besides, you will visit the Horse Museum and after the rich lunch you will head for the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, which one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Our guide will friendly tell you about the foundation of this monument in 652 AD and the legend related to its origination.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 4. Xian - Lanchow (K119 22:26 - 06:27).
Today you will continue your city-tour around Xi’an. The Shaanxi History Museum is waiting for you as well as the visit to the Great Mosque and local Muslim bazaar do. Traditional souvenirs reminding you that you’ve been at the initial point of the Great Silk Road can be bought here. Furthermore, here you can taste traditional Chinese sweets: dumplings made of the corn called votaw, sweet rice with candied fruit called babaofan and fruits in the hot bass caramel. The stands of street merchants offer not only sweets but also different sorts of tofu (bean curd), various mushrooms, pieces of meet and bamboo sprouts and even lotus sprouts roasted in a deep fat. Well, anyway if you will be brave enough to taste Chinese cuisine the first thing you will be offered are sweetish, vitamin C and starch-reach lotus underground stem. In fact, the Chinese eat all parts of the lotus, even stamens and stems because they believe such a diet prolong adolescence. Therefore, don’t miss your chance to try this natural cure!

By the way, do you know that the Great Silk Road has got its name in 1877 following the example of the German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen? The fact is that this trade route was established due to the profitability of the silk manufacture, which existed only in China and, thus, being an exclusive item was highly demanded. Hence, the title suggested by Herr Richthofen being a pure notional quintessence became a commonly used term.

In the evening you will be transferred to the railway station to take a night train К119 (22:26 - 06:27) to the next destination - the city of Lanchow.

Day 5. Xiahe - Labrang (280 km).
Upon arrival to Lanchow you will be transferred to a small town Xiahe. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the history of Lanchow… Lanchow was purposefully built in the point where the Huang He River was crossing with the great Silk Road. Nowadays the city is a modern mixture of the glass and concrete and there are a lot o bridges with small restaurants located in the bridges. The centre of the city attracts with its market of antiquities. You can buy here calligraphic scrolls, hand-made carved folding screens, ancient coins, glittering swords, wooden arbalests, bronze statues of the warriors, smoking pipes, caskets with the secret, unusual jewelry…

On your way to Xiahe you will visit the famous Binling Monastery, which is 80 km from Lanchow. One can get to the monastery after he/she has ferried over the artificial water reserve, which appeared due to the construction of the dam on the Yellow River (the Huang He River) in 1967. The famous Caves of a Thousand Buddhas are in the Binling. If to evaluate their majesty and historical value they yield only to the caves in Dunhuang and those in the Mingsha Shan Mount. 34 caves and 149 niches with 679 stone-made figures and 82 clay ones are preserved up to now along with 900 m2 of frescos. After the lunch you will continue to Xiahe, where you are expected to be comfortably accommodated at the hotel.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 6. Xiahe - Lanchow - (280 km, 5 hrs.) - Jiayuguan.
Today you will have to visit the legendary Xiahe Monastery. It is one of the 6 largest monasteries of the Geluk school of Buddhism in China. Xiahe Monastery is a real treasury of the art objects. You will see here stunning frescos and tapestries, Tibetan furniture, white Tibetan scarves and stupas (cone-shaped vases decorated with gems where the bones of the religious and political leaders of Tibet are kept) as well as the great number of statues of Buddhas: peaceful Gautama (Present Buddha) and Maitreya (Future Buddha) decorated with the turquoise and golden ornaments, golden Tsun Kha-pa and a bronze statue of Tszyamuyan I. The monastery is surrounded by a picturesque landscape ideal for horse-riding.

You will spend the whole day wondering around the monastery and in the evening you will go back to Lanchow to take a night train to Jiayuguan.

Day 7. Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (330 km, 5-6 hrs.).
In Jiayuguan you will visit an urban fortress, the Museum of the Great Chinese Wall (straight behind the main gates of the fortress), part of the wall between the fortress and Qilian Mountains and one of the numerous watchtowers built in the epoch of Ming dynasty.

Jiayuguan is the very first fortress built at the Silk Road. It is situated at the western end of the Great Chinese Wall. A small town of the same name attached to the fortress appeared a bit later. This fortress was successfully guarding strategic pass ways for the centuries. The pass way surrounded by the forbidding rocks from both sides has always been a great temptation for those thinking about an armed invasion. The Silk Road passing through these natural gates favored the development and prosperity of the city as all caravans passing here were obliged to pay certain "customs” due. This pass is one of the most well-preserved gates of this ancient fortress.

The legend about construction of the fortress is quite noticeable. When his part of the Great Wall was under construction the architect in charge was asked how many bricks he would require. The construction process was stated after they had manufactured the number of bricks declared by the architect. After the construction had been finished it happened to be that a single brick left over. However, this fact didn’t help the architect to avoid an unjust accusation. He was accused of excess expenditures. The unfortunate "excess” brick is still there and you can see it peacefully lying on a visible spot above the central passage.

Having visited the Wall you will continue to Dunhuang - the city, at the hotel of which you are supposed to spend an upcoming night.

Day 8. Dunhuang - Turpan.
Dunhuang is famous with the caves, barkhans and ancient monuments. Actually if to speak about the caves then this place is like a Turkish Cappadocia! Today you will visit Mogao cave temples! Here you will find out that Mogao Grottoes are also known as the "Caves of a Thousand Buddhas”. It is a unique collection of fresco paintings, sculpture and other objects of the ancient Chinese architecture (IV - XIV CC) gathered during the rule of the nine emperor’s dynasties. All 500 grottoes are equipped with the locked-up aluminum doors, which can be unlocked only by the guides or the security officers. The walls of each grotto are decorated with frescos and there are one or more motley statues inside. Guess what? You can get into the most interesting grottoes only if you are able to pay an imposed fee. Moreover, nobody is allowed to take photos inside the grottoes. And the last advice is to take with you a high beam pocket torch and some drinking water.

Furthermore, 5 km from the city are so called Singing Sands. In fact, these are huge barkhans. It is very hot here in the day time but when the weather is windy (but not stormy) the sands are singing. These barchans are said to be the highest in China as even the dunes of Taklamakan are lower.

After some rest upon coming back to Dunhuang you will take a night train to Turpan.

Day 9. Turpan.
Geographical contrasts of the famous region of the Turpan Depression are regarded as the most record-breaking on the Earth. As Andrey Mihaylov from the Russian magazine "Continent” writes: "first of all, these are the altitude differences. The Turpan Depression is the second deep both in Asia and in the world after the Dead Sea Depression”. The first person who measured its depth was Przewalski"s apprentice Roborowski. He figured out that the depression is 130 m (plus-minus 30 m) below the sea level. It was a geographical furore as even the most progressive theorists of the physical geography had never supposed that such a depression can be found at the heart of the highest mountains of the planet. And that’s true as even the nearest mountains surrounding the Turpan Depression such as the Tavan Bogd Uul covered with the eternal ice are five and a half km high. This makes Turpan absolutely different in comparison to the Dead Sea where the true altitude of the rocks in Judaic desert and Moab is no more than 300-400 m”.

By the way, during your visit to the caves and cavern monasteries in the Flaming Mountains you will figure out how great was the contribution of the Silk Road into the scientific and cultural exchange of the past: the ancient Iranian system of so-called "karez” water supply (constructed by hands) was found here. There are more than a thousand of the underground water channels (karez system) with the total length of 2500 km, and it really deserves praises. In fact, karez channels are often compared to the Great Wall in terms of the scale and usefulness!

Besides, here you will visit an ancient picturesque settlement called Tuek and miraculous grottoes known as the "Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves”. You will learn the history of Buddhism in Turpan. Approximately 15-minute ride is required to get to these grottoes from the centre of the city. They are located in the interior of the Hoyanshan Mountain. Initially there were more than 80 grottoes but now only 67 are left. However, it is not surprising as all the grottoes are centuries old.

An Uyghur family will hospitably meet you in Turpan, thus, allowing you to take a look at unique customs and traditions of the Uyghurs and their local cuisine.

And of course this is the only place where you can taste authentic Turpan grapes, which happen to be the symbol and the pride of the city! Entire lifestyle of the locals is closely related with this fruit one or the other way. Why? Well, because grapes are grown here for more than two thousand years! Even the central street of Turphan is a grape alley. Both traffic way and side pavements look like green tunnels and this "vineyard” stretches for several kilometers! Furthermore, we should mention the most typical elements of the local architecture, which are two-storey cob constructions with tracery decorating the second floor. These constructions function as driers, where grape bunches are hanging on special wooden racks. Further work is done by the dry and hot air. Dried raisins fall on the smooth loamy floor. Now the owner sweeps them together and packs into the sacks. These famous green sultanas from Turpan are then sold at the bazaars all over China and abroad.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 10. Turpan - Urumqi (200 km, 4-5 hrs.).
After the breakfast at a hotel you will continue discovering Turpan. Today you are heading towards the ruins of Jiaohe, which was a former capital city of a once mighty and prosperous state called the Southern Gushi. This well-preserved wattle and daub city will strike you with its size, age, which is more than three thousand years, and its enigmatic view. It is said that in the twilight there is such a silence here that one can hear sinister clattering of horses" hoofs, which is a faint sound of the past ages still remembered by the strong walls of the ancient city.

In the afternoon you will be transferred to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Upon arrival you will be accommodated at a cozy metropolitan hotel and after a short rest you will start a city-tour across Urumqi. Urumqi is a city, which attracts the interest of every visitor! The city strikes at first sight! Skyscrapers of glass and concrete adjoin almost tumbled down slums, the life is everywhere and its motive power is her majesty trade. Here you won’t be able to tell if it’s a weekday or a weekend just by looking out of the windows as there are always thousands of people in the street! Another distinctive feature of Urumqi is almost absolute absence of people with the backpacks, because here the backpack makes you a potential victim of pickers. Therefore, be careful!

After the city-tour you are to visit the Big Bazaar in Urumqi, where you can buy a lot of different things including traditional Uyghur silk and Chinese cotton, different sorts of nuts and dried fruits, medicinal herbs, and aromatic oils… Besides, you will be astonished by the local colour, which is usually the source of lots of impressions and great pictures. Surely, you will remember this contrasting city, which is a harmonic combination of the eastern and western traditions.

Overnight at a hotel in Urumqi.

Day 11. Urumqi - Kashgar (CZ6803 08:30 - 10:15).
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the airport. Local plane will carry you safely to the last but not the least Chinese city of your itinerary - Kashgar.

In the Middle Ages Kashgar was one of the most important trade spots of the Great Silk Road; numerous caravans started from here to the West (Ferghana Valley), to the South (Jammu and Kashmir) and to the North (Urumqi and Turpan). In 1273 Marco Polo was here and noted that there are Nestorian churches here. At the end of the XIV C the oasis suffered from a heavy blow delivered by Amir Timur invasion, as a result of which islamization of the locals was intensified. In 1755 Kashgar came under the influence of Chinese rulers again. But… that’s enough of history! Let’s discover the city and make up our own opinion about it! After all, Kashgar had always been an important link between the so-called "northern” and "southern” arteries of the Great Silk Road!

The central part of Kashgar is a real old city without any slightest suggestion of a regular city planning, which is full of narrow twisted street, numerous squares used as bazaars, brick or wattle and daub houses, and such dark and narrow back streets that only God knows where they lead to. Here you will see the Id Kah Mosque, which is the largest in China. It appeared here in 1442. Probably, even more intriguing is the Mausoleum of Abakh Khoja, which is the holiest place for the Sufis in Xinjiang. It is dated by 1640. Besides, you are lucky to visit the Craftsmen Street, where a lot of handicraft shops are open to make you happy with masterpieces of the local artisans.

A popular Chinese proverb says: "If you’ve been to Xinjiang but didn’t visit Kashgar, you’ve never been to Xinjiang”. Let’s speak about Kashgar bazaar only! Big Sunday Bazaar is a huge space organized according to the principles of the elementary logic: the name of the trade row allows buyer to understand what is sold here (e.g. signs stating «Fruits», «Ironware», «Foodstuffs» make everything quite clear). But anyway buyers get confused with the quantity and wide variety of goods! It is difficult to figure out all the fruits you can buy here: pomegranates, figs, grapes, melons, watermelons, peaches, apples… There are so many merchants here that not only desks but cribs with fruits, various trays and even a piece of cloth can serve as a trading stand. Here you will find the famous Yangishar knives existing for more than 200 years. It’s distinguished by a fine quality and beautiful shape. The handle is enchased with silver or copper, decorated with pearls, cockle-shells, etc. This is where excellent knives are made! Well, guess, this shopping will please you very much! All the more, you will be able to meet the locals here and watch their way of life.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 12. Kashgar - Irkeshtam pass (260 km, 4 hrs.) - Yurt camp under the Lenin Peak.Early in the morning you will leave Kashgar and head for the Irkeshtam pass, where you set your foot on the Kyrgyz land. Present-day road towards Irkeshtam runs just like the middle part of the ancient Great Silk Road did. The entire route accounts for the mountain ranges of the Pamir-Alay, which separate Central Asia and China. It’s known for certain that the first man who passed this natural barrier in 128 BC was Chinese envoy Zhang Qian together with his mission. Therefore, the date of Zhang Qian mission’s arrival to the Ferghana Valley can be regarded as the official opening of the Great Silk Road, because due to this Chinese mission the active silk trade has begun along this transcontinental route.

Well, now when you’ve successful passed both Irkeshtam pass and border point the next phase of your program is starting. You will get acquainted with the charming nature and picturesque landscapes of Kyrgyzstan. Your travel efforts will be rewarded as soon as you find yourself at the footsteps of the great Kyrgyz Mountains, under the world-famous seven-thousand-meter peak - the Lenin Peak. Don’t worry if you are quite far from alpinism as nobody is going to make you climb this peak. Your tour was claimed to be a cultural one, so everything is going to be done "politely”! Well, apart from joking it must be said that here you will find yourself in a bit unusual conditions as you are supposed to accommodate in the yurt camp far from hotels, high-rank restaurants, marble floors and plastic ceilings. However, still don’t worry! The service in our camp matches the level of a good hotel with the only difference, which is a view from the window.

So, Yurt camp under the Lenin Peak is kind of a small town located at the altitude of 3600 meters above the sea level. Here you will accommodate in warm and cozy national yurts with heating, all necessary furniture and electricity. All conditions for the comfortable rest are guaranteed! There are also an excellent bathhouse with a real sweating-room and proper WC facilities. For your convenience staff doctor is working in the camp. Moreover, there is a cook-house where both traditional European and national Kyrgyz dishes will be cooked for you. Despite the altitude and remoteness from civilization we’ve got a telephone here, so you can call home, and (drum-roll)… we have an Internet connection!

Day 13. Yurt camp under the Lenin Peak.
Well, how did you sleep after yesterday’s journey? Was it wonderful? Guess, yes, as proper sleep is guaranteed here by the fresh air, cozy yurt, and remoteness from any highways, crowds of people and all modern civilization in general.

Today you will continue discovering the nature of Kyrgyzstan and probably meet the alpinists who came here to climb the seven-thousand-meter peak. So, don’t miss an opportunity to learn something about people’s life in the mountains! You can feel like a real mountain-dweller for a while.

Day 14. Transfer to Osh.
Today after having breakfast under the Lenin Peak you are starting towards a Kyrgyz city called Osh. In order to get there you have to cross the Taldyk pass. As a rule it is the most difficult pass on the way from the yurt camp to Osh. Its altitude is 3615 meters above the sea level. Even at the beginning of June snow is usually there. There is a breathe-taking view of snowy mountain ridges of the Alay range from the Taldyk pass. The above-mentioned range creates natural border of the Ferghana Valley from the south and south-east. Therefore, try to take a seat near the window - there is a lot to look at!

The Kyrgyz call Osh the "southern capital”. Nobody know the exact date of its foundation, however, legends related it to Alexander the Great and even Solomon the Prophet (also known in the East as Suleyman). One legend tells that Suleyman was leading its army and there was a couple of yoked oxes ahead of him and after oxes had reached a mountain the ruler said: "Kosh!” ("Enough!”). However, this is not the only version of the city name origin.

Osh is one of the most ancient urban centre of the Central Asia and undoubtedly the most ancient in Kyrgyzstan. Archeological findings prove that the city is at least about 3000-year old. In the X C Osh was regarded as the third largest city of Ferghana, because it was standing at the crossroad of the caravan routes stretching from India and China to Europe. Hence, it was one of the ancient spots along the Silk Road, the tracks of which your route is following. Besides, Osh is one of the Muslim religious centers of the Central Asia. A handful of legends is related to the Suleyman-Too Mountain (the mountain is named after Suleyman the Prophet, who, according to the legend, was able to cure all illnesses).

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 15. Osh - Ferghana.
Today you will have to make a long journey from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan. You will leave Osh early in the morning and proceed to Ferghana, where your journey across Uzbekistan starts. Today you will see the legendary Ferghana Valley with your own eyes! After all, this is the fertile and densely populated region where numerous caravans moving along the Silk Road to the Mediterranean were usually sheltered!

Overnight at a hotel in Ferghana.

Day 16. Ferghana - Margilan - Ferghana.
Today you will see several ancient cities of the Ferghana Valley. The first will be Margilan, the city, which remembers invasions of Alexander the Great and the foundation of the Great Silk Road. In the X C this city was famous far behind the borders of the Ferghana Valley with its silk and khan-atlas and garments made of these cloths. The cloths were exported to Egypt, Greece, Baghdad, Khorasan and Kashgar. You will have an opportunity to see these unique fabrics as we’ve planned your visits to the "Yodgorlik” Silk Factory and the Eastern Bazaar, where you can purchase both lots of souvenirs and useful items.

At the end of the XV - the beginning of the XVI C Margilan was also famous due to the following circumstance: one of Timur Lang’s grandsons - sultan Babur - was born and raised here. He became a ruler of Ferghana and later founded the Mughal Empire in India. In addition, he was the founder of his own dynasty - the Baburid (note that different sources also refer to it as the Timurids or the Mughal dynasty) - who were ruling till the middle of the XIX C. You will surely have a lot of pleasant memories of this city as being the travelers’ shelter for ages it is still full of verdure! The architectural complex Kaftarlik (XVIII C) will make you believe that you decision to come here was not a mistake as you are about to see the mosque with the unique paintings and mysterious minarets.

Then you will be taken back to Ferghana to continue your tour there.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 17. Ferghana - Rishtan - Kokand - Tashkent (310 km, 5 hrs.).
Today you will continue discovering the Ferghana Valley and, first of all, head for Rishtan and then another famous city of the valley called Kokand. Rishtan is famous all around Uzbekistan and abroad with its numerous workshops, where unique pottery is produced. Azure pottery of Rishtan is a wonderful national tradition, which remained till the present. During your visits to several workshops you’ll see how pottery is made by the famous craftsmen putting their whole soul into the process. The dabs of Rishtan are world-famous because of their unique technology of the ceramics manufacture and unusual decoration of the pottery produced.

After that you’ll continue your transfer to Tashkent. However, there is another one attraction to discover while you are still in the Ferghana Valley - Kokand. This city won’t leave you indifferent as not long ago (at the end of the XIX - the beginning of the XX C) Kokand was the second largest city of the Ferghana Valley! In the period of active land trade along the Great Silk Road Kokand, as recorded in Chinese chronicles dated back to the X C, was famous with its handicrafts. During the period of its existence Kokand was ruled by 29 khans, the most famous of which is probably the last one called Khudayar Khan (1845 - 1876). Four times he was deprived of the throne and each time he managed to come back to power.

