Follow Marco Polo's footprints to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Ancient Silk Road!
The Silk Road connecting the East and the West was one of the most important arteries of trade and culture in world history. A dozen immense caravans traveled on this long route between ancient China and the Mediterranean for two millennia. Today, the Silk Road is rather a historic travel route on which you can experience interesting history, enjoy exotic culture and savor wild nature. The best highlights are a series of historical towns and ruins spreading on from Xian, through Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, and eventually to Central Asia. Besides, the Silk Road is also a scenic route with breathtaking natural landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, wild deserts, magic Danxia landforms, emerald lakes, etc.
In order to help you better explore the cultural and natural splendor of the Silk Road, China Discovery here has selected the best-selling tour packages covering the most preferred attractions and activities. You could also browse the short trips filtering by the most popular destinations on the Silk Road, or customize a Silk Road tour according to your own interest, travel length or budget. Besides, we offer the most-updated travel information and travel guide about Silk Road which assist you with a full preparation for your coming Silk Road holiday in advance.
China Discovery is a leading China tour agency offering quality all-inclusive tour packages, including one-to-one itinerary-organizing, hotels and tickets booking, local knowledgeable tour guide, comfortable private transfer, etc. We have got 4,070+ commendatory feedback from our customers and 2,050+ good reviews on TripAdvisor. You can completely trust us! Remember to enjoy the real travel stories shared by our past customers and get inspiration for your Silk Road holiday.
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Trip at a Glance: Xian (3N), Dunhuang (1N), Turpan (1N), Urumqi (2N), Kashgar (2N)
Sites: Terracotta Warriros, Mogao Grottoes, Heavenly Lake, Kashgar Old City
Transfer: Private Car & Bullet Train
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Trip at a Glance: Zhangye (1N), Zhangye (1N), Jiayuguan (1N), Dunhuang (2N)
Sites: Zhangye Danxia, Jiayuguan Fort, Mogao Grottoes, Mingshan Mountains, Yulin Caves
Transfer: Private Car & Bullet Train
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Trip at a Glance: Xian (2N), Dunhuang (2N)
Sites: Terracotta Warriors, Mogao Grottoes, Mingshashan Desert, Crescent Lake
Transfer: Private Car & Flight
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Trip at a Glance:Xining (2N), Chaka (1N), Zhangye (2N), Badain Jaran Desert (1N)
Sites: Qinghai Lake, Zhangye Danxia Geopark, Binggou Danxia Geopark, Badain Jaran Desert
Transfer: Private Car
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Trip at a Glance: Beijing (3N), Xian (3N), Dunhuang (1N), Turpan (1N), Urumqi (2N), Kashgar (1N)
Sites: Mutianyu Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Mogao Grottoes, Kashgar Old City
Transfer: Private Car & Bullet Train & Flight
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Trip at a Glance: Xining (2N), Zhangye (1N), Jiayuguan (1N), Dunhuang (2N), Turpan (1N), Urumqi (2N), Kashgar (2N)
Sites: Qinghai Lake, Mingsha Mountains, Mogao Grottoes, Kashgar Old City
Transfer: Private Car & Train & Flight
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Trip at a Glance: Urumqi (2D), Turpan (1D), Korla (1D), Kuqa (2D), Minfeng (1D), Hotan (1D), Kashgar (3D), Tashkurgan (1D)
Sites: Takilamakan Desert, Karakul Lake, Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar Old Town, Tianshan Mysterious Canyon...
Transfer: Private Car & Flight
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Trip at a Glance: Kashgar (2N), Urumqi (1N), Turpan (1N), Dunghuang (2N), Jiayuguan (1N), Zhangye (1N), Xining (2N), Xining-Lhasa Train (1N), Tibet(7N)
Sites: Kashgar Old City, Mogao Grottoes, Qinghai Tibet Railway, Mount Everest
Transfer: Private Car & Train
View DetailsDo you have any ideas where to go to explore China Silk Road better? In fact, the Silk Road passes through six provinces in China, including Henan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, and the essence of the Silk Road - Gansu and Xinjiang. In these provinces, there are many cities and towns cherished with numerous brilliant historic & cultural treasures. Here we list the top 10 destinations (including Xian, Luoyang, Dunhuang, Kashgar…) with priceless relics and breathtaking landscape to experience. Just click your favorite destination to find the general travel information and the most recommended tours. If you are looking any other places for a more in-depth experience (such as Kuche, Korla, Baoji, Zhongwei, Guyuan…), feel free to contact us for more detailed information.
Explore China’s past glory in the World Historic and Cultural City recognized by UNESCO!
The Silk Road was originally opened in 139 BC during the Western Han Dynasty, when Emperor Wu ordered Zhang Qian to visit western regions from the capital - Xian (called Chang’an in the old times). As the origin of the Silk Road and an old capital of 13 Dynasties, Xian offers many wonderful historic sites and cultural experiences.
