Silk road discovery

Depart on your international flight to Beijing, the historic capital of China and the eastern gateway to your Silk Road adventure.

Overnight: On board

Arrive in Beijing, where your Tour Escort will welcome you at the international airport and accompany you to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the day recovering from your long journey, settling into your surroundings, and preparing for an extraordinary exploration of China—from its imperial heart to the distant frontiers of the ancient Silk Road.

Meals: None

Hotel: China World Hotel Summit Wing

Begin your exploration of Beijing at the Forbidden City, the magnificent imperial palace that stood at the center of Chinese political and cultural life for nearly 500 years. Walk through its immense courtyards, beneath golden roofs and crimson walls, and imagine the emperors, courtiers, and ceremonies that once filled this extraordinary place.

In the afternoon, leave the imperial world behind and enter the intimate lanes of old Beijing. Explore the Hutongs around Shichahai Lake, visit a local family, and experience traditions passed down through generations. Try your hand at Chinese calligraphy and snuff bottle inner painting, then learn to make dumplings together with your hosts.

End the day around a family table, sharing a traditional Beijing home-style dinner—a warm and personal introduction to Chinese life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: China World Hotel Summit Wing

Travel beyond the city to the magnificent Badaling Great Wall, where the ancient fortification follows the ridges of the mountains like a stone dragon disappearing into the distance.

After a local specialty lunch, continue to Yongning Ancient Town in Yanqing. Explore the traditional market, where local farmers bring seasonal produce, regional foods, and homemade specialties. It is a glimpse into a quieter side of northern China, far from the capital’s modern skyline.

As evening settles over the countryside, enjoy a rustic farmhouse barbecue dinner, surrounded by the quieter rhythms of rural China.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing Yanqing

Begin at the Temple of Heaven, where generations of emperors came to perform solemn ceremonies and pray for harmony and good harvests between heaven and earth. Its elegant architecture and ancient cypress trees create one of Beijing’s most contemplative spaces.

Later, visit Wanshou Temple (Temple of Ten-Thousand-Year Life) and experience a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in the temple’s Incense Hall. Then exchange the roads for the water, cruising along the Jingmi Water Diversion Canal toward the Summer Palace.

Glide across Kunming Lake beneath the graceful outline of Longevity Hill, surrounded by classical gardens, pavilions, bridges, and tranquil waterways.

In the evening, gather in a traditional courtyard restaurant for one of Beijing’s most celebrated dishes: Peking Duck.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: China World Hotel Summit Wing

Fly to Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road.

In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Da Ci’en Temple (Temple of Great Mercy), where Buddhist teachings once traveled deep into China from distant lands.

Later, wander through the lively Muslim Quarter, filled with the aromas of grilled meats, hand-pulled noodles, flatbreads, sweets, and other local specialties.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Dinner Treat: Xi’an-Style Lamb Soup with Crumbled Flatbread
Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an

Today brings one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries: the Terracotta Warriors.

Beneath the earth, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots stood guard over the tomb of China’s First Emperor for more than two millennia. Each warrior carries a distinct expression and presence, offering a remarkable glimpse into the power, ambition, and artistry of ancient China.

In the afternoon, walk along the beautifully preserved Xi’an Ancient City Wall, the best intact surviving ancient city wall in China.

Tonight, enjoy dinner accompanied by a spectacular Tang Dynasty music and dance performance, bringing the elegance of ancient Xi’an vividly back to life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an

Into the Wild West of the Silk Road

Travel by high-speed train across the vast landscapes of northwestern China toward Zhangye.

In the afternoon, arrive at the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, where layers of red, orange, gold, and ochre rock rise from the earth in extraordinary shapes. Wind and time have sculpted these mountains into a surreal landscape that seems almost painted.

Here, the Silk Road begins to feel truly remote.

Evening: Ganzhou Fucheng Night Market (local street snack food and folk-art shows.

Train: D2717, 08:30–14:40
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Zhangye

Hidden among the dramatic Qilian Mountains near Zhangye, Mati Temple (Horseshoe Temple) is a remarkable Buddhist complex carved into towering cliffs and mountain valleys. Dating back more than 1,600 years, its grottoes, temples, stone carvings, and ancient murals reflect Buddhism's flourishing along the ancient Silk Road. Visitors can explore the cliffside caves and winding passages while enjoying spectacular views of snow-capped peaks, forests, and open valleys. Combining spiritual heritage, ancient artistry, and breathtaking mountain scenery, Mati Temple offers a fascinating glimpse into the sacred world of the Silk Road.

