Wonders of Southern , Photography Expedition

Date ：2013 October 21-November 5 Landscape ：Valleys of TianShan ，Taklamakan ，Tarim Poplar Forest Natural Reserve ，Pamir plateau. Portraiture ：People of Xinjiang ，Silk road ，Kuqa, Kashgar, Hotan and other places along the way.

Day Itinerary Hotel

1 Arrive at Urumqi 4-star 2 Urumqi - Shanshan: Visit Kumtag desert which is situated close to the city. 3-star Distance: 300km 3 Shanshan - Turpan - Shuo: Turpan is the main city of the Silk road where the East meets the West; it has a very interesting and complex 3-star culture. It is also one of the Uighur culture center, a typical city of the western regions with unique natural ecological environment and civilization in the oasis. Distance: 400km 4 Shuo - Yuli - Korla: Rob villages could be found as well as the golden populus tree along the Tarim River. The curvy seamless dunes extend to 4-star the horizon offers another magnificent view. The ancient Loulan descendants are living in the area. Distance: 300km 5 Korla - Kuqa: The ancient name for Kuqa was Kucha, it was a major town of Silk Road. It is also a famous ancient Buddhist country, as well as 3-star a famous Qiuzi music recorded in history. Distance: 300km 6 Kuqa - Aksu: Magnificent scenery of Tianshan Grand Canyon which is regarded as the magic of the earth; the Buddhist relics par with the 4-star 'Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves', witness to the vicissitudes of Aksu the Whitewater City, at the edge of the desert oasis. Distance: 400km 7 Aksu - Kashgar: Kashgar, in Uighur language means "land of precious stones" in ancient time the city is regarded as a pearl in Silk Road; this 3-star is the land where East meets West. Tang Xuanzang and Marco Polo footprint have been set here. It is also regarded as the living fossil of Xinjiang history; it has the most characteristics of Xinjiang Uygur style. One can safely say if you have not visited Kashi, then you have not really been to Xinjiang. Distance : 450km 8 Kashi – Stone city: It is known as the roof of the world, the Pamirs, accompany by the winding Yarkand River. There is iceberg covering 3-star Muztagata mountain. The world's second highest peak --- Gogir peak. The beautiful lakes --- Kara Kul and magnificent landscape is the feast to the eyes. Distance: 300km 9 Rapp - Kashi: Khunjerab Pamirs is the only road to enter Pakistan from China; it is also an important gateway to South Asian subcontinent 3-star and Europe. The westernmost place of China, the height is about 5000 meters above sea level; one could enjoy the spectacular mountainous scenery along the way. Distance: 500km 10 Kashi - Wada: Situated at the southern edge of the oasis, entering the city is as if entering into a time tunnel, much of the old living style is 3-star preserved. Here one could find the precious Hotan jade, famous handmade carpets, the 'Aries silk’ and the . Distance: 500km 11 Wada – Ming Feng: A small town at the edge of the desert, the sandy road with jingling donkey cart, creates beautiful scenery; it is regarded 3-star as a paradise among the shutterbugs. Distance: 300km 12 Ming Feng - Tahe: 600 kilometers through the vast rolling sand dunes, one could enjoy a magnificent view of the desert. twin sharing Distance: 450km 13 Tahe - Shuo: Tarim river is China largest inland river. Populus tree famous of its tenacious life, together with the rivers, create some 3-star spectacular compositions. Distance: 300km 14 Hoxud - Urumqi: Enjoy the boisterous scene at Erdaoqiao, listen to the cries of the Uighur shopkeeper, the clapping drum, and the 4-star hospitality of ethnic minorities would make one feel the trip is all worthwhile. Distance: 500km 15 Urumqi – Back to sweet home

During the second of October offers some nice cool weather at Nanjiang, it is also a season to photograph the populus trees. Other than that, the warm and friendly people of Uygur are great subjects for portraiture photography. The tour will be lead by the leading photographers in XinJiang, who is very familiar with the season, scenery, roads, light, and people of XinJiang.

Tour Standard Vehicle: Fully air conditioned bus Fare include: Transportation, food, lodging, insurance and photography guidance. Fare exclude: VISA, air tickets.

Itinerary is based on the Chinese version, should there be any errors or discrepancies the Chinese version will be referred e-mail ：[email protected] Tel: 019-6500497 Facebook ：facebook.com/steve.chong.35