Silk Road Tracing China’S Ancient Caravan Routes

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Along the Silk Road tracing china’s ancient caravan routes

August 31 to September 17, 2015

a program of the stanford alumni association STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Traveling the Silk Road is, without question, one of the world’s epic journeys—even to this day. Though named for its famous silk trade, the route also acted as a conduit for gold, ivory, and exotic plant and animal products. Traveling overland today from Beijing to Central Asia through China’s remote northwest is not an undertaking for the inexperienced traveler, though the rewards are great for those who are drawn to the prospect: art-flled Buddhist caves in Dunhuang, the oasis city of Turfan, Kashgar’s famed Sunday livestock bazaar, and an unforgettable mix of exotic cultures and fascinating peoples. Our caravan is led by Thomas Fingar, MA ’69, PhD ’77, a China specialist. This is a journey not to be missed!

Brett S. Thompson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights EXPLORE markets and DISCOVER the Buddhist MEANDER atop the mosques of oasis cities grottoes of Dunhuang and Great Wall of China, a along the route of ancient Bezeklik, caves filled with millennia-old architectural caravans, including the art that was commissioned feat that succeeded in vibrant Sunday market of by rich merchants looking warding off the Mongols Kashgar. to win favor with Buddha. some nine centuries ago.

Cover: PRAYER WHEELS

LAKE KARAKEL Urumqi MONGOLIA Turfan from San Francisco Kashgar Beijing Dunhuang

Lanzhou Labrang Xian Shanghai C HINA to San NEPAL Francisco

INDIA

features recent archaeological dis- Spend the day exploring the Itinerary coveries from Han dynasty tombs. Labrang Monastery, which sits Walk through Xian’s old Muslim at an altitude of 9,500 feet in a Monday & Tuesday, Quarter where the Great Mosque remote mountain valley in Gansu August 31 & September 1 and the Chinese garden surround- province. Home to over 1,000 DEPART U.S. / ing it create an island of tranquility. monks, Labrang is a major BEIJING, CHINA Enjoy a dumpling dinner at the pilgrimage site and center of Depart the U.S. on flights bound renowned Defachang Restaurant. scholarship and is considered for Beijing, crossing the inter- HILTON XIAN (B,L,D) the most important Tibetan national date line en route and monastery outside of Tibet. arriving in Beijing on Tuesday. After Saturday, September 5 Continue to our hotel in Lanzhou. checking in to our hotel, enjoy XIAN CROWNE PLAZA (B,L,D) the remainder of the evening at Xian served as China’s capital leisure. GRAND HYATT BEIJING during the reign of Qin Shi Huang Tuesday, September 8 Di, the first emperor of China. LANZHOU / Wednesday & Thursday, The legendary, life-size, 6,000- DUNHUANG September 2 & 3 man terra-cotta army, created to Lanzhou, a former caravan stop BEIJING protect his tomb and China’s most on the Silk Road and an his- During our two full days in China’s breathtaking archaeological find, toric transit point for the wool, capital, visit the “Forbidden City,” was discovered in 1974 and is only silk and tea trades, is situated the Imperial Palace of omnipotent part of the treasure trove hidden on the banks of the Yellow River Chinese emperors. Visit the Lama beneath the low hills outside Xian. and is the present-day capital of Temple of Tibetan Buddhism and Visit the Shaanxi History Museum, Gansu province. Visit the Gansu the Confucian Temple nearby. which houses over 300,000 items Provincial Museum with its relics Stroll along the wondrous Great dating as far back as 1.7 million from the Silk Road, which provide Wall at Mutianyu and explore the years. HILTON XIAN (B,L,D) evidence that ancient traders Ming tombs. Enjoy a welcome made contact with a variety of civi- reception with fellow Stanford Sunday, September 6 lizations. Fly to Dunhuang late this travelers and a dinner of local XIAN / LANZHOU / afternoon. DUNHUANG HOTEL (B,L,D) specialties. GRAND HYATT BEIJING (9/2: XIAHE (LABRANG) B,L; 9/3: B,L,D) Fly to Lanzhou and, this afternoon, Wednesday, September 9 continue by coach on a fascinat- DUNHUANG Friday, September 4 ing four-hour cross-country drive Dunhuang was a major crossroads BEIJING / XIAN to Xiahe, passing mosques and Fly to Xian, the ancient starting on the Silk Road, where Indian, Hui Muslim villages en route. Chinese and Central Asian monks point for caravans leaving China for MINHANG HOTEL (B,L,D) the arduous trek west into death- and pilgrims mixed with merchants, traders and camel caravans, car- defying deserts and over almost Monday, September 7 rying with them in both directions impassable mountain ranges. XIAHE (LABRANG) / Visit the Yangling Museum, which LANZHOU their various forms of Buddhism. Urumqi MONGOLIA Turfan from San Francisco Kashgar Beijing Dunhuang

