--- title: "Silk Road Highlights: 10 Days from Xi'an to Kashgar" description: "Dunhuang, Urumqi, and Kashgar exploration" type: "tour" route_id: "dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar" total_days: 10 price: 4160 highlights: ["Xi'an", "Jiayuguan", "Dunhuang", "Turpan", "Kashgar", "Urumqi"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar" locale: "de-DE" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar"} --- # Silk Road Highlights: 10 Days from Xi'an to Kashgar Dunhuang, Urumqi, and Kashgar exploration ## Summary - Route ID: dunhuang-urumqi-kashgar - Duration: 10 days / 9 nights - Starting price: $4,160 - Group size: 8 travelers - Status: active - Highlights: Xi'an, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar, Urumqi ## Hero tags - Private - Tailor-made ## Selling points - Travel the actual east-to-west arc of the ancient Silk Road, from Xi'an's Tang-dynasty starting point to Kashgar's Sunday Bazaar — the same trade corridor that once linked Chang'an to Rome. - Walk the Great Wall's lonely western terminus at Jiayuguan Pass, where rammed-earth ramparts meet the Gobi Desert — most travellers only know the eastern Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling. - See both Mogao and Yulin Caves in Dunhuang — Mogao for its 1,000-year UNESCO Buddhist canon, Yulin for the better-preserved frescoes the public rarely reaches. - Stand inside Gaochang City Ruins, an oasis trade hub 300 years older than Pompeii, and walk the underground Karez irrigation channels rated alongside the Great Wall as one of ancient China's three great public works. - Witness Kashgar's Sunday Livestock Bazaar — Central Asia's largest market — where locals still trade goats, camels, hand-knotted carpets and spices the way Persian merchants did a thousand years ago. ## City highlights - Kashgar (1 days): 喀什 - Turpan (1 days): 吐鲁番 - Xi'an (3 days): 西安 - Jiayuguan (2 days): 嘉峪关 - Dunhuang (2 days): 敦煌 - Urumqi (1 days): 乌鲁木齐 ## Itinerary ### Tang Dynasty Capital & Silk Road Beginnings - 3 days 3 Days · Where the Ancient Trade Corridor Began #### Xi'an (3 days) - Subtitle: 西安 - Recommendation: Xi'an is the trip's eastern anchor — not just home to the Terracotta Warriors, but the Tang-dynasty Chang'an from which Silk Road caravans actually departed for the western territories. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Xi'an arrival, Ming city wall, Terracotta Warriors, bronze chariot hall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter food crawl, and the westbound train or flight toward Jiayuguan. **The Flexible Part** [Big Wild Goose Pagoda]{#E93C10} matters here because it links Xuanzang's Buddhist journey to the same road this itinerary follows west. City-wall cycling can be active or skipped. **The Route Role** Xi'an gives the Silk Road short route its eastern anchor. The warriors show imperial scale, while pagoda history and Hui food make the road's religious and trade layers visible. **Good to Know** Keep arrival day unhurried. The city wall is exposed in summer, and the Muslim Quarter is best treated as a guided tasting walk rather than a formal dinner. ### The Great Wall's Western End & Buddhist Grottoes - 4 days 4 Days · Gobi Forts and UNESCO Caves #### Jiayuguan (2 days) - Subtitle: 嘉峪关 - Recommendation: Jiayuguan and Dunhuang form the Hexi Corridor's defensive and spiritual core — the lonely western Wall meets the world's most important Buddhist grotto network within a single five-hour desert drive. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Jiayu Pass, rammed-earth ramparts, Gobi watchtower views, First Pier of the Great Wall, Overhanging Wall, and the desert road transfer toward Dunhuang. **The Flexible Part** [Jiayu Pass]{#E93C10} is the essential defensive stop. First Pier and Overhanging Wall add drama if weather and timing allow. **The Route Role** Jiayuguan is where the Wall feels lonely and frontier-facing. It turns the Silk Road from city history into desert geography before the Buddhist cave chapter begins. **Good to Know** The transfer to Dunhuang is long and open. Bring water, sun protection, and a wind layer; the Gobi can feel harsh even outside peak summer. #### Dunhuang (2 days) - Subtitle: 敦煌 - Recommendation: Jiayuguan and Dunhuang form the Hexi Corridor's defensive and spiritual core — the lonely western Wall meets the world's most important Buddhist grotto network within a single five-hour desert drive. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Mogao Caves, Tang-era Maitreya carving, Singing Sand Dunes, Crescent Moon Spring, optional camel ride, and Yulin Caves as a quieter companion site. **The Flexible Part** [Mogao Caves]{#E93C10} are the cultural heart. Yulin Caves are worth adding for travelers who want more mural depth with fewer crowds. **The Route Role** Dunhuang is the spiritual core of this corridor route. Cave temples, desert dunes, and oasis water make the meeting of faith, trade, and survival easy to grasp. **Good to Know** Photography is forbidden inside protected caves. Save dune activity for golden hour when heat drops and the Crescent Moon Spring landscape is more atmospheric. ### Oasis Archaeology & Underground Engineering - 1 days 2 Days · Ruins Older Than Pompeii #### Turpan (1 days) - Subtitle: 吐鲁番 - Recommendation: Turpan is the Silk Road's archaeological crown jewel — Gaochang's leaf-shaped ruined city, Bezeklik's cliff-cut Buddhist caves, and the 2,000-year underground irrigation that turns desert into vineyards. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Gaochang City Ruins, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Flaming Mountains, Emin Minaret, Karez irrigation, vineyards, and Uyghur courtyard life. **The Flexible Part** [Gaochang City Ruins]{#E93C10} give the clearest oasis-city scale; Bezeklik adds the cliff-cut Buddhist art layer. The order should follow heat and light. **The Route Role** Turpan explains how a desert basin became livable. Ruined cities, underground water, grape trellises, and mud-brick architecture show the Silk Road as infrastructure, not just romance. **Good to Know** Turpan can be extremely hot. Visit exposed ruins early, keep water visible, and expect the Karez tunnels to feel cooler than the surface. ### Uyghur Heartland & Central Asian Crossroads - 2 days 4 Days · Sunday Bazaar and Heavenly Lake #### Kashgar (1 days) - Subtitle: 喀什 - Recommendation: Kashgar and Urumqi are the Uyghur cultural climax — Central Asia's largest weekly market, the holiest mosque in Xinjiang, and an alpine lake counterpoint to the desert. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb, Kashgar Old Town, Sunday Bazaar, livestock trading, carpets, doppa hats, silk rolls, and the flight back toward Urumqi. **The Flexible Part** [Sunday Bazaar]{#E93C10} is the strongest cultural moment if the route lands on the right day. Old Town craft lanes carry the visit on other days. **The Route Role** Kashgar is the Uyghur and Central Asian climax. Mosque life, mausoleum history, market bargaining, and mud-brick alleys complete the westward movement. **Good to Know** The livestock market is early and Sunday-specific. Dress respectfully near religious sites and leave time for airport checks before the Urumqi flight. #### Urumqi (1 days) - Subtitle: 乌鲁木齐 - Recommendation: Kashgar and Urumqi are the Uyghur cultural climax — Central Asia's largest weekly market, the holiest mosque in Xinjiang, and an alpine lake counterpoint to the desert. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Return from Kashgar, Heavenly Lake at Tianchi, Bogda Peak views, Kazakh yurt lunch when available, and departure from Urumqi. **The Flexible Part** [Heavenly Lake]{#E93C10} is the alpine counterpoint to desert Xinjiang. Market or museum time can be added if flight timing leaves room. **The Route Role** Urumqi closes the route with a different Xinjiang landscape: mountain water, snow peaks, Kazakh traditions, and the practical hub for departure. **Good to Know** Tianchi sits around 1,900 metres and weather can change quickly. Carry a layer and keep the final transfer plan conservative around flights. ## Service workflow From your first question to your safe return home — the expertise of seasoned locals, offered on your terms. Ready when you need us. Silent when you don't. - Pre-Trip Prep: Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - Itinerary Planning: An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - Booking Services: Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - On-Trip Experience: Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Free Expert Chat ($0): Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - 1:1 Local Advisor - Pre-trip Q&A - Authentic Local Info - Traveler's Toolkit ($0): Everything a seasoned traveler needs for China — curated by locals. - Essential Apps (pre-configured) - Payment & SIM Setup Guide - Pocket Phrase Cards - Pro Roadmap ($99): An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - 1:1 Video Call with a planner - Transit, dining & timing tips - Ready-to-follow roadmap - All-Inclusive Booking (Custom): Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - Hotels & Transit Booking - VIP Attraction Access - Visa Invitation Letter - On-Trip Concierge ($199): Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Real-time Translation - Emergency Rescheduling - Ride & Dining Assist ## Concierge - Name: [object Object] - Title: [object Object] - Tagline: [object Object] - Bio: [object Object] - Languages: English, 中文 ### Trust signals - Bilingual route design - Hotel and host coordination - No-obligation first call ### Included support - Before you book: {'en-US': 'Route pacing review', 'en-GB': 'Route pacing review', 'zh-CN': '路线节奏审查', 'de-DE': 'Routen-Tempo-Überprüfung', 'fr-FR': "Examen du rythme de l'itinéraire", 'es-ES': 'Revisión del ritmo de la ruta', 'it-IT': 'Revisione del ritmo del percorso'}; {'en-US': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'en-GB': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'zh-CN': '酒店等级与房型匹配', 'de-DE': 'Abstimmung von Hotelkategorie und Zimmerstil', 'fr-FR': "Correspondance entre la catégorie d'hôtel et le style de chambre", 'es-ES': 'Emparejamiento de categoría de hotel y estilo de habitación', 'it-IT': 'Abbinamento tra categoria alberghiera e stile della camera'}; {'en-US': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'en-GB': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'zh-CN': '私人接送和导游选项', 'de-DE': 'Private Transfer- und Führungsoptionen', 'fr-FR': 'Options de transfert privé et de guide', 'es-ES': 'Opciones de traslado privado y guía', 'it-IT': 'Opzioni di trasferimento privato e guida'} - On the road: {'en-US': 'Daily bilingual support', 'en-GB': 'Daily bilingual support', 'zh-CN': '每日双语支持', 'de-DE': 'Tägliche zweisprachige Unterstützung', 'fr-FR': 'Assistance bilingue quotidienne', 'es-ES': 'Asistencia bilingüe diaria', 'it-IT': 'Supporto bilingue quotidiano'}; {'en-US': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'en-GB': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'zh-CN': '餐厅及时间调整', 'de-DE': 'Anpassungen von Restaurant und Öffnungszeiten', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications du restaurant et des horaires', 'es-ES': 'Ajustes de restaurante y horarios', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche di ristorante e orari'}; {'en-US': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'en-GB': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'zh-CN': '天气感知计划变更', 'de-DE': 'Wetterabhängige Planänderungen', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications de plan en fonction de la météo', 'es-ES': 'Cambios de plan según el clima', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche del piano in base al meteo'} ## Hotels - Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an, xi'an, 3 nights: A comfortable serviced-apartment option in Xi'an, suited to travellers who like extra space and a more residential feel. - Jiayuguan Hotel, Jiayuguan, 2 nights: Reliable four-star city-centre hotel, the strongest option in this small Gobi outpost city. - Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang, 2 nights: Four-star desert-style hotel adjacent to Singing Sand Dunes with panoramic dune views from upper rooms. - Turpan Tuha Petroleum Hotel, Turpan, 1 nights: Reliable four-star city-centre hotel with grape-trellis dining courtyard. - Radisson Blu Hotel Kashgar, Kashgar, 1 nights: Five-star international-brand hotel in central Kashgar, the city's strongest accommodation option. - Hilton Urumqi, Urumqi, 1 nights: Five-star tower in the city centre with Tianshan Mountain views from upper-floor rooms. ## Experiences A focused Silk Road route from Xi'an to Dunhuang, Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar. - Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an): The Terracotta Warriors reveal the military scale and funerary ambition of China's first emperor. - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens - Access: Essential Xi'an access to one of China's most recognized archaeological sites. - Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling (Xi'an): Cycling the ancient wall gives travelers a relaxed way to see Xi'an's historic urban layout. - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens - Access: Active heritage experience on one of China's best-preserved city walls. - Mogao Grottoes (Dunhuang): Mogao Grottoes preserve murals sculptures and cave temples from Dunhuang's Silk Road past. - Host: Dunhuang, Dunhuang Lens - Access: A core Silk Road art experience with exceptional historical depth. - Singing Sand Dunes (Dunhuang): Singing Sand Dunes bring travelers into the desert setting that shaped Dunhuang's Silk Road identity. - Host: Dunhuang, Dunhuang Lens - Access: A scenic desert moment often paired with oasis and cave culture. - Id Kah Mosque (Kashgar): Id Kah Mosque is one of Kashgar's most important religious and cultural landmarks. - Host: Kashgar, Kashgar Lens - Access: A central stop for understanding Kashgar's Islamic cultural identity. - Kashgar Sunday Bazaar (Kashgar): Kashgar Sunday Bazaar brings together trading energy local goods and regional daily life. - Host: Kashgar, Kashgar Lens - Access: A lively market moment that captures Silk Road commercial atmosphere. - Kashgar Old Town (Kashgar): Kashgar Old Town offers lanes courtyards crafts and a strong sense of Uyghur urban culture. - Host: Kashgar, Kashgar Lens - Access: A textured old-city experience in one of China's most distinctive western cities. - Heavenly Lake (Urumqi): Heavenly Lake adds alpine scenery and a cooler mountain landscape to the Xinjiang route. - Host: Urumqi, Urumqi Lens - Access: A scenic natural contrast after desert and old-town experiences. - Xinjiang Regional Museum (Urumqi): Xinjiang Regional Museum gives context to the region's cultures archaeology and Silk Road connections. - Host: Urumqi, Urumqi Lens - Access: A useful cultural foundation for understanding Xinjiang's diversity. ## China ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler. ## Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 4.9 / 5 - Emily Carter: Perfect for couples - My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all. - Claire Brooks: Great for families - Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip. - Laura Bennett: Alisa made the whole experience easy - Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights. - Mark Henderson: Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly - Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless. - Rebecca Miller: Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## FAQ ### What's included in the price? Hotels, domestic transport, guided experiences, most meals, entrance fees, and your Travel Designer support. International flights are optional. ### Can I customize this itinerary? Absolutely. Every detail — dates, pace, hotels, experiences — can be customized to your preferences. ### How many people are in a group? Max 12 travelers for our small group. Custom private trips can be as small as 2 people. ### Do I need a visa for China? Most Western passport holders need a tourist visa. We provide visa invitation letters for All-Inclusive bookings. ### Is China safe for Western travelers? Extremely safe. Violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent. Our concierge provides 24/7 support. ### What about the language barrier? All guides speak English. Your itinerary includes translation cards and On-Trip Concierge provides real-time translation. ### How far in advance should I book? 3–6 months ahead for peak seasons (April–May, September–October). ### What if I need to cancel? Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Rescheduling is flexible.