13 days / 12 nights · Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Kashgar
Silk Road 13 Days · Full Route from Chang'an to Congling
Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Kashgar · 13 days 12 nights · Moderate to difficult
Reference Price
$2,610Rise / Person
- Purely for fun, no shopping
- The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
- Includes ticket reservation service
Number of people in a group4–12 people
IntensityModerately difficult
Best seasonMay–Oct
Traffichigh-speed rail + tour bus + 2 flight segments
Accommodation4-star hotel + Kashgar Old Town Inn
Departure MonthMay to October
Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance
Itinerary Details
All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service
Walking all the way from Chang'an to the westernmost end of China: Turpan's ancient city and Kashgar's bazaar are all on the itinerary, making it the most complete route.
Day-by-day itinerary13 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport
Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.
- D1Arrive in Xi'an · Terracotta Army
DestinationFrom various locations → Xi'an
- Meals
- Meals are self-managed
- Accommodation
- Xi'an Hotel
- Transport
- Airport/Station Pickup and Drop-off
- Distance
- Within the city
Daily detailArrive in Xi'an from various locations, private transfer from the airport/station to the hotel, free activity in the afternoon.
Thirteen dynasties ancient capital, the city wall is complete and can be cycled around, the Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum are the two most recommended stops for first-time visitors to China.
Terracotta Army
Meals: Roujiamo, persimmon cakes, cold noodles on Muslim Street; for a quieter meal, go to Yongxingfang. - D2Xi'an · Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Daci'en Temple
DestinationXi'an → Lanzhou
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Xi'an Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tourist bus → Lanzhou
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
Daily detailShaanxi History Museum
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Daci'en Temple
Meals: Roujiamo, persimmon cakes, cold noodles on Muslim Street; for a quieter meal, go to Yongxingfang.
In the evening, take the high-speed train or tourist bus to Lanzhou, overnight in Lanzhou. - D3Lanzhou · Gansu Provincial Museum, Yellow River Iron Bridge
DestinationLanzhou → Zhangye
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Lanzhou Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tourist bus → Zhangye
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
StopsDaily detailGansu Provincial Museum: the provincial museum with the most concentrated Silk Road artifacts, Ferghana horse figurines and courier murals are here.
Yellow River Iron Bridge: Zhongshan Bridge, completed in 1909, the first permanent iron bridge over the Yellow River, best viewed in the evening when the lights are on.
Mother River Statue and Waterwheel Expo Park: walking along the south bank of the river, you can see traditional Lanzhou waterwheels.
Zhengning Road Night Market: a hub for milk and egg rice wine, barbecue, and grey beans.
Meals: Beef noodles, hand-pulled mutton, milk and egg rice wine.
Tip: Beef noodles emphasize "one clear, two white, three red, four green," best eaten at breakfast for the most authentic taste; the highland sun is strong, sunscreen is needed even during the day.
In the evening, take the high-speed train or tourist bus to Zhangye, overnight in Zhangye. - D4Zhangye · Rainbow Mountains (Danxia Landform), Great Buddha Temple
DestinationZhangye → Jiayuguan
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Zhangye Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tourist bus → Jiayuguan
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
StopsDaily detailColorful Danxia: The sandstone layers are most brilliant at sunset. The park has four viewing platforms; Platform 2 offers the most stable full view.
Great Buddha Temple: Founded in the Western Xia period, the temple houses a wooden core clay reclining Buddha about 35 meters long, the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China.
Wooden Pagoda Temple and Zhenyuan Tower: Located in the center of Zhangye Old Town, ideal for an evening stroll to observe local life.
Horseshoe Temple: A grotto group at the foot of the Qilian Mountains south of the city. The Thirty-three Heavens Grottoes are carved along the cliffside, with far fewer visitors than Danxia.
Meals: Sao noodles, rolled fish noodles, mutton noodle soup.
Tips: Walking on the rock layers in the Danxia park is prohibited; stay on the boardwalk. Entering the park one hour before sunset is most cost-effective.
In the evening, take a high-speed train or tour bus to Jiayuguan, overnight in Jiayuguan. - D5Jiayuguan · Jiayuguan Fort, First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
DestinationJiayuguan → Dunhuang
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Jiayuguan hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tour bus → Dunhuang
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
StopsDaily detailJiayuguan Fort: The inner city, outer city, enclosures, and ramparts are complete. Climb Guanghua Tower to overlook the entire fort.
First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The westernmost first beacon tower of the Great Wall, standing on the edge of the Talai River Gorge, very dangerous terrain.
Cliff-side Great Wall: Climb a section of the Great Wall on the Heishan ridge. The slope is steep; those with average fitness can walk only half.
Wei and Jin Dynasty Painted Tombs: Underground gallery with brick paintings depicting farming, hunting, and kitchens, very lifelike.
Meals: Barbecue, mixed pot, rolled fish noodles.
Tips: There is no public bus between the fort and the first beacon tower; chartered car or taxi is recommended. The Gobi has strong sunlight, so hats and water are essential.
In the evening, take a high-speed train or tour bus to Dunhuang, overnight in Dunhuang. - D6Dunhuang · Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring
DestinationDunhuang city area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dunhuang hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailMogao Caves
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring
Meals: Donkey meat yellow noodles, Populus euphratica baked pancake, apricot peel water; Shazhou Night Market is a local late-night snack spot. - D7Dunhuang · Yumen Pass, Yang Pass
DestinationDunhuang → Turpan
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dunhuang hotel
- Transport
- High-speed rail / tour bus → Turpan
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
Daily detail
Dining at Yumen Guanyangguan
: donkey meat yellow noodles, poplar braised cakes, apricot peel water; Shazhou Night Market is the local late-night snack spot.
In the evening, take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Turpan and stay overnight there. - D8Turpan · Jiaohe Ancient City, Flaming Mountain
DestinationTurpan urban area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Turpan Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailJiaohe Ancient City: The largest and oldest earthen city in the world, the entire city is carved directly from the plateau.
Flaming Mountain: Crimson sandstone mountain, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C in summer. The attraction itself is small, just for check-ins.
Meals: Pulled noodles, baked buns, grapes, and Hami melon.
Tip: Do not go outside at noon in summer; schedule your itinerary in the morning or evening; Fruits and melons are high in sugar, so those with sensitive stomachs should consume them appropriately. - D9Turpan · Putogou, Kan'erjing
DestinationTurpan → Kashgar
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Turpan Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tour bus → Kashgar
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
StopsDaily detailGrape Valley: A grape planting belt in the canyon, where you can enter farmhouses to eat grapes and watch drying houses.
Kar Well: A unique underground water diversion project in Xinjiang, known alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal as one of China's three great ancient engineering projects.
Meals: Pulled noodles, baked buns, grapes, and Hami melon.
Tip: Do not go outdoors at noon in summer; schedule your itinerary in the morning or evening; Fruits and melons are high in sugar, so those with sensitive stomachs should consume them appropriately.
Take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Kashgar in the evening and stay overnight. - D10Kashgar · Kashgar Ancient City, Etiqar Mosque
DestinationKashgar city center
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Kashgar Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailKashgar Ancient City: The old city of Sheng Chengdu, with the best lighting in the morning and dusk. You can walk directly into residential courtyards through the alleys.
Etiqaq Mosque: One of the largest mosques in China, with its gatehouse and square serving as landmarks of the old city.
Meals: Baked buns, pilapia, jar meat, pomegranate juice.
Tip: In the old city residential area, please signal before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayer hours; Be sure to bring ID at border areas. - D11Kashgar · Central Asia Grand Bazaar, Xiangfei Garden, and Gaotai residences
DestinationKashgar city center
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Kashgar Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailCentral Asia Grand Bazaar: The liveliest place on Sundays, with everything from carpets and bronzeware to dried fruits and livestock. It's the best place to observe local trade.
Xiangfei Garden and Gaotai Residences: A cluster of traditional dwellings in the northeast corner of the old city, where you can clearly see how the earthenware buildings are arranged.
Dining: Baked buns, pilaf, jar meat, pomegranate juice.
Reminder: In the old town residential area, please signal before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayer hours; Be sure to bring ID at border areas. - D12Kashgar · Kashgar Ancient City, Etiqar Mosque
DestinationKashgar city center
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Kashgar Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailKashgar Ancient City: The old city of Sheng Chengdu, with the best lighting in the morning and dusk. You can walk directly into residential courtyards through the alleys.
Etiqaq Mosque: One of the largest mosques in China, with its gatehouse and square serving as landmarks of the old city.
Meals: Baked buns, pilapia, jar meat, pomegranate juice.
