Observe the sun eclipse in one of the world’s three best viewing locations: Balikun
Travel along the Tianshan (Heavenly) Mountain Route of the Silk Road
Visit the major towns of Hami, Turpan and Urumqi
Stay overnight in a Kazak yurt and camp in the Kumutage (Kumtag) Desert
Explore ancient and non-touristy Uygur villages
Visit the Urumqi History Museum with mummies on display
Taste the local specialties of Xinjiang Province
Have a great adventure in this fascinating region with its deserts alpine lakes, snow mountains and glaciers
Total Solar Eclipse in China 2008 and Silk Road Highlights Tour 2008
A total eclipse of the sun will be visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half the earth on Friday, 1st August 2008, beginning in Canada and extending across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China.
Do not miss out on this unforgettable travel experience! The viewing location will be far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities at one of the world’s three best locations this year. This tour will lead you through Xinjiang Province - the “Wild West” of China - and along the Northern Silk Road Route.
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Quick Introduction Xinjiang Province
Lying in northwestern China, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also called Xin for short, was referred to as the Western Region in ancient times. It has an area of 1,66 million square kilometers, roughly about one-sixth of the total territory of China. Xinjiang is the largest and has the longest boundary line among China’s provinces and autonomous regions. It shares 5,600 kilometers of frontier with Mongolia in the northeast; Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirghiszstan, and Tadzhikistan in the west; and Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India in the southwest. Xinjiang is divided into two basins by Mount Tianshan, Dzungarian Basin in the north and Tarim Basin in the south. The Karakorum highway links Islamabad, Pakistan with Kashgar over the Khunjerab Pass.
Xinjiang's lowest point is 155 metres below sea level (lowest point in China). Its highest peak is 8611 metres above sea level on the border with Kashmir. The Xinjiang-Kyrgyzstan border is marked by the Tian Shan mountain range. The Torugart Pass (3752 m) is located on this border.
