Eclipse Trip to Xinjiang, China - Updated Jan. 15

[asterixsg]

I am interested in Plan 1.
Two of us - my friend and I.
I hope I can be flexible with the return date even if we book the airtickets as a group.

[jiahao1986]

Upzzz, people who haven't viewed an total solar eclipse, this one is not to be missed

[jiahao1986]

I hope I can be flexible with the return date even if we book the airtickets as a group.

Sorry Srini, didn't see this, I think the return date can be changed for normal tickets

[jiahao1986]

Besides, as more people are keen on Plan 1, I think I'll confirm we go with it.

[Tachyon]

Any updates? I noticed the images from the first post are all gone?

[jiahao1986]

Any updates? I noticed the images from the first post are all gone?

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for pointing out, I didn't notice the online photo album is dead already. Will update using other albums.

For the trip, i'm now waiting for the China side to come up with detailed plans. Will update you once the plans are announced. We will be purchasing airtickets in a month or two.

Best regards,
Jia Hao

[jiahao1986]

UPDATE Jan. 15th:

Sorry to folks who have already registered, for not keeping you updated regularly. I've been doing some research on airtickets, travelling plans etc. Now it is still too early to book airtickets. Normally the price and discount plans will be available 3 to 4 months before departure date.

If we follow the original plan, flying to Dunhuang, the airticket tends to be more expensive and harder to get, and there will be two stops for the flight. Besides, according to the China organizer, we will take our flight back from Urumqi (which is a much larger city than Dunhuang). So we will be flying to Dunhuang, coming back from Urumqi. In this way the tickets will be somewhat more expensive.

So an alternative I thought of is that we fly to Urumqi on Jul. 27th, take a one day trip to the famous snow mountain lake there on Jul. 28th (hotel and transport can arrange with local travel agent), then leave for Hami by train on Jul. 29th (can have a great view of Xinjiang on the train, desserts, grasslands, snow mountains). The airtickets should be cheaper and less hard to get, and we can have more fun in Xinjiang.

So what do you guys think of this? Or do you still prefer the original plan? Please reply me either by following this thread or by PM.

P.S. After I get confirmation and contacts from all of you, I will keep you updated through email, or SMS/forum PM if you want.

Best regards,
Jia Hao

[Tachyon]

No problem, except I can only come over on 28 July to Urumqi as I am in BKK on 27 July.