13 Days Silk Road Small Group Tour: Beijing, Xian, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Upon your arrival in Beijing, your local driver picks you up at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) and then a comfortable transfer sends you to the hotel in the downtown area. After check-in, the remainder of the day is yours to explore China’s capital at your own pace. Here are 2 recommendations for independent exploration in Beijing (no tour guide service today):

   Houhai Lake gets lively at night when the bars open and people come to eat or have drinks after work. Wander through Houhai Lake to experience lake views.

   Try the city’s famous Peking Roast Duck at a famous restaurant such as Quanjude or explore local food streets like Wangfujing Snack Street.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing’s Great Wall Hike
   Walk History’s Greatest Watchtower-lined Great Wall

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and start your ​​China Silk Road group tour​​ at Dingling Tomb – the ​​sole excavated tomb​​ among Beijing’s ​​UNESCO-listed Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs​​. After lunch, drive to the breathtaking ​​Mutianyu Great Wall​​, one of China’s best-preserved and most beautiful sections.

   Unlike the crowded Badaling, Mutianyu offers a ​​less congested experience​​ with amazing natural views of ​​lush forested valleys​​ and ​​undulating mountain ridges​​. This ​​Ming dynasty architecture stretching 5400 meters boasts 23 watchtowers, which are so many that other sections of the Great Wall do not have.

   For effortless exploration, ​​cable car is available​​ (optional, at extra cost – approx. RMB 140/round-way). Ascend into the air and take ​​insta-worthy photos of the wall snaking over the mountain peaks. Then hike crenelated pathways at your pace. After ​​bucket-list experience​​, drive back to the hotel and rest well.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing City Highlights
   Step through 600 Years of Imperial Grandeur in Beijing

   After breakfast, your exploration begins at ​​Tiananmen Square​, the world's largest city plaza. Walk through the ​​Tiananmen Gate​​ – where modern China was proclaimed – and step into the ​​magnificent Forbidden City (Palace Museum)​. As the ​​largest preserved imperial palace complex in the world​, this UNESCO World Heritage Site houses nearly 9,000 rooms​​ across 72 hectares, where ​​24 Ming and Qing emperors​​ ruled for five centuries.

   Follow your knowledgeable guide to Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony, and imperial living quarters, admiring the yellow-glazed roofs​​ (reserved for emperors), ​​white marble terraces​​, and ​​splendid brackets​​. If time permits, climb to ​​Jingshan Park's viewpoint​​ for a ​​breathtaking panorama​​ of the golden rooftops winding over Beijing's skyline.

   In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the ​​Temple of Heaven​. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built in 1420 and served as a royal altar for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for a bountiful harvest. The Prayer Hall for Good Harvests is the iconic building here - a three-storey circular hall with a gilded spire, blue tiles, and red columns.

   After that, drive northwest for about an hour to reach the Summer Palace​. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is China's ​​largest and most exquisite imperial garden. Spending a peaceful afternoon here is ideal - strolling along the lake, admiring the 14,000+ colorful paintings along the 728-meter Long Corridor, or taking a boat tour on the Kunming Lake (optional, extra fee at the spot). The Buddha Fragrance Pavilion offers panoramic views at sunset. Last, escort you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by High-speed Train
   Uncover Qin's Silent Army, Sculpted with Individuality

   After breakfast, you will be taken to the train station by high-speed train to the ancient capital of the thirteen dynasties, Xi'an, which is the starting point of the Silk Road.

   When you arrive in Xi'an in about 5 hours, the local guide and the driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of the most stunning archaeological discoveries in the world, dating back to 210 BC. It was the funeral army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, consisting of thousands of life-sized clay figurines, horses, and chariots. It is incredible that each clay figurine has a unique facial expression and posture. You will be led to visit three pits: Pit 1 (the largest pit) shows warriors in combat formations, while Pit 2 shows cavalry and infantry units. Pit 3 is the command center. During the visit, the guide will explain some interesting historical facts about this miracle to you.

   After the visit, we will drive for 1 hour to your hotel in the city center for check-in. Have a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Xi’an

   

5. Day 5: Xian City Landmarks
   Ride a Bike on the Ming Walls, Trace Tang Treasures

   Today you will be led to explore the highlights of Xi'an downtown area. Ancient City Wall is the most complete city wall that has survived in China. It is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient military defense systems in the world. It provides invaluable and substantial materials for studying the history, military science, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty. You can optionally ride a bike on the top of the City Wall to see the city from a unique angle.

