21-Day China Tour with Silk Road

Landing in Beijing, you would be met by your private guide and driver who would transfer you to your hotel.

Your guide would assist you with your luggage and help you to check in at your hotel for a worry-free start to your stay.

You would start your tour by walking through the largest world-famous square, Tian'anmen Square, and then arrive at the Forbidden City.

With countless houses, chambers, and halls, the Forbidden City was not only a royal residence but a treasure trove for many cultural relics. Your knowledgeable private tour guide would bring the history to life for you.

You would have lunch in a local Beijing roast duck restaurant. Afterward, you would walk through the hutongs and visit a local hutong family to find out how the local people live their daily lives.

One of the best ways to learn about Beijing's culture is to visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning. People engage in various activities, such as morning exercises, dancing, singing, tai chi, brush calligraphy, and playing chess.

After a 1½-hour drive from the downtown area, you would reach the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a fully restored section that is ideal for families. You would enjoy different exploration options, such as a round-trip cable car ride for an easier walk or a chair lift up and a toboggan ride down, based on your preferences.

You would visit the imperial garden — the Summer Palace — in the morning. In this garden, the combination of the lake, hills, gardens, and architecture creates a harmonious and picturesque landscape.

You would then take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an after lunch.

You would drive to the Terracotta Army Museum from the hotel directly in the morning, uncovering a mysterious life-size underground army array of 2,200 years ago.

You would then visit a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

In the afternoon, you would visit the Great Mosque (largest mosque in China) and walk around the Muslim Quarter. You would sample delicious Islamic cuisine, witness traditional craftsmanship, and experience the unique ambiance of this historical district within Xi'an.

After packing your luggage in the morning, you would fly to Zhangye.

Before heading to the airport, you would go to the medieval Xi'an City Wall to have a view of the city. You could walk on the wall for a while or rent a bike to ride along it.

Zhangye was a key town on the Silk Road and has a long history. You would visit its colorful hills — the 'Seven-Color Danxia Landforms' — in Zhangye National Geopark.

It is one of the best places for photographers and nature lovers to visit. Geologists call this area, which is very dry and has no vegetation, 'window lattice and palace-shaped' Danxia topography.

In the afternoon, you would visit the Great Buddha Temple and the wooden tower from the Sui Dynasty (581–618).

You would drive from Zhangye to Dunhuang and make a stop at Jiayu Pass. There, you could experience the grandeur of its Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) fort with its tall gate tower, the vast Gobi Desert surrounding it, and the majestic mountain ranges in the distance.

After lunch, you would visit Zixuan winery in Jiayuguan. This expansive underground wine cellar is the largest of its kind in Asia, covering 13,700 square meters (147,000 square feet).

You would start your visit to the Mogao Caves after breakfast. These caves are an important cultural and historical landmark, offering insights into ancient China's artistic and religious heritage.

After exploring the Mogao Caves, you would visit the Dunhuang Research Institute, where experts analyze the murals and you could choose a mural sample to create your own mud slab copy to take home.

In the late afternoon, you would experience riding on a camel in the Singing Sand Dunes.

You would visit the ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and remote Yumen Pass fort remains in the morning.

The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty is the oldest example of this defensive system in China. Inspect the ruins and find out how it is different from the Great Wall (around Beijing) that you have seen in pictures.

You would then take a bullet train to Turpan in the late afternoon.

You would begin your tour of Turpan by uncovering the ancient wisdom behind the Karez Well System, an impressive feat of engineering.

Next, you would visit the fascinating Ancient City of Jiaohe, an architectural marvel built by excavating into a steep-sided island.

In the afternoon, you would venture to Tuyugou Village, the oldest Uyghur village with a rich 1,700-year history. Along the way, catch a glimpse of the Flaming Mountains, renowned for their scorching heat, desolate landscape, and striking red hue.

You would visit Turpan Museum in the morning. As the second largest museum in Xinjiang, it offers a glimpse into the economic, cultural, and artistic exchanges that took place along the Silk Road.

You would arrive in Urumqi after 3 hours of driving, then head to Erdaoqiao Market in the afternoon. Erdaoqiao Market is not only a shopping destination but also a cultural hot spot, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant Uyghur culture and traditions while discovering unique local products.

Get up early and fly to Kashgar.

There, pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque, which is the second biggest mosque in China. Then you would walk along Handicraft Street, which has an amazing range of handicrafts, including copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, and other types of goods.

You would have a break at the ancient teahouse, which has a history of over 100 years, and join in with the local people's conversations and dancing.

Lastly, witness the legacy of the Silk Road and the unique Uyghur culture that thrives in Kashgar Old City.

In the morning, you would explore the renowned Kashgar bazaar, which is famous across Asia. It offers a diverse array of goods, including dried fruits, delicacies, clothing, shoes, leather products, textiles, rugs, carpets, scarves, souvenirs, and more.

In the afternoon, discover the hidden gem of China, Karakul Lake, which is a stunning glacial lake. Also take a moment to capture some pictures at Baisha Lake — 'White Sand' to contrast with Karakul's blackness.

You would use day 15 as a traveling day. It takes about 4½ hours to fly from Kashgar to Chengdu.

In the morning, you would visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the active pandas in their nursery amid bamboo groves and walkways.

Afterward, you would enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Then head to People's Park to get some fresh air and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere. You would also experience the bustling local teahouse culture.

Finally, try the delicious local snacks in Jinli Old Street, which is famous for its wide variety of Sichuan cuisine flavors.

Take a morning flight to Zhangjiajie.

You would take the longest cable car ride in the world to the top of Tianmen Mountain, taking 30 minutes. Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk is one of the world's highest observation platforms, jutting out from a sheer cliff at 1,430 meters above the ground. Through the glass walkway, you could see the hardy trees, karst cliffs, and long roads carved into the cliffsides.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its mesmerizing landscapes, towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and serene valleys. You would focus on its Yuanjiajie area, which is famous and popular for its Hallelujah Mountain, named after the floating rocks in Avatar.

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is a world-famous attraction that stretches across Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Walking on the transparent glass floor, visitors could marvel at the dizzying depths beneath their feet and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Then take an evening flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your private guide and driver would greet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel.

You would visit Yu Garden and explore a nearby market in the morning.

In the afternoon, embark on an In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour to unravel the captivating story of Shanghai's rise to the skies. You would enter the old buildings along the iconic Bund and listen to their intriguing stories, offering glimpses into Shanghai's past.

Enjoy a break at a Michelin-starred restaurant and experience local snacks before taking a public ferry ride across the Huangpu River. Then you would ascend Shanghai Tower for a bird's-eye view of the city.

Your tour guide, driver, and van would pick you up from your hotel for your airport transfer and flight. Your guide would accompany and assist you as far as the security check and would then wave goodbye.