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12-Day China Silk Road Tour from Xi’an to Kashgar
$2100
per person
Along the Great Silk Road
From Xi’an to Kashgar, the eastern end to the western end of the Silk Road in China, this tour offers you the chance to see the highlights along the Silk Road. You will see marvelous landscapes, the extraordinary culture, and have an authentic interaction with the locals.
Travel highlights
Enjoy the seventh wonder of the world, the tomb of the first emperor of Qin – the Terra Cotta Warriors, and we will lead you to explore the heyday of this powerful empire.
Zhangye Colorful Danxia National Geopark boasts the famous Rainbow Mountain, a frozen rainbow that has fallen into the human world
Looking up at the arch of wooden architecture cornice of the Wooden Pagoda Temple, supported by 68 wooden pillars, it was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and has a history of more than 3000 years
Miracles in the desert, millennium murals in the Mogao Caves, and the most beautiful scenery on the Silk Road
A clear spring that never dries up in the desert, naturally forming the shape of the moon, a microcosm of the sky
The ancient city of Kashgar, with all its earthen buildings, is waiting for you to dance with the enthusiastic people of Xinjiang. They prepare butter tea for guests who come from afar
Walking into the dome of the mosque, Persian patterns extend infinitely on the tiles, forming the code for heaven
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Destination
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Departurexian
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Departure TimePlease arrive by 6:00 pM for a prompt departure at 6:00 pM.
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Return TimeApproximately 9:00 AM.
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Dress CodeCasual and comfortable sportswear, hiking shoes, hats, and lightweight jackets corresponding to the season.
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Included12-Day China Silk Road Tour from Xi’an to KashgarSurprise little giftChina’s Smooth NetworkMeals specified in the itineraryFive star hotelFree admission to all attractionsAll round-trip transportationPrivate English tour guideone-on-one travel consultation and planning services
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Not IncludedOther additional expensesInternational travel insurance
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Day 1: Xi'an Arrival
Your private guide will be waiting for you in the airport/train station arrivals area. A comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you check in.
Hotel options:
Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an(4-star)
Wyndham Grand Xian South (5-star)
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Day 2: Xi'an | The Terracotta Army
Breakfast and lunch
Xi'an, the eastern end of the Silk Road, your tour starts at the site of the mysterious underground army — meet the life-size Terracotta Army, and you will find the horse are short and small. This is one of the reason that Emperor Wu of Han decided to send the ambassador Zhang Qian to the Western Region-- seek for good steed. It laid the foundation of the silk road.
Then visit a local craftsman in his home — a traditional cave dwelling — where you will learn make a mini terracotta warrior on your own.
After lunch, return to explore unique stalls at the Muslim Quarter and visit the unique Great Mosque, which is an unusual blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture, even the minaret was a Chinese pagoda.
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Day 3: Xi'an to Zhangye | Xi'an City Highlights
Breakfast
In the morning, have a walk on the ancient city wall. And then pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Silk Road route。
We will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight to Zhangye.
Hotel options:
Tianyu International Hotel (4-star)
Zhangye Hotel (5-star)
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Day 4 Zhangye | Danxia National Geological Park
Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, you will visit the 'Color Palette Overturned by God' — the Zhangye Qicai Danxia National Geological Park, which is home to the Rainbow Mountains.
After returning to the city, enjoy a local lunch and continue to the oldest tower in Zhangye, the Wooden Pagoda Temple.
Admire the largest reclining Buddha in China at the Giant Buddha Temple.
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Day 5 Zhangye to Dunhuang | Jiayuguan Pass
Breakfast and lunch
Drive from Zhangye to Dunhuang. On the way, you will visit a magnificient ancient pass, Jiayuguan Pass. It is the west end of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty and a well-preserved ancient militery fortress. The tall gate tower, the gobi desert, and the mountains ranges in the distance will make you feel that you have traveled back to the powerful Ming Dynasty.
Have a walk on the Hanging Great Wall which is one part of the Jiayuguan military defense system.
Continue to Dunhuang, you are now at a point of vital strategic and logistical importance, being on a crossroad of two major trade routes within the Silk Road network.
Hotel options:
Dunhuang Hotel (4-star)
The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel (5-star)
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Day 6 Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and Camel Ride
Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, start your adventure to the Mogao Caves where you will marvel at the exquisite murals and lifelike sculptures.
If you want to see more murals after visiting the Mogao Caves, we will take you to the Dunhuang Research Academy. There, you can linger over copies of murals created by masters and can copy a sample mural on a mud slab with your own hands under the guidance of the teacher.
Visit the Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Moon Spring in the late afternoon. Ride a camel in the desert and imagine how caravans crossed the desert over 1,000 years ago.
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Day 7 Dunghuang to Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty
Breakfast and lunch
In the morning, you will visit the ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It is the oldest example of this defensive system in China. Check the ruins and you will find it is different from the Great Wall that you have seen in pictures.
After lunch, board the bullet train to Turpan.
