14-Day Class Silk Road Tours

Arrival in Beijing Welcome to the magnificent city of Beijing! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, our dedicated private tour guide will greet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to your hotel via a private vehicle. We will also handle your luggage and assist with the hotel check-in process.

Lunch or dinner would be arranged according to the voucher Linkedtours gives you. Otherwise you can find some local restaurants nearby or have meals in the hotel.

Hotel options:

Novotel Beijing Peace (4-star)

Crowne Plaza Beijing (5-star)

Flight: Arrive in Urumqi, the vibrant capital of Xinjiang, a melting pot of Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han cultures.

• Xinjiang Regional Museum: Delve into Silk Road history through well-preserved relics, including the 4,000-year-old “Loulan Beauty” mummy, intricate Buddhist artifacts, and exhibits on Uyghur folklore. The museum's architecture reflects Islamic design, adding to its cultural immersion.

• International Grand Bazaar: Explore this bustling market filled with handwoven carpets, embroidered hats, and traditional instruments like the dutar. Savor Uyghur street food, such as lamb kebabs seasoned with cumin and chili, or fluffy naan baked in tandoor ovens.

• Heavenly Lake (Tianchi): Nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, this glacial lake dazzles with turquoise waters framed by evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. Take a boat ride to absorb the serene landscape or hike trails offering panoramic views. Local Kazakh herders often camp nearby, showcasing their nomadic lifestyle.

• Kazakh Dining Experience: Dine at Tianshan Yakexi Restaurant, renowned for authentic Kazakh cuisine. Relish beshbarmak—tender lamb served over hand-ripped noodles with onion broth—and sip kumiss (fermented mare's milk), a traditional beverage symbolizing hospitality. The cozy yurt-style decor enhances the cultural ambiance.

• Jiaohe Ancient City: Wander through this UNESCO-listed ruin, a 2,000-year-old city carved entirely from loess soil. Once a thriving Silk Road garrison, its crumbling temples, residential quarters, and Buddhist stupas reveal the legacy of the ancient Jushi Kingdom.

• Karez Water System: Marvel at this ingenious underground irrigation network built over 2,000 years ago to channel mountain water to Turpan's arid farmlands. Learn how these tunnels, vertical wells, and canals sustained oasis agriculture in the desert.

• Grape Valley: Stroll through shaded vineyards famous for Turpan's sweet seedless grapes. Visit a local family's orchard to taste sun-dried raisins and learn about grape-winemaking traditions passed down for generations.

• Flame Mountains: These stark red sandstone hills, named for their blazing summer temperatures (reaching 50°C/122°F), are immortalized in the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Capture photos of the surreal landscape and visit the giant golden thermometer monument.

• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: Explore 77 grottoes adorned with 5th–14th-century murals depicting Buddha's life, Silk Road traders, and Uyghur donors. Though partially damaged, the art reflects a fusion of Indian, Persian, and Chinese Buddhist styles.

• Evening Transfer: Depart for Dunhuang via overnight train or private vehicle, traversing the Gobi Desert under starry skies.

• Mogao Caves (UNESCO): A treasure trove of Buddhist art, these 492 caves house 45,000㎡ of murals and 2,400 painted statues. Guided tours highlight masterpieces like the “Flying Apsaras” and explain Dunhuang's role as a spiritual hub on the Silk Road. Book tickets months in advance for limited daily access.

• Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake: Experience the magic of the Mingsha Shan dunes, where shifting sands create a mysterious “singing” sound. Ride camels to the summit for sunset views, then descend to the crescent-shaped oasis surrounded by towering dunes.

• Yangguan Pass: Step into history at this Han Dynasty frontier fort, where traders once presented passports to enter Central Asia. Climb the reconstructed watchtowers for sweeping desert vistas and visit the onsite museum displaying ancient coins and weapons.

• Dunhuang Night Market: Indulge in local delicacies like liangpi (chewy cold noodles with chili sauce) and yangrou paomo (lamb stew with crumbled bread). Browse stalls selling camel-leather journals, replicas of Mogao murals, and jade trinkets.

• Jiayuguan Fort: Known as the “First Pass Under Heaven,” this Ming Dynasty fortress guarded the western end of the Great Wall. Explore its imposing gates, archery towers, and the legend of the “Last Brick”—a symbol of builders' perfectionism.

• Overhanging Great Wall: Hike this rugged, unrestored section of the Great Wall clinging to the Black Mountain cliffs. The steep ascent rewards hikers with dramatic views of the desert and Heishan Valley.

• Morning:

  • Lanzhou Provincial Museum: Explore Gansu's cultural heritage through exhibits like the Eastern Han Dynasty Bronze Galloping Horse (a national treasure), Silk Road relics, and Tibetan Buddhist artifacts. The museum's collection highlights the province's role as a crossroads for trade and ethnic diversity.

    
    

• Afternoon:

  • Take a high-speed train to Tianshui (1.5 hours). Check into the hotel.

• Evening:

  • Free time to explore Tianshui's local markets or relax.

• Morning:

  • Maijishan Grottoes (UNESCO): Ascend the cliffside walkways to view over 7,200 Buddhist statues and 1,000㎡ of murals carved into a 142-meter rock face. The grottoes, dating to the 4th–12th centuries, blend Indian Gandharan art with Chinese aesthetics. Highlights include the serene Bodhisattva statues and vivid depictions of Silk Road caravans.

• Afternoon:

  • Take a high-speed train to Xi'an (4 hours). Enjoy scenic views of the Loess Plateau en route.

  • Check into the hotel.

Visit the world-famous Terracotta Army, also known as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Get to a local warrior replica making center near the Army Museum before the visit to the actual Army Museum, make a miniature of the warriors by yourselves.

Drive back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the Da Cien Temple. The pagoda is where the famous monk in the Tang Dynasty translated Buddhist scriptures when he came back from ancient India.

Enjoy a Tang-Dynasty-styled Dinner and Music Show in the evening. It is a cultural landmark offering a unique blend of dining and performance, featuring the renowned "Great Tang Empress" dance show.

The ancient city wall in Xi'an is one of the few fortresses in China. It is a unique experience to walk along the wall or ride a bicycle on it.

Then you would be taken to the airport or railway station and get to the next destination.

Visit the Shanghai Museum to admire ancient calligraphy and jade collections. Wander Yu Garden, a Ming Dynasty garden with koi ponds and zigzag bridges. 

Ascend the Shanghai Tower, the world's second-tallest building, for a 360° view of the Huangpu River and Lujiazui financial district. 

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey.