13-Day Silk Road Tours from Xi’an till Kashgar

Day 1, Arrive in Xi’an

Activities:

Airport pickup and hotel transfer, free time to explore the ancient capital on your own

Details:

Our professional, friendly local guide and experienced driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, about an hour’s drive away. The rest of the day is yours to explore this ancient city at your own pace.

It is said that if you want to see 800 years of China’s history, visit Beijing; but if you want to see 3,000 years of China’s history, go to Xi’an. The root of Chinese history and culture remains here. Xi’an served as the ancient capital of many dynasties and was the starting point of the Silk Road.

Day 2, Full Day in Xi’an

Activities:

Terracotta Warriors, Bell Tower, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque of Xi’an

Details:

After breakfast, we start our wonderful one-day tour with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, located about an hour’s drive from Xi’an city centre. We spend the whole morning at this remarkable site.
After lunch, we head to the Bell Tower, located in the downtown area. A classic Chinese traditional building, it marks the geographical centre of the ancient capital and is the best-preserved and largest wooden tower of its kind in China.
We then drive to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient Buddhist holy building. Finally, we visit the Great Mosque of Xi’an in the Hui Muslim quarter, whose architecture combines rich Chinese features with Arabic style. It is one of the oldest and largest mosques in China.

Day 3, Xi’an City Wall and Museum – High-Speed Train to Zhangye

Activities:

Walk or cycle the Xi’an City Wall, visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, then board the high-speed train to Zhangye

Details:

After breakfast, we visit the Xi’an City Wall, the symbol of the city and the most ancient city wall still standing in China today. We spend a few hours walking or cycling along the ramparts as you like (bike rental at your own expense). We then drive to the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, a famous first-class museum in China, renowned for its outstanding architecture, exhibits and collections.
After lunch, we take the high-speed bullet train to Zhangye, a journey of about seven hours. Our local guide and driver will meet you at Zhangye Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 4, Zhangye Danxia National Geopark – Giant Buddha Temple

Activities:

Visit the rainbow-coloured Zhangye Danxia National Geopark and the Giant Buddha Temple

Details:

After breakfast, we drive to the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (also called the Rainbow Mountains), known for its colourful rock formations. The unusual colours of the rocks — smooth, sharp and several hundred metres tall — are the result of sandstone and mineral deposits laid down over 24 million years. It has been voted by Chinese media as one of the most beautiful landforms in China.

Later, we visit the Giant Buddha Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple in Zhangye notable for its gigantic reclining Buddha statue, around 35 metres long. The huge clay statue on a wooden frame depicts the Gautama Buddha’s attainment of nirvana, with his ten disciples standing behind him.

Day 5, Zhangye to Jiayuguan

Activities:

Visit Jiayuguan Fort, the Overhanging Cliff Great Wall and the Weijin Ancient Tombs

Details:

After breakfast, we drive to Jiayuguan (about 250 km, around three hours). We visit Jiayuguan Fort, the greatest and best-preserved fortress along the entire Great Wall of China.

We then drive to the Overhanging Cliff Great Wall, the northern part of Jiayuguan Fort’s defence system; you can climb to the top according to your physical condition.

Later, we visit the Weijin Ancient Tombs, well known as the largest underground art gallery in the world. Finally, we check into our hotel in Jiayuguan.

Day 6, Jiayuguan to Dunhuang

Activities:

Scenic drive to Dunhuang, visit Mingsha Mountain and the Crescent Lake

Details:

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Dunhuang, a journey of about five hours. Upon arrival, we have lunch first and then visit the Mysterious Crescent Lake, whose name derives from the crescent-moon-shaped pool of spring water nestled between two large sand dunes. Here you have the chance to ride camels across the dunes of Echo-Sand Mountain, which makes a deep sound when the wind blows (camel ride at your own expense). If you wish, you can stay until sunset before returning to the hotel.

Day 7, Mogao Grottoes – High-Speed Train to Turpan

Activities:

Spend the morning at the Mogao Grottoes, then take the high-speed train to Turpan

Details:

We spend the whole morning at the Mogao Grottoes, constructed over a millennium from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, they are one of the most notable grotto complexes in China and the best-preserved treasure house of Buddhist art, sutras, murals and sculptures in the world.

After lunch, we drive to Dunhuang Railway Station for your journey to Turpan, an approximately 3.5-hour train ride. Our local guide and driver will meet you at Turpan Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 8, Full Day in Turpan

Activities:

Visit Gaochang Ancient City, Toyuq Village, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Flaming Mountain

Details:

After breakfast, we begin our Turpan tour with a visit to the ancient city of Gaochang (Idikut). The city was first built in the 1st century BC and later became the capital of the Uyghur Kingdom of Gaochang in the 8th century.

We explore the ruins for about 40 minutes and then move on to Toyuq Village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uyghur community. Here we visit several local families and share a home-cooked lunch at a local household — often the highlight of the day.

After lunch, we visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, once an important centre for Buddhist worshippers under the Gaochang Kingdom. On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the Flaming Mountain, said to be the hottest and driest spot on the Silk Road, where “even flying birds a thousand miles away dare not come.”

Day 9, Turpan Sights – Afternoon Flight to Kashgar

Activities:

Visit Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez Irrigation System and Emin Minaret, then fly to Kashgar

Details:

Following breakfast, we start another wonderful day in Turpan. Our morning includes sightseeing in Turpan before an afternoon flight to Kashgar.

First, we visit Jiaohe (Yargul) Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices; workshops, houses and streets remain clearly visible, transporting you to a long-lost world.

After about an hour, we head to the world-famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this region. It is considered one of the three great engineering projects of China, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Finally, we visit the Emin Suliman Minaret, a magnificent combination of ancient Uyghur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only historic Islamic minaret in the country; locals call it the “Pure Tower.” Our guide and driver then transfer you to Turpan Airport for your flight to Kashgar.

Day 10, Explore Kashgar City

Activities:

Livestock Market and bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Apak Hoja Tomb, Kashgar Old City and Handicraft Street

Details:

Today we explore the rich, living culture of the Uyghurs in Kashgar. First, we visit the famous Sunday Livestock Market, where local people bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels, cows, bulls, yaks and donkeys for sale. It offers a wonderful opportunity to photograph the faces of local people, study traditional market culture, and witness a way of life that has barely changed for centuries — a real glimpse into the Silk Road’s past.

Next to the market lies a bustling bazaar lined with local-style restaurants. Rows of food stalls offer roast meat, all kinds of kebabs, chewy hand-pulled noodles and plenty of fresh fruit. The stall-keepers call out to passers-by, and the whole place feels wonderfully alive. Once you are here, time seems to slow down, and you will feel as though you have travelled back to the ancient Silk Road.

After lunch, our deeper journey into Kashgar’s history begins. We visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China — not only a religious site but an important symbol of Kashgar’s culture, witnessing countless ceremonies and spiritual traditions over the centuries.

Leaving the mosque, we head to the equally remarkable Apak Hoja Tomb, also known as the “Tomb of the Fragrant Concubine.” The legendary beautiful and mysterious consort of the Qing emperor adds a touch of romance and legend to this historic cemetery.

Later, we stroll through the Kashgar Old City, boasting over 2,000 years of history. Here you can explore local bazaars filled with the aroma of spices, the colours of handicrafts and the friendly chatter of locals. We stop at a century-old tea house for a short break, tasting local medicinal teas infused with rose, saffron and honey. Afterwards, we amble along Ostangboyi Handicraft Street, where skilled craftspeople create exquisite musical instruments, uniquely designed teapots and all kinds of handicrafts passed down through generations.

Day 11, Kashgar to Tashkorgan on the Karakoram Highway

Activities:

Drive the Karakoram Highway, stop at Upal Village, Oytagh Red Mountain, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake and Tagharma Wetland

Details:

We start our journey from Kashgar and drive along the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway, also known as the Karakoram Highway. After about 50 km, we stop at Upal Village to buy fresh fruit, naan and other provisions for the journey, and to sample local snacks such as baked buns while soaking up the atmosphere of the village market.

We continue to the Oytagh Red Mountain and stop for photos, feeling the raw power of nature and the grandeur of the Kunlun Mountains. Further on, we reach Baisha Lake (White Sand Lake), where the clear blue water meets snow-white sand dunes rising from the shore — a unique landscape perfect for a lakeside walk and photographs.

We then visit Karakul Lake, 3,600 metres above sea level, at the foot of the mighty Muztagh Ata (7,546 m) and Kongur (7,719 m). “Muztagh Ata” means “Father of the Ice Mountain,” one of the most beautiful and mysterious peaks in the world. You can take a break by the lake and admire the magnificent reflections of Muztagh Ata and the nine peaks of the Kongur range.

Lunch is at a lakeside restaurant at your leisure. We then continue to the Tagharma Wetland, the largest wetland in Tashkorgan, with lush grass and flocks of sheep and cattle. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and later taste local delicacies in town, such as yak hot pot and plateau mutton, before resting early to adapt to the high-altitude environment.

Day 12, Tashkorgan to Kashgar – Panlong Ancient Road and Bandir Blue Lake

Activities:

Drive the spectacular Panlong Ancient Road, visit Bandir Blue Lake, then return to Kashgar

Details:

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the Panlong Ancient Road, about 30 km from Tashkorgan. This famous coiling mountain road features more than 60 hairpin S-bends; the total round trip is about 150 km and takes around 4–5 hours, offering breathtaking high-plateau scenery.

After lunch, we return to Kashgar, enjoying the scenery along the way and reflecting on the experiences of the past two days. We arrive in Kashgar later in the evening and check into our hotel.

Note: if you wish, we can stop at the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park for an additional visit.

Day 13, Departure from Kashgar

Activities:

Hotel checkout and private transfer to Kashgar Airport for your departure flight

Details:

Today is the last day of your tour with us, and we hope it will not be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us one that you will always remember. If you would like to book other tours, please contact us for more information. Our guide and driver will transfer you to Kashgar Airport for your departure flight. Safe travels on your onward journey.