Itinerary
- Day 1
Xi'an
You'll arrive in Xi'an and get picked up for the transfer to your hotel. Once you settle in, it's a good time to rest and prepare for the next few days ahead.
- Start point
- Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) 西安咸阳国际机场, Airport Rd 空港大道, Xianyang Shi, Shaanxi 712000, China (Arrival exit)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Xi‘an South Gate City Wall)
- Day 2
Xi'an
Start the morning checking out the Terracotta Warriors, which takes several hours to properly see. After lunch, head to Xi'an's city wall for a walk around it, then spend some time in the Muslim Quarter where you can wander the narrow streets and grab food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hampton by Hilton Xi‘an South Gate City Wall)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Warriors
- Explore Xi'an City Wall
- Walk through Muslim Quarter
Landmarks Terracotta Warriors Xi'an City Wall Muslim Quarter - Day 3
Xi'an to Zhangye
Get to Xi'an Airport and fly to Zhangye, where you'll be transferred to your hotel. If there's daylight left, you can visit Dafo Temple before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xi Yu International Hotel Zhangye)
Included Activities
- Visit Dafo Temple (if time permits)
Landmarks Dafo Temple - Day 4
Zhangye to Jiayuguan
The morning takes you to the Rainbow Danxia rock formations, which have incredible colored layers and striated patterns. From there, it's about a 2.5 hour drive to Jiayuguan where you'll see the fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site that's one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jiayuguan Kaitong Building)
Included Activities
- Visit Rainbow Danxia
- Visit Jiayuguan Fortress
Landmarks Rainbow Danxia Jiayuguan Fortress - Day 5
Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
Drive 5 hours this morning to reach Dunhuang. By afternoon you're at Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring, where you can ride a camel if you want. Later that evening, head into the night market to walk around and try different local food stalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dunhuang Zhongzhou International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Singing Sand Dunes
- Visit Crescent Moon Spring
- Camel ride in desert
- Explore night market
Landmarks Singing Sand Dunes Crescent Moon Spring 
- Day 6
Dunhuang to Turpan
Visit Mogao Caves in the morning, checking out the Silk Road frescoes and Buddha statues inside the caves. In the afternoon, take a 3-hour bullet train to Turpan, then get transferred to your hotel from there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Joyce Coffetel), Hotel (Metropolo Jin Jiang Hotels Turpan)
Included Activities
- Visit Mogao Caves
Landmarks Mogao Caves - Day 7
Turpan
Spend the day exploring the Turpan Basin and various Silk Road sites. You'll see Bezklik Grottos, walk through the ruins of ancient Jiaohe and Gaochang cities, check out the Karez Irrigation System, and stop by Sugong Minaret with its striking red brick design.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Joyce Coffetel), Hotel (Metropolo Jin Jiang Hotels Turpan)
Included Activities
- Visit Bezklik Grottos
- Visit Ancient City of Jiaohe
- Visit Gaochang
- Visit Karez Irrigation System
- Visit Sugong Minaret
Landmarks Bezklik Grottos Ancient City of Jiaohe Gaochang Sugong Minaret 
- Day 8
Turpan to Urumqi
Drive 4 hours to reach Heavenly Lake, a high-mountain lake near Urumqi with nice scenery around it. After spending time there, head to your hotel in Urumqi to check in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Atour Hotel Urumqi Minzhu Road)
Included Activities
- Visit Heavenly Lake
Landmarks Heavenly Lake - Day 9
Urumqi to Kashgar
Fly to Kashgar and work with a local guide to explore Apa Hojia Tomb and Idkar Mosque. Then wander through the old town and have a traditional Uyghur lunch to get a feel for local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Uyghur lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Green Oriental Hotel (Kashgar Ancient City Scenic Area))
Included Activities
- Visit Apa Hojia Tomb
- Visit Idkar Mosque
- Explore old town of Kashgar
Landmarks Apa Hojia Tomb Idkar Mosque 
- Day 10
Kashgar
Head to the airport this morning for your flight home, wrapping up your Silk Road journey.
- End point
- Kashgar Airport / 喀什机场, 迎宾大道, Kashi Diqu, Xinjiang, China (Main entrance)
- Meals
- Breakfast
