- China Escorted Tours
- China Silk Road NEW
For centuries, the iconic Silk Road connected civilisations across Asia and the western world, shaping trade, religion, art, and culture. Journeying through China’s legendary Silk Road cities, enjoy a fascinating insight into the region’s rich heritage, where ancient Buddhist grottoes, desert oasis towns, vibrant traditions, and dramatic natural wonders showcase the enduring legacy of one of the world’s most important trading routes. This extraordinary journey captures the spirit of adventure, discovery, and cultural exchange that defined the ancient Silk Road.
Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Xi’an, gateway to the legendary Silk Road and one of China’s ancient imperial capitals.
On arrival in Xi’an, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and settling into your surroundings before your adventure begins.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, discover one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures: the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army. Often described as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, this extraordinary underground army was created over 2,000 years ago to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant – a delicious introduction to Chinese cuisine. The afternoon is at leisure – you may opt to enjoy an immersive cultural experience at ‘The Longest Day in Changan’, where you can walk through the meticulously-recreated streets of China’s ancient capital, savour regional delicacies, and enjoy captivating music and dance performances. In the evening, watch a captivating Tang Dynasty dance performance which brings imperial China vividly to life.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Take a morning flight to Xiahe. In this Tibetan region, the landscape transforms into vast alpine grasslands, offering a stunning transition from urban scenery to pastoral plateau views. On arrival, visit the magnificent Labrang Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Soak up the profound atmosphere of this sacred spiritual sanctuary as pilgrims spin prayer wheels along the world’s longest Mani prayer wheel corridor, while monks in crimson robes move quietly through the monastery’s ancient halls.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, visit the unmissable Bingling Temple Grottoes, located near the Liujiaxia Dam. This 1600-year-old hidden gem features stunning Buddhist sculptures carved into the natural caves and caverns of the Yellow River canyon. A boat ride across the reservoir brings you up close to the grottoes, offering a unique perspective of the Bingling Temple and its surrounding scenery. After exploring this hidden treasure, continue your drive to Lanzhou, arriving in the late afternoon.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Explore Lanzhou’s famous Hundred-Mile Yellow River Scenic Belt, where the mighty Yellow River flows through the heart of the city. This iconic stretch of water features the Yellow River Mother Sculpture - symbolising the Chinese people's persevering spirit. You’ll also see the historic Zhongshan Bridge, dubbed the "First Bridge over the Yellow River", and the Waterwheel Expo Garden, which showcases ancient irrigation techniques. These landmarks allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s profound historical and cultural heritage. Later, board a high-speed train to Zhangye, an important Silk Road city once frequented by merchants and travellers crossing the Hexi Corridor. Known as ‘Golden Zhangye’, the city is celebrated for its rich history and extraordinary landscapes.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin your day at Zhangye Big Buddha Temple, a historic site showcasing the rich religious and cultural heritage of the region. The temple houses China’s largest indoor reclining clay Buddha, at over 34 metres in length, and is traditionally associated with the birth of Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. This afternoon, visit the spectacular UNESCO-listed Danxia National Geopark. Famous for its breathtaking ‘Rainbow Mountains’, the landscape is a dazzling display of layered reds, golds, oranges, and blues stretching across the horizon — one of China’s most extraordinary natural wonders.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to Jiayuguan, where the Great Wall meets the edge of the desert. Visit the mighty Jiayuguan Pass Tower: known as the ‘First Pass in the West’, this tower sits at the westernmost end of the Great Wall and is a powerful symbol of the riches of the Silk Road. Continue to the dramatic Overhanging Great Wall. An important part of Jiayuguan's military defence system, the structure winds along a steeply sloping mountain ridge, presenting a breathtaking scene and offering sweeping desert views.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A scenic drive across the Gobi Desert brings you to Dunhuang, one of the Silk Road’s most legendary oasis cities. Visit the remarkable Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, where towering sand dunes surround a serene desert oasis. When the wind sweeps across the dunes, the sands produce an eerie musical sound, giving the mountain its nickname of ‘Singing Sand Mountain’.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, explore the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often referred to as the ‘Caves of a Thousand Buddhas’. Carved into desert cliffs over many centuries, the caves contain an astonishing collection of Buddhist art, including over 2,000 painted statues and 45,000 square metres of exquisite murals which reveal the rich cultural exchanges of the Silk Road.