DunhuangThe city of Dunhuang has been a centre forBuddhist art and sculpture for over 1,500 years.There is nowhere along the Silk Route quite likeit, with cave frescoes that have withstood the test of time nestled between massive sand dunesand barren mountains. The splendid paintingsdate back to the Tang dynasty and have stoodsentinel to the changing times ever since. A visithere is richly rewarding, showing not only theextraordinary mix of cultures but also thebrilliance of the artists themselves.SILKROADHOTEL, DUNHUANGThe Silk Road Hotel is one of the most attractiveplaces to stay along the Chinese section of theSilk Route. The hotel sits in the shadow of theMingsha singing sand dunes which are said to bethe highest in the world. Watching the sun setbehind this magnificent backdrop from yourvantage point on the hotel's rooftop terraces withthe heat of the Gobi warming the air is a fine wayto end a day of exploration. Rooms here aretastefully, if simply, decorated and are en suitemaking this the perfect stopping off point in theGobi desert.KashgarThe great city of Kashgar, a base for commerceand cultural exchange for countless centuries, isperhaps the most interesting and exciting inwestern China. Its celebrated Sunday market, achaotic mix of people and animals, is a captivatingevent. Farmers and traders from all over southernXinjiang and beyond converge here once a week,with cries of 'bosh bosh!' ('coming through!'), tobuy or sell anything from horses to hats, and agreat deal besides. The bizarre and wonderfulsight of young men test-driving donkeys andhorses, checking teeth and hooves, is one that willstay with you forever. Getting here is also part ofthe fun. There are daily flights from Urumqi thatpass directly over the stunning Tian Shanmountains, or a train that winds its way into thepeaks and on through the desert. Whichever wayyou come, Kashgar will not disappoint.www.audleytravel.com/silkroute ?01993 838 205 ?Silk Route55TurpanThis town, nestling in the world's second lowestvalley, is an improbable success story. For over2,000 years it has been inhabited by variouspeoples despite receiving almost no rain at all. It owes its curious longevity to an ingeniousirrigation system once prevalent throughoutCentral Asia. Here 5,000 kilometres ofunderground tunnels channel glacier water fromthe high mountains down to the valley, sustaininga population of over 250,000 people and thegrapes for which the area is famed. Surroundingthe town are numerous fascinating sites, includingthe ruined desert city of Jiahe and the ancientMogao Thousand Buddha caves.Silk Road Hotel, DunhuangRuined city of Jiahe, near TurpanBuddhist cave painting, Mogao caves, near TurpanUigur girl, Kashgar old townTraditional house, KashgarMingsha singing sand dunes, DunhuangHaggling at the market, Kashgar

Travel optionsTraders originally moved their goods along theSilk Route by camel and pack horse. Althoughin theory it's possible to complete the journeyentirely overland, you would need a lot oftime and thick skin. Instead we suggest amixture of domestic flights and road journeys,with perhaps an overnight train journey or twofor those who enjoy rail travel.Crossing the borderThe Torugart Pass is perhaps the most famous of the Central Asian border crossingsand links Kyrgyzstan with Western China. At 3,752 metres, the Torugart is considerablylower than the nearby Khunjerab whichconnects China to Pakistan, but its ruggedinhospitable beauty is not to beunderestimated. Starting just outside Kashgar,the unpaved road to the border winds amongstthe Tian Shan mountains through stunningscenery, but it is the Kyrgyz side that hosts themost breathtaking views of all. Wherever yourdestination, this is a long day, but once the dusthas settled, also one of the most rewarding.Group toursFor those who prefer to tackle this journey inthe company of others, we also run a grouptour, Along the Silk Route, taking in the mainhighlights of this epic trip. Starting in Beijing,China, we follow the ancient trade routes out to Kashgar, before crossing the Torugart Passinto Kyrgyzstan, finishing up in Uzbekistan. You'llbe accompanied by an experienced guide thewhole way. For more details please contactone of our Central Asia specialists.What to expectTravelling along the Silk Route should be seenas a journey and not a holiday, and you shouldhave a reasonable level of fitness. There is very little in the way of luxury en route andtravelling conditions can be demanding. Inaddition, hotel and guesthouse owners in thispart of the world can have a somewhatcavalier attitude to reservations, and we maysometimes need to make changes to whereyou stay at relatively short notice, though thiswould always be to a hotel of the samestandard. There are some long drives andrough roads, and toilet facilities en route arenot always of the highest standards. However,these are all small compromises when coupledwith some truly outstanding scenery and thefascinating cultures you encounter en route.Travelling along the great Silk Route56Detail, wooden pavillion, Samarkand