Tip: In the old city residential area, please signal before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayer hours; Be sure to bring ID at border areas. - D13Return to Kashgar · Kashgar Ancient City and Return Journey
DestinationKashgar → Airport drop-off / station drop-off
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Not included
- Transport
- Private vehicle for transfer to airport/station
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
StopsDaily detailHead to Kashgar in the morning, settle in, and begin your day's itinerary.
Kashgar Ancient City: The old city of raw earth, with the best light in the early morning and dusk. You can walk directly into residential courtyards through the alleys.
Etiqa'er Mosque: One of the largest mosques in China, with the gatehouse and square being landmarks of the old city.
Central Asia Grand Bazaar: The liveliest place on Sundays, featuring everything from carpets and bronzeware to dried fruits and livestock, making it the best place to observe local trade.
Xiangfeiyuan and Gaotai Residences: A cluster of traditional dwellings in the northeast corner of the old city, where you can clearly see how the raw earth buildings are arranged.
Meals: Baked buns, pilaf, jar meat, pomegranate juice. Tips
: Please signal in the old city residential area before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayers; Be sure to bring ID in border areas.
Dedicated shuttle service will be arranged according to flight or train schedule, marking the end of the trip.
Key facts
Departure pointAssemble in Xi'an, disband in Kashgar
Number of people in a groupSmall group of 4-12 people
Recommended monthMay–Oct
AccommodationFour-Star Hotel Kashgar Old Town Inn
TrafficHigh-speed rail Tourist bus 2 flight segments
IntensityModerately difficult
Route Overview
The complete main route of the Silk Road in China: starting from Xi'an, passing through Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, then entering Xinjiang and passing through Turpan to reach Kashgar. It includes the Mogao Caves, Zhangye Danxia Landform, Jiayuguan Fortress, Jiaohe Ancient City, and Kashgar Old City. The entire route can be viewed day by day.
The whole journey is 13 days, progressing along "Xi'an → Lanzhou → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Turpan → Kashgar": Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Kashgar. The pace is planned as "one city per segment," mainly using high-speed trains between cities, with flights arranged for segments exceeding 5 hours.
Destinations on this Route
- Xi'an: Ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, with intact city walls suitable for cycling around. The Terracotta Warriors and Shaanxi History Museum are the two most worthwhile stops for first-time visitors to China.
- Lanzhou: Gansu Provincial Museum and Yellow River Iron Bridge can be seen in one day, with the evening reserved for the Zhengning Road Night Market.
- Zhangye: Danxia landform in the morning, Giant Buddha Temple in the afternoon; one day is enough. Stay an extra day to visit the Maiji Temple.
- Jiayuguan: Fortress + the first pier of the Great Wall can be completed in one day; visiting the Hanging Wall of the Great Wall depends on your stamina.
- Dunhuang: Mogao Caves require advance real-name reservation; it is recommended to visit Mingsha Mountain in the evening to avoid sun exposure and to watch the sunset.
- Turpan: Jiaohe Ancient City is recommended in the evening for optimal light and temperature; Grape Valley and Karez Irrigation System can be seen together in half a day.
- Kashgar: Spend at least two half-days in the Old City, one day for wandering the lanes and visiting the mosque, another day for the Grand Bazaar and Gaotai dwellings.
Cultural Long Route
This route belongs to the Desert Camel Bells・Silk Road Thousands of Miles series, with other routes of different durations available for comparison under the same theme.
Costs include
- Accommodation listed in the itinerary (double occupancy)
- First entrance tickets to the attractions specified in the itinerary
- Ground transportation listed in the itinerary (high-speed rail / tour bus / scenic area sightseeing bus)
- Full-time Chinese-speaking tour guide service
- Daily breakfast, and meals specified in the itinerary
- Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance
Cost not included
- Round-trip international airfare between the place of departure and China
- Personal visa and document fees
- Main meals and personal expenses not listed
- Optional items (cable car, additional boat rides, performances, etc.)
- Tips for guides and drivers (voluntary)
- Single room supplement
Booking Reminder
After confirming the itinerary and dates, pay the deposit, and the remaining balance should be paid 15 days before the trip. Cancellation more than 30 days before departure will get a full refund of the deposit, 70% refund for 15-30 days, 50% refund for 7-15 days, and no refund within 7 days. Popular sites such as Mogao Caves and Sanxingdui require real-name reservation, please submit ID information at least 15 days in advance. For seniors over 70 and children under 12, please indicate in the remarks, and we will adjust the daily walking amount.