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey into the dramatic landscapes of Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, where centuries of wind erosion have sculpted bizarre rock formations rising from the desert floor. Often called ‘Devil City’, the area is famous for the haunting sounds created by winds sweeping through the canyons. This evening, return to Dunhuang city to visit its vibrant night market, a bustling gathering place where local snacks, handicrafts, and souvenirs are sold. As you meander between stalls, you’ll feel truly immersed in the lively nightlife of this flourishing Silk Road city.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your day begins at Dunhuang White Horse Pagoda, located on the southern outskirts of Dunhuang, built in honour of the renowned monk Kumarajiva, who played a key role in spreading Buddhism throughout China. This 12-metre-high pagoda is surrounded by picturesque green fields and holds profound historic significance. Transfer to Liuyuan Station and board a train to Turpan, a journey which mirrors the route of the ancient Silk Road across remote desert landscapes. Arrive in Turpan, a fertile oasis city famed for its vineyards and sweet grapes. Known as the ‘Holy City of Grapes’, the region produces more than 400 varieties and has long been celebrated for its abundance and prosperity.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a morning excursion to Jiaohe Ancient City, once the capital of the ancient Cheshi Kingdom and considered one of the world’s finest examples of preserved earthen architecture. Discover the Jiaohe Karez: meaning ‘well site’, the Karez is an ancient underground irrigation system which, along with the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal, is listed as one of the country’s three great ancient engineering projects. Later, Visit the elegant Su Gong Pagoda, a rare ancient Islamic-style tower constructed in the Qing Dynasty by Su Laiman, son of the Prince of Turpan, to demonstrate his loyalty to the imperial court.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to Korla, known throughout China as ‘Pear City’ due to its abundant production of internationally renowned Fragrant Pears, hailed as the ‘King of Fruits’. En route, stop at Bosten Lake Lotus Sea World, the largest inland freshwater lake in Xinjiang, serving as both the end of the Kaidu River and the source of the Peacock River. Lotus Sea World, a small lake within Bosten, is home to the largest wild water lily population in China. Enjoy time to admire vast wild water lilies, lotuses, and reeds, spot local birdlife, and soak up your picturesque surroundings. Arrive in Korla in the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, arrive in Kuqa, a city which served as a significant stop on the ancient Silk Road, providing a meeting point for Chinese and foreign cultures who have left behind a wealth of cultural relics. Along the way, visit Tarim Poplar Forest Park, home to the world’s largest and best-preserved natural poplar forest. The striking scenery has earned it recognition as one of China’s most beautiful forests. In Kuqa, explore the historic Prince's Mansion and Reksan Cultural Street. Blending Qing Dynasty architecture with Uyghur design influences, the area has evolved into a living museum showcasing Kuqa’s history and ethnic culture. Browse Qing Dynasty artifacts and Republican-era relics, and spend time in a folk experience zone to learn about Uyghur music, dance, and handicrafts.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer to Aksu. During your journey, visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, among the earliest and largest Buddhist grottoes in China. These ancient caves contain beautifully preserved murals and played a vital role in the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road. In the afternoon, discover the dramatic landscapes of Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, where millions of years of natural erosion have created towering cliffs, winding valleys, and vivid rock formations.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey onwards to Kashgar, the legendary ‘Land of Jade’ and one of the Silk Road’s most evocative cities. On arrival, visit the Fragrant Concubine Garden, a beautiful complex combining Islamic architecture, peaceful gardens, and the elegant mausoleum of the famed Fragrant Concubine, one of Emperor Qianlong’s most celebrated consorts. Admire the elegant Tomb of Apar Khodja, complemented by intricately carved gatehouses, mosques, and gardens, experience Uyghur folk performances, and discover the connections between regional traditions and the culture of the Silk Road.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Rise early to witness the vibrant opening ceremony at Kashgar Ancient City. Accompanied by lively Uyghur music, dancing, and drumming, the ceremony captures the welcoming spirit of this historic Silk Road trading hub and is an immersive experience not to be missed on your journey through Kashgar. After the gates open, step into Kashgar’s ancient alleys and experience the historic atmosphere of the ‘Pearl of the Silk Road’. This architectural marvel stands as the most valuable and influential landmark for understanding Silk Road culture: recognized as one of the world's largest surviving earthen architecture complexes, stroll through labyrinthine streets, savour tea at centuries-old teahouses, and listen to musical performances recreating the vibrant atmosphere of ancient trade stations. See the Id Kah Mosque, the largest Islamic mosque in China.
Breakfast & Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, where you can enjoy some time at leisure before dinner. In the evening you may choose to see a traditional Sichuan Opera performance, where performers use the centuries-old art of bian lian, or ‘face-changing’, to dramatically switch between vividly coloured masks in the blink of an eye.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, visit Chengdu’s renowned Panda Conservation Centre for an unforgettable encounter with China’s beloved giant pandas. Watch playful cubs and adult pandas lounging, climbing, and feeding in habitats designed to mirror their natural environment. Continue to the Shu Brocade Museum, where you can marvel at the intricate artistry behind one of China’s oldest weaving traditions. Later, soak up the relaxed atmosphere of People’s Park, where locals gather to drink tea, socialise, and take part in the famous Matchmaker’s Corner. Sample fragrant local teas at a traditional tea house.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Please note lighters and aerosol cans are not allowed planes, trains or sights of special interest, such as Tiananmen square, Forbidden city, The Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, Three Gorges Dam, and the Wild Goose Pagoda.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
For all tours departing in 2026, no visa is required for British Passport Holders.
If you are departing in 2027 or later, you will require a visa to visit mainland China. We recommend you organise this 2 months before travel. If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa in person at a visa application centre. If you’re aged 13 and under or aged 71 and over, you can only apply online.
You must provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints) for your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. The details of their opening hours are on their websites. The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply. The application process takes approximately 4 – 10 working days and the cost depends on the visa and class you choose.
You will require extra documentation for your application that you can request from us from 2 months before departure. They may ask for the Agency Licence Number which is China International Travel Service Ltd: 911100001013930695. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all the information they will require to apply for the visa.
We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
You will need to fill in an arrival card online before travel for all travel dates. This can be done on the NIA’s official website https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. To complete the form you will need to have your passport number and visa number. Once the form is complete you will either need to print out the QR code or have the QR code available on your phone.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health & vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health, hygiene facilities & disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible & in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, early mornings, long days of driving, some days with lots of walking and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in China is the Renminbi, known as RMB or CNY. It is often referred to as the Yuan. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart. US Dollars are widely accepted in China should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shopping malls in China. Small shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards as well as street vendors, so it's strongly advised to have sufficient Chinese currency with you. ATM’s are readily available in big cities and most small towns.
As normal practice you will be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £500 - £600 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases
It is customary to tip your national guide, local guide and driver approximately CNY50 per person, per day. Your national guide may collect this for your convenience on the first day of your tour, approximately CNY1050 per person for the total duration. Tips are collected in Chinese Yuan.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 35 If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date or a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. For groups of less than 10, you will have a driver and be joined by a local guide at each location.
Please note the Bullet Train has restricted carry-ons: Aerosol spray cans containing hairspray, hair gel, styling mousse, insecticide and air freshener must be under 120 ml (4.2 fl oz).
Power banks without a 3C certification mark, spray cans of any form and lighters are not allowed on trains or planes.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and China. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Unlike the western world, Chinese people do not normally pre-heat their plates and food can be presented at a variety of temperatures, which is a typical Chinese way of doing things.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, one bottle of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
If you are travelling within the below Chinese Public Holidays, please note that celebrations last for several days and during these times some businesses will be closed and coach, air and train travel may be affected. Tourist attractions will be open but may be crowded. Chinese New Year usually falls sometime between January 21 and February 20. Golden Week public holidays fall annually between 1st – 3rd of May and 1st – 7th of October.
On your arrival in Xian, you will be met by a representative from our local agent will be in the terminal, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays representative will show you to your transfer vehicle
Please find below the emergency contact details for China Travel Service:
During Office Hours: 0086 10 85228340 / 0086 10 85228722
After Office Hours: Ms. Linda Liu (Mobile): 0086 13911043036
Ms. Starling Wang (Mobile): 0086 13810153047
Ms. Faith Guo (Mobile): 0086 13716796859
