12-Day Silk Road Discovery: Xian, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Turpan, Urumqi, Tashkurgan, Kashgar

Day 1 Arrive Xi’an

Meals Included: Dinner at a halal restaurant
Accommodation: 4-star Novotel Xi’an The Bell Tower or similar

Welcome to Xi’an, China’s ancient capital and a vibrant modern metropolis in northwestern Shaanxi Province. As the eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road and one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, Xi’an seamlessly bridges thousands of years of imperial heritage with dynamic contemporary life. Upon arrival at the airport, your friendly Muslim expert guide will greet you and whisk you away in a private vehicle to your hotel.

Day 2 Xi’an | Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Highlights 

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodation: 4-star Novotel Xi’an The Bell Tower or similar

Start your day with a wonder of the world – the Terracotta Army! Discovered by accident in 1974, this 2,000-year-old army of over 8,000 life-sized warriors stands guard over the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China’s first emperor. See some replicas being made nearby and learn the secrets of these ancient figures. Back to the city, stroll along the ancient City Wall of Xi’an, the oldest and best-preserved city wall in China. Walk atop the wall to enjoy panoramic views of the Xi’an skyline. Next, view the magnificent Big Wild Goose Pagoda from the outside, a 1,300-year-old architectural masterpiece. Conclude your day by immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a captivating recreation of ancient Xi’an, featuring bustling markets, captivating performances, and stunning Tang-style architecture.

Day 3 Xi’an | Xi’an City Highlights, Fly to Dunhuang

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: The Great Mosque of Xi’an
Accommodation: Local 4-star Luye Hotel or similar

Step back in time at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 1,300-year-old Tang Dynasty masterpiece that exemplifies traditional Chinese brick pagoda architecture. Next, delve into Xi’an’s rich history at the Xi’an Museum, home to nearly 130,000 artifacts. Marvel at relics from ancient dynasties, including pottery, sculptures, and jade artifacts, that narrate the tale of China’s historical grandeur. Visit Bell and Drum Tower Square, where two iconic towers once signaled the time in ancient Xi’an. A short walk leads to the Great Mosque, one of China’s oldest and most famous mosques, renowned for its beautiful synthesis of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles. Next, explore the bustling Muslim Quarter, a maze of lively alleys packed with legendary street food stalls and rich local culture. Fly to Dunhuang at night. Nestled at the edge of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts, Dunhuang was the vital oasis crossroad where trade routes split into Northern and Southern Silk Roads. For centuries, it provided critical water, shelter, and supplies to merchant caravans carrying silk, spices, and tea between imperial China, Central Asia, and Europe. 

Day 4 Dunhuang | Mogao Caves, Singing Sand Dunes, Crescent Moon Spring

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Dunhuang Mosque
Accommodation: Local 4-star Luye Hotel or similar

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mogao Caves in the morning. The Mogao Caves (also known as the Dunhuang Grottoes) boast the largest collection of Buddhist grottoes in existence in China. Housed in the 492 cave temples are over 2000 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of frescos dating back as early as one thousand years ago. After Salat at Dunhuang Mosque, enjoy a camel ride on the scenic Singing Sand Dunes, called by Marco Polo as the rumbling sands. Then relax at the desert oasis, the Crescent Moon Spring, a small freshwater lake that has been a vital source of water here for thousands of years. As the night falls, delve into the evening epicenter of Dunhuang, the Shazhou Night Market, a bustling oasis gather-place, offering an authentic taste of local food – from savory lamb skewers to refreshing apricot peel water – alongside artisan stalls filled with carved desert gourds, Mogao-inspired murals, and local dried fruits.

Day 5 Dunhuang – Zhangye | High-Speed Train to Zhangye, Rainbow Mountains

Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at a halal restaurant
Salat Prayer: Zhangye Masjid
Accommodation: Local 4-star Jinglong International Hotel or similar

Board a morning bullet train to Zhangye (approx. 4 hours), an iconic Silk Road oasis city famous for its surreal geological marvels. Its crowning highlight is the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, world-famous for its multi-colored “Rainbow Mountains” framed by vibrant, striped sandstone rock formations. After lunch, head to the spectacular Rainbow Mountains. This natural wonder, a feast for the eyes, has captivated photographers and filmmakers worldwide, including the creators of Disney’s ‘Mulan.’ It is believed that the Rainbow Mountains are one of the creations of Allah as mentioned in the holy Quran. Here is the verse of the Quran: “Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby fruits of varying colors? And in the mountains are tracts, white and red of varying shades and [some] extremely black.”

Day 6 Zhangye – Turpan | Pingshan Grand Canyon, