Along the Great Silk Road of China

12 days
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Private Guided
From Xi'an to Kashgar, the eastern end to the western end of the Silk Road in China, this tour offers you the chance to see the highlights along the Silk Road. You will see marvelous landscapes, the extraordinary culture, and have an authentic interaction with the locals.
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$5,103
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Immerse Yourself in the Memory of the Silk Road at the Historical Site in Xi'an
    • Unveil the Secrets of the Terracotta Army and Make a Mini Terracotta Warrior
    • Meet the 'Color Palette Overturned by God' - the Rainbow Mountains.
    • Admire the Valuable Cultural Heritage of the Silk Road
    • Experience Traveling on a Camel as the Merchants on the Silk Road Did
    • Discover the Splendid Ancient City on the Silk Road
    • Catch a Glimpse of the Great Pamirs
    • Experience Exotic Charm in the Westernmost City of China
    • Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Locals in an Ancient Uyghur Teahouse

What's this trip about?

    From Xi'an to Kashgar, the eastern end to the western end of the Silk Road in China, this tour offers you the chance to see the highlights along the Silk Road. You will see marvelous landscapes, the extraordinary culture, and have an authentic interaction with the locals.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityXi'an
End CityKashgar

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Photography

Destinations

  • Asia
  • China

Attractions

  • Kashgar
  • Xian

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
    • English-speaking local guide
    • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
    • 24/7 helpline while you are traveling

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: Xi'an Arrival

Your private guide will be waiting for you in the airport/train station arrivals area. A comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you check-in.

Hotel options: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an(4-star) Wyndham Grand Xian South (5-star)

DAY 2: Xi'an | The Terracotta Army

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Xi'an, the eastern end of the Silk Road, your tour starts at the site of the mysterious underground army - meet the life-size Terracotta Army, and you will find the horses are short and small. This is one of the reasons that ...

DAY 3: Xi'an to Zhangye | Xi'an City Highlights

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, have a walk on the ancient city wall. And then pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Silk Road route。

We will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight to Zhangye.

Hotel options: Tianyu International Hotel (4-star) Zhangye Hotel (5-star)

DAY 4: Zhangye | Danxia National Geological Park

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, you will visit the 'Color Palette Overturned by God' - the Zhangye Qicai Danxia National Geological Park, which is home to the Rainbow Mountains.

After returning to the city, enjoy a local lunch and co...

DAY 5: Zhangye to Dunhuang | Jiayuguan Pass

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Drive from Zhangye to Dunhuang. On the way, you will visit a magnificent ancient pass, Jiayuguan Pass. It is the west end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty and a well-preserved ancient military fortress. The tall gate tow...

DAY 6: Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and Camel Ride

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, start your adventure to the Mogao Caves where you will marvel at the exquisite murals and lifelike sculptures.

If you want to see more murals after visiting the Mogao Caves, we will take you to the Dun...

DAY 7: Dunghuang to Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will visit the ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It is the oldest example of this defensive system in China. Check the ruins and you will find it is different from the Great Wal...

DAY 8: Turpan | Turpan Highlights

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

The Emin Minaret is particularly beautiful in the morning, with the shadow of the minaret falling across the mosque. Go into the mosque and try to tell the time by checking the position of the sunlight on the wall.

The...

DAY 9: DRIVE to Urumqi and City Highlights

Meals included: Breakfast

Visit the Turpan Museum before driving to Urumqi. Every cultural relic in the museum shows you a vivid story of the Silk Road.

Go to the Erdaoqiao Market – the biggest bazaar in Urumqi – and be amazed by the dazzling array of goods.

Hotel options: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel (4-star) Wanda Vista Hotel (5-star)

DAY 10: Urumqi to Kashgar | Karshgar Old Town

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

After your morning flight from Urumqi to Kashgar, you will start your tour of the westernmost corner of China. Along the Silk Road, Kashgar has been the center of regional trade and cultural exchange for more than two millenn...

DAY 11: Karshgar 

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.

See one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakul Lake, a sparkling glacial lake. During the 3-hour drive, you m...

DAY 12: Kashgar Departure

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Your guide and driver will take you to Kashgar Airport and wave goodbye to you. You can connect to the main cities in China from this airport.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,149
Price per day$346
Last Updated: 4/26/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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China Highlights Reviews & Ratings

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Other China Highlights Reviews

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Alex

Jul 2023

Provided byChina Highlights

Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!

I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days tr...

Z

Zee

Jul 2023

Provided byChina Highlights

We would highly recommend your services to anyone looking to travel and explore China.

Hi Whitney, Let me start by letting you know what a pleasure it was to meet with you and have dinner together. Thank you for taking time of your busy schedule to mee...

