I'm still working full time and so have two weeks vacation. Might just be able to stretch out to 3 weeks. In that time I have fly from London to Islamabad. Get bus to Tashkurgan. some sort of mini bus to Kashgar. Flight to East where I want to spend a few days in Beijing and Shanghai. I've been to Beijing but wife hasn't.

Islamabad-Tashkurgan bus is about two days with overnight hotel stay just on Pakistan side of border. Then another day to Kashgar. With a day or two in Kashgar that's a week gone. I think train to Beijing would be at least two days. Time which I probably can't afford.

BTW extremely grateful for all the ideas and suggestions.

Another question. Planning this for late Sep or early Oct. Are there any seasonal rains I have to worry about?