Lanzhou Labrang Xian Shanghai C HINA to San NEPAL Francisco

INDIA Dyes in kashgar dunhuang temple

Explore Dunhuang’s famous Mogao nearly 13,000 square feet and with for its dazzling blue-and-green- Thousand Buddha Caves, nearly cave murals dating from the 5th hued waters. At an altitude of 500 grottoes that contain 1,000 century. TUHA SHIYOU HOTEL (B,L,D) almost 12,000 feet, it’s the highest years’ worth of Buddhist sculpture, lake of the Pamir plateau and sur- art and murals. This afternoon, visit Saturday, September 12 rounded by even higher moun- the towering Mingsha (“Singing TURFAN / URUMQI / tains that remain snow-covered Sands”) sand dunes and perhaps KASHGAR throughout the year. Enjoy a walk take a camel ride across the desert. Today we drive to Urumqi where along the lake’s shore, perhaps DUNHUANG HOTEL (B,L,D) we visit the Xinjiang Provincial viewing the three highest peaks Museum to view its impressive visible from the lake: Muztagata Thursday, September 10 Caucasoid mummies discovered (24,750 feet high), Kongur Tagh DUNHUANG / in the Taklamakan Desert. This (25,088 feet) and Kongur Tiube URUMQI / TURFAN evening fly to Kashgar. RADISSON (24,698 feet). RADISSON BLU HOTEL BLU HOTEL (B,L,D) This morning, fly to Urumqi and (B,L,D) continue by coach to the oasis city of Turfan with its mix of Uyghur, Sunday, September 13 Tuesday, September 15 Han Chinese and Hui peoples. The KASHGAR KASHGAR / extremes of heat and cold in the The Kashgar market is one of the URUMQI / SHANGHAI desert landscape are mitigated highlights of our journey. Each Today we fly from Kashgar to by the ingenious underground Sunday thousands of people— Shanghai, stopping in Urumqi en karez irrigation channels that bring Uyghurs, Tajiks, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks route. HYATT ON THE BUND (B,L,D) melted snow from the Tian Shan and Han Chinese—converge on Mountains. This system is consid- Kashgar to trade and socialize. Wednesday, September 16 ered one of the three great ancient Goods and services of every de- SHANGHAI engineering projects in China, scription change hands. We also This morning explore Yu Gardens along with the Great Wall and the explore the Id Kha Mosque, built and tour the Shanghai Museum Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. in 1442, and the tomb of Abakh with its 30 centuries of art trea- TUHA SHIYOU HOTEL (B,L,D) Hoja, where many generations of sures. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure the same family are buried in an before our farewell reception and Friday, September 11 enclosed compound surrounded dinner this evening. HYATT ON THE TURFAN by shady gardens. RADISSON BLU BUND (B,D) Visit Emin Mosque with its 130- HOTEL (B,L,D) foot-tall minaret, one of the best- Thursday, September 17 preserved in China. Explore the Monday, September 14 SHANGHAI / U.S. Gaochang ruins, the remains of a KASHGAR / LAKE After breakfast, transfer to the major Silk Road trading post. Stop KARAKUL / KASHGAR Shanghai airport for our flight to for a view of the Flaming Moun- Enjoy a full-day excursion to Lake the U.S., crossing the international tains on our way to Bezeklik, an Karakul, one of the greatest natural date line en route and arriving the archaeological site encompassing sights in western China and known same day. (B) great wall terracotta warrior, xian

dunhuang temple PASSAGEWAY, emin mOSQUE Gaochang RUINS Trip Information Dates Air Arrangements August 31 to September 17, 2015 International and U.S. domestic airfare is not includ- (18 days) ed in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare on Singapore and Cathay Pacific airlines from Size San Francisco to Beijing and return from Shanghai Limited to 36 participants is approximately $1,800 as of September 2014 and is subject to change without notice. Information on cost* recommended flight itineraries will be sent by our $8,795 per person, double occupancy operator. $10,195 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person What to expect Participants must be physically fit and in good health. INCLUDED Due to China’s infrastructure outside of its major cities 16 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations such as Beijing and Shanghai, we consider this to 16 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners Wel- be a strenuous program that is at times physically come and farewell receptions Internal flights within demanding and busy. Daily excursions involve one China Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group to three miles of walking, often on uneven terrain activities All tours as described in the itinerary and cobbled paths. Stairs may not have handrails, Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and elevators are limited or unavailable. Some days and departure days Minimal medical, accident and require early-morning starts. We often have a full evacuation insurance Educational program with schedule of excursions, lectures and special events. lecture series and pre-departure materials, including Our journey at times requires several hours of travel recommended reading list, a selected book, map and by motorcoach, the longest drives being up to four travel information Services of our professional tour hours. Luggage will need to be handled by individual manager to assist you throughout the program travelers at airport customs points where porters are not permitted. NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport Though time spent at these locations is brief, if you and visa fees Immunization costs Meals and are susceptible to altitude sickness, please be aware beverages other than those specified as included that Xiahe is almost 10,000 feet above sea level and Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/ Lake Karakul is nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. interruption and baggage insurance Excess- China’s tourism industry is developing, thus patience baggage charges Personal items such as internet with local service standards will greatly improve one’s access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities enjoyment of the trip. We expect that participants will for nongroup services be a self-selecting group whose interest in the places we visit far outweighs the need for creature comforts. In many ways, the challenges of this program are part of the learning experience. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. MINGSHA (“SINGING SANDS”) SAND DUNES