Hotel options:
Turpan Friendship Peak Hotel (4-star)
Shuangcheng Hotel (5-star)
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Day 8 Turpan | Turpan Highlights
Breakfast and lunch
The Emin Minaret is particularly beautiful in the morning, with the shadow of the minaret falling across the mosque. Go into the mosque and try to tell the time by checking the position of the sunlight on the wall.
Then go underground to unveil the secret of the Karez Well System. It's a great place to escape from the heat of the sun.
Instead of building from the ground up, the ancient city of Jiaohe was constructed by digging down into the ground. Explore the ruins of this unique ancient city and learn about the different government structures and residential areas.
Turpan is famous for its grapes so visit a local vineyard and relax as you sit under the grapevines.
Visit Tuyugou Village in the afternoon. It is the oldest Uyghur village with a history of 1,700 years. On the way, you will see the Flaming Mountain.
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Day 9 Drive to Urumqi and City Highlights
Breakfast
Visit the Turpan Museum before driving to Urumqi. Every cultural relic in the museum shows you a vivid story of the Silk Road.
Go to the Erdaoqiao Market – the biggest bazaar in Urumqi – and be amazed by the dazzling array of goods.
Hotel options:
Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel (4-star)
Wanda Vista Hotel (5-star)
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Day 10 Urumqi to Kashgar | Kashgar Old Town
Breakfast and lunch
After your morning flight from Urumqi to Kashgar, you will start your tour of the westernmost corner of China. Along the Silk Road, Kashgar has been the center of regional trade and cultural exchange for more than two millennia.
Pay a visit to the Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque in China. Then walk along the Handicrafts Street, which has an amazing range of handicrafts, including copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, and other types of goods. Have a break at the ancient teahouse, which has a history of over 100 years, and join in with the local people's conversations and dancing.
Hotel options:
Luxemon Qinibagh Hotel (4-star)
Radisson Blu Kashgar (5-star)
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Day 11 Kashgar | Karakul Lake
Breakfast and lunch
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.
See one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakul Lake, a sparkling glacial lake. During the 3-hour drive, you may want to ask the driver to stop so that you can take photos as the scenery is breathtaking. The scenery and lake will draw out your inner photographer.
Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
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Day 12 Kashgar Departure
Breakfast and lunch
Your guide and driver will take you to Kashgar Airport and wave goodbye to you. You can connect to the main cities in China from this airport.
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Necessary documents:
- Passport (including Chinese visa)+copy of visa (recommended to be opened separately from the original)
- PS: Carry the original passport with you, the police may randomly inspect it
Clothing and equipment:
- Sunscreen hat+sunglasses+sunscreen, cool towel, comfortable walking shoes (on steep slopes), windproof jacket in winter, shawl or thin jacket (strong air conditioning in shopping malls and subways), folding umbrella to cope with showers
Mobile App:
- WeChat:Contact merchants/tour guides and scan QR codes that can be seen everywhere
- Alipay: China's most basic payment software, which can be bound to Visa/Mastercard to purchase gifts
- Translation: Google Translate, Baidu Translate
- Popular review: Ranking of all nearby food reviews
- Meituan: Deliver the necessary daily necessities to your hotel doorstep within half an hour
Electronic devices and networks：
- Network Solutions：
- Must install VPN, local SIM card, and portable Wi Fi
- Electrical adaptation：
- The voltage in China is 220V, and the socket is a two pin flat type (compatible with American standards). The three pin socket requires a conversion plug
- It is recommended to carry a power bank (boarding is allowed within 20000mA), and Alipay scanning code is required to rent the power bank shared on the street
Emergency response
- General alarm: 110 (English service can be requested, some police provide third-party translation)
- Medical emergency: 120
- Fire alarm: 119
- Consular Protection:+86-10-12308 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Consular Protection 24-hour Hotline, English service)
Thomas
My camera captured the entire Silk Road: the itinerary took into account lighting conditions, with the shooting of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang scheduled two hours before sunset, and the capture of Bazaar in Kashgar chosen during the busiest morning crowds. The tour guide himself is a photography enthusiast, who helped us find many unique camera positions and even coordinated with local residents to take photos. This creative journey is worth commemorating every minute and second
Mary
12 days passed through the most magnificent landscape belt in China, with thoughtful service arrangements. Cultural lectures and rest spots were interspersed during the long-distance journey, and fruits and wet wipes were available on the Gobi Road section. The tour guide is familiar with every best shooting spot and even helped us apply for a special cave visit permit in Dunhuang. This trip allowed me to fully understand the culture of the Silk Road
Charles
This journey showcases the symbiotic picture of China’s diverse cultures. Learn how to fly in the Dunhuang night market and dance ethnic dances in the Turpan Grape Valley. Our tour guide is proficient in multiple dialects and can directly communicate with local elders, translating ancient legends for us. The catering arrangement is especially careful, and you can experience the special food of different nationalities every day. Xi’an Pita bread soaked in Lamb Soup, Dunhuang donkey yellow noodles, and Kashi baked buns are unforgettable.