Travel the best highlights and the unique historic relics of the ancient capital Xian at an enjoyable pace in 3 days. This is the most classic Xian itinerary, with visits to all the bests of this ancient capital!
Price from $298
Most classic trip to follow the footprints of the ancient Silk Road. You will visit Xian, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan and Dunhuang. Private tour package, competitive price.
Price from $2,566
Want to enjoy a longer Silk Road holiday in China and visit more valuable destinations for more fun? China Discovery offers you more choices. You can visit the most classic destinations together with Silk Road destinations in one go! If you are a first timer to China, we suggest you get a first touch of China by visiting Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Guilin - where China’s history, culture, nature and city view can be exhibited perfectly. Yangtze River Cruise is also a great option added into your itinerary for a leisurely experience. Besides, many travelers prefer an adventure to Zhangjiajie for an jaw-dropping view of the Avatar World. Moreover, you can step into Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La) and Anhui(Huangshan, Jiuhuashan) to have minority fun, Shanxi (Datong, Pingyao, Wutaishan…) and Henan (Luoyang, Zhengzhou…) to discover the civilization of ancient China. There are lots of wonders in China awaiting your exploration. Just select your favorite or customize your own tour according to your own interest and preference as well.
Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar
from Request
Xining / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar
from Request
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Shanghai
from $1,999
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
from $2,478
Kashgar / Tupran / Dunhuang / Jiayuguan / Zhangye / Xian / Beijing
from $2805
Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
from $3,499
Silk Road is really a precious cultural treasure for human beings and a wonderful travel route for explorers. Do you want to know more about it? Such as how the Silk Road got its name, where the Silk Road started and ended, how long it took to cross the Silk Road in ancient times, who traveled on the Silk Road… Or do you want to have more travel information about it? Such as how to plan a Silk Road tour, what the top destinations on the Silk Road are, how the accommodation condition is, some important travel tips, etc. Just browse the following Silk Road articles for a better understanding of the Silk Road, as well as a more efficient Silk Road exploration.
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There are many fun facts about the Silk Road that travelers might be interested in. Here, we have 12 most commonly asked questions about the silk road, and these interesting facts will broaden your horizon to learn beyond just routes and ancient relics, and help you have more vivid background knowledge before your Silk Road adventure.
02
The ancient Silk Road has experienced several important stages since it was originally started in the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC ~ 8 AD) and ended in the Qing Dynasty (1936 ~ 1912). Want to find out how it started, evolved and declined? Check its history to learn the complete history of the Silk Road, including its beginning, flourishing and fading.
03
The Silk Road is a network which can be generally divided into the Land Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road. However, the Land Silk Road in China contains the Northern Route and the Southern Route, and the Northern Route split again in Kashgar.
04
It is not easy to "follow" the Silk Road on the map, because there are several main routes that also have many branches. Don't worry, we will make your study easier. Check our Silk Road map to trace back to the glorious ancient times.
05
The beauty of the Silk Road needs immediate action and a well-organized tour will help you enjoy a much more efficient tour. Silk Road trip planner here helps you figure out the best attractions, activities, best time, great accommodations, suggested itinerary, etc.
06
To help you find Silk Road travel inspirations, we select the most popular and recommended China's tourist destinations along the Silk Road based on the original ancient Silk Route from central China to north western China, including Luoyang, Xian, Ningxia, Tianshui, Lanzhou, etc.
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Many historical sites along the Silk Road, like ruins of ancient cities, Buddhist grottoes, temples, tombs, palaces, thus have been preserved in the original state. Besides, natural beauty can be savored as well while traveling along the Silk Road. Check the top tourist attractions to enjoy a wonderful Silk Road adventure.
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There are always comfortable hotels to stay in major cities along the silk routes such as Luoyang, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Xining, Urumqi, where there are hotels from economy class to luxury class. However, if you explore the Silk Road in depth, you need to go to some remote towns where the accommodation conditions are generally very basic.
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Here we collect frequently asked questions and practical travel tips to make sure you enjoy an easy and safe Silk Road travel, such as best gateway cities, convenient transfer ways, packing ideas, payment, shopping, taboos, time difference, etc.
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The spectacular geographic environment along the Silk Road is diverse. You can see many ancient historical relics as well as various stunning landscape of mountains, prairie, desert and lakes. Get a visual feast first now.
We have helped numerous customers complete their Silk Road holiday in China. Are you curious about what they saw, did and felt about their tours.. Here we select some of the top inspiring travel stories to let you know not only the wonderful highlights they had enjoyed but also the forever unique memorable moments! Now, it’s your turn and your time to unveil your own story! >> Read All Our Customers Travel Stories during 2011-2025
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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