   After that, we transfer to visit Xi'an Museum (note: it's closed on Mondays). This top-level museum holds about 130,000 historical items. Your guide will show you some of the best, like jade carvings from the Han Dynasty and colorful pottery horses from the Tang Dynasty. Nearby, you can admire the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous site from the Tang Dynasty and one of the symbols of Xi’an.

   The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the most representative Buddhist landmarks in Xi'an and even in China. It was built in 652 AD to store scriptures brought by the monk Xuanzang from India. This seven story pagoda is 64 meters high and offers a panoramic view of the city from the top floor (an additional fee is required to climb the pagoda). The surrounding 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square' features the world's largest music fountain performance at night, and you can watch it on your own after the guided itinerary today.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Xi’an

   

6. Day 6: Xi’an to Dunhuang by Flight
   Slide dwon Singing Dunes, Feast at Silk Road Night Market

   After breakfast, you will be transferred to Xian airport to take your flight for Dunhuang. Upon arrival, the local guide will pick you up at the airport and send you to the hotel to have a short rest.

   In the late afternoon, start Dunhuang exploration at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. They have become one of the most magical desert landscapes in China. Golden sand dunes surround a jade oasis shaped like a crescent moon. Legend has it that when the wind blows over sand dunes, they "sing" and create an eerie humming sound. You can climb barefoot up a 50 meter high sand dune to enjoy the sunset, and then slide down on a wooden rectangular board to feel the adrenaline rush. If interested, you can pay extra to ride a camel in the undulating desert, experience the traditional Silk Road, or cross steep sand mountains on a desert off-road vehicle.

   In the evening, As night falls, it's time to explore the nightlife of Dunhuang. Shazhou Night Market is a vibrant Silk Road cultural center. The alleys illuminated by lanterns is crowded with handicraft stalls, folk performances, and fragrant snack stands. You can browse souvenirs such as hand-painted murals and camel colored leather goods. Must try delicacies include Liangfen‌ (spicy mung bean jelly), Yellow Noodles with Donkey Meat, Apricot Peel Water, and sweet Dunhuang pumpkin (local roasted pumpkin). The market reaches its peak around 8pm to 10pm, with Uyghur music and dance adding to the atmosphere.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dunhuang

   

7. Day 7: Dunhuang to Turpan by High-speed Train
   Witness Ten Dynasties Whisper through Mogao’s Painted Grottoes

   This morning is your last time visiting Dunhuang. After breakfast, the tour guide will take you to the Mogao Grottoes, a famous treasure trove of Buddhist art and a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are 735 cliff carved caves, and the Mogao Caves have a history of over 1000 years. These Buddha caves dazzle visitors with exquisite murals and statues spanning 10 dynasties, including the 35.5-meter-high Buddha statue in Cave 96 (the iconic nine storey pavilion). Cave 17, the "Library Cave," preserved 50,000 ancient manuscripts before they were dispersed around the world, while the Cave 257 impresses visitors with its vivid " Flying Apsaras" frescoes (flash photography is prohibited to preserve pigments). At the Digital Exhibition Center, you can learn about the caves’ history through 3D movies.

   After that, you will take a high-speed train to Turpan. Upon arrival, the local driver will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to your hotel in Turpan.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Turpan

   

8. Day 8: Turpan City Exploration
   Trace 2000-Year-Old Tunnels, Wander 2300-Year-Old Earthen Ruins

   Meet your guide in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Next, we will first explore Karez Wells, an underground irrigation system with a history of 2000 years. Through 5000 km long tunnels, the melting snow of Tianshan Mountain is transported to the farmlands in the Turpan Basin. The guide will take you down to a cool well and explain how this 'underground Great Wall' combats desert heat and evaporation. Afterward, we go to visit the Sugong Pagoda‌ (Emin Minaret). Built in 1778, this is a 44-meter-high Islamic tower with complex patterns on its body, including waves, flowers, and some geometric designs. As the tallest minaret in Xinjiang, its honey-colored adobe structure shines brightly in the desert sunshine.

