10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour from Xian to Kashgar

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xi'an Arrival

   Welcome to our 10-day Best of Silk Road Tour from Xi'an to Kashgar! Upon your arrival at Xi'an airport or train station, a local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and drive you to your well-selected hotel in the city center. Feel free to explore the ancient city on your own.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Xian

2. Day 2: Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
   Experience China's Ancient History and Rich Cuisine

   Today's exploration begins with the world's heritage - Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as "the Eighth Wonder of the World", it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has become one of China's most important attractions and the No.1 attractive site in Xi'an. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours to learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and the history of their owner: the First Emperor of Qin who was the first emperor of China.

   After that, you will enjoy making a replica small terracotta soldier. And you can take your “work” home.

   

   Then, drive back to city center to visit Bell and Drum Tower Square, which is located in the very center of the city and is considered the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will come to the Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, and various noodles, and purchase some Terracotta Warriors imitations as souvenirs.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

3. Day 3: Xian Cultural Tour
   Walk or Bike the City Wall and Tour the Xian Museum's Extensive Collection

   After breakfast, the Silk Road tour in Xian takes you to the Ancient City Wall, the most well-preserved and the largest city wall in China. It was built for military defense in ancient times. As it surrounds the city, visitors can ride a bike to look at the city and the surrounding moat (optional, rent a bike at your own expense).

   After that, pay a visit to a local family to immerse yourself in the life of Xi'an people. You will experience making dumplings here. Dumplings are one of the most popular staple foods in China, often used as a symbol of reunion. The local host will demonstrate you and your kids how to make dumplings.

   

   In the afternoon, visit a landmark of Xi'an - the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At around 65 meters tall, the pagoda was built in 652 (in the Tang Dynasty) to store Buddhist scriptures brought back by Xuanzang from India. Have a relaxing time there. Last, drive to Xi’an Museum. Here, you can learn about thousand-year history of founding the capital and the development of Xian. Also, admire a large collection of cultural relics from all eras of Xian. In addition, visit many thematic displays, such as Buddhist statue art, ancient paintings and calligraphy, and jade wares.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

4. Day 4: Xian to Dunhuang by Flight
   Enjoy the Desert Landscapes and Have Fun with Various Activities

   Today, you'll fly from Xi'an to Dunhuang after breakfast. Dunhuang is famous for its historical significance along the Silk Road. The flight duration is around 2.5 hours.

   Upon arrival in Dunhuang, the local guide will transfer you to the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring. This is an incredible view where the golden dunes and green oases coexist in harmony. Echo Sand Mountain (Mingsha Mountain) is a lonely sand mountain in the open desert formed by the action of wind. The sand will echo when there is a strong wind, hence its name. Next to the sand dunes, the Crescent Spring is the only oasis that adds much vitality and energy to the barren desert.

   

   Friendly tip: There are many entertainment activities available in the desert, like camel ride, sand buggy etc., if you are interested to try, please pay on you own at the spot.

   You can choose to camp overnight in the desert if you are looking forward to an unforgettable adventure. Spend a night under the starry sky, surrounded by desert landscapes. (Only available from April to September)

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

5. Day 5: Dunhuang to Turpan by High-speed Train
   Explore a Vast Collection of Ancient Buddhist Art

   In the morning, the Silk Road Tour of China in Dunhuang comes to the amazing Mogao Grottoes. As the existing anthology of Buddhist art with the biggest scale and the best preservation in the world, Mogao Caves wins fame as "the pearls of oriental art". There are more than 2,000 ancient colored sculptures in the caves, 90 percent of which were restored during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). However, Cave No.45 still preserves the originally painted sculptures of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the most breathtaking masterpieces among the painted sculptures.

   

   In the afternoon, catch a train to Turpan, Xinjiang. Your local driver will be waiting to meet you upon arrival and escort you to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Turpan

6. Day 6: Turpan to Urumqi Tour
   Discover Local Uighur Culture and Innovative Irrigation System

   Your Silk Road tour in Turpan starts at Tuyugou Valley, the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang and a nice place to soak up Buddhist and Islamic culture. Afterwards, continue your visit to Flaming Mountains, made of red sandstone, which lies like a red dragon in the Turpan Basin from east to west. Our specialty is having lunch with the local Uighur family and learning more about the hard-working minority.

