Classic Silk Road Tour from Xi’an to Urumqi

Arrive in Xi’an, the historic eastern gateway of the Silk Road and one of China’s great ancient capitals. Your driver will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to rest or explore Xi’an at your own pace.

Start your Silk Road journey at the Terracotta Warriors, where thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots were created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

Return to central Xi’an in the afternoon and visit the Xi’an City Wall, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Walk along the top or rent a bicycle for a wider view of the old city.

Continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Tang Dynasty Buddhist landmark closely connected with the transmission of Buddhism along the Silk Road.

In the evening, you may explore Datang Everbright City, known for its Tang-style architecture, illuminated streets and evening performances.

Take a high-speed train west from Xi’an to Zhangye (D2701, 08:00-13:54, 6hr train), an important historic city along the Hexi Corridor of ancient Silk Road.

After arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for a short rest. Then head to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, also called Rainbow mountain, famous for its extraordinary layers of red, orange and yellow sandstone. Walk between the main viewing platforms for different perspectives across the colorful hills.

Late afternoon is one of the best times to visit, when the softer sunlight brings out the colors and textures of the hills.

Stay overnight in Zhangye.

Begin at Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, home to a 34.5-meter-long reclining Buddha and one of the most important surviving Buddhist sites in the Hexi Corridor.

Then drive about 2.5 hours west to Jiayuguan and visit Jiayuguan Pass, the imposing Ming Dynasty fortress traditionally regarded as the western end of the Great Wall. Its location between the Qilian Mountains and the Gobi Desert made it a strategic gateway along the Silk Road.

Continue to the Wei-Jin Tombs, where ancient brick murals depict farming, banquets, travel and everyday life more than 1,500 years ago.

Stay overnight in Jiayuguan.

Travel west through the Gobi landscape from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang (about 4-5 hours), one of the most famous oasis cities on the ancient Silk Road.

In the afternoon, head to the Echoing Sand Mountains, where the dunes produce a soft, humming sound in the wind. Enjoy a camel ride across the sands and try fun desert activities like sand sliding (available for a small extra fee).

End the day at Crescent Lake, a peaceful desert oasis shaped like a half moon. It’s a perfect spot to relax and take in the sunset before heading back to Dunhuang for the night.

In the evening, explore Shazhou Night Market for local food and handicrafts, or enjoy the Ancient Sound of of Dunhuang evening show (optional).

Spend the morning visiting the Mogao Grottoes, one of the great treasures of the Silk Road. Created over many centuries, the caves preserve an extraordinary collection of Buddhist murals, painted sculptures and artistic influences that traveled between China, Central Asia and beyond.

After visiting the caves, continue to the Mogao Digital Exhibition Center to learn more about the history, art and preservation of the grottoes through multimedia exhibitions.

Later, drive about 1.5 hours to Liuyuan, where you will take the late afternoon high-speed train to Turpan, traveling from Gansu into Xinjiang.

Arrive in Turpan in the evening and transfer to your hotel.

Spend a full day exploring Turpan, one of the most important oasis regions along China’s Silk Road.

Visit the Gaochang Ruins, once a prosperous city where merchants, monks and travelers from different cultures crossed paths. Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, carved into cliffs overlooking the Mutou Valley and known for their surviving Buddhist murals.

Travel into Tuyuk Valley and enjoy a traditional Uyghur lunch in Tuyuk Village, surrounded by mud-brick houses, vineyards and the dry landscape of the Flaming Mountains.

In the afternoon, explore the Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient city built on a natural plateau between two river valleys. Its remarkably preserved streets, temples and residential areas offer a vivid picture of life in an oasis city along the Silk Road.

Return to Turpan for the night.

Continue exploring Turpan with a visit to the Karez underground irrigation system, an ingenious network of wells and underground channels developed to bring mountain water to farms and settlements in this extremely dry region.

Then visit the Emin Minaret, a distinctive 18th-century tower decorated with intricate brick patterns and an important landmark of Turpan’s Uyghur heritage.

After lunch, drive approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.

After checking in, the evening is free. You may visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar to browse local products, try regional food and experience the lively atmosphere.

Morning drive about 1.5 hours to visit the breathtaking Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), set high in the Tianshan Mountains. Surrounded by evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks, the lake offers a peaceful escape and stunning alpine scenery.

Upon arrival, take a 40-minute scenic shuttle ride along winding mountain roads to reach the lakeside area. From there, it’s a short walk to the lake, where you can choose to enjoy an optional boat ride or hike along the shore to enjoy panoramic viewpoints. For even more dramatic views, you may take the cable car to Maya Mountain (optional, additional fee), offering sweeping vistas of Bogda Peak, the highest mountain in the eastern Tianshan range.

In the late afternoon, return to Urumqi and visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum (closed on Mondays), known for its extensive exhibits on Silk Road history, local ethnic cultures, and the remarkable Tarim Basin mummies dating back more than 3,800 years.

Your 10-day Silk Road journey comes to an end today. Your driver will transfer you to Urumqi airport or train station for your onward journey.