The Silk Road: China's Most Extraordinary Adventure Tour
Destination Guides • 8 min read
The Silk Road — the ancient network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean — is one of the most extraordinary journeys you can make. Our 16-day Caravans of Time tour traces this legendary route from Urumqi to Xi'an.
The Route
Starting in Urumqi (Xinjiang), the journey heads east through Turpan, the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang's Mogao Caves, Zhangye's Rainbow Mountains, and Jiayuguan — the western end of the Great Wall — before arriving in Xi'an.
Highlights
- Mogao Caves — 1,000 years of Buddhist art in 492 decorated caves
- Rainbow Mountains — geological formations of striped, multicoloured rock
- Crescent Moon Spring — a desert oasis surrounded by singing sand dunes
- Jiayuguan Fort — the first and westernmost pass of the Great Wall
Frequently Asked Questions
How physically demanding is the Silk Road tour?
Moderate. Some days involve long drives through desert landscapes, but walking is generally easy and flat.