7 Days China Silk Road Tour Itinerary, Plan a Week Trip to the Silk Road in China
How should a 7-day China Silk Road itinerary be arranged? Seven days are just enough for a quick visit to the highlights, such as Xi'an, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, and Turpan. We usually recommend visiting 3-4 cities to avoid a rushed schedule, with three destinations being the most suitable. If you have your own plans and interests, you can contact us to customize a Silk Road itinerary that suits you.
7 Days Highlights of the China Silk Road Itinerary
Grand Wild Goose PagodaXian, Dunhuang, Turpan and Kashgar
Day 1: Arrival in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China and the start of the Silk Road, the iconic Terracotta Army, the ancient city wall, and the Muslim Quarter, Enjoy a dinner of Xi'an specialties such as dumplings and roujiamo.
Day 2: Xi'an to Dunhuang by flight, Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing Buddhist art, Explore the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring.
Day 3: Dunhuang to Liuyuan by tranfer(about 2 hours), Liuyuan South to Turpan by train(about 3-4 hours), the ruins of Jiaohe and Gaochang cities, the ancient irrigation system of Karez Wells. Try Uyghur cuisine for dinner.
Day 4: Turpan, Flaming Mountains, and Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the Grape Valley and taste local produce. Experience a traditional Uyghur meal.
Day 5: Turpan to Kashgar by flight, Kashgar Old City, and its lively Sunday Bazaar, the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China.
Day 6: Kashgar, Abakh Khoja Tomb, a mausoleum of a prominent Uyghur family, Explore the Karakul Lake, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and Experience a traditional Uyghur dinner with music and dance.
Day 7: Departure from Kashgar
1 Week China Silk Road
DunhuangDunhuang, Turpan, and Urumqi
Day 1: Arrival in Dunhuang, Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Buddhist cave art, Dunhuang Night Market and try local delicacies.
Day 2: Dunhuang, Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake, where you can ride camels and experience the beauty of the desert landscape; Dunhuang Museum to learn more about the region's history and culture, Shazhou Night Market for more local cuisine and souvenirs.
Day 3: Dunhuang to Liuyuan by tranfer(about 2 hours), Liuyuan South to Turpan by train(about 3-4 hours), Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient Silk Road city; Karez Irrigation System, an underground irrigation system dating back over 2,000 years; unwind at the Turpan Grape Valley, known for its vineyards and picturesque scenery.
Day 4: Turpan, Emin Minaret, one of the tallest ancient minarets in China; Ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, another ancient Silk Road site; Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, known for their well-preserved Buddhist murals. Sample local Turpan cuisine, such as lamb kebabs and flatbread, at a traditional Uyghur restaurant.
Day 5: Turpan to Urumqi by train/bus, Xinjiang Regional Museum to learn about the history and culture of Xinjiang, Hongshan Park for panoramic views of the city.
Day 6: Urumqi, day trip to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the Tianshan Mountains; Enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, or simply relaxing by the lake. Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, one of the largest bazaars in Central Asia, to shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts.
Day 7: Urumqi Departure
A week Xinjiang Silk Road Itinerary
Sunday Market in KashgarTurpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar
Day 1: Arrival in Turpan, Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient Silk Road city that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape; Karez Irrigation System, an ancient underground irrigation system that enabled agriculture in the desert; Turpan Grape Valley, known for its vineyards and fruit orchards.
Day 2: Turpan, Emin Minaret, an impressive Islamic tower and one of the tallest ancient minarets in China; the ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, which was an important stop on the Silk Road; Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, known for their well-preserved Buddhist murals. Enjoy Uyghur cuisine, such as lamb kebabs and flatbread, at a traditional restaurant.
Day 3: Turpan to Urumqi by train or private transfer, Xinjiang Regional Museum to learn about the history and culture of the region; Explore the bustling streets of Urumqi and sample street food at the local bazaars.
Day 4: Urumqi, a day trip to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a stunning alpine lake located in the Tianshan Mountains. Enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, or simply admiring the scenery. Hongshan Park for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Day 5: Urumqi to Kashgar by plane, Explore the Old Town of Kashgar, which features traditional Uyghur architecture and bustling markets; Visit the Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest mosques in China and an important religious site for the Uyghur people.
Day 6: Kashgar, Sunday Market, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Central Asia, where you can find everything from spices to carpets; Abakh Hoja Tomb, a beautiful mausoleum surrounded by gardens; Kashgar Grand Bazaar, which offers a wide variety of goods, including local crafts, spices, and textiles.
Day 7: Departure from Kashgar
7 Days Best of the Silk Road in China
The Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient TownTurpan, Kashgar, and Tashkurgan
Day 1: Arrival in Turpan, Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Irrigation System, Turpan Grape Valley.
Day 2: Turpan to Kashgar by plane, Old Town of Kashgar, Id Kah Mosque.
Day 3: Kashgar, Kashgar Sunday Market, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Central Asia; Abakh Hoja Tomb, Kashgar Grand Bazaar.
Day 4: Kashgar to Tashkurgan by private transfer(approximately 8-9 hours by road), White Sand Lake, Karakul Lake, Tashkurgan Old Town, Stone Fort.
Day 5: Tashkurgan, The ruins of the Tashkurgan Fortress, explore the local Tajik culture and visit a Tajik family's home to experience their hospitality and traditional way of life; Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Pamir Mountains and the grasslands surrounding Tashkurgan.
Day 6: Tashkurgan to Kashgar, explore Tashkurgan in the morning, and drive back to Kashgar.
Day 7: Kashgar Departure
Customize my China Silk Road Itinerary
If you are looking for customized Silk Road travel services, please contact us, and we will design a value-for-money itinerary tailored to your requirements, interests, and travel budget.
China Silk Road Tour Itinerary for Your References
GREAT FAMILY CHINA TOUR
JULY 2024 We wanted to thank Grace at China Culture tour for organizing a great tour of China. We enjoyed our Beijing - Xian-Chengdu -Guilin -Yangshuo - Shanghai trip. Our local guides Bruce in Beijing, Susan in Xian, Jane in Chengdu, Mike in Guilin and Mary in Shanghai took care of us…read more details »
Teng Han L from SINGAPORE
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