   In the afternoon, we will explore the mysterious Jiaohe Ruins. It is the best-preserved earthen city in the world, completely carved from loess soil 2300 years ago. This Silk Road relic flourished as the capital of the Jushi (车师) Kingdom until the 14th century. Strolling through the maze-like streets, you can find sun-baked ruins of temples, houses, and a striking Buddhist temple. Don't miss the sunset. The golden light turns the ruins into a hauntingly beautiful silhouette.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Turpan

   

9. Day 9: Drive from Turpan to Urumqi
   Walk 1,700-Year-Old Uyghur Alleys, See Flaming Mountains' Crimson Glow

   After breakfast, we drive east for an hour to reach Tuyugou Valley, which is nestled in the Flaming Mountains' red sandstone cliffs. Mazha Village here is the oldest Uyghur settlement in Xinjiang, with 1,700-year-old adobe houses with lattice windows cling to the slopes. In the nearby Silk Road era site - Thousand Buddha Caves, you can see fading murals, although many have been damaged.

   After that, you will be transferred to visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. From the 4th century to the 12th and 13th centuries, there were 83 grottoes here, of which only 57 survive today. Though many murals were removed by early explorers, the fragments left depict vivid scenes of Buddha living with Uyghurs wearing Silk Road attire. On the way back to Turpan city center, we will stop at the ‌Flaming Mountains‌. During the scorching summer, the temperature reaches 50°C (122°F) here, hence the name. The sunset transforms the mountains into a surreal crimson spectacle. Last, we drive for 3.5 hours to Urumqi for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Urumqi

   

10. Day 10: Urumqi to Heavenly Lake
    Alpine Flowers, Loulan Female Mummy, Central Asia’s Snacks

    In the morning, you will drive about 1.5 hours to Heavenly Lake, which sits 1,910 meters above sea level. The area is known for its snow-covered mountains, green forests, open grasslands, and blooming flowers. A well-known legend about the Queen Mother of the West adds a magical feeling to the lake. The calm and beautiful scenery will help you relax. You can also choose to take a boat ride (optional) on the lake for an extra fee.

    Later, return to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum. This top-level museum has over 60,000 cultural items. Some of the most valuable pieces include silk from the Han Dynasty and paintings of Fuxi and Nvwa from the Tang Dynasty. One of the main highlights is the well-preserved Loulan female mummy, which is around 3,800 years old.

    In the evening, you can walk through the Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar on your own, one of the largest markets in the world. With over 3,000 stores, it's known as the "Window of Central Asia." You’ll find a variety of local goods here, including food and handmade crafts - a perfect place to feel the charm of Islamic culture.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    

11. Day 11: Urumqi to Shanghai by Flight

    After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport for your flight to ‌Shanghai‌, China’s most vibrant metropolis. Upon arrival in about 5 hours, a local Shanghai driver will meet you at the exit and send you to your downtown hotel for check-in.

    Rest well. In the evening, you’re free to explore the city’s dazzling nightlife. If interested, we can arrange a ‌night cruise on the Huangpu River‌ (additional cost applies). You will go past Shanghai’s skyline - neon-lit skyscrapers of the ‌Oriental Pearl Tower‌ and ‌the Bund’s colonial architecture‌ reflected on the water. On the open-air decks, you can take photos and optional dinner packages featuring local dishes.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: Shanghai City Highlights
    Wander Ming Garden, Enjoy Huangpu's Golden Hour

    After breakfast, your guide will first show you around the Yuyuan Garden, located in the old city of Shanghai (closed every Monday). This is a masterpiece from the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century, where you can see pavilions, towers, rockeries, and koi ponds. Strolling through the zigzag bridges, admiring the exquisite Jade Rock, or enjoying tea at the Huxinting Teahouse (extra charge). Afterward, head to the nearby Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Hall. Here shows the city's future vision with 1:500 scale model. Interactive screens and aerial movies highlight landmarks such as the Lujiazui skyline, while historical exhibitions trace the city's transformation from a quagmire to a mega city.

    After lunch, you are led on a stroll around Tianzifang, a renovated Shikumen alley. Independent cafes, art studios, and handicraft shops are located between laundry-draped balconies. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in a hidden courtyard and experience the rare leisure of the fast-paced city. Then head to the most bustling shopping street in Shanghai - Nanjing Road - filled with neon billboards, historic department stores, and trendy new brands. At dusk, a 15-minute walk to the Bund, extending along the Huangpu River, is Shanghai's iconic seaside promenade. There are many colonial buildings from the 1920s here, such as the Peace Hotel, facing the magnificent skyline. Don't miss the Garden Bridge of Shanghai for the panoramic view, nor miss a nightcap on a bar’s roof.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

13. Day 13: Shanghai Departure

    This is the last day of your Silk Road tour in China. After breakfast, enjoy your leisure time till the driver transfers you from your hotel to Shanghai airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A