15 days Silk Road Tour from Beijing to Shanghai
Travel from Beijing through Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Xi’an, and Shanghai on this 15-day Silk Road tour. Explore ancient trading cities, desert landscapes, Buddhist grottoes, and China’s cultural highlights.
Itinerary
This 15-day Silk Road tour from Beijing combines China’s iconic cultural highlights with the ancient trading cities of the far west. Begin in the capital with visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and Beijing’s traditional hutongs before flying to Kashgar, where the Silk Road’s multicultural history is still alive in its bazaars, mosques, and old town.
Continue east to Turpan to explore desert ruins, Buddhist cave art, and Uyghur village life, then travel to Dunhuang to admire the world-famous Mogao Grottoes and the sand dunes of Mingsha Mountain. From there, take high speed train to Zhangye and visit its spectacular Danxia landforms (also known as Zhangye Rainbow Mountain) before flying to Xi’an, home of the Terracotta Warriors and an important ancient capital, as well as the traditional starting point of China’s Silk Road.
Your journey concludes in Shanghai, a modern metropolis where historic neighborhoods meet a glittering skyline. This route offers a rich blend of culture, archaeology, landscapes, and Silk Road heritage—an ideal way to experience China from its imperial heart to the far reaches of its western frontier.
Upon arrival at the Beijing Capital Airport, your Beijing tour guide will meet you and transfer you to the downtown hotel. Rest of the day is on your own. If you want to explore this ancient capital city, please ask your tour guide for some suggestions on where to go and what to see.
Following breakfast, begin your exploration at Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing. This expansive square holds great significance for the Chinese, often hosting important national events. You'll visit highlights such as the Monument to People's Heroes located at the square's center.
Next, delve into the history of the Forbidden City, an ancient palace where 24 emperors resided during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Your guide will offer detailed insights into the city's history and the lives of those who inhabited it. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its extensive collection of preserved wooden structures, the Forbidden City holds immense cultural importance.
Continue your journey to Jingshan Park, situated opposite the Forbidden City. A climb to the park's summit rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the sprawling Beijing cityscape.
Next, head to the Shichahai Hutong district to experience old Beijing life. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes, visit a traditional courtyard home, and stroll along Yandai Xiejie, one of the city’s oldest commercial streets near the Drum Tower.
In the evening, consider ending your day with Beijing’s signature dish, Peking roast duck, at a well known restaurant such as Quanjude or Da Dong. You may also choose to enjoy a cultural performance like Peking Opera or a Kung Fu show (optional, cost extra).
Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks. This historic complex was once where emperors prayed for good harvests and today is a peaceful park where locals practice tai chi and morning exercises. Walk through the grounds and admire the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a masterpiece of Ming dynasty architecture.
Continue to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a scenic and less-crowded section of the Great Wall known for its beautiful forested setting. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Choose to take the cable car up for an easy ascent or hike to the top if you prefer. Once on the Wall, enjoy time to walk along the well-preserved watchtowers and take in the sweeping mountain views.
On the return to the city, stop at the Olympic Green to see the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, two landmark venues from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If you wish to visit the interiors, tickets can be purchased on-site.
To end the day, choose to return to your hotel or be dropped off near the lively Donghuamen night market area, where you can sample local snacks and enjoy Beijing’s vibrant evening atmosphere.
Morning Beijing airport drop off and take the flight to Kashgar (5.5 hours flight). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Kashgar, an oasis city in the western extremity of China, bordering on Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. After you get settled into the hotel, spend the rest of the day to explore the ethnic Uyghur culture and customs by roaming this city on your own.
After breakfast, drive along the Sino Pakistan Karakorum Highway to get to the Karakul lake for sightseeing. Stop at the Opal Village, a simple place where you can have a great view of the Kunlun Shan Mountains. Then enter the Mountain range, one of the last truly unexplored places on earth, and enjoy the surreal glacier scenery along the way.
After 4 hours drive, you will arrive at the Karakul Lake, which is a plateau lake near the junction of the Pamir, Tianshan, and Kunlun Mountain ranges. Spend couple hours to immerse yourself into the beautiful scenery of the lake and the clarity of reflections in its water.Visit a local Kyrgyz family to experience their customs and culture. In the late afternoon, drive back to Kashgar and prepare for your next day.
Spend the day exploring the rich history and lively culture of Kashgar, once one of the most important trading centers on the ancient Silk Road.
After breakfast, begin at the Abakh Khoja Tomb, an elegant mausoleum housing five generations of the Khoja family, including the famed “Fragrant Concubine,” Xiang Fei. The complex is a fine example of Uyghur Islamic architecture, with its green-glazed tiles, domes, and beautifully decorated pillars.
Continue to the Sunday Livestock Bazaar, where herders and farmers from nearby villages come to trade sheep, goats, camels, horses, and donkeys. This bustling market is one of the best places to witness traditional rural life and the trading culture that has thrived in Kashgar for centuries.
In the afternoon, wander through the atmospheric lanes of Kashgar Old Town, lined with mud-brick houses, workshops, and small neighborhood bazaars. Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and the spiritual heart of the city. End the day along Handicraft Street, where woodcarvers, metalworkers, instrument makers, and other artisans carry on generations-old crafts, where you can browse for unique handmade souvenirs. Enjoy a home-cooked Uyghur dinner at a local family to end your visit in Kashgar.
Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Turpan. Upon arrival, meet your guide and drive to your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, set off to explore the highlights of Turpan, a key hub along the ancient Silk Road. Your first stop is the Gaochang Ruins, once a thriving desert city that welcomed travelers, traders, and monks from across Central Asia. Though long abandoned, its city walls and temple remains still tell stories of its past glory.
Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, tucked into the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains. These ancient grottoes are filled with colorful murals dating back over a thousand years, reflecting the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.
Midday, enjoy a traditional Uyghur lunch in the quiet village of Tuyuk Valley, where mud-brick homes and grapevines create a peaceful backdrop. On your way back to Turpan, you’ll pass the Flaming Mountain, known for its glowing red slopes and extreme summer heat.
End the day at the Jiaohe Ruins, the world’s largest and best-preserved earthen city. Perched on a natural plateau between two rivers, this ancient site dates back over 2,000 years and offers an unforgettable glimpse into Turpan’s distant past. Return to the city for an overnight stay.
Start the day with a visit to the Karez Well System, an ingenious underground irrigation network developed over 2,000 years ago. Consisting of vertical shafts, underground channels, and surface canals, it once provided essential water to the people of Turpan. Walking through the cool underground tunnels also offers a refreshing break from Turpan’s desert heat.
Next, visit the Sugong Pagoda, the tallest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang, known for its distinctive architectural style and cultural significance.
From there, you'll head to Turpan train station and take the train to Liuyuan (D2706, 12:13-15:48, around 3.5 hours).
Upon arrival at Liuyuan, you'll be greeted and taken to your hotel in Dunhuang (about 1.5-2 hours drive). Dunhuang is another beautiful oasis surrounded by soul soothing sand dunes, and one of the most important cities on the China Silk Road, you can rest up and enjoy the Shazhou Nightly Market or some traditional Chinese performance art at the Dunhuang Theater.
In the morning, you will visit the noted Mogao Grottoes. Regarded as one of the most precious treasures of Buddhist art, the Mogao Grottoes house numerous exquisite murals and Buddha statues, most of which date back more than 1,500 years. Afterwards, head out to enjoy a camel ride to the Mingsha Mountains. As its name indicates, the sand here echoes when the wind blows or when you slide down the mountain slopes. You can also choose from multiple desert activities, such as sand sliding (additional fee required, payable locally).
Later, head to Crescent Spring to see the lake located in the deserts of the Singing Sand Mountains. The lake got its name because its shape naturally resembles a crescent. Enjoy a beautiful sunset. Overnight in Dunhuang.
After breakfast, depart Dunhuang and take a high-speed train to Zhangye (about 4 hours). Upon arrival, visit the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, world-famous for its spectacular “rainbow mountains.” Over millions of years, layers of red sandstone and mineral deposits were uplifted and sculpted by wind and water, creating vividly colored ridges, rolling hills, and sharp peaks that look almost unreal. Stroll along the viewing platforms to admire the best viewpoints, where the colors appear especially rich in the late afternoon light.
In the evening, transfer to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport for your flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your local driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in downtown.
After a late arrival the previous night, enjoy a relaxed morning before beginning your Xi’an exploration. Late in the morning (around 10:00am), meet your guide and drive to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Walk through the vast excavation pits to see thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots standing in silent formation, each with unique facial features and expressions.
Return to the city for an afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist landmark from the Tang Dynasty. Learn how this seven-story pagoda became a center for translating Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang.
As evening falls, head to Datang Everbright City (Great Tang All Day Mall), a lively pedestrian area known for Tang-style buildings, music, street performances, lantern displays, and local snacks. It’s one of Xi’an’s most atmospheric places to experience the city’s modern energy mixed with historic charm.
Overnight in Xi’an.
Start your day at Xi’an City Wall Park, where locals gather for morning tai chi, dancing, badminton, and other daily activities. It’s a lively place to take a pleasant walk and experience authentic local life.
Then ascend the Ancient City Wall in Xi'an, the best-preserved in China. Enjoy a relaxed walk along the ramparts or rent a bike for a scenic ride overlooking the old and modern parts of the city.
Continue to the Muslim Quarter, known for its vibrant food streets and traditional shops. This is an ideal spot for lunch, try local specialties such as hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, or freshly made Xi’an pastries.
After lunch, transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Shanghai, where your local driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for rest.
In the morning, cross the Huangpu River and head to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. Recognized globally as the official landmark of Shanghai, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the Huangpu River. Next, visit Yu Garden, a beautiful garden established by a Ming Dynasty government officer, renowned for its intricate layout, stunning pavilions, and extensive use of rockeries and water features that capture the essence of nature. Afterwards, explore Shanghai Old Street to gain insights into Shanghai's history.
After lunch, head to Xintiandi in the French Concession. Originally the site of the first congress of China's Communist Party, it is now a vibrant cultural center of Shanghai featuring cafes, bars, bookstores, and boutiques.
Finally, experience the historical charm of the Bund along the Huangpu River. Your day tour in Shanghai ends at Nanjing Road, which offers a bustling shopping experience.
In the evening you might consider to enjoy a spectacular Chinese Acrobatics show (available only on weekends) or take an evening cruise along the Huangpu River to enjoy the night view of the Bund (additional fee). Overnight stay in Shanghai.
Today is free for you to explore Shanghai on your own. You may choose to spend the day shopping, relaxing in a café, or simply wandering through the city to soak in its blend of modern skylines and historic neighborhoods.
If you prefer a day excursion, consider a trip to Suzhou to see its classical gardens, or visit one of the charming nearby water towns such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli, or Zhujiajiao.
According to your flight schedule, we will arrange a transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport, either by private car with your driver or with your guide escorting you to board the Maglev train (please share your preference with your travel advisor when booking). Wishing you a pleasant journey home.
Inclusions
Tour notes:
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