DAY 01Xi’an
Terracotta legions & Tang elegance
Monumental history, old-city lanes and an evening of Tang ritual.
Silk Road · 11 days / 10 nightsSilk Road Songs:
Silk Road Songs:
Chang’an breezes to the Taklamakan’s whisper.
An overland passage through imperial walls, painted caves, oasis bazaars and the hush of endless sand.
Xi’anHotan
The journeyA road of empires,
A road of empires,
oases and open horizons.
Travel from Xi’an’s imperial foundations to Kashgar’s living bazaars and the dune-lined edge of the Taklamakan. The rhythm moves between monumental history and intimate daily life.
- Duration
- 11 days
- Route
- 7 stops
- Style
- Private journey
- Best season
- Apr–Oct
Why this journeyThe Silk Road,
The Silk Road,
still alive.
- UNESCO icons
- Desert crossings
- Living oasis culture
- Atmospheric stays
The complete itineraryEleven days,
Eleven days,
one continuous road west.
Follow one clear timeline from imperial Xi’an to Hotan. Each day pairs its place, story, meals and overnight stay.
DAY 02Xi’an → Jiayuguan
City walls, Hui quarter & flight west
Walk the Muslim Quarter and city walls before flying toward the far west.
DAY 03Jiayuguan → Dunhuang
Gate of the West
Explore the western Great Wall, then cross the open Gobi toward Dunhuang.
DAY 04Dunhuang → Turpan
Dunes, Crescent Lake & Mogao Caves
Move from desert tracks to painted caves, then board the night train.
DAY 05Turpan
Grape Valley, Flaming Mountains & Tuyuk
Enter a below-sea-level oasis of vine shade, red earth and village life.
DAY 06Turpan
Karez tunnels & Jiaohe citadel
Follow ancient water channels and walk the preserved earthen city.
DAY 07Turpan → Urumqi → Kashgar
Across the wind farms to Kashgar
Travel overland and by air toward the living crossroads of the west.
DAY 08Kashgar
Sunday bazaar & family table
Meet the city through its market, makers and a generous local lunch.
DAY 09Kashgar → Yengisar → Yarkand
Southern Silk Road
Leave Kashgar through knife-making country and old royal lanes.
DAY 10Yarkand → Hotan
Edge of the Taklamakan
Follow poplar-lined dunes toward Hotan’s silk, carpet and jade traditions.
DAY 11Hotan → Urumqi
Journey’s end
A quiet morning before the flight north and onward connections.
What is includedEverything essential,
Everything essential,
with room for discovery.
Private transport · 10 nights · Domestic flights · Overnight soft-sleeper train · Admissions · Cultural experiences · English-speaking guide