Zhangye Dafo Temple – A Sacred Treasure of the Silk Road

Located in the historic city of Zhangye, Dafo Temple (Giant Buddha Temple) is one of the most remarkable Buddhist sites along the ancient Silk Road. Built during the Western Xia Dynasty more than 900 years ago, the temple is famous for its magnificent Great Buddha Hall, home to a colossal reclining Buddha statue measuring more than 34 meters (112 feet) long, the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Asia. It is also said that the Mongolian Queen delivered Kublai Khan when she chanted her prayers in the temple.

These quiet sanctuaries reveal a side of the Silk Road often overlooked—the movement not only of goods and people, but also of ideas, beliefs, art, and faith.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Zhangye

Visit Zhangye Museum to uncover the rich history of the Hexi Corridor, a strategic passageway that connected ancient China with Central Asia and the wider Silk Road. Its collections of archaeological discoveries, ancient ceramics, coins, sculptures, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts reveal the many civilizations that once passed through this region.

Continue westward to Jiayuguan, the legendary western gateway of the Ming-era Great Wall.

As the modern road stretches across the open landscape, imagine the caravans that once crossed this same region carrying silk, spices, precious stones, manuscripts, and stories between East and West.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Jiayuguan

Explore Jiayuguan Pass, famously known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven.” Rising dramatically from the desert landscape, this fortress marked one of the westernmost frontiers of imperial China.

Continue to the Overhanging Great Wall, where sections of the ancient wall climb steep mountain slopes above the Gobi landscape.

In the afternoon, visit an ancient Wei-Jin Dynasty tomb near Guoyuan Village. Its remarkable painted bricks reveal scenes of everyday life from nearly two thousand years ago and include the famous image of a mounted courier—the inspiration for the China Post logo.

End the day with a local Jiayuguan barbecue dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Dinner Treat: Jiayuguan Barbecue
Hotel: Jiayuguan

Travel into the vast desert landscapes to the ruins of Suoyang City, an ancient Silk Road settlement slowly reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness.

By evening, arrive in Dunhuang, one of the most important crossroads on the ancient Silk Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Wanda Vista Dunhuang

Carved into desert cliffs, these Buddhist sanctuaries preserve thousands of sculptures, murals, and centuries of religious art. With a small-group visit and access to specially selected caves, you can experience these masterpieces in greater depth. Visitors can admire beautifully preserved depictions of Buddhist stories, celestial figures, landscapes, and everyday life. Quiet and atmospheric, Yulin Grottoes offer a rare opportunity to experience ancient art, spirituality, and Silk Road cultural exchange away from the crowds.

In the afternoon, stop at the Yulin Grottoes. Hidden within the rugged cliffs of Gansu’s Gobi landscape, the Yulin Grottoes are a remarkable treasure of Buddhist art along the ancient Silk Road. More than 40 decorated caves preserve exquisite murals and sculptures created over many centuries, revealing the artistic influences and religious traditions that traveled between China and Central Asia.

After dinner, experience “Dunhuang Ceremony,” a spectacular open-air performance beneath the desert sky, inspired by the legends and stories of the Mogao Grottoes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Wanda Vista Dunhuang

Begin the day among the golden dunes of Mingsha Mountain (Singing Sand Dune), where the wind creates the mysterious “singing” sound for which the dunes are famous.

Ride a camel across the desert, then continue to the tranquil Crescent Lake, an oasis beneath the towering dunes.

Later, travel to Liuyuan South Railway Station and board the high-speed train toward Turpan, entering the ancient oasis world of the eastern Silk Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Turpan

Explore the dramatic Flaming Mountain Valley, its red sandstone ridges glowing beneath the intense desert sun.

Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, where Buddhist murals preserve evidence of the diverse cultures and faiths that once flourished along this ancient corridor between China and Central Asia.

In the afternoon, just outside Turpan, the Astana Ancient Tombs offer a fascinating glimpse into everyday life along the ancient Silk Road. Dating from the 4th to 8th centuries, this vast cemetery served the people of the ancient Gaochang Kingdom. Beneath the desert surface, visitors can discover painted tombs, ancient manuscripts, textiles, pottery, and remarkably preserved artifacts that reveal how people lived, worked, worshiped, and traveled more than a thousand years ago. For travelers, Astana is a quiet and deeply atmospheric encounter with the human stories behind the Silk Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Turpan

Rising gracefully from Turpan's ancient oasis, the Emin Minaret is one of Xinjiang’s most distinctive architectural treasures. Built in 1778 during the Qing Dynasty, the elegant brick tower stands nearly 45 meters high and features intricate geometric and floral patterns inspired by Islamic and Central Asian traditions. Nearby, the historic mosque and surrounding vineyards reflect Turpan’s unique cultural blend. A visit here offers a fascinating glimpse into the religious heritage, architecture, and cultural exchange that shaped life along the ancient Silk Road.

Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins – A City Carved from the Earth

Rising from a natural plateau in the Turpan Basin, Jiaohe Ancient City is one of the most extraordinary and best-preserved Silk Road ruins. More than 2,000 years ago, this remarkable city flourished as an important oasis kingdom and trading center. Rather than being built from stone, much of Jiaohe was carved directly into the earth, creating streets, temples, residences, and government buildings that still stand in silent rows today. Walking through its windswept ruins, you can almost imagine the merchants, monks, and travelers who once passed through this ancient crossroads between China and Central Asia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Dinner Treat: Sunset Outdoor Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Turpan

Travel to Urumqi, the modern capital of Xinjiang, before flying onward to Kuqa, the historic heartland of the ancient Kingdom of Kucha.

In the afternoon, explore Kuqa Royal Palace and the atmospheric streets of the old city, where Central Asian and Chinese cultural influences meet.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Kuqa Royal Palace Hotel or Home2 Suites by Hilton

Journey to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, the earliest Buddhist Grottoes built in China in the 3^rd Century.

Here, ancient murals preserve a remarkable record of Buddhist art and the cultural exchanges that flowed across Central Asia centuries ago.

In the afternoon, explore another of Kuqa’s ancient grotto complexes—Kizilgaha, Kumtura, or Senmusaimu, depending on access and conditions.

In the evening, experience the rhythm and color of Kucha music and dance, inspired by the ancient kingdom's artistic traditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Kuqa Royal Palace Hotel or Home2 Suites by Hilton

Visit the archaeological remains of Subashi Buddhist Temple, once a major religious center of the ancient Kucha Kingdom.

Later, travel through the dramatic landscapes of the Red Mountain Stone Forest and Devil City, where wind and time have sculpted the rock into fantastic natural forms.

Along the way, discover one of Xinjiang’s beloved culinary traditions: learn how to cook the enormous, crisp, fragrant Xinjiang Naang Bread at a local bakery.

Continue onward toward Kashgar, the legendary crossroads of the southern Silk Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kashgar

Fly to Kashgar, one of the most evocative cities on the ancient Silk Road.

In the afternoon, wander through the historic Kashgar Old City, where narrow lanes, traditional homes, workshops, bakeries, and small neighborhood markets create a vibrant living tapestry.

Pause at a century-old teahouse, where tea, conversation, music, and daily life come together in one of the city’s most enduring traditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kashgar

Begin with a visit to the lively animal market, where generations-old trading traditions continue to bring local farmers and herders together.

Experience the city from a different perspective with a horse-drawn carriage ride.

In the afternoon, explore the atmospheric Gaotai Residential Quarter, visit the Tomb of the Fragrant Concubine, and admire the architecture of Id Kah Mosque, one of Xinjiang's most important Islamic landmarks.

This is Kashgar at its most authentic—a city where history is not confined to museums but remains part of everyday life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kashgar

Travel into the magnificent Pamir Plateau, one of the great mountain regions of Central Asia.

The road climbs toward Karakul Lake, a deep alpine lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks and immense open valleys.

Continue to White Sand Lake and visit a Kyrgyz semi-nomadic village, where traditional pastoral life continues beneath some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in China.

For a moment, the Silk Road becomes less a road than a landscape—vast, silent, and timeless.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kashgar

Spend the day exploring the cultural traditions surrounding Kashgar.

Visit Yengisar, famous for its traditional craftsmanship, and continue to Shache, an important historic center of culture and music.

Discover traditional knife-making and wool-felt crafts, and experience the haunting beauty of Muqam music, a musical tradition that has carried the stories, emotions, and history of Xinjiang’s people across generations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kashgar

Fly back to Beijing.

After arriving, settle into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Take a final walk through the city, revisit a favorite neighborhood, or simply relax and reflect on the extraordinary journey from the imperial capital to the far western frontier.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: China World Hotel

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in China before transferring to the airport for your international flight home.

Your Silk Road journey comes to an end—but the landscapes, ancient stories, friendships, and memories gathered along the way will travel home with you.

Meals: Breakfast