14-Day Silk Road Journey

Beijing

Day 1: Welcome to China!

Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing, the iconic city and capital of China! Upon arrival at Beijing's International Airport you will be met by our local tour guide and accompanied to your downtown hotel in a comfortable, private vehicle. After checking in at the hotel, our guide will take you for an orientation walk. Take in the first glimpses of life in Beijing!

At the end of the day you'll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant and in this way get a first taste of what this culinary adventure will be like. We suggest you take this evening slow, sleep off your jetlag and get prepared for an exciting trip ahead.

Beijing

Day 2: Visit Impressive Tiananmen Square

Today you will explore the most famous sights in Beijing.

You will be walking a lot and use public transport like the subway to get around the city and immerse yourself fully. After breakfast you will take the subway to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, home to the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.

After strolling through the square you will enter the Forbidden City, built from 1406 to 1420, a ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for more than 500 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as keeping the most extensive collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Upon leaving the Forbidden City you will stroll through the surrounding alleys formed by the traditional courtyards known as Hutong and experience the traditional lifestyle of Old Beijing.

Beijing

Day 3: Explore the Great Wall of China

This morning you will take a private bus to visit the Great Wall at the Mutianyu Section (drive of about 2hrs). This section is one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall with 22 towers winding along the mountain ridges.

Spend time exploring the Great Wall and learning about its history. You will enjoy the view at Huairou county, a suburban area of Beijing and have your picnic lunch atop of the Great Wall with a panoramic view of the mountainous region all around.

After the visit you will be driven back to downtown Beijing where you will stop by your hotel. Then you will leave in a private transfer to the train station to board an overnight train to Xi'an.

Xi‘an

Day 4: Enjoy a Day in Xi'an

On the way to Xi'an if you were not sleeping you will have enjoyed a beautiful view of the passing landscape. Upon arrival a private bus will pick you up and take you to your hotel. Xi'an is an ancient imperial capital and the eastern departure point of the Silk Road.

Thus Xi'an has long been a critical crossing point for people from throughout China, Central Asia and the Middle East, making it a hub of diverse ethnic identities and religious beliefs. Today you will visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim quarter, the most significant mosque in China. It was constructed during the Hongwu reign of the Ming dynasty, with further additions made during the Qing dynasty.

Previous religious complexes are known to have stood on the same site, dating to as early as the Tang dynasty. Then you will take a walk around the Muslim quarter with its lively markets and Bell & Drum Tower.

Xi'an

Day 5: See the Terracotta Warriors

Today you will visit the Terracotta Warriors on an excursion leaving from your hotel by private bus.

You will learn all about this incredible archaeological sight, discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well, after previously being buried for 2,000 years. Three main pits are open for you to view the sculptures, where just under 2,000 of the total 6,000 warriors stand in battle formation. Look closely and you will notice that each warrior is individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, and even facial expressions. The scale of this sculpture is incredibly impressive.

After the tour you will enjoy lunch in a local village. In the afternoon you will then take a peaceful stroll on the ancient City Walls and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of modern Xi’an, in contrast with the preserved brickwork.

Kashgar

Day 6: Travel Onwards to Kashgar

This morning you will fly from Xi’an to Kashgar. Upon arrival, a driver will welcome you and take you to our hotel.

In the afternoon you will embark on a tour of Kashgar starting from the Id Kah Mosque, which translates to 'place of festivities' and is located on the central square. One of the largest mosques in China, it was built in 1442. Every Friday it houses nearly 10,000 worshippers and may accommodate up to 20,000. There is a group of old Islamic constructions with ethnic style and religious features that you will explore next. Afterwards pay a visit to the Tomb of Abakh Khoja.

Kashgar

Day 7: Experience the Lively Sunday Market

With its history stretching back over 2,000 years, Kashgar was an important stop on the Silk Road.

Today you will visit the famous Sunday Market. For centuries the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar in Western Xinjiang has been a meeting place for locals, merchants and travelers along the Silk Road. The bazaar has historically been used to sell goods, everything from horses and camels to silk and household items. People gather at the Kashgar market not only to buy and sell produce but also for its exotic and exhilarating atmosphere!

