Treasures of the Silk RoadBeijing-Xi'an-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang Tour

Days 10

Destinations 5

Experiences 29

Trip Summary

Chinese Culture, Adventure, Nature

Follow in the footsteps of history with this guided tour as you journey along the ancient Silk Road from Beijing to Dunhuang, taking in different sections of the Great Wall along the way.

Your epic ten-day journey starts in Beijing, where you'll have ample opportunity to see the capital's top sights, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, and more.

After Beijing you will travel to Xi'an, the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. While in Xi'an, you'll also have plenty of chances to experience local culture by biking along the city walls and sampling traditional street snacks in the Muslim quarter.

From Xi'an, you'll head to Zhangye in Gansu province to see the fascinating Danxia landforms, often called the "rainbow mountains" due to the fantastic, varying colors of the local sandstone.

Your trip through Gansu continues in Jiayuguan and Dunhuang, where you will visit wonders both natural and manmade, including the westernmost end of the Great Wall at Xuanbi and the peaceful desert oasis of Crescent Lake. You'll get to further appreciate the landscape of the Gobi Desert by riding a camel up the sandy hillsides of Mingsha Mountain.

If you'd like to make any modifications to this itinerary, simply ask your agent. All of our package tours can be customized to suit your needs.

Airport Pickup & Transfer to Your Hotel – Your private guide and driver will escort you to your hotel, assist you with hotel check-in, and answer any questions you may have about your travel arrangements. Once you have checked into your hotel, you will have the rest of the day to relax and get situated.
Overnight – Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall – this scenic section of the Great Wall has been restored but is still far less touristy (with toboggan and cable car)
Lunch – fresh trout and other Chinese dishes
Summer Palace – a masterpiece of Chinese imperial garden design
Olympic Venues – see the iconic sports venues from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube (outside view only)
Overnight – Beijing

Tiananmen Square – China's iconic public square
Forbidden City – explore the immense palace complex that was home to China's emperors for more than 400 years
Jingshan Park – a charming park with panoramic views of the Forbidden City
Lunch – Peking duck
Transfer to Beijing Train Station – bullet train to Xi'an, around 4.5 hours, 250-350 km/h
Pickup at Xi'an Train Station
Overnight – Xi'an

Terracotta Warriors – come face to face with the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, a handcrafted army from 200 BC
Lunch – Shaanxi snacks and local dishes
Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Xi'an's iconic pagoda, renowned for its historical relevance in connection with Buddha
Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner – enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet and a fabulous show about the glory of the Tang Dynasty
Overnight – Xi'an

Xi'an City Wall – enjoy a peaceful walk or bike on the City Wall and take in bird's eye views of the ancient capital
Great Mosque of Xian – a unique, Chinese-style ancient mosque
Muslim Quarter – explore Xi'an's Muslim community and sample its delicious street food
Transfer to Xi'an Airport – fly to Zhangye, around 2 hours in the air
Pickup at Zhangye Airport
Overnight – Zhangye

Giant Buddha Temple – home to a 35-meter reclining Buddha, the largest in China
Lunch – simple lunch
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark – explore the incredible "rainbow" mountains, one of China's most beautiful landscapes
Drive to Jiayuguan – 230km, around 2.5 hours
Overnight – Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan Fort – the last stronghold of dynastic power along the Silk Road
Xuanbi Great Wall – the far western end of the Great Wall, built in 1539, which overlooks a sprawling desert
Lunch – local cuisine
Drive to Dunhuang – 390 km, around 4.5 hours
Overnight – Dunhuang

Mogao Grottoes – these ancient caves, featuring thousands of carved statues, represent one of the highest achievements of Buddhist art
Lunch – local cuisine
Crescent Moon Lake – China's most famous desert oasis
Echo Sand Mountain – ride a camel up the sand dunes and appreciate the mysterious scenery of the Gobi desert
Overnight – Dunhuang

Jade Gate Pass – explore the ruins of a famous Han dynasty military tower
Ruins of the Han Dynasty Great Wall – one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall, built during the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)
Lunch – simple lunch en route
Yardang National Geological Park – witness the unique geological features of this national park, shaped over thousands of years by wind and water
Shazhou Night Market – explore this interesting night market, where you can experience local culture and sample some street food
Overnight – Dunhuang

Transfer to Dunhuang Airport – fly to Beijing, around 3 hours in the air
End of Tour – please let us know if you need pick-up and drop-off service to/from Beijing airport

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What's Included

One-on-one trip consulting and planning service from one of our experienced travel specialists
Domestic transportation as detailed on your itinerary
Private English-speaking guide (selected/trained by our Western staff)
Experienced Chinese-speaking driver and quality, air-conditioned vehicle (unlimited bottled water supplied in your vehicle)
Entry to all attractions on your itinerary – no hidden costs or commission-based shopping stops
Meals as specified on your itinerary (at quality local restaurants)
24/7 support from your guide and travel specialist while you are on tour

What's Not Included

International flights to and from China
International travel insurance (you should purchase your own policy in your home country)
Tips for your guide and driver

Notes

We offer our itineraries as suggestions only; all of our tours can be tailored to your schedule and interests. If there is anything you do or don't want to include, simply let your agent know
Prices vary according to your date of travel and any special requests you might have. Please ask for a free, bespoke quotation
Meals may change based on the time and location. You can also ask your guide to change your meals. We will try our best to help you enjoy a variety of Chinese food
For tour booking terms and conditions, please read our Terms of Service

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Treasures of the Silk Road - TCG-152

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