   

   Stop by the Karez Well irrigation system that produces the best melons and grapes in China. The following is the visit to Sugong Minaret, a typical Islamic architecture with the largest scale among all pagodas in Xinjiang.

   Today's tour ends with a 2-hour exploration of Jiaohe Ruins, the largest, oldest, and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world with a history of more than 2,000 years. You will wander around this ancient city stepping back in time to trace past civilizations.

   Last, we will drive to a hotel in Urumqi.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Urumqi

7. Day 7: Urumqi Tour
   Enjoy the Beauty of Heavenly Lake in Tianshan Mountain

   In the morning, your Urumqi tour begins in Xinjiang Regional Museum. As the only autonomous region-class museum in Xinjiang, it houses over 40,000 collections including all kinds of relics and specimens, exhibited in five separate halls. You can find many treasures ever glittering on the famous Silk Road. The No.1 star exhibition here is the unprecedented ancient corpse with even tiny fingernails well preserved.

   Next, drive around 1.5 hours to the amazing Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain. Heavenly Lake, read Tianchi Lake in Chinese, is an alpine lake nestled against the slope of the snow-covered Bodga Mountain. You can choose to absorb the beautiful surroundings by taking a cruise or trekking along the lake... (Note: Taking a cruise on the lake is an optional activity, which will be at your own expense if you want to experience it)

   

   After the experience at Heavenly Lake, drive back to Urumqi city center.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Urumqi

8. Day 8: Urumqu to Kashgar Tour by Flight
   Feel Rich Islamic Heritage and Stroll Vibrant Local Markets

   After breakfast at hotel, your driver will escort you to the airport for a flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, your China Silk Road tour begins with the exploration of the ancient city of Kashgar.

   First, you will visit the Abakh Hoja Tomb, aka Xiang Fei Park. Here, you will delve deeper into the love story of Princess Xiang Fei. Experience Kashgar's unique customs and folk culture. Next, take a visit to Id Kah Mosque, a construction complex with a magnificent chapel, pagoda, garden, and scripture hall in Islamic style.

   

   Then, we move to Kashgar Old Town. Enjoy leisurely wandering in this Islamic-style city block, which highlights the centuries-old mud-brick architecture and twisting alleys through workshops. Afterwards, explore a local bazaar to discover some of your favorite snacks and interesting souvenirs.

   After that, you can explore the vibrant Handicrafts Market. Spending some time in the market is also a top thing to do in Kashgar. Follow the local crowd to walk leisurely and stop at a stall interesting you or talking with those hawkers with ethnic faces. Do not forget to bargain when you are picking some as souvenirs. Last, you can savor a cup of tea at a Century-old Tea House.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Kashgar

9. Day 9: Kashgar to Karakul Lake Tour
   Enjoy a Side Trip to Beautiful Lakes

   After breakfast, we driver for 3.5 hours to Karakul Lake. Nestled amidst the Pamir Mountains, it is a moraine lake surrounded by a series of high mountains. At the lakefront, there is grassland with roaming flocks and herds, creating a fair and charming picture.

   Enjoy the picturesque landscapes along the way, including a stop at White Sand Lake, where the scenery of snow peaks reflected on the teal-colored lake must be a feast for your eyes.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Kashgar

   

10. Day 10: Kashgar Departure
    Explore the Bustling Sunday Livestock Market & Bazaar

    Your Xinjiang tour in Kashgar begins today with the exploration of the Sunday Livestock Market. Here, go to find and pick up various things such as handicrafts, livestock, local specialties, and vegetables, as well as many other kinds of things from second-hand items to needles and thread. Then, we move to Kashgar Bazaar to discover some of your favorite snacks and interesting souvenirs.

    Note: If the day is not Sunday when you are in Kashgar, there won't be a Sunday Livestock Market there, or it might get closed randomly by local policy. Our tour guide would arrange for you guys the Local Handicraft Market instead if the Sunday Livestock Market is not available.

    The 10 days China Silk Road tour will end here. If you want to visit more places in Xinjiang or other Chinese cities, please feel free to contact us. We will be very happy to be helpful to you.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A