An old eastern proverb says: "New ruler - new coin”. However, in the case of Kokand governors it must be changed as follows: "New ruler - new palace”. For the rich history of Kokand the palace of Khudayar Khan , which is still well-preserved, was the seventh residence of the rulers for just a century and a half. This magnificent complex was built by the architect called Mir Ubaydullo in 1871. The best artisans from different corners of the Ferghana Valley were decorating it. The palace, surrounded by the carved stone wall, consisted of 7 smaller courtyards and 119 rooms. There was an Arabic inscription above the main gates stating: "Syed Muhammad Khudayar Khan the Great”. Now there is a regional museum in the former palace building.

In bygone days Kokand was a large centre of the religion development. In the years of prosperity there were thirty five madrassas and hundred mosques in the city. Unfortunately, most of them are devastated either by time, earthquakes or the Soviet authorities. The largest religious centre of the city was the Norbutabi madrasah built at the end of the XVIII C. After 1991 this madrasah was opened again and now more than eighty students study there. It is also worth to see the Juma mosque erected in the beginning of the XIX C. The iwan’s covering leans on 98 carved pillars made of a solid nettle tree. Unique ceiling of the mosque is made of the wooden panels "vassa”, covered with elegant frescos and laid athwart the ornamented cross-beams. A minaret rises in front of the mosque and it is seen from everywhere in the city. And as you see the Mausoleum of Modari Khan you will find out a life story of a poetess Nadira executed by order of the Amir of Bukhara and it will make you sad. This necropolis was built in the memory of hers!

After all the excursions you will finally reach Tashkent, where you will be able to relax in a hotel room.

Day 18. Tashkent.
Today you will see Tashkent - one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. You will be able to appreciate its modern beauty and ancient majesty.

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, the fourth largest city in CIS with a huge population of about 2,3 million of people. The city is conditionally divided into two parts - the Old and the New city. The names are self-explanatory: in the Old city you will find mausoleums, madrassas and an authentic eastern bazaar, whereas in the New one there are modern monuments, buildings, squares, and parks. These two contrasting faces of the city peacefully co-exist and, moreover, successfully supplement each other. In fact, this distinctive feature of Tashkent conveys the characteristic, which is general for the entire Uzbek state: that is, harmonious combination of the ancient traditions and modern trends.

We will start from the attractions of the Old city:
The Barak Khan Madrasah is a splendid monument of the XVI C located in the very heart of the Old city - the Hast Imam Square - and is surrounded by the ancient wattle and daub houses. In the past the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia headed by the mufti was lodged in the madrasah. In addition, there is a huge library of eastern manuscripts here. The world-known the Uthman Qur"an is kept here in a special room. This manuscript was written in the middle of the VII C and is the source of the sacred book of the Islam - the Qur’an. It consists of 353 large-sized parchment pages, which were kept in the treasuries of caliphs for centuries (in Medina, Damascus and Baghdad). In Timur Lang’s time the Uthman Qur"an was brought from Baghdad to Uzbekistan and then (in the XIX C) is has visited St.-Petersburg, where Russian scientists proved its authenticity. Later it came back to the Central Asia via Ufa and now it is kept here. The Mausoleum of Yunus Khan is a monumental construction built in the XV C in the honour of one of the Tashkent rulers. The building is quite well-preserved.
The Mazar of Kafal-Al-Shashi (sacred Sufi tomb, XVI C). Kafal-Al-Shashi was a missionary, a preacher of shafiitism. He was also a Sufi poet. He died in the X C and his tomb, reconstructed in the XVI C, has become a popular Muslim pilgrimage site.
The Kukeldash Madrasah (XVI C) is situated not far from the eastern bazaar Chor-Su. The madrasah is functioning. Many Muslim students live and study there. There are towers from the both sides of the facade, and muezzins used to call the believers for prayer ("namaz” or Mohammedan prayer) from there.

