10 Days Silk Road China Tour by Train
Tour Overview
This Silk Road tour of 10 days takes you on a remarkable journey through China’s ancient wonders, from the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the magnificent Jiayuguan Pass to the stunning Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the ancient Jiaohe Ruins.
Travel by high-speed and overnight trains, immersing yourself in the history and culture of key Silk Road sites like the Statue of Starting Point of Silk Road, Echoing-Sand Mountain, and Karez Well. Last, experience the breathtaking landscapes of Heavenly Lake, all while enjoying comfortable and scenic rail travel.
Highlights of this tour
- Marvel at over 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots at the Terracotta Army.
- Stand on the Ancient City Wall to overlook the vivid cityscape.
- Explore ancient Buddhist caves of Maijishan Grottoes.
- Walk along the westernmost point of the Great Wall.
- Experience the unique desert sound and enjoy camel rides or sand sliding.
- Admire thousands of Buddhist murals and sculptures.
- Discover the ancient Karez Well system and the fiery Flaming Mountain.
- Relax by the stunning alpine Heavenly Lake surrounded by mountains.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Xian-Tianshui-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi
Travel Length: 10 Days and 9 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Culture & history lovers, seniors, families with kids
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-3 Arrival, Xian Tour
Take a guided tour to visit several landmarks – the Ancient City Wall, the Statue of the Starting Point of the Silk Road, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Terracotta Warriors. Finally, take a walk around the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square.
Day 4 High-speed Train to Tianshui, Overnight Train to Jiayuguan
Take a high-speed train to Tianshui to visit the Maijishan Grottoes, one of the most remarkable grottoes along the ancient Silk Road. Then take an overnight train to Jiayuguan City.
Day 5-7 Jiayuguan Tour, High-speed Train to Dunhuang, High-speed Train to Turpan
Visit Jiayuguan Pass and Great Wall Museum before taking a bullet train to Dunhuang. In Dunhuang, explore the highlights including Mingsha Mountain and Mogao Caves. Last, take an overnight train to Jiayuguan.
Day 8 Turpan Tour
Learn about the amazing irrigation system – Karez Well and visit the hottest place in China in summer – Flaming Mountain. Explore an important transportation hub on the Silk Road – Jiaohe Ruins.
Day 9-10 Urumqi Tour, Departure
Enjoy a Urumqi side tour to Heavenly Lake with the optional boat trip.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Xian
Welcome to Xian, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. Upon arrival, the local driver will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore the nearby streets on your own.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Xi’an
Day 2 Xian Landmarks Tour
Visit the Starting Point of the Ancient Silk Route
In the morning, your guided Silk Road tour in Xian transfers you to visit the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved city wall in China which stands 12 meters tall in the center of Xian city. Then we will go to the western part of Xian City to visit the Statue of the Starting Point of the Silk Road.
In the afternoon, drive to visit the landmark of Xian – Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built 1,300 years ago in the Tang Dynasty to keep the Buddhist Sutra brought back to China from ancient India by Master Xuanzang.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Xi’an
Day 3 Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
Amazed at the Life-sized Clay Warriors
Today’s Xian tour will take you to visit the the world’s eighth wonder, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. On the way back to the downtown city, pay a visit to Huaqing Hot Spring, the royal bath pool and you will be introduced to the moving love story between Emperor Xunzhong and his Concubine Lady Yang.
You will spend 2-2.5 hours to explore 3 pits of the museum and marvel at the life-sized clay soldiers and horses. After lunch, go back to the downtown city, and we will take a walk around the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square to have an outlook of the towers.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Xian
Day 4 Xian to Tianshui Tour & To Jiayuguan by Overnight Train
Explore the Buddhist Grottoes in Maijishan
After breakfast, take the early morning bullet train from Xian to Tianshui. Upon your arrival in Tianshui, meet a local driver and guide and drive to visit Maijishan Grottoes, one of the most remarkable grottoes along the ancient Silk Road which can be traced back to the Late Qin Period. In the early afternoon, take an overnight train to Jiayuguan City.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Jiayuguan
Day 5 Jiayuguan Pass Tour
Stroll along the Westernmost Section of the Ming Great Wall
After arriving at Jiayuguan, the local tour guide will pick you up and transfer you for breakfast (at your own expense). Next, we will drive to Jiayuguan Pass, which is the western end of the Ming Great Wall, with a total length of about 60 kilometers. Strolling along the city wall, experience the profound history. The guide will explain more about its historical significance to you. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to visit the Great Wall Museum, the first museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Jiayuguan
Day 6 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour
Experience Activities such as Sand Slide and Camel Riding
In the morning, take the high-speed train to Dunhuang. The local tour guide in Dunhuang will pick you up upon your arrival and start your Silk Road travel in Dunhuang at Mingsha Mountain, which is one of the important attractions on the Silk Road. Its characteristic is that when the wind blows over the sand dunes, the sand makes a sound.
You can experience activities such as sand slide, camel riding, or off-road vehicles here (at an additional cost). In addition, there is a clear Crescent Spring at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, surrounded by sand mountains, forming a unique desert oasis landscape.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 7 Dunhuang to Turpan Tour by High-speed Train
Appreciate Buddhist Grotto Art at Mogao Caves
End your Dunhuang tour with Mogao Caves, one of China’s four most famous caves. There are 735 existing caves in Mogao Grottoes, distributed on cliffs over 1,700 meters long, divided into two zones: north and south. There are 492 caves in the southern area, which preserve a large number of murals and colored sculptures; There are 243 caves in the northern region, mainly used as places for monks to practice and live.
After the visit in the afternoon, transfer you to the train station for a high-speed train to Turpan.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 8 Turpan to Urumqi Tour
Understand Ancient Irrigation System, Visit Well-preserved Earth Town
Arriving in Turpan in the morning and meet your local driver and guide. Start your Turpan tour with the Karez Well – an amazing irrigation system that made Turpan a rich oasis. Next move to Flaming Mountain, the hottest place in China in summer.
Today’s tour ends with the exploration of Jiaohe Ruins, an important transportation hub on the Silk Road, well preserved. It is divided into five parts: residential area, storage area, government office area, temple area, and burial area, showcasing the integration of Central Plains and Western Regions cultures. In 2014, Jiaohe Ruins was included in the The World Heritage List.
After the visit, escort you to Urumqi and check in at the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 9 Heavenly Lake Tour from Urumqi
Relax by Boat on the Beautiful Tianchi Lake
In the morning, pick you up from your hotel and drive to Urumqi to spend your full day at Heavenly Lake and cruise on the lake. You will be totally relaxed whether you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake.
After the Silk Road trip to Heavenly Lake, you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 10 Departure from Urumqi
This morning is free for you and then your driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to next destination at confirmed time. Service of this 10-day Silk Route tour ends here.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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