12 Days China Silk Road Group Tour from Xian to Urumqi
Tour Overview
This 12-day Silk Road small group tour takes you from Xi’an to Urumqi and showcases the natural and cultural treasures of the ancient Silk Road westward towards Urumqi. See Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, marvel at Jiayuguan Pass, and explore the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang. Be amazed by the natural wonders at the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye and the Heavenly Lake near Urumqi.
Engage yourself as you experience Tibetan Buddhist culture at the Labrang Temple and night markets. This small group journey combines history, art, and landscapes. Ideal for adventurous travelers looking for a meaningful cultural adventure in diverse settings.
Highlights of this tour
- Face-to-face with the life-size Terracotta Warriors.
- Shoot the colorful Danxia landforms at Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area.
- Admire centuries-old Buddhist art in Mogao Grottoes.
- Experience the fun of desert at Mingsha Mountain and see the unique Crescent Spring.
- Visit the raw-earth-built Jiaohe Ancient City to glimpse an ancient civilization.
- Breathe in fresh mountain air and enjoy beautiful scenery of the Heavenly Lake.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Xian-Lanzhou-Xiahe-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi
Travel Length: 12 Days and 11 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Culture & history explorers
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-2 Xian Tour
Take a guided tour to visit several landmarks of Xian – the Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and the Terracotta Warriors. Also, take a walk around the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square. Then take a high-speed train to Lanzhou for a stroll along the Yellow River Custom Tourist Line.
Day 3-4 Lanzhou Side Tour
Enjoy a side tour to visit Bingling Temple, a series of Buddhist grottoes. Continue to Xiahe to explore Tibetan Buddhist Labrang Monastery and the scenic Sangke Grassland.
Day 5-7 Zhangye and Jiayuguan
Spend 3 days exploring the best parts of the two cities from Mati Temple, Giant Buddha Temple, and Rainbow Mounatins to Jiayuguan Fort, Overhanging Great Wall, and Weijin Tombs.
Day 8-9 Dunhuang Tour
Experience desert activities like camel rides or sand buggies in Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. Explore the vibrant Shazhou Night Market in the evening. Last, visit the Mogao Grottoes to learn about the region’s history and culture. After that, take a bullet train to Turpan.
Day 10-12 Turpan & Urumqi Tour
One full day exploration of the highlights of Turpan: Sugong Pagoda, Tuyogou Valley, Karez Well, and Jiaohe Ruins. After that, drive to visit the beautiful Heavenly Lake (with optional boat trip), crimson-hued Hongshan Park, and the lively Erdaoqiao International Bazaar.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Xi’an Arrival
Explore the City Landmarks of Xian
Hello! Welcome to our carefully designed Silk Road group tour in China of 12 days! Xi’an is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Upon your arrival (please land before 3 pm), your tour guide and driver will directly send you to the city center for visiting the Ancient City Wall.
It is one of China’s best-preserved ancient city walls, about 14 kilometers in length. The city wall was built upon the site of the Tang Dynasty imperial city, with a system of facilities such as a moat and turrets. On climbing up to the wall, you have a bird’s eye view of the city. If you would like to, you can take bikes for touring (optional, at your own expense).
Later, transfer to the symbol of this ancient capital, Bell and Drum Tower Square, which is located in the very center of the city. Nearby is the Muslim Quarter. You can taste some famous Xi’an snacks here, such as Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, Rou Jia Mo, Liang Pi, Biangbiang Noodles, etc. In case of need, your guide can recommend some nice restaurants which are very popular among local people.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Xian
Day 2 Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
Marvel at the Thousands of Life-sized Clay Soldiers
In the morning, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and then we drive for an hour to Lintong District where you will be guided to visit the world-famous Terracotta Army. It is the first emperor’s the Mausoleum burial pit, renowned as the eighth wonder of the world. Over thousands of the clay soldiers have been excavated here, and each one has its own and expressive face. Stay with your knowledgeable guide and spend 2.5 hours mainly discovering Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3, the largest of which is Pit 1. You can learn about its history of construction.
After lunch, be sent to the train station for a 3-hour high-speed train to Lanzhou. Upon your arrival, the local English-speaking guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
After a short rest, take a stroll along the Yellow River Custom Tourist Line – known as the “Bund of Lanzhou”. You can see a series of culture-related attractions such as the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Waterwheel Garden, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Hill, etc.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Xian
Day 3 Drive from Lanzhou to Xiahe
Visit an Exclusive Grotto Reached by Speedboat
After breakfast, you will be taken to visit an exclusive grotto. Situated upstream of the Liujiaxia Reservoir, Bingling Temple is constructed on a 2-kilometer-long red sandstone cliff. You will access the scenic site via speedboat. Bingling Grottoes is over 1,600 years old and spans different dynasties including Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui and Tang. With a complete explanation, your guide will bring you to visit colorful sculptures and painting art.
Tips:
Extra costs apply for access to Bingling Temple’s special cave sites.
The temple sits in an isolated mountain region, accessible only by boat through Liu Jia Gorge Dam.
After the visit, we will drive to Xiahe for an overnight stay.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 4 Xiahe’s Highlights, Back to Lanzhou
Walk the World’s Longest Prayer Wheel Corridor
Your Xiahe tour begins with Labrang Monastery, which is one of the six great monasteries of the Tibetan Buddhist Gelug School. The monastery has the longest prayer wheel corridor in the world. Feast your eyes with the mix of Tibetan and Chinese architecture here, among which its Main Assembly Hall is particularly majestic. If it’s summer season, you shall get beautiful scenes of surrounding mountain landscapes and sparkling lakes.
Explore the Sangke Grassland after lunch. On the rolling meadows framed by tall mountains are yaks and sheep grazing among colorful wildflowers. Drive back to Lanzhou for a good rest.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 5 Lanzhou to Zhangye by High-speed Train
Climb Up Narrow Passages to See Buddha Figures and Qilian Mountains
Say goodbye to Lanzhou and pack all your belongings. Check out and then head to the railway station for a high-speed train to Zhangye.
In the afternoon, your guide will lead you to Mati Temple. It’s a large grotto complex, more than 1,600 years old. Legend had it that there was a supernatural horse which quaffed water here and marked its hoof. Mati (Horse Hoof) Temple is so-named after it. The Thirty-three Heaven Grottoes and the Thousand Buddha Caves are not-to-be-missed sights. The tourists are required to climb up some narrow passages, which will be fun, and at the top, there will be an impressive view over the Qilian Mountains.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 6 Landmarks in Zhangye
Catch the Amazing Danxia Landforms at Sunset
This morning will be spent with a visit to Zhangye landmark – the Giant Buddha Temple. The temple has been commonly named the ”Temple of the Reclining Buddha” since it houses the country’s largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statue measuring 34.5 meters in length. You can browse for scarce Buddhist scriptures and murals, with the added knowledge of receiving smart explanations from your guide on the religious significance of them.
In the afternoon, depart for Zhangye Danxia National Geopark to visit the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area. Four observation decks offer great views of the colorful Danxia landforms, where fiery red, creamy orange, and bright yellow sandstone ridges resemble “an over-turned palette from heaven”. The colors of the mountains are particularly vibrant at sunset (7:30 pm in summer / 6 pm in winter).
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 7 Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Appreciate the Vividly Colored Brick Murals
Today’s group tour continues with a 2.5-hour car ride to Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan Pass, the western point of the Ming Great Wall, is celebrated as the ”First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”. This rammed-earth fortress features majestic structures like the Arrow Tower, Enemy Tower, and Corner Tower. You can get a panoramic view of the surrounding desert landscapes both inside and beyond its gates. Walk along the battlements to admire its strategic military architecture and glimpse its history.
Afterward, move to the Overhanging Great Wall. Built along the mountainside, it seems like a dragon hanging from a cliff. It is easy to hike along the steep steps. There are remains of old relics, some towers and city walls.
The last stop today is the Weijin Tombs, the “world’s largest underground gallery”. The area is dotted with ancient tombs from the Wei and Jin dynasties (220–420 AD), renowned for their vividly colored brick murals. These intricate artworks depict lively scenes of daily life, including farming, musical performances, and dances. Your guide will highlight key murals, explaining their historical significance and artistic details.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 8 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
Have Fun at the Desert with Various Activities
After breakfast, drive for about 4 hours to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, have lunch and check in at the local hotel for a rest.
In the afternoon, explore the interesting Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, where golden dunes encircle a tranquil spring. This is rarely breathtaking desert landscape. Visitors can ride camels across the undulating sands, or pay extra on site for more thrilling activities like desert off-roading. The sand sliding is free and just enjoy yourself. At sunset, the dunes glow in vibrant orange-red hues, mirrored in the spring water, which is a photographer’s moment.
As night falls, immerse yourself in Shazhou Night Market for tasting the grilled lamb skewers, steamed buns, Apricot Peel Water, and buy as you like handcrafted souvenirs under lantern-lit stalls.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 9 Dunhuang to Turpan by Bullet Train
Admire the Silk Road Buddhist Art at Mogao Caves
Today’s highlight takes you to the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves, a jewel of Silk Road Buddhist art. Excavated between the 4th-14th centuries, this 1,000-year-old complex has 735 caves, 45,000㎡ of murals, and 2,400+ sculptures. Follow your guide to explore the major distinct zone: the southern caves. The northern region is characterized by monk dormitories with adobe beds and lamp niches, which are temporarily closed to the public.
After lunch, drive to Liuyuan Train Station to hop on the afternoon high-speed train to Turpan. Upon arrival, the local driver is waiting for you at the exit gate. Then escort you to the local hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 10 Turpan Exploration
Understand Ancient Water Irrigation, Visit the Best Preserved Earth City
In the morning, first be guided to explore the Karez Wells, an irrigation marvel that demonstrates ancient ingenuity in water management. Next, admire the Sugong Pagoda, 44 meters tall, the largest existing ancient pagoda in Xinjiang. It is conical in shape and covered with geometric decorations.
Then drive eastward for an hour to Tuyugou Valley – one of the most popular attractions in Turpan. Follow your guide to Uyghur village, tracing its origins back 1700 years ago. Remarkably, this place maintains intact Uyghur customs: daily communication in their minority language, donkey-drawn carts for transportation…
Before driving to Urumqi aera, visit the world’s largest, oldest, and best preserved earth city, the Jiaohe Ruins. This city was founded from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century BC and reached its peak during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and Tang Dynasty.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: near the Heavenly Lake
Day 11 Heavenly Lake to Urumqi
Enjoy the Beauty of the Highland Lake and Visit International Bazaar
After breakfast, pack your belongings and head to the must-see attraction on a Xinjiang tour – Tian Chi, aka the Heavenly Lake.
Board the shuttle bus for a 35-minute transfer to the edge of Tianchi. Upon arrival, enjoy the pristine alpine landscape when you stroll along the crystal waters and breathe in the fresh mountain air. If you want a unique perspective, you can pay on sit for a leisurely cruise. Get a close-up view of the surrounding forests and snow mountains. Your guide will also share with you the legendary tale of the Heavenly Lake – once the bathing pool of the Queen Mother of the West.
Go back to Urumqi city and visit the Hongshan Park (Red Hill Park), where the crimson-hued hills formed by purple glutenite are a striking landmark. Ascend to the Red Mountain Pagoda for sweeping views of Urumqi city and distant mountain ranges.
Continuing on to the famous Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar, the ‘Window of Central Asia’. Here, you’ll admire Islamic architecture, sample local specialty food and enjoy Uyghur street dance performances.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 12 Departure from Urumqi
Enjoy your leisure morning in Urumqi till your driver escorts you to airport for your flight departing Urumqi. Safe travels! This is the end of your 12-day Silk Road China Trip!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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