Afterwards we’ve planned the New city tour:
Our first destination is the Museum of Applied Arts. Then we’ll proceed to the Istiklol Square, which is the main square of the country. All public national holidays are celebrated here. Recently its design was expanded with an immense arch, which is illuminated from beneath by small lights fixed into the ground. Those lights fill the surroundings with a cosmic glow.
Then we are supposed to have a fifteen-minute walk from the Independence Square to the Uzbek State Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Afterwards we’ll proceed to the Nations’ Friendship Square, which is the second largest square of the city. It is also often used as a venue of the national holidays’ celebration. Here is also a concert hall of the same name, where the concerts of both local and foreign stars are held.
We recommend you getting to all the above-mentioned spots by the underground. It is the coolest transport in hot summer weather. «Tashkent underground is the most beautiful!!!» - it is a frequent phrase of both city guests and its dwellers. That’s true as each underground station is uniquely designed. And here is where you’ll find the second distinctive feature of both Tashkent and Uzbekistan, which is the combination of the eastern and western styles. Guess, you liked the stations, didn’t you? However, you are not allowed to take pictures in the underground.

This is how your day in the Uzbek capital is planned. A night in the hotel will become a perfect addition to a day full of the eastern spirit.

Day 19. Tashkent - Samarkand (330 km, 5-6 hrs.).
After breakfast you will start towards the oldest and probably the most famous Central Asian city – Samarkand, which was also known as Afrasiyab and Maracanda for some time. Guess, you’ve heard about this ancient city more than once. Samarkand was one of the major destinations of the Great Silk Road. This is a city-museum, a city that was a heart of the caravan trade. Amazingly, but Samarkand, which saw a lot, has managed to keep the spirit of the Asian Middle Ages. In 1220 Genghis Khan almost totally demolished the city. However, in another 150 year, during the rule of Timur Lang, Samarkand became a well-known capital of a vast empire. As for the trade, carpets weaved in Samarkand were highly valued.

There is the Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque on the hill at the city entrance. An impressive view of the ancient Necropolis Shah-i-Zinda, local bazaar and distant mountains opens from that hill. The Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque, which is quite an old construction, was totally demolished by the hordes of Genghis Khan as well as many other objects in Samarkand. However, it was reconstructed in the XIX C.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 20. Samarkand.
This entire day will be devoted to Samarkand and who knows maybe this city, recognized as the heart of the Great Silk Road, will lift the veil of mystery from its secrets. You are starting your quest after breakfast. Are you ready? Yeah? Then let’s go!

>First of all you will see the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia - the Registan Square (XV - XVII C) situated in the centre of Samarkand. The word "Registan” means "sandy spot”. The Registan appeared as the centre of the trade and handicrafts at the crossing of six roads outstretched from the city gates. Right here, in the Registan, merchants coming with the camelcades were selling their goods and purchasing local ones. The square is encircled with three majestic buildings: the Madrasah of Ulugh Bek (1417 - 1420), the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619 - 1636), and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1647 - 1660).

In 1417 Ulugh Bek (the grandson of famous Timur Lang) started the construction of the madrasah bearing his name. In 1420 construction process was finished and the square became the centre of the science. Initially, more than a hundred students were living and studying there. The Madrasah of Ulugh Bek was considered as the higher educational institution that time. Therefore, one may conclude that it was an eastern medieval university.

In the XVII C two more buildings were erected in the Registan: the Sher-Dor and the Tilya-Kori Madrassas. They are remarkably large and luxuriously designed. The Sher-Dor Madrasah («Lions Gate») with the facade depicting fantastic catlike animals and chamois is a regular reflection of the Madrasah of Ulugh Bek. It had been under construction for almost 17 years. Its construction was initiated by the ruler of Samarkand called Yalangtush Bakhodur. Ten year after the Sher-Dor had been finished he ordered to lay foundation of the Tilya-Kori Madrasah, which completes the ensemble from the north. The name of the madrasah is literally translated as "decorated with gold”. Except its main educative function this madrasah was also used as the main mosque of Samarkand. The Registan is still considered to be the central city square.

After that you will visit the Rukhabad necropolis. As the legend states the hair of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad (XV C) are kept here. Furthermore, you can head for the Bibi-Khanym Mosque (XV C), which was built according to a special order by the best 200 architects from all over the Timur Lang’s empire, 500 workers and 95 Indian elephants. Another option is to see the Ulugh Beg Observatory (also the XV C) where you find a unique astronomic construction - the sextant.

