High Light
＊ Follow the route of the ancient Silk Road, travelling in the footsteps of countless
generations of nomads and traders
＊ Discover the unreal, ancient rainbow-coloured landscape of Zhangye, a UNESCO site that looks like countless pots of bright paint have been spilled across sandstone mountains. You won’t be able to put your camera away!
＊ Uncover the terracotta warriors
＊ Experience the unique atmosphere of Kashgar’s Sunday Market
Discover the treasures of the Silk Road on this 15- day adventure through China, retracing part of the ancient trade route that linked East and West. An epic journey from bustling Beijing to the frontier city of Kashgar, travel by train across diverse and
beautifully rugged landscapes to see some of the country’s most spectacular relics. From dynastic palaces and Muslim minarets to hidden grottoes and rock-cut Buddhist masterpieces, this is an unforgettable Eastern odyssey.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip travels on overnight hard sleeper trains on sections of the journey. Train travel in China may not be entirely luxurious, but it’s certainly one of the best ways to travel long distances and come face-to-face with the country and its people. It’s the main form of transport for locals, so take the chance to interact. You’ll be crossing one of the largest countries in the world, from the west coast along the ancient Silk Road route of the central plains to the remote frontier province of Xinjiang. This trip finishes in Kashga.
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
China’s capital is quickly shedding its historical face in favour of modernity,
however there are still plenty of places that give an insight into the nation’s
ancient past, as well as sights that showcase China’s contemporary culture.
Day 2: Xi’an
Catch the bullet train t o Xi’an (approximately 5-6 hours)after Great
Wall visiting. Once the imperial centre of China for 2,000 years.
Day 3: Xi’an
Enjoy a free day to explore Xi’an at your leisure.
Day 4: Xi’an – Overnight Train
Today starts with a short drive to the well-known Terra-Cotta warriors with a local guide.
Day 5: Zhangye
Disembark after an overnight train ride to Zhangye, arriving at around midday. Relax with free time for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 6: Zhangye – Danxia Geological Park
See the unreal landscapes of Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park,
where it looks like millions of coloured paint pots have been spilled across the
mountains.
Day 7: Jiayuguan
Jiayuguan was the last outpost on the edge of the ancient Han Chinese
Empire, the last Chinese-controlled stop for travellers and traders before
they passed into the uncertain and dangerous deserts beyond.
Day 8: Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
The Ming dynasty built a series of forts and towers in Jiayuguan to secure their
hold over the area and Jiayuguan Fort, though restored, still offers
a feeling of desolation as you look out into the desert from atop its walls.
Day 9: Dunhuang
Been believed to have existed for around 2,000 years and is surrounded
by Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Dunes), also visit the nearby Mogao
Caves, which house some of the most stunning Buddhist murals in the world,
Day 10: Turpan
Once an important staging post on the Silk Road, Turpan is an attractive oasis
town famous for its vineyards, stone fruits, melons and the nearby Flaming
Mountains.
Day 11: Turpan
The ruins of the once great Silk Road city of Jiaohe, one of Xinjiang’s best
historical sites and one of the most rewarding to visit.
Day 12: Overnight Train
By morning you will have descended down the other side into the Tarim
basin, skirting the northern edge of the sandy Taklamakan desert, passing
isolated communities eking out a living in a harsh environment.
Day 13: Kashgar
Arrive into Kashgar around midday today. Once a frontier town straddling
the crossroads of empires and trading routes.
Day 14: Kashgar
Kashgar’s main attraction i s undoubtedly the Sunday Bazaar. It’s
said to be the biggest market in Asia.
Day 15: Kashgar
There are no activities planned form today and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.