asia·Multi-day tour·12 days
12-Day China Silk Road Private Tour from Xi'an to Kashgar: Dunhuang, Turpan and Urumqi
Daily DepartureDaily breakfast
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Travel the legendary trade route from Xi'an to Kashgar, exploring iconic stops including the Terracotta Army, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, and the breathtaking Zhangye Danxia Geological Park.
• Discover the rich heritage of China's diverse ethnic groups as you explore Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, Turpan's ancient Karez irrigation system, and the historic old town of Kashgar.
• Ride a camel across the Singing Sand Mountains and marvel at the Crescent Moon Pool, an oasis surrounded by towering dunes in the Gobi Desert.
• Enjoy the comfort of a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking local guide, and carefully selected 4-star accommodations.
• Discover the rich heritage of China's diverse ethnic groups as you explore Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, Turpan's ancient Karez irrigation system, and the historic old town of Kashgar.
• Ride a camel across the Singing Sand Mountains and marvel at the Crescent Moon Pool, an oasis surrounded by towering dunes in the Gobi Desert.
• Enjoy the comfort of a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking local guide, and carefully selected 4-star accommodations.
12 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Xi'an Arrival
Your private guide will be waiting for you in the airport/train station arrivals area. A comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you check in.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an (****) - 2
Day 2 — Xi'an | The Terracotta Army
Xi'an, the eastern end of the Silk Road, your tour starts at the site of the mysterious underground army - meet the life-size Terracotta Army, and you will find the horse are short and small. This is one of the reason that Emperor Wu of Han decided to send the ambassador Zhang Qian to the Western Region - seek for good steed. It laid the foundation of the silk road.
Then visit a local craftsman in his home - a traditional cave dwelling - where you will learn make a mini terracotta warrior on your own.
After lunch, return to explore unique stalls at the Muslim Quarter and visit the unique Great Mosque, which is an unusual blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture, even the minaret was a Chinese pagoda.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Muslim Quarter
Great Mosque of Xi'an
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an (****) - 3
Day 3 — Xi'an - Zhangye | Xi'an City Highlights
In the morning, have a walk on the ancient city wall. And then pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Silk Road route.
We will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight to Zhangye.
Note:
The flight frequency between Xi'an and Zhangye is relatively low, with services running once every two days, and the flight schedules may be subject to adjustments or cancellations. In the event that there is no direct flight on the customer's departure date, we will advise the customer to opt for train travel.
Ancient City Wall
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Qianxi Silk Road International Hotel (Zhangye High-speed Railway Station) (****) - 4
Day 4 — Zhangye | Danxia National Geological Park
After breakfast, you will visit the 'Color Palette Overturned by God' - the Zhangye Qicai Danxia National Geological Park, which is home to the Rainbow Mountains.
After returning to the city, enjoy a local lunch and continue to the oldest tower in Zhangye, the Wooden Pagoda Temple.
Admire the largest reclining Buddha in China at the Giant Buddha Temple.
Zhangye Danxia Geological Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Nuojin Hotel (*****) - 5
Day 5 — Zhangye - Dunhuang | Jiayuguan Pass
Drive from Zhangye to Dunhuang. On the way, you will visit a magnificient ancient pass, Jiayuguan Pass. It is the west end of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty and a well-preserved ancient militery fortress. The tall gate tower, the gobi desert, and the mountains ranges in the distance will make you feel that you have traveled back to the powerful Ming Dynasty.
Have a walk on the Hanging Great Wall which is one part of the Jiayuguan military defense system.
Continue to Dunhuang, you are now at a point of vital strategic and logistical importance, being on a crossroad of two major trade routes within the Silk Road network.Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hexi Corridor Grand Hotel (****) - 6
Day 6 — Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and Camel Ride
After breakfast, start your adventure to the Mogao Caves where you will marvel at the exquisite murals and lifelike sculptures.
If you want to see more murals after visiting the Mogao Caves, we will take you to the Dunhuang Research Academy. There, you can linger over copies of murals created by masters and can copy a sample mural on a mud slab with your own hands under the guidance of the teacher.
Visit the Singing Sand Mountains and Crescent Moon Spring in the late afternoon. Ride a camel in the desert and imagine how caravans crossed the desert over 1,000 years ago.
Mogao Grottoes
Singing Sand Mountains
Crescent Moon Pool
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hexi Corridor Grand Hotel (****) - 7
Day 7 — Dunghuang - Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty
In the morning, you will visit the ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It is the oldest example of this defensive system in China. Check the ruins and you will find it is different from the Great Wall that you have seen in pictures.
After lunch, board the bullet train to Turpan.Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Mercure Turpan Downtown (****) - 8
Day 8 — Turpan | Turpan Highlights
The Emin Minaret is particularly beautiful in the morning, with the shadow of the minaret falling across the mosque. Go into the mosque and try to tell the time by checking the position of the sunlight on the wall.
Then go underground to unveil the secret of the Karez Well System. It's a great place to escape from the heat of the sun.
Instead of building from the ground up, the ancient city of Jiaohe was constructed by digging down into the ground. Explore the ruins of this unique ancient city and learn about the different government structures and residential areas.
Turpan is famous for its grapes so visit a local vineyard and relax as you sit under the grapevines.
Visit Tuyugou Village in the afternoon. It is the oldest Uyghur village with a history of 1,700 years. On the way, you will see the Flaming Mountain.
Karez Well
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Mercure Turpan Downtown (****) - 9
Day 9 — Drive to Urumqi and City Highlights
Visit the Turpan Museum before driving to Urumqi. Every cultural relic in the museum shows you a vivid story of the Silk Road.
Go to the Erdaoqiao Market - the biggest bazaar in Urumqi - and be amazed by the dazzling array of goods.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Yilite Hotel (****) - 10
Day 10 — Urumqi - Kashgar | Kashgar Old Town
After your morning flight from Urumqi to Kashgar, you will start your tour of the westernmost corner of China. Along the Silk Road, Kashgar has been the center of regional trade and cultural exchange for more than two millennia.
Pay a visit to the Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque in China. Then walk along the Handicrafts Street, which has an amazing range of handicrafts, including copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, and other types of goods. Have a break at the ancient teahouse, which has a history of over 100 years, and join in with the local people's conversations and dancing.Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Home2 Suites by Hilton Kashi City (****) - 11
Day 11 — Kashgar | Karakul Lake
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.
See one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakul Lake, a sparkling glacial lake. During the 3-hour drive, you may want to ask the driver to stop so that you can take photos as the scenery is breathtaking. The scenery and lake will draw out your inner photographer.
Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
Karakul Lake
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Home2 Suites by Hilton Kashi City (****) - 12
Day 12 — Kashgar Departure
Your guide and driver will take you to Kashgar Airport and wave goodbye to you. You can connect to the main cities in China from this airport.Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: Included
What's included
Included
- 11-night accommodations
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- Flights/trains between itinerary cities
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- Tips for the guide and the driver: The tipping is not mandatory however the guides and drivers, as in many other countries, will usually expect a tip. Those customers wishing to tip often ask us what they should give. Our suggestion would be:
* 2 people in a group USD$15 per day/guest
* 3-5 people in a group: USD$8-10/day/guest
* 6-9 people in a group: USD$6-7 /day/guest
* ≥10 people in a group: USD$5/day/guest
* The driver would be half the amount, and a separate offer to each is best. Of course, only tip if the service has truly satisfied you. Hotel bellboys require a tip of about USD$1.5 per bag. It is not required to tip in restaurants.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–9 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 9 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 10–16 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 10 days to 16 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 17–23 days before | 70% | Cancellation Made Within 17 days to 23 days prior to departure, Refund 70% of total purchase amount |
| 24+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 24 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Important info
Special notes
- Mogao Caves ticket booking: In order to protect the fragile murals and paintings, the number of daily visitors to the Mogao Caves is restricted and your entrance ticket(s) must be reserved on the official website, which is in Chinese. Tickets are difficult to get hold of, especially during the tourist peak season (July to October). Although we can guarantee tickets at least 5 days in advance, early booking is still recommended.
- Travel Documentation: All clients must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentation is the sole responsibility of the client.
- Luggage Allowance: In accordance with regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the free baggage allowance within China is 20kg for economy class, 30kg for business class, and 40kg for first class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within China specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft.
- Insurance: The tour packages include Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance up to a maximumof $30,000 per adult provided free of charge as part of our package. We still highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin.
- Accommodation: In remote cities, such as Kashgar and Turpan, star-rated hotels might not be as good as the same standard of hotels in big cities due to local situations. To provide you with a comfortable experience, we have selected the best possible hotels for you.
- Overnight Train: This tour includes an overnight train experience. We have arranged a deluxe soft sleeper for you, which means you will have a private compartment with a door and two soft sleepers (bunks) in it. The bunks are each equipped with a pillow and a blanket. All the bedding is clean and sterilized. If you are traveling in a group with more than two people, we can also arrange normal soft sleepers for you. This is a compartment with four soft sleepers (bunks) to make sure that your group is in one compartment.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Price for Single Occupancy applies when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Price for Double applies when two people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Maximum room capacity: 2 people.
* Child with a bed enjoys the same price as an adult.
* Child of 1.2 meters and above without a bed will pay for the hotel breakfasts on your own.
* Price for Double applies when two people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Maximum room capacity: 2 people.
* Child with a bed enjoys the same price as an adult.
* Child of 1.2 meters and above without a bed will pay for the hotel breakfasts on your own.
Tour operator
Partner tour operator
Operator details are shared when your booking is confirmed.
Supplied through our partner Tours4Fun.
from
$3678.69
NPR 4,96,623