You can also take a look of the architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda (XII - XV CC), which has got its name from the legend about the cousin of Muhammad the Prophet called Kusam ibn Abbas, who was buried here. The name of the ensemble literally means "King Alive”. The legend tells that Kusam ibn Abbas came to Samarkand together with the Arab conquerors in the VII C to preach Islam and was beheaded for his beliefs. However, he was such a strong believer that he managed to take his head split and went down to a deep well where he is supposedly residing now. The remains of the Timur Lang’s courtiers also lie here in Shah-i-Zinda.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 21. Samarkand - Bukhara (300 km, 4-5 hrs.).
Early in the morning you are starting to Bukhara. En route you will be able to appreciate majesty of the Kyzyl-Kum desert still keeping the tracks of the camelcades, which were once moving slowly along the Great Silk Road. «Bukhara-i sharif», «Noble», «Sacred» - these are only some of the epithets, which were used to describe this ancient city. One of the legends tells that the founder of Bukhara was called Siyavash and he was a son of an Iranian Shakh. Zoroastrians of Bukhara worshipped the place of his death and traditionally during the spring holiday Nowruz each man was slaughtering a cock at the eastern gates called Guriyan (Hay-sellers" Gate), where Siyavash is said to be executed. During the rule of the Samanid Bukhara was their capital city and at the same time the greatest city of the entire Islamic world. In addition, it happened to be the centre of trade between China and Western Asia. What a goods were exported from here by the caravans! E.g. dried fruits, various fabrics, vine, jewelry, etc. Therefore, Bukhara became kind of an exchange place for all Asian peoples (one of its alternative names was "The City of Merchants”). In general, this fact resulted in the proverb, which was famous in the XIX C in Bukhara: «He keeps his eyes open just like a Bukhara shroff». By the way, the Iranian Encyclopedia tells us that the name of the city originated from the Sogdian «Buxarak» («Place of Good Fortune »). Who knows, maybe this is the very reason why trade was so brisk here?

After the tiring road you will be able to relax at a hotel in Bukhara looking forward to meet the "God’s delight” - Bukhara.

Day 22. Bukhara.
Next morning in a cozy Bukhara hotel will begin with... breakfast, of course! Then you will continue exploring Bukhara. You have a 6-hour excursion schedule.

First, you will explore the Mausoleum of the Samanid (IX-Х CC), which is a pearl of Central Asian architecture. It is a family tomb of a local dynasty, which was founded by Ismail Samani. The mausoleum is unique in various respects. For instance, according to the canons of Islamic architecture the construction of the covered mausoleums was prohibited. However, all evidence shows that for the first time this rule was broken during the construction of this mausoleum. Furthermore, as historians of the architecture state, the building was erected according to the rules applied to the construction of Zoroastrian fire worship temples. Thus, it was built according to the pre-Arab religious traditions, however, in the period of wide Islam dissemination in the Central Asia. Therefore, the Mausoleum of the Samanid is considered as the building, which defined the trend of various cultures synthesis and assimilation. Later original architectural style of the Central Asia has developed based on it.

Upon leaving the Park of the Samanids don’t forget to have a look at the Chashma-Ayub Mazar (or mausoleum) (XII C), which is translated as "the spring of Job”. This place is the best demonstration of the Silk Road impact onto the development of countries interconnected by this route, including even the remotest ones. Who could even think that here, in Central Asia, Christian legends about Biblical characters may appear? Nevertheless, the legend tells us that Job (Ayub) was wondering in this region in the tome of drought. Locals, exhausted by thirst, were asking for water. Then the prophet had stroke the ground with his stick and the next moment clear spring appeared there. It is still accessible for the wonderers.

Today you will admire at the most ancient fortress of Bukhara, Ark citadel (end of the III C), which vividly fits in the local scenery, and is an impressive reinforced fort from which Bukhara was starting long ago. Present-day appearance of the citadel correlates with the time of last restoration of the Ark gates by Shakh Murad Khan, known as the «sinless Amir». It is considered, that in the times of the other governor called Nasrullah Khan, known as the «butcher Amir» for its cruelty, leather lash, was hanging on one of the walls of the fortress being a symbol of his aut