About this trip
Ten days tracing the China leg of the Silk Road, from the capital's imperial history through to the desert cities of the far west. You'll cover a lot of ground, moving from Beijing's grand monuments to the Terracotta Army in Xian, then out into the deserts and oasis towns of Gansu and Xinjiang.
This is a route-and-landmarks trip rather than a slow-travel one — you're here to see how the old trade road connected China to Central Asia, with local guides on hand to explain the history as you go.
Expect a mix of ancient sites, desert scenery and distinct regional culture, ending in Kashgar near the western edge of the country.
What you'll do
- Walk the Great Wall and see the Forbidden City in Beijing
- Stand before the Terracotta Army in Xian
- Explore the Mogao Caves and dunes around Dunhuang
- See the ancient ruins and underground irrigation of Turpan
- Spend time in Kashgar's old Silk Road trading city near the western border
- Covers a lot of distance in 10 days, so travel between cities takes up a fair chunk of the schedule
- Partially guided, with local guides joining for key sites along the route
- Rated easy, so no strenuous physical demands beyond normal sightseeing
Worth it if you're genuinely keen on Silk Road history and can handle long travel days. Think twice if you need top-tier hotel service or want to linger in one place.
- Guides are genuinely knowledgeable and passionate; drivers professional; logistics handled end-to-end by operator.
- Ten days across five cities means rushed pacing; reviewers wished for extra days in Dunhuang, Xian, Urumqi.
- Hotels vary significantly; Kashgar notably poor; mid-range properties lack basic English-speaking staff and amenities despite 4-5 star claims.
- Eat at local restaurants, not tourist ones; dune visits and hot springs need more time than itinerary allows.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Beijing · 6 Aug – 7 Aug
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