James Wilson
April 1, 2026
This 10-day tour packed in all the iconic Silk Road spots I wanted to see and was totally worth every penny.
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Explore the most iconic highlights of China’s ancient Silk Road on this action-packed 10-day curated tour, which stops at six unmissable destinations: Beijing, Xi’an, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar, covering the full sweep of the legendary trade route’s most famous sites. This itinerary is carefully handpicked to showcase the very best of the Silk Road, and it delivers outstanding booking peace of mind with an unbeatable competitive price and secure, trusted payment processing.
This 10-day curated adventure follows the path of legendary Silk Road caravans, starting in China’s grand imperial heartland in Beijing before winding west through the ancient Silk Road starting point of Xi’an, the art-filled desert oasis of Dunhuang, the grape-growing oasis of Turpan, the mountain-fringed capital of Urumqi, and ending in the culturally rich far western hub of Kashgar. The route balances iconic imperial history, otherworldly desert landscapes, ancient Buddhist art, and vibrant local Central Asian culture, giving you a complete picture of the Silk Road’s most extraordinary highlights in just 10 days.
Your Silk Road adventure begins today with your arrival in buzzing Beijing! After meeting your tour representative, you’ll check into your centrally located accommodation, with a choice between Beijing Xinqiao Hotel or Holiday Inn Express Wangfujing. Spend the rest of the day settling in and exploring the surrounding neighborhood at your own pace, getting ready for the days of adventure ahead 🏨.
Wake up to a delicious included breakfast 🍽️, then set out for two of Beijing’s most iconic sights. First, head to the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall, where you can stroll along the ancient fortifications snaking over rolling green hills, soak up sweeping panoramic views, and feel the scale of this world-famous wonder. In the afternoon, visit the serene, sprawling Summer Palace, once a royal retreat for Qing Dynasty emperors, with its glassy lakes, ornate pavilions, and lush, fragrant gardens. Return to your central Beijing accommodation for another night 🏨.
After a hearty included breakfast 🍽️, explore Beijing’s central historic landmarks before heading west. Walk across the sprawling expanse of Tiananmen Square, then step into the Forbidden City, the walled imperial palace complex where emperors ruled China for more than 500 years. Explore its endless courtyards, gilded halls, and hidden gardens before catching your transfer to Xi’an, the ancient original starting point of the Silk Road. Check into your Xi’an accommodation for the night, with options of Hampton by Hilton near Xi'an South Gate City Wall or luxury Sofitel Xi'an 🏨.
Kick off your day with an included breakfast 🍽️, then explore Xi’an’s most legendary attractions. Your first stop is the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, where you’ll come face-to-face with thousands of life-sized clay warriors built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. Next, head back to the city center to walk or bike along Xi’an’s remarkably preserved ancient Old City Wall, with views of both modern and historic Xi’an stretching out around you. End your day wandering the bustling, food-filled Muslim Quarter, where you can sample local street snacks and shop for traditional handicrafts. Stay overnight in your same Xi’an accommodation 🏨.
Start your day with an included breakfast 🍽️ before traveling further west to the desert oasis of Dunhuang, one of the most famous stopping points on the ancient Silk Road. Once you arrive, head straight to the iconic Singing Sand Dunes and crescent-shaped Crescent Spring, where you can ride a camel across golden dunes, slide down sandy slopes, and watch the sun paint the desert orange at sunset. When evening falls, wander the lively local night market to pick up souvenirs and try regional specialties. Check into your Dunhuang accommodation for the night, with options of Dunhuang Zhongzhou International Hotel or Dunhuang Silk Road hotel 🏨.
Fuel up for the day with an included breakfast 🍽️, then start your morning with a visit to the world-renowned Mogao Caves, a complex of ancient Buddhist cave temples filled with thousands of well-preserved murals, sculptures, and ancient manuscripts that tell the story of centuries of Silk Road art and culture. After exploring the caves, travel further west to the arid oasis city of Turpan, known for its sweet grapes and deep Silk Road history. Check into your Turpan accommodation for the night, with options of James Joyce Coffetel or Metropolo Jin Jiang Hotels Turpan 🏨.
