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Operated by G Adventures
The Silk Road of China
From
Price on request
Duration
18 days
Countries
China
Activity
easy
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
Geographically and culturally, Northwest China is about as far away from “traditional China” as you can get without crossing the border. The source of the Silk Road – the ancient trade route that helped create the modern world – is unlike anything you’ll find in Beijing or Xi'an, and this 18-day adventure crossing the country via rail takes you deep into the China few ever see. Otherworldly experiences abound, both on train and off: watch the sun rise over the dunes outside Dunhuang, explore the world of the Muslim Uyghurs, spend the night in traditional yurts near Urumqi, and venture into the Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar. There’s more, of course, but we’ve got to keep a few secrets, right?
Arrive at any time.
Take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with free time in the afternoon to explore.
Visit the spectacular Great Wall of China. In the evening, board an overnight train to Xi'an.
Arrive to Xi'an and take an orientation walk. Later, visit the Terracotta Warriors. Opt to visit the Silk Road monument, cycle around the city walls, or explore the Muslim Quarter.
Enjoy a free day in Xi'an to enjoy the city and sights. Take an overnight train to Jiayuguan.
Arrive in Jiayuguan and visit the westernmost section of the Great Wall.
Take an express bus to Dunhuang for a guided visit to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mogao Grottoes.
Opt to visit Mingsha Sand Dunes to see a beautiful sunrise, and enjoy a camel ride and some dune sledding. Make good use of free time before boarding an overnight train to Turpan.
Arrive in Turpan, the lowest point in Asia. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide, including the ancient Karez water system.
Enjoy a free day to continue exploring. Opt to visit the Flaming Mountains or Jiaohe ruins.
Drive into the stunning Tian Shan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) for an overnight in a yurt with the local Kazakh minority people. Spend the day hiking, horseback riding, or just relaxing and soaking in the views.
Spend the morning enjoying nature before heading to Urumqi, the capital of the province.
Over the next two days, travel by train to Hotan, a small town in the Taklamakan Desert. Watch the scenery go by, make friends with the locals, and catch up on your reading.
Arrive in the evening to Hotan. Start exploring this small town.
Take a village tour by donkey cart to see what life is like in this small town. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to tour the market or check out some abandoned ancient towns and ruins.
Enjoy one last train ride to Kashgar, arriving in the evening.
Enjoy the Sunday markets in Kashgar, including the famous Sunday bazaar and fascinating animal market.
Depart at any time.
At a glance
Duration
18 days
Route
Beijing → Kashgar
Countries
China
Activity level
easy
Style
Culture & History, Cycling, Rail Journeys, Trekking & Hiking
Group size
Max 16
Ages
12+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
China
Showing Days 1-7
18-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner -- the famous Beijing Duck is on the menu.
There are activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner -- the famous Beijing Duck is on the menu.
Day 2Take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square…Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, options include shopping, taking a hutong tour, or visiting some city sights like the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, and Bell and Drum towers.
Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, options include shopping, taking a hutong tour, or visiting some city sights like the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, and Bell and Drum towers.
Day 3Visit the spectacular Great Wall of ChinaVisit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. At the wall, climb to the top and explore a stretch by foot while taking in spectacular views as it winds along mountain ridges. This section also boasts a cable car and a luge slide. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. At the wall, climb to the top and explore a stretch by foot while taking in spectacular views as it winds along mountain ridges. This section also boasts a cable car and a luge slide. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Day 4Arrive to Xi'an and take an orientation walkArrive in Xi'an in the early morning and, after checking into the hotel, grab some breakfast and take an orientation walk. After, take a guided trip out to the Terracotta Warriors, a short drive away. Spend free time in the evening wandering the Muslim Quarter and shopping for souvenirs.
Arrive in Xi'an in the early morning and, after checking into the hotel, grab some breakfast and take an orientation walk. After, take a guided trip out to the Terracotta Warriors, a short drive away. Spend free time in the evening wandering the Muslim Quarter and shopping for souvenirs.
Day 5Enjoy a free day in Xi'an to enjoy…Enjoy a free day in Xi'an. Opt to visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, ride a bike around the city walls, visit the Big Goose Pagoda, or do some shopping. In the evening, board a sleeper train for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan.
Enjoy a free day in Xi'an. Opt to visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, ride a bike around the city walls, visit the Big Goose Pagoda, or do some shopping. In the evening, board a sleeper train for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan.
Day 6Arrive in Jiayuguan and visit the westernmost section…Located in the Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is famous for its location on the Silk Road and also for its post on the Great Wall. The westernmost section of the Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Pass, was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with the Overhanging Great Wall section.
Located in the Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is famous for its location on the Silk Road and also for its post on the Great Wall. The westernmost section of the Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Pass, was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with the Overhanging Great Wall section.
Day 7Take an express bus to Dunhuang…Travel by express bus to Dunhuang, a major stop on the Silk Road. Enjoy a guided visit to the famous Mogao Grottoes, filled with Buddha statues, and learn about this important place. Spend a free afternoon wandering the town centre, shopping in the market, or visiting sights further afield. This is one of the loveliest cities in the region.
Travel by express bus to Dunhuang, a major stop on the Silk Road. Enjoy a guided visit to the famous Mogao Grottoes, filled with Buddha statues, and learn about this important place. Spend a free afternoon wandering the town centre, shopping in the market, or visiting sights further afield. This is one of the loveliest cities in the region.
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Traveller reviews
“Very good. Lots of sights to see and travel was well managed.”
“I enjoyed the tour immensely. It was well planned and researched. It had tremendous variety,and was very educational. It gave me very much to remember”
“Overall, this was an outstanding tour. We had an exceptional leader in Nicole and the group was very compatible, timely and just plain fun to be with. Taking a Silk Road tour has been a passion of mine for some time and it was truly as amazing as I expected.”
Discover China
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
Operated by G Adventures
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