Silk Road Expedition - Private Tour

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.

If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.