S

Sim

Jul 2023

Provided byChina Highlights

Highly recommend China Highlights to people who intend to travel to China need a English speaking guide.

Had a personal tour designed for me and my wife to Shanghai. Ryan was an awesome guide who explained about interesting things we can't see with our own eyes. Highly ...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

China Highlights

Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
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China Highlights is the online travel service platform operated by the team of professional travel consultants at CITS Guilin. Started in early 1998, it was one of the earliest "China Travel" web sites. The brand name "China Highlights" has come to mean a reliable company. We have provided thousands of customers their unforgettable "China Experience".

With this dream, China Highlights was established in 1998: one man, one computer. With years of development, we now have English, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Russian language teams. Each year 100+ colleagues in Guilin's head office help 10,000+ visitors discover China.

We provide Private Tour packages to all parts of China, and specialize in customizing and tailor-making tours for individuals, families and groups to specific requirements at great value for money. Hotels and restaurants are carefully selected to provide comfort and the best local food. Our English speaking guides are knowledgeable and experienced. We take you to the best attractions and sights in comfortable cars with safe drivers.

"Discovery Your Way!" means China Highlights specialize in 'discovery', that is finding out new and exciting things about China, and "customizing:, which means tailoring a tour to "your way". It has been our slogan since 2006 and it sums up key areas of our service: providing a genuine China experience with unbeatable flexibility.

Why Choose Us

Our company has been operating as a full service travel agency in China since 1959, and we've been online for over a decade. That’s a long time in Internet terms. Here are several reasons why more than 10,000 clients per year put their faith in us, as their China tour provider.

Freedom and flexibility:

"Discovery your way" is our motto and it is something that we are passionate about. We express this passion by giving our clients the tools to discover China in the way that best suits them.

--Small private groups: See China in the luxury in your own private vehicle with your own guide and driver.

--Tailor-made and customized tours: We specialize in tailor-made and customized travel.

Unique and Authentic China Experience:

We put together an itinerary based on your needs ensuring that you see the real China, eat authentic local food, and feel like you have been a participant not just an observer.

--Authentic food and dining experiences

--Great China destinations

--We try to use local guides that belong to a local ethnic group in areas like Tibet and the Silk Road.

Quality, Integrity and Honesty:

In our business, attention to detail is the key to quality. Every tour that we book is meticulously planned to try to ensure that it runs seamlessly.

--Relaxed and fair cancellation policy

--Real value for money

--No hidden costs

--Full disclosure of information including detailed flight information on the itinerary

--Fairness and equity to customers, staff and suppliers.

Money Back Guarantee:

We believe in ourselves, so that’s why we offer our unique money back Value and Service Guarantee. We keep our promises. Just ask our past customers. If something does go wrong, we fix it.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
    • Visa Fees
    • Excess Baggage Charges.
    • Personal Expenses
    • Meals: Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
    • Insurance
    • Single Room Supplement
    • Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers

Accommodation

,In remote cities, such as Kashgar and Turpan, star-rated hotels might not be as good as the same standard of hotels in big cities due to local situations. To provide you with a comfortable experience, we have selected the best possible hotels for you.

Transportation & Flights

China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience more efficient, we usually arrange flights to connect your destinations. China's high-speed rail network is a fast-paced way to travel. We recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours to interested customers - please tell us if you are one of them.,

Transportation & flights

China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience more efficient, we usually arrange flights to connect your destinations. China's high-speed rail network is a fast-paced way to travel. We recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours to interested customers - please tell us if you are one of them.
Cancellation policy

Cancellation Refunds

We would deeply regret your decision to cancel your trip to China, however, we realize that there are many valid reasons that this can happen.

In the event of a cancellation, you enjoy a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure. The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows except as specified by your travel advisor:

  • Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
  • After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.

Special Notes:

The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask your travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

breakfasts, lunch

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.

1. Mogao Caves ticket booking: In order to protect the fragile murals and paintings, the number of daily visitors to the Mogao Caves is restricted and your entrance ticket(s) must be reserved on the official website, which is in Chinese.

Tickets are difficult to get hold of, especially during the tourist peak season (July to October). Although we can guarantee tickets at least 5 days in advance, early booking is still recommended.

2. Extend the Tour Lanzhou: add 1 day - BinglingBingling Temple Grotto Xiahe: add 1 day - Tibetan culture, the Labrang Lamasery Jiayuguan: add 1 day - The Jiayuguan Pass (including Great Walls Museum) Shanghai: For international transportation, visit the Bund, the Shanghai Tower and Watertowns

Trip ID
chinah-chinah-AlThGrSiRoCh

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