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Silk Road recommendations

The trans-Asia Silk Road is the stuff of travel legend – whether you plan to follow a small segment or journey all the way from Istanbul to Beijing. Start planning...

Silk Road Top 5

1. Cross the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey – the watery divide between West and East. Though only a short and cheap ferry ride, this stretch of water is the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and your gateway to a whole new continent. Of course, don't miss the sites on the European side of Istanbul (the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar...) before leaving.
2. Explore the Roman ruins of Syria’s desert oasis, Palmyra. Spend at least 24 hours at these well-preserved remains: see them at sunrise and sunset (the latter is best from the nearby hilltop; any local cafe/hotel will be able to arrange transport).
3. Marvel at the glittering tiled domes and ancient medressas (colleges) of Bukhara and Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In Bukhara visit the Ark, a World Heritage-listed royal town-within-a-town; in Samarkand head for the 15th-century Registan, a central square that is home to some of the region's most dazzling architecture. From here, continue east to Tashkent and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
4. Drive the hair-raising Karakoram Highway, Pakistan, stopping off for mighty mountain trekking en route. The drive itself is a big part of the experience: you'll share the rock-hewn route with multi-coloured trucks and occasional landslides, the River Indus burbling below. Notable highlights include the point where the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges meet, and the scenic splendour of the Hunza Valley,
5. Shop at the Sunday market in Kashgar, China, where traders from all over Central Asia come to sell their wares. This ancient commerce hub may be in modern-day China, but it's distinctly Islamic in feel – and is home to the country's largest mosque.

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