Today you will dive into this atmosphere and hopefully enjoy the energy and thrills of it! 

Urumqi

Day 8: Explore Heaven's Lake

This morning you will say goodbye to the Kashgar area and fly to Urumqi. From Urumqi you will drive to one of the most impressive sights in China: Tianchi, also rightfully called Heaven’s Lake.

Set amidst the Tian Shan Mountains below the imposing Bogda Peak (5445m), fir trees and mountain peaks frame the deep blue lake. It is a beautiful sight that the surrounding yurts and Kazak nomad summer camps further contribute to.

You will take in this beautiful scene and then continue your drive to Turpan, where you will spend the night.

Turpan

Day 9: Discover the Natural Fortress of the Jiaohe Ruins

After breakfast you will visit the Jiaohe Ruins in the Yarnaz Valley. This natural fortress located atop a cliff is an important Chinese archaeological site. Today you will see the largest, oldest and best preserved ancient capital city relics in the world.

Located at the junction of the East and the West of China, Turpan is a marvelous city combining different religions and cultures. Since ancient times it has been a critical point on the Silk Road, which a large number of historical relics and unique landscapes attest to.

Turpan is also famous for its fruit as the abundant sunshine provides ideal growing conditions. You will visit Grape Valley to get a feeling for the sweetness of the grapes.

Afterwards you will traverse the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, built into the cliff face of the picturesque Flaming Mountains.

Turpan

Day 10: Witness an Ancient Gravity Fueled Irrigation System

Our day will start with a visit to the Karez irrigation system. Constructed over 2000 years ago, the Karez is one of ancient China’s most remarkable public works. The 1000 wells that make up the system have been sunk to collect groundwater from the melting snow of the Bogdashan Mountains. The water passes from the wells through underground channels to irrigate farms in the valley below and is fed entirely by gravity.

In the afternoon you will board the fast train to Liuyuan and from there transfer to Dunhuang for the night.

Dunhuang

Day 11: Venture Into the Gobi Desert

After breakfast you will visit the Mogao Caves, which are best known as the Chinese Buddhist grottoes.

Along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes these are one of the three famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China. Afterward you will visit the Dunhuang Museum, a comprehensive topography exhibiting historical and cultural relics.

After this travel into historic times you will enjoy some natural landscapes visiting Ming-Sha Dunes and Crescent Lake. The view from the top of the dunes is magnificent. You will stay there until sunset to enjoy the beauty of the sun setting with the dunes in the backdrop. When it is dark you will be driven back to you hotel in downtown.

Jiayuguan

Day 12: Follow the Silk Road

Today you will leave Dunghuang and follow the snaking Silk Road to Jiayuguan through the Hexi (pronounced “Hersh”) Corridor.

The drive from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan takes around five hours with the geographic boundaries of the Gobi Desert to the North and the Qilin Mountains to the South defining the Hexi Corridor. On the drive you will pass by many beacon towers which were used to send messages along the Silk Road. In time for lunch, at noon, you will arrive at Jiayuguan.

In the afternoon you will travel to the draconic Overhanging Great Wall, hidden on the slopes of the intimidating Black Mountain to trap those who wanted to avoid the daunting Jiayuguan Pass.

Beijing

Day 13: See an Intriguing Part of the Great Wall

Today you will visit Jiayuguan Pass of the Great Wall. The Jiayuguan Pass represents the western starting point of a section of the Great Wall constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It takes its name from one of the surrounding hills, the Jiayu.

The pass covers an area of 33,500 square meters (eight acres) and lies at the base of a narrow valley. It is commonly referred to as the most exceptional example of its kind on earth, the pass is the best preserved of the Great Wall's ancient military fortresses. So take your time to take a look around and take it all in.

In the evening you will leave this western part of China and fly back to Beijing. You have one last evening in China so spend it wisely! Some last minute shopping, another museum or a few late night snacks so as to remember Chinese cuisine?

Depart

Day 14: Farewell!

Today is your final departure day and there are no activities planned for today.

Depending on your onwards or homebound flight, we will arrange a private transfer for you to the airport. You can spend the rest of the time at your leisure.

We hope you enjoyed this unique two-week experience in China and come back to visit us soon. In the meantime, have a safe trip home!