Terms & Conditions

Deposit & Final Payment special benefits if you purchase your in air or other services, sickness, A $1,000 per-person deposit is policy within a specified window: 14 weather, strike, war, quarantine, force required to hold your space on this to 21 days of the date listed on the majeure or other causes beyond our program. Complete and return the welcome letter, depending on your control. All such losses or expenses attached reservation form or sign up destination and state of residence. will have to be borne by the passenger online. Final payment is due 120 days as tour rates provide arrangements prior to departure. As a condition Eligibility only for the time stated. We reserve of participation, all confirmed We encourage membership in the the right to make such alterations participants are required to sign Alumni Association as the program to this published itinerary as may a Release of Liability. cost for nonmembers is $200 more be deemed necessary. The right is than the members’ price. Parents reserved to cancel any program prior Cancellations & Refunds and their children under 21 may to departure in which case the entire Deposits and any payments are travel on one membership. For payment will be refunded without refundable, less a $500-per-person more information or to purchase a further obligation on our part. The cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to membership, visit alumni.stanford. right is also reserved to decline to departure. After that date, refunds can edu/goto/membership or call (650) accept or retain any person as a be made only if the program is sold 725-0692. member of the program. No refund will out and your place(s) can be resold, be made for an unused portion of any in which case a $1,000-per-person Responsibility tour unless arrangements are made cancellation fee will apply. The Stanford Alumni Association, in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Stanford University and our operators Baggage is carried at the owner’s Insurance act only as agents for the passenger risk entirely. The airlines concerned Stanford Travel/Study provides with respect to transportation and are not to be held responsible for all travelers who are U.S. or exercise every care possible in any act, omission or event during the Canadian citizens with minimal doing so. However, we can assume time passengers are not onboard medical, accident and evacuation no liability for injury, damage, loss, their plane or conveyance. Neither coverage under our group-travel accident, delay or irregularity in the Alumni Association, Stanford insurance policy. Our group policy connection with the service of any University nor our operators accept is intended to provide minimal levels automobile, motorcoach, launch or liability for any carrier’s cancellation of protection while you are traveling any other conveyance used in carrying penalty incurred by the purchase of a on this program. You may choose to out this program or for the acts or nonrefundable ticket connected with subscribe to optional trip-cancellation defaults of any company or person the tour. Program price is based on and baggage insurance. A brochure engaged in conveying the passenger rates in effect in September 2014 and offering such insurance will be or in carrying out the arrangements of is subject to change without notice to provided to U.S. residents with their the program. We cannot accept any reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, welcome materials. The product responsibility for losses or additional tariffs or fuel charges. offered in this brochure includes expenses due to delay or changes

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

Faculty Leader

THOMAS FINGAR, MA ’69, PhD ’77, is the Oksenberg-Rohlen Distinguished Fellow in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford. Between 1975 and 1986 he held a number of positions at Stanford, including senior research associate in the Center for International Security and Arms Control. In 1975, he helped establish Stanford’s U.S-China Relations Program and served as director from 1981 to 1983. “Tom Fingar was In 1978, he negotiated the arrangements that brought the first Chinese students to Stanford since 1949, and in 1981–82 he outstanding. headed the National Academy of Sciences program to facilitate two-way scholarly exchanges between the U.S. and China. On I enjoyed his this trip he plans to share his knowledge and experience based on his vast global portfolio and career as a China specialist. He lectures and plans to discuss China’s quest for wealth, power, security and looked forward stability and China’s vision of the world order. —Payne Distinguished Lecturer, Stanford University, 2009 to every one —Served as the first deputy director of National Intelligence for Analysis and, concurrently, as chairman of the National of them.” Intelligence Council, 2005–2008 —BA, government and history, Cornell University Marc Rosenberg, — MA and PhD, political science, Stanford University China Suitcase Seminar, 2012

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Reservation Form SIGN UP Along the Silk Road ONLINE!

MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS

BED PREFERENCE: ADDRESS Twins Double

Here is my deposit of $______($1,000 per CITY / STATE / ZIP person) for _____ space(s). Enclosed is my check PHONE CELL / WORK / HOME (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: EMAIL ADDRESS Visa MasterCard American Express

I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them. CARD #

EXPIRATION DATE SIGNATURE

If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE I wish to have single accommodations. Mail completed form to address on mail panel or OR I plan to share accommodations with: fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?silkroad2015. Submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple OR I’d like to know about possible roommates. charges to your account. 14398

PAID Association U.S. Postage U.S. Nonproﬁt Org. Stanford Alumni

CA 94305-6105 CA Galvez Street Galvez (650) 725-1093 Stanford Travel/Study Stanford Frances Arrillaga C. Alumni Center 326 Stanford, Stanford, Along the Along Silk Road tracing china’s ancient tracing china’s ancient caravan routes 2015 August 31 to September 17,

“The best trip I’ve ever taken—a high-quality learning experience, cultural delights and sheer enjoyment with an excellent group, professor and guides.”

Justine Kirk, Along the Silk Road, 2013

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY