16-Day Silk Road by Rails: from Beijing to Kashgar
Trip Introduction
Imagine a journey where the romance of the rails meets the mystique of the ancient Silk Road. This is precisely the experience we offer: a seamless voyage from Beijing to Kashgar, connecting the heart of imperial China with the crossroads of Central Asia.
Traveling mainly by swift, comfortable trains—with a single, evocative night in a sleeper carriage—you'll witness China's dramatic transformation outside your window. Each city on this route is a pearl on the Silk Road string: Xi'an's ancient army, Dunhuang's desert caves, Turpan's grape valley, and finally, the unforgettable Sunday market in Kashgar. This journey is a time tunnel, offering a profound connection to history in a travel style that is both authentic and perfectly suited for the curious traveler.
Traveling mainly by swift, comfortable trains—with a single, evocative night in a sleeper carriage—you'll witness China's dramatic transformation outside your window. Each city on this route is a pearl on the Silk Road string: Xi'an's ancient army, Dunhuang's desert caves, Turpan's grape valley, and finally, the unforgettable Sunday market in Kashgar. This journey is a time tunnel, offering a profound connection to history in a travel style that is both authentic and perfectly suited for the curious traveler.
Trip code: CBT251601
Itinerary
🥢 Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: beijing arrival (D)
Meet upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy a three-night stay in Beijing.Welcome dinner: Peking Duck
Day 2: Beijing city tour (B)
Enjoy a full-day Beijing city tour, starting with a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven, once frequented by Ming and Qing emperors for annual prayers. Explore the Grand Forbidden City, built by Emperor Yongle in the 15th century, and marvel at its vastness and historical significance. Then, discover Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square, home to iconic landmarks such as Tiananmen Tower and the Great Hall of the People. Finally, stroll around Lake Houhai and its charming Hutong alleys.
Highlights: Temple of Heaven, The Grand Forbidden City, Tiananmen square, Lake Houhai
Highlights: Temple of Heaven, The Grand Forbidden City, Tiananmen square, Lake Houhai
Day 3: Summer palace & the great wall (B)
Begin your morning with a visit to the Summer Palace, an imperial park steeped in history and set against the scenic Kunming Lake. Later, explore the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall, known for its unique, indestructible structure winding through lofty mountains. After your climb, enjoy a thrilling slide or cable car ride down the hill.
Highlights: Summer Palace, The Great Wall
Highlights: Summer Palace, The Great Wall
Day 4: xian arrival (B)
Take the morning high-speed train to Xian. Upon arrival, meet and greet before exploring the Ancient City Wall, the most intact ancient Chinese wall, and a landmark of Xian. Encircling and protecting the ancient part of the city, this six-hundred-year-old structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a bicycle ride along the wall for a unique perspective.
Next, visit the Xian Great Mosque and its vibrant bazaar. Built in a Chinese architectural style, the mosque remains an active place of worship with beautiful gardens. Explore the bustling bazaar at the mosque's entrance, offering an array of fascinating sights and sounds.
Afterward, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy a two-night stay in Xian.
Highlights: The Ancient City Wall, Xian Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter
Highlights: The Ancient City Wall, Xian Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter
Day 5: xian tour (B)
Depart from the hotel and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of Xi'an city built in AD 652. Standing at 212 feet (64.5 m) tall, it was constructed to house Buddhist scriptures collected by Xuan Zang after his epic journey to India and back.Next, drive approximately 40 km (1 hour) to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, the highlight of today's tour. Discover Emperor Qin Shihuang's vast funeral site, where the life-like terra-cotta army was unearthed in 1974. Though not the emperor's actual tomb, this discovery remains a remarkable testament to ancient China's history and was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Highlights: The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Terra Cotta Warriors Museum
Highlights: The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Terra Cotta Warriors Museum
Day 6: Train to Tianshui & Maijishan Grottoes (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out. Take a morning train to Tianshui (approx. 2 hrs). Visit the Maijishan Grottoes, a remarkable series of Buddhist caves carved into cliffs, featuring over 7,000 statues and frescoes, often called the “Oriental Sculpture Gallery.”Enjoy a one-night stay in Tianshui.
Highlights: Maijishan Grottoes
Highlights: Maijishan Grottoes
Day 7: Train to Lanzhou (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.Travel by high-speed train to Lanzhou (approx. 2 hrs).Gansu Provincial Museum – Famous for its Silk Road relics and the bronze Flying Horse of Gansu.Optional: Taste a bowl of authentic Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodles.Enjoy a one-night stay in Lanzhou.
Highlights: Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodles
Day 8: Train to Zhangye & Danxia Geopark (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.Take a train to Zhangye (approx. 3 hrs). Explore the spectacular Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, where rainbow-colored rock formations create an otherworldly landscape.Enjoy a one-night stay in Zhangye.
Highlights: Danxia Landform Geological Park (Rainbow Mountain)
Highlights: Danxia Landform Geological Park (Rainbow Mountain)
Day 9: Train to Jiayuguan (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Travel to Jiayuguan (approx. 2 hrs).Jiayuguan Fortress – The westernmost stronghold of the Ming Great Wall, known as the “First Pass Under Heaven.” Overhanging Great Wall – Built on a steep ridge, this stretch of wall looks as if it clings to the mountainside.Enjoy a one-night stay in Jiayuguan.
Highlights: Jiayuguan Fortress, Overhaning Great Wall
Day 10: Train to Dunhuang (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out Take a train across the desert to Dunhuang (approx. 4 hrs), once a vital Silk Road trading post. And explore the bustling Shazhou Night Market with its food stalls and local crafts.Enjoy a two-night stay in Dunhuang.
Highlights: Shazhou Night Market
Day 11: Mogao Caves & Yangguan Pass (B)
Hotel breakfast.Full day guided tour to Mogao Caves – A UNESCO World Heritage site, home to stunning Buddhist murals and sculptures spanning a thousand years of history.And explore Yangguan Pass – Once a gateway to the western frontiers of the Han Empire, immortalized in classical Chinese poetry.
Highlights: Mogao Caves
Day 12: Train to Turpan (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out.
Take a train to Turpan from Dunhuang Liuyuan station (approx. 3.5-4 hrs). Board the train across the desert landscape of the Gobi, watching the scenery shift from barren sand flats to distant mountains. By afternoon you’ll arrive in Turpan, a historic oasis that flourished as a Silk Road hub.Enjoy a two-night stay in Turpan.
Highlights: the desert landscape of the Gobi
Day 13: turpan tour (B)
Hotel breakfast
Discover Turpan’s cultural and historical treasures:Jiaohe Ancient City – A well-preserved earthen city, once a Silk Road military stronghold.Karez Irrigation System – Ingenious underground canals that brought water to the desert.Grape Valley – Famous for vineyards and raisins. Experience authentic Uyghur culture through local food and music.
Highlights: Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez Irrigation System, Grape Valley´
Highlights: Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez Irrigation System, Grape Valley´
Day 14: Overnight Train to Kashgar (B)
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Turpan before transferring to the train station for your journey westward.Board a comfortable overnight train and travel west to Kashgar.The overnight train from Turpan to Kashgar (approx. 14-15 hours, 15:55-06:35+1 or similar) is not just a transfer, but an experience in itself — crossing vast stretches of Xinjiang, one of the most remote and diverse regions of China.Enjoy a one-night stay in the overnight train, with soft sleeper.
Highlights: overnight train experience
Highlights: overnight train experience
Day 15: arrive in Kashgar & City Tour (B)
Arrive in Kashgar in the morning around 06:35. Meet upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Start your day with a visit to Kashgar Old Town, a living museum of Uyghur culture and tradition. Wander through its ancient streets, marvel at the historic architecture, and soak in the vibrant energy of bustling markets, where the essence of traditional Uyghur life is beautifully preserved.
Next, explore the iconic Id Kah Great Mosque, Kashgar’s largest and most revered mosque. Admire its stunning Islamic architecture, intricate tilework, and serene courtyards, a testament to the region's deep cultural and religious heritage.Conclude your cultural journey at the Apak Hoja Tomb, an exquisite historical landmark. Known as the resting place of a beloved Qing Dynasty concubine, this site enchants visitors with its intricate architecture, tranquil gardens, and enduring cultural significance.Enjoy a one-night stay in Kashgar.
Highlights: Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Great Mosque, Apak Hoja Tomb
Day 16 – Kashgar Departure (B)
Hotel breakfast and check out. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey or extend your stay to explore the Pamir Plateau or nearby Silk Road heritage sites.
Trip ends!
tour details
tour Duration
16 Days / 15 Nights
size of group
Daily departure, min. 2 (guaranteed)
accommodation
- 15 nights including daily hotel breakfast.
- Choose your preferred category: Comfort, Deluxe, or Boutique
- Incl. 1 night in a sleeper carriage on train
- Featured Meals: 1 Welcome Dinner featuring Peking Duck.
- Happy to arrange more culinary experiences upon request.
Internal transport
- Direct or High-Speed Train: Beijing → Xi'an, Xi'an → Tianshui, Tianshui → Lanzhou, Lanzhou → Zhangye, Zhangye → Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan → Dunhuang, Dunhuang → Turpan
- Choose your preferred ticket category: Standard or first class
- T-Series Express Train：Turpan → Kashgar
- Choose your preferred ticket category: hard-sleeper or soft-sleeper
- Transfers: All airport and train station to hotel round-trip transfers by private vehicle.
sightseeing
- All mentioned tours, excursions, and bike ride on Xian Ancient City Wall.
- Includes: All first-entry admission tickets to sights.
- Guide Service: Professional local English-speaking guide service in each city.
- Spanish, Italian, and German-speaking guides available upon request (may require an additional fee).
TRAVEL MOMENTS
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Planning Your Silk Road Rail Journey
What to Bring
The route passes through arid deserts and mountainous areas with significant temperature swings between day and night. Essential items include:
Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and lip balm.
Layered clothing: Warm layers for cool nights and air-conditioned trains, and loose, cotton clothes for the day.
Comfortable walking shoes: You'll be exploring ancient cities and natural sites.
Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated in the dry climate is crucial.
Cultural Considerations
As you travel into Xinjiang, where the primary belief system is Islam, it's important to be respectful. When visiting mosques or religious sites, women should wear long-sleeved clothing. It's also advised to avoid discussions on sensitive topics like religion and politics.
Best Time To Travel
The most pleasant weather for this trip is from May to October. Late spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures, while summer can be hot but dry. The winter months have fewer tourists and beautiful snowscapes, especially in Xinjiang, but be prepared for very cold conditions.
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