G Adventures
Save 20%Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand · 40 days · Moderate
fromCAD 3,935
Next: 21 JunThe adventure
Geographically and culturally, Northwest China is about as far away from “traditional China” as you can get without crossing the border. The source of the Silk Road – the ancient trade route that helped create the modern world – is unlike anything you’ll find in Beijing or Xi'an, and this 18-day adventure crossing the country via rail takes you deep into the China few ever see. Otherworldly experiences abound, both on train and off: watch the sun rise over the dunes outside Dunhuang, explore the world of the Muslim Uyghurs, spend the night in traditional yurts near Urumqi, and venture into the Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar. There’s more, of course, but we’ve got to keep a few secrets, right?
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
China
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner -- the famous Beijing Duck is on the menu.
There are activities planned until an evening welcome meeting and optional group dinner -- the famous Beijing Duck is on the menu.
Day 2Take a guided tour of Tiananmen Square…Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, options include shopping, taking a hutong tour, or visiting some city sights like the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, and Bell and Drum towers.
Enjoy a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the afternoon, options include shopping, taking a hutong tour, or visiting some city sights like the Summer Palace, Lama Temple, and Bell and Drum towers.
Day 3Visit the spectacular Great Wall of ChinaVisit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. At the wall, climb to the top and explore a stretch by foot while taking in spectacular views as it winds along mountain ridges. This section also boasts a cable car and a luge slide. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. At the wall, climb to the top and explore a stretch by foot while taking in spectacular views as it winds along mountain ridges. This section also boasts a cable car and a luge slide. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.
Day 4Arrive to Xi'an and take an orientation walkArrive in Xi'an in the early morning and, after checking into the hotel, grab some breakfast and take an orientation walk. After, take a guided trip out to the Terracotta Warriors, a short drive away. Spend free time in the evening wandering the Muslim Quarter and shopping for souvenirs.
Arrive in Xi'an in the early morning and, after checking into the hotel, grab some breakfast and take an orientation walk. After, take a guided trip out to the Terracotta Warriors, a short drive away. Spend free time in the evening wandering the Muslim Quarter and shopping for souvenirs.
Day 5Enjoy a free day in Xi'an to enjoy…Enjoy a free day in Xi'an. Opt to visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, ride a bike around the city walls, visit the Big Goose Pagoda, or do some shopping. In the evening, board a sleeper train for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan.
Enjoy a free day in Xi'an. Opt to visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, ride a bike around the city walls, visit the Big Goose Pagoda, or do some shopping. In the evening, board a sleeper train for the overnight journey to Jiayuguan.
Day 6Arrive in Jiayuguan and visit the westernmost section…Located in the Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is famous for its location on the Silk Road and also for its post on the Great Wall. The westernmost section of the Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Pass, was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with the Overhanging Great Wall section.
Located in the Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is famous for its location on the Silk Road and also for its post on the Great Wall. The westernmost section of the Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Pass, was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with the Overhanging Great Wall section.
Day 7Take an express bus to Dunhuang…Travel by express bus to Dunhuang, a major stop on the Silk Road. Enjoy a guided visit to the famous Mogao Grottoes, filled with Buddha statues, and learn about this important place. Spend a free afternoon wandering the town centre, shopping in the market, or visiting sights further afield. This is one of the loveliest cities in the region.
Travel by express bus to Dunhuang, a major stop on the Silk Road. Enjoy a guided visit to the famous Mogao Grottoes, filled with Buddha statues, and learn about this important place. Spend a free afternoon wandering the town centre, shopping in the market, or visiting sights further afield. This is one of the loveliest cities in the region.
Day 8Opt to visit Mingsha Sand Dunes to see…Mingsha means "Singing or echoing sands", named for the sound of the wind blowing through the dunes. Arrive before sunrise to climb the massive dunes and watch the sun come up over the "desert". The sands turn from white to golden as the sun rises. Later, opt for a camel ride through the dunes in the early morning sun and choose to sled down one of the dunes. Head back to town for breakfast and a rest. In the afternoon, opt to spend more time in the city or visit a local village nearby. In the evening, board a sleeper train to Turpan, the first stop in the Xinjiang province.
Mingsha means "Singing or echoing sands", named for the sound of the wind blowing through the dunes. Arrive before sunrise to climb the massive dunes and watch the sun come up over the "desert". The sands turn from white to golden as the sun rises. Later, opt for a camel ride through the dunes in the early morning sun and choose to sled down one of the dunes. Head back to town for breakfast and a rest. In the afternoon, opt to spend more time in the city or visit a local village nearby. In the evening, board a sleeper train to Turpan, the first stop in the Xinjiang province.
Day 9Arrive in TurpanArrive at the train station and drive by private van (about 1 hr) to Turpan, the lowest point in Asia. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide and learn about this interesting desert city, the ancient Karez water system, and the culture of the Uyghur minority people.
Arrive at the train station and drive by private van (about 1 hr) to Turpan, the lowest point in Asia. Enjoy a city tour with a local guide and learn about this interesting desert city, the ancient Karez water system, and the culture of the Uyghur minority people.
Day 10Enjoy a free day to continue exploringThe day is free to continue exploring. Sights in Turpan include the Emin Minaret, the city mosque, and the Turpan Museum. There is plenty to do outside the city centre; opt to visit the Jiaohe ruins and Flaming Mountains. Learn what makes this area different from the rest of China, starting with the time. Try your hand at tying a local headscarf in the distinct Uyghur fashion and indulge in some of the grapes grown in this region.
The day is free to continue exploring. Sights in Turpan include the Emin Minaret, the city mosque, and the Turpan Museum. There is plenty to do outside the city centre; opt to visit the Jiaohe ruins and Flaming Mountains. Learn what makes this area different from the rest of China, starting with the time. Try your hand at tying a local headscarf in the distinct Uyghur fashion and indulge in some of the grapes grown in this region.
Day 11Drive into the stunning Tian Shan Mountains (Heavenly…In the morning take a private van to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Province. From here, drive into the Tian Shan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) for an overnight in a yurt with the local Kazakh minority people. This area looks more similar to the Swiss Alps, with towering snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes, than somewhere in the middle of China. Spend the day hiking, horseback riding, or just relaxing and soaking in the views. In the evening, tuck into the multi-share circular felt hut (yurt) and sleep like a local.
In the morning take a private van to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Province. From here, drive into the Tian Shan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) for an overnight in a yurt with the local Kazakh minority people. This area looks more similar to the Swiss Alps, with towering snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes, than somewhere in the middle of China. Spend the day hiking, horseback riding, or just relaxing and soaking in the views. In the evening, tuck into the multi-share circular felt hut (yurt) and sleep like a local.
Day 12Spend the morning enjoying nature before heading to Urumqi
Spend the morning enjoying nature before heading to Urumqi, the capital of the province.
Day 13Over the next two days
Over the next two days, travel by train to Hotan, a small town in the Taklamakan Desert. Watch the scenery go by, make friends with the locals, and catch up on your reading.
Day 14Arrive in the evening to Hotan. Start exploring this small town
Arrive in the evening to Hotan. Start exploring this small town.
Day 15Take a village tour by donkey cart…
Take a village tour by donkey cart to see what life is like in this small town. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to tour the market or check out some abandoned ancient towns and ruins.
Day 16Enjoy one last train ride to Kashgar, arriving in the evening
KashgarEnjoy one last train ride to Kashgar, arriving in the evening.
Day 17Enjoy the Sunday markets in KashgarSpend the rest of the day exploring the old town centre or the People's Square. Meet the group for an optional farewell dinner.
KashgarSpend the rest of the day exploring the old town centre or the People's Square. Meet the group for an optional farewell dinner.
Day 18Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
Traveller reviews
“Very good. Lots of sights to see and travel was well managed.”
“I enjoyed the tour immensely. It was well planned and researched. It had tremendous variety,and was very educational. It gave me very much to remember”
“Overall, this was an outstanding tour. We had an exceptional leader in Nicole and the group was very compatible, timely and just plain fun to be with. Taking a Silk Road tour has been a passion of mine for some time and it was truly as amazing as I expected.”
Discover China
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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