After your included morning breakfast 🍽️, spend a full day exploring Turpan’s incredible collection of ancient Silk Road sites. First, visit the Bezklik Grottos, a stunning lesser-known complex of Buddhist cave temples decorated with rare ancient art. Next, explore the wind-swept ruins of the Ancient City of Jiaohe, an ancient Silk Road capital abandoned in the desert for centuries, then visit the nearby ruins of Gaochang Ancient City. End your day learning about Turpan’s ingenious ancient Karez Irrigation System, an underground network of canals that has supported life in the arid desert for thousands of years. Stay overnight in your same Turpan accommodation 🏨.
Start your day with an included breakfast 🍽️, then travel north to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang region, stopping along the way to visit breathtaking Heavenly Lake. This stunning alpine lake sits framed by snow-capped Tian Shan mountains, surrounded by pine forests and crystal-clear blue water perfect for a leisurely stroll. After exploring the lake, continue on to Urumqi and check into your accommodation for the night, with options of Atour Hotel on Urumqi's Minzhu Road or Jinhao Lizi near Urumqi International Airport 🏨.
After your included breakfast 🍽️, travel to the final stop of your journey: Kashgar, the legendary far western Silk Road hub that sits near the Central Asian border. Once you arrive, set off to explore the city’s top sights: first the beautiful ornate Apa Hojia Tomb, a 17th-century mausoleum and important Islamic site, then Idgar Mosque, the largest mosque in China. End your day wandering the winding cobblestone alleys of Kashgar’s well-preserved ancient old town, where you can experience traditional Uyghur culture, browse craft shops, and try local specialty dishes. Check into your Kashgar accommodation for the night, with options including Green Oriental near Kashgar Ancient City Scenic Area or Meilun Hotel 🏨.
Wrap up your 10-day Silk Road adventure with an included breakfast 🍽️ before your scheduled departure. Your tour comes to an end here, and you can choose to extend your stay in Kashgar or head to the airport for your onward journey.
Min 2 · Max 15 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 1, 2026
This 10-day tour packed in all the iconic Silk Road spots I wanted to see and was totally worth every penny.
February 14, 2026
This is the best way to see the key Silk Road highlights without the hassle of planning everything yourself.
October 30, 2025
I was nervous about organizing a trip across so many different cities in China, but this tour made everything completely seamless. Our first two days in Beijing gave us the perfect mix of historic sites and modern sights, and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an was even more impressive than I’d seen in photos. Crossing through to Dunhuang and then heading all the way to Kashgar showed me just how vast and diverse China is, from lush mountain passes to stark, beautiful deserts. If you want to see the very best of the ancient Silk Road in just 10 days, this tour is absolutely perfect for you.
September 18, 2025
As a history teacher, I was blown away by how much depth we got on this tour. From the Great Wall outside Beijing to the ancient trading markets of Kashgar, every stop was filled with fascinating context that brought the Silk Road to life. We got to sample everything from spiced lamb skewers in Urumqi to sun-ripened grapes in Turpan, every meal was a new adventure. I’m already planning to recommend this tour to my students who love travel and history.
May 22, 2025
My consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust a few small details of my booking before the trip and answered all my endless questions. Everything went off without a hitch the entire 10 days, and I left already wanting to come back to explore more of China.
April 30, 2025
The sights themselves are absolutely incredible and well worth the trip. We visited during peak Golden Week travel season, so almost every attraction was far more wonderful than we expected, which made enjoying them a little harder. All the organization was still top notch, and I’d absolutely recommend this tour for anyone traveling outside of major Chinese holidays.
March 12, 2025
Every stop on this Silk Road tour was perfectly curated and unforgettable.
January 20, 2025
I’ve dreamed of visiting the Silk Road my whole life, and this tour exceeded every expectation. Standing in the Dunhuang Mogao Caves looking at thousand-year-old murals felt like stepping back in time, and the views of the Taklamakan Desert outside Kashgar took my breath away. All the transfers between cities were well organized, and our local guides at each destination were incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the route. I couldn’t have asked for a better 10 days exploring China.
December 8, 2024
Beijing’s Forbidden City and Xi’an’s Terracotta Army were just the opening act for the incredible wonders further along the route. Our itinerary kept us busy but never rushed, and we got to try so many amazing local dishes at each stop.
