Mystic Silk Road

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Begin the day at Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. His mausoleum and the Monument to the People’s Heroes stand in the centre of the square, which is surrounded by several important national buildings and is widely regarded as the symbolic heart of China. At its northern end stands Tiananmen Gate, beyond which lies the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, enclosed by imposing red walls. Explore the grand ceremonial halls of the Outer Court before continuing to the smaller buildings and courtyards of the former imperial private quarters. The immense scale of the palace complex is sure to impress.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing. Once reserved exclusively for emperors who came to pray for good harvests, the historic complex is now open to visitors. Its surrounding park is also a popular gathering place, where local residents meet to play cards, sing, and exercise.

Forbidden City

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Today, say goodbye to Beijing and travel to the ancient imperial city of Xi'an. A modern high-speed train will take you across northern China in approximately five hours. Xi'an served as the seat of Chinese emperors for centuries.

After arriving and taking a short rest at your hotel, visit the impressive Ming Dynasty City Wall. Stretching for 14 kilometres, it is the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. You can cycle along the top for interesting views of the inner city or enjoy a longer walk along the wall.

Xian City Wall

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The Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, is a highlight of many tours of China and was among the country's first sites to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the three excavated pits and the exhibition hall displaying the bronze chariots discovered nearby. The remarkable preservation of this more than 2,200-year-old clay army is sure to impress.

In the afternoon, continue to one of Xi’an’s best-known landmarks, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, located within the Buddhist Temple of Great Mercy. Built during the Tang Dynasty, it is one of China’s oldest buildings.

End the day at the Great Mosque in the city centre. Xi'an has a large Muslim community and, as the eastern end of the Silk Road since the Han Dynasty, has long been a meeting point for cultures from abroad.

Terracotta Warriors

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After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. The journey takes approximately four hours.

The afternoon is free for you to explore this city on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau or relax at your hotel.

Xining

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Today, visit two important religious sites.

Begin at Qutan Temple, an impressive Buddhist temple complex with a history spanning nearly 600 years. Its name commemorates the monk Qutan, who is said to have once taught here.

Next, travel to Kumbum Monastery, also known as Ta'er Si, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is renowned for its golden roofs, intricate butter sculptures, and precious murals. Here, you can experience the deeply spiritual atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism.

Kumbum Monastery

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In the morning, transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Zhangye. The journey takes approximately two hours.

Upon arrival, visit Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, world-famous for its colourful rock formations. Admire the Seven-Coloured Danxia Hills, with layers of red, yellow, orange, green, and purple, as well as the impressive Binggou Danxia Canyon. Together, they form one of China’s most striking natural landscapes.

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park

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Begin the day at the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye. It houses Asia's largest reclining Buddha statue made of wood and clay, an impressive work of art dating from the Western Xia Dynasty.

Afterwards, drive to Jiayuguan. The journey takes around two hours and leads through the vast landscapes of the Hexi Corridor. Arrive at your hotel in Jiayuguan in the evening.

Giant Buddha Temple

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Today, visit Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, also known as “The First Pass Under Heaven.” Walk along the ramparts and take in sweeping views across the desert like landscape.
 
Next, continue to the Hanging Wall, also known as the Xuanbi Great Wall. Built along a steep hillside, this remarkable section demonstrates the area’s impressive defensive system.

Afterwards, visit the Wei and Jin Tombs, ancient burial chambers decorated with colourful murals that offer a vivid picture of life more than 1,500 years ago.

Jiayuguan Pass

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After breakfast, set out for Dunhuang. Along the way, stop at the Yulin Caves, a group of Buddhist cave temples beside the Yulin River often described as the “little sisters” of the Mogao Caves. Their well-preserved murals and sculptures showcase the remarkable artistic heritage of the Silk Road.

Arrive in Dunhuang in the afternoon and visit the Echoing Sand Mountains, a fascinating landscape of towering dunes said to produce a mysterious singing sound when the wind blows. Nearby lies Crescent Lake, a desert oasis named for its distinctive crescent shape.

Afterwards, check in at your hotel in Dunhuang.

Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune

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Begin the morning with one of the highlights of any journey along the Silk Road: the world-famous Mogao Caves. These Buddhist cave temples, renowned for their magnificent murals and sculptures, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Buddhist art.

After the visit, transfer to Liuyuan Railway Station and take a modern high-speed train to Turpan. The journey takes approximately three and a half hours.

Upon arrival in this oasis city, you will be taken to your hotel.

Mogao Grottoes

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Turpan is an oasis city strongly influenced by Islamic culture and home to a large Uyghur population. Begin at the impressive ruins of Jiaohe, a former clay-built caravan fortress dating from the Han Dynasty. A walk among its well-preserved remains offers a fascinating glimpse into the distant past.

Next, visit the Karez Irrigation System, an underground network of canals that has carried water from the mountains for more than 2,000 years and continues to irrigate the surrounding fields today.

Finally, continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, whose artistic styles reflect the cultural changes that took place along the Silk Road.

Jiaohe Ancient City

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Begin the day at the Emin Minaret, an ornately decorated Qing Dynasty brick tower located within a mosque complex and a fine example of Islamic architecture.

Next, travel to Bosten Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Xinjiang. Surrounded by reeds and mountains, its sparkling waters provide a pleasant setting for a short walk.

Continue to Korla, known as the gateway to the southern Silk Road, and arrive at your hotel in the evening.

Emin Minaret (Sugong Tower)

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After breakfast, set out for Kuqa. Along the way, visit Tarim Poplar Forest Park in Luntai, where you can see ancient, often unusually shaped poplar trees that are perfectly adapted to the dry desert climate.

The journey continues across the vast expanses of the Taklamakan Desert.

Arrive in Kuqa in the late afternoon. The city was once an important centre of Buddhism along the northern Silk Road.

Tarim Poplar Forest Park

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Today is devoted to Kuqa's rich history. Visit the ancient city of Subashi, whose ruins are spread across a vast area, followed by the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower, once part of a military early-warning system.

Next, see the surviving remains of the former Royal Palace of Kuqa. Together, these sites offer a vivid impression of the city's former importance as a trading centre and a centre of Buddhist scholarship.

Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins

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In the morning, travel to the Kyzylia Grand Canyon, a rugged, rust red gorge whose dramatic rock formations are reminiscent of the national parks of the southwestern United States.

Next, visit the Kizil Caves, China's oldest Buddhist cave temples. Many original murals dating from the third to the eighth centuries can still be seen inside.

In the afternoon, continue to Aksu, a journey of approximately three hours, and check in at your hotel.

Kezil Thousand-Buddha Grottoes

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After breakfast, set out early for the approximately five-hour drive to Kashgar, China's westernmost major city and one of the great historic centres of the Silk Road. The route follows the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, passing through landscapes that take on an increasingly Central Asian character.

Upon arrival in Kashgar, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or take a first stroll through the Old Town.

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Today, experience Kashgar's distinctive atmosphere. The Kashgar Bazaar is famous throughout China, attracting villagers and nomadic traders from across the region who come to buy and sell their goods. The remarkable variety of products and people makes it a fascinating place to explore, while the livestock market offers an especially memorable experience.

Next, stroll through the winding lanes of Kashgar Old Town, which still retains the character of a historic Central Asian caravan city. Visit the Id Kah Mosque, one of China's largest mosques, followed by the magnificent Tomb of Apak Hoja, also known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Apak Hoja Tomb

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After breakfast, transfer to Kashgar Airport for your flight to Beijing, China's dynamic capital. The journey takes approximately four to five hours. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Beijing's fascinating blend of history and modern life, from imperial palaces to lively hutongs.

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Your unforgettable journey along the historic Silk Road comes to an end today. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Beijing Airport, where you will say goodbye to your guide and board your flight home.