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The 2012 Route

Sections

The Jade Road

Shanghai to Xi'an

The Jade Road
Start: May 19,
Finish: June 1,
Price: €1,650
Distance: 1,460km
Riding Days: 12 days
Resting Days: 2 days
Shanghai encapsulates the rise of modern China.  In the 19th century this city was a booming center of trade between east and west and its allure to foreigners lasted till the 1930s’.  “The Bund” was the famous epicenter of international commerce in Shanghai. Shut down after the communists took over, luckily the architecture of the neighborhood remains for us to explore.  Precious Jade was traded in Shanghai and revered by Buddhists, and you may just find yourself leaving the city with a keepsake.

With the years of an isolated China having faded quickly Shanghai has once again become a thriving commercial center.  In 2010 Shanghai hosted the World Expo and the PuDong Skyline makes most of the world’s metropolises pale in comparison.

As we head west from Shanghai on our trans-Asia journey, a plateau of endless towns intermingled with small agricultural plots will give us insight into the lives of the 1.3 billion Chinese.  Our first rest day will be in Nanjing, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.  The centre of the Chinese Republic during the early 20th century this city is sadly known for civilian atrocities that were suffered during the Japanese invasion in the 1930s.  

Continuing west we’ll encounter our first serious climbs on the approach to Xian.  Another ancient capital of China, Xian is renowned for the Terracotta warriors.  Having the chance to see this army in person is an amazing opportunity and affords the imagination an endless resource to picture a long distant time.  Significantly on our journey Xian was the traditional starting point of Silk Traders heading west along the ancient Silk Road.
 

Countries: China