Best China Silk Road Tours 2025/2026
Budget Silk Road Tours in China by Local Expert Operator
With a history of over 2000 years, the Silk Road is the most ancient trade route which had witnessed cultural and economic inter-influence among countless merchants and civilizations. Today, it is blessed with numerous stunning relics, grottoes, dynastic passes, historic towns and ruins, desert beauties, and exotic charms. We have elaborately designed a wide range of China Silk Road tours to illuminate visitors with the authentic charm of this ancient route and the highlights of wild West China.
One of the best Silk Road tour operators, we have extensive knowledge of this historic path. We provide a variety of tour options to cater to different preferences and requirements, from group tours to private and tailor-made tours, and from short excursions to long in-depth Silk Road adventures. You can choose a tour to any important hubs along this ancient route: Xian, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Xinjiang (including Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan), etc.
Best Silk Road Tours
The Silk Road Tour packages below are chosen by most travelers and received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Each itinerary is thoughtfully created, covering the most classic sites along the Silk Route, such as Zhangye Rainbow Mountain, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Urumqi Heavenly Lake, Kashgar Old Town, and Kanas Lake. All itineraries are customizable to suit the needs of different types of travelers, from history buffs to nature lovers, from seniors to honeymoon couples.
Explore the enchantment of China Silk Road through the monasteries & plateau lakes in Xining, Mogao Grottoes, China Rainbow Mountain, desert scenery, and Han Dynasty Great Wall.
Experience the diversity of the Silk Route: Zhangye Danxia Landform, Mogao Grottoes, Singing Sand Mountains, Flaming Mountains, Kanas Lake, and Jiaohe Ruins.
Featured
China Silk Road exploration from east end to west end for historical heritages, stunning scenery and landform, and ancient grottoes.
Wander ancient halls of Forbidden City, climb Great Wall, meet Terracotta Army, sand-ski in Dunhuang’s dunes, roam Kashgar Old Town, and take in Uighur culture.
Silk Road Small Group Tours
We provide diversified China Silk Road guided tours, with which you will find everything you want about the Silk Route, including all those glittering sites alongside, from the grandiose underground place housing Terracotta Warriors to Mogao Grottoes carved in the desert, from colorful rainbow mountains to vast green grasslands, from modern metropolis to snowy mountains and plateau lakes, from profound Han culture to ethnic Urgur culture…
It’s the best price/quality trade-off journey to expand your horizon and enrich your knowledge with considerable commentary from professional local guides and drivers!
Essence of Gansu & South Xinjiang. Stunning lakes & natural wonders. Ancient grottoes & heritages.
Terracotta Army, storical landmarks & food, Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, Mogao Grottoes, Jiayuguan
Travel from Urumqi across Burqin, Hemu, and Kanas, to Urho on this Silk Road Xinjiang trip.
Mogao Grottoes, natural wonders, Kashgar Old Town & ethnic market, ancient buildings & ruins
See real China Silk Road Tour reviews from our clients on Trip Advisor
4.9 (out of 5)
5/5
March 14, 2025
We have been exceptionally happy with China Xian Tours. Your wonderful support has been greatly appreciated. Your professionalism and prompt reply’s have been invaluable and very reassuring. We have loved our guide Kia and driver, Mr G. Kia is very knowledgeable, patient, gentle, kind and very generous.
November 21, 2024
I wanted to arrange a private Silk Road tour for 4 people to travel from Xian to Zhangye, Dunhuang and then to Huashan and Louyang. Kelly's recommendations were excellent and the private car /drivers were very good for places that we do not require a guide and the places where we had guides, the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. A big thumbs up to Kelly for helping arrange an unforgettable holiday.
December 11, 2023
This is our 5th holiday arranged by China Xian Tour. This time we chose "Silk Road Trip", an adventure trip for our age. A very enjoyable trip and full of beautiful memories for us and our family. This holiday, not only sees extraordinary views but also learns about the history of traders' journeys via the Silk Road and the development of religion in life at that time through the grottoes found. Thank you to China Xian Tour for planning the travel itineraries.
November 24, 2024
We had our private tour organised by China Xian Tour Agency. My first contact with Sophia Liu was via several emails stating our preferences. Sophia was very helpful to revert with the program relatively fast and met our preferences. We confirmed the program and paid the required payment. Overall, we were very happy and satisfied with the whole tour organised by Xian China Tour. Both the guides, drivers were accommodative, punctual and deserve thumbs up!
October 9, 2024
We just visit Guizhou with China Xian Tour. Sophia, my consultant is the best in organize trip for us. Actually, she had done some other trips for us like Gansu and Silk Road. Very reliable. I always happy and no worry when she handled my trips in China even with big group. This Guizhou trip is over my expectation with Jacky.
Silk Road Private Tours
Are you looking for a tailor-made private trip to the Silk Road? Look no further! We are experts in customizing the Silk Road tours for travelers from around the world. Whether you are looking for an in-depth Silk Road adventure, a quick Silk Route essential trip, in luxury class or budget class, with families, seniors, friends, or traveling alone, we know the best ways to do it with the lowest price!
Just let us know your basic ideas, and we will tailor a complete systemic Silk Road travel plan including transport, accommodations, itineraries, guides, attractions, and more details.
Terracotta Army. Yadang Landform. Mogao Grottoes. Han Dynasty Great Wall. Desert scenery.
Explore Southwest China with diverse minority villages & stunning scenery.
Mogao Grottoes & desert scenery. Ruins of ancient kingdoms. Heavenly Lake. Sunday Market with ethnic life & culture.
A route with best Silk Road highlights. Monasteries & plateau lake. Grassland & desert. Mogao Grottoes, Danxia landform.
Mogao Grottoes. Ancient temples & Great Wall. Danxia Landform & desert, etc.
Glimpse into China Silk Road from east end to west end. Historical & cultural heritages. Stunning natural scenery.
Urumqi to Yinchuan. Ethnic culture & architecture. Mogao Grottoes & historical heritages. Desert adventure in Zhongwei.
Thorough Silk Road experience. Terracotta Army. Mogao Grottoes. Heritages & stunning scenery. Unique culture & life.
China Silk Road Tours by Train
Today, the convenient high-speed trains and regular trains between the Silk Road cities (Xian, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar…) make it much easier to discover the historical and cultural heritage, as well as awe-inspiring natural wonders. The brilliant Terracotta Warriors, overhanging Great Wall, Zhangye Rainbow Mountain, and Mogao Caves are awaiting you!
Train ride from Xian to Lanzhou. Bingling Grottoes, Labrang Monastery & Sangke Grassland in Xiahe.
Three brilliant grottoes. Danxia & Yadang landform. Ancient Temples & Great Wall. Weijing Tombs. Desert view.
High-speed train ride from Lanzhou to Zhangye. Ancient grottoes & Great Wall. Zhangye Danxia Landform.
Xian, Gansu & Xinjiang essences. Historical heritages. Market visit. Ancient ruins & architecture. Natural wonders.
Xinjiang Silk Road Tours
The following itineraries are recommended for travelers who want to explore Xinjiang as well as other major cities along the ancient Silk Road. To explore Xinjiang and the surrounding areas, you can also embark on an Orient Express Silk Road tour. The Oriental Silk Road Express is a luxury tourist train that operates between Ningxia and Xinjiang, offering a scenic and comfortable experience.
Discover the natural and cultural highlights in Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Turpan, Kanas, Urumqi.
Travel from Lanzhou to Xinjiang, encounter rainbow mountains, wild desert, time-honored Great Wall and ethnic culture and life.
An in-depth Silk Road trip from the eastern starting point to the western end, with all cultural, natural, and historical highlights included.
A Southern Xinjiang cultural and natural tour from Kashgar to Urumqi, including ancient mosques, old cities, stunning lakes, etc.
Extend Your China Silk Road Tours
These are longer China tours including the ancient Silk Road and other popular destinations arranged for your more in-depth China experience. Besides the time-honored architecture, heritages and ruins, and breathtaking natural landscapes along the Silk Road, you can also expect the imperial history in Beijing, the combination of modernization and tradition in Shanghai, the adorable pandas in Chengdu, and the towering cloud-kissing peaks in Zhangjiajie. You can either select your favorite one or tailor-make a trip according to your interests and likes.
Pandas & relaxing tea time in Chengdu. Historical & natural wonders in Xian, Zhangye, Jiayuguan & Dunhuang.
Beijing & Shanghai essences. Xian historical landmarks. Mogao Grottoes.
3 ancient capitals: Beijing, Luoyang, Xian. Zhangye to Urumqi Silk Road heritages.
Highlights of Beijing-Xian-Shanghai. Xinjiang & Dunhuang culture & nature tour.
Top Attractions along the Silk Road
You may add any of these shows to your Silk Road trip to glimpse into the mysteries and charms of the legendary Silk Road.
An iconic sight of the Silk Road, this Geopark has been described by National Geographic as one of the “Top 10 Geographical Wonders of the World”.
A pass one has to take along the Silk Route, it features splendid Buddhist art, wonderful historical sites and diverse landscapes.
Silk Road Travel Guide and Inspirations
How to Plan a Silk Road Trip
Wondering where to Go? What to experience? When is the best time to visit? This guide gives you all the answers to how to plan a Silk Road trip of a lifetime.
China Silk Road Travel Tips
Are you planning a trip to the Silk Road? Read this guide for packing tips, on-the-go explorations, safety guidelines, transportation and accommodation tips.
The Silk Road History
The Silk Route has a splendid history of over 2,200 years and still plays a vital role in strengthening cultural and economic exchanges between China and the West.
Top 10 Silk Road Foods You Must Try
Explore delicious foods of traditional Chinese Cuisine, Uyghur Cuisine, Xinjiang cuisine, including Roujiamo, Big Plate Chicken, Lanzhou Beef Noodles…
Top 6 Reasons to Visit the Silk Road
Why you should travel to the Silk Road? It connects the legendary destinations in Northwest China, like Xian, Dunhuang, Xinjiang… with countless historical sites and natural wonders.
Top 10 Goods Traded on the Silk Road
Discover the Silk Road for the goods that were traded, including silk, tea, spices, precious stones and gems, porcelain...
FAQs on Silk Road Tours
- Explore intangible historic and cultural heritage along the Silk Road;
- Follow the footsteps of ancient merchants to experience the glorious past of China;
- Traverse various destinations featuring different geographies, wowed by diverse natural landscapes: barren desert, soaring dunes, verdant oasis, alpine lakes, Danxian Landform& Yardang Landform;
- Experience culture and life of vastly different ethnic groups and religions;
- Savor diverse regional cuisines, and embark on a gourmet journey rich in various exotic flavors.
- We suggest planning in advance so all the travel details are sorted out well;
- 1-2 weeks are recommended for a China Silk Road tour to cover the top attractions, depending on your interests and itinerary arrangement;
- The best time to travel China Silk Road is from May to October;
- The Chinese Silk Road sections include a gigantic region from westward to Gansu with Lanzhou, Xiahe, Zhangye, Wuwei, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang, and then to Xinjiang with Turpan, Urumqi, Ili, Kanas, Kashgar and more;
- The exact itinerary depends on your interest: extend your Silk Road trip to destinations in Gansu if you are a history lover, include Xinjiang if you want to experience the rich ethnic culture, both of these two places are rich in natural landscapes.
The best time to travel to China Silk Road is spring (April till May) and autumn (September till October), when there is little rain and a pleasant temperature of about 25°C. Summer (June tillr experiences an average temperature of 30°C, while Turpan experiences temperatures as high as 40°C. However, you can taste various fruits and enjoy the flowers in full bloom.
We are an expert tour operator with 20+ years of experience in organizing China Silk Road tours. All our guides are local experts who can promise you an in-depth experience of local culture, life, and authentic activities.
Our all-inclusive Silk Road tour packages will include hotel and ticket booking, 7/24 support, expert English-speaking tour guides, land transfer, and many more services, giving you less to worry about for your Silk Road holiday.
We always try to offer the best Silk Road guided tours for travelers with affordable prices and reliable service. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are looking for a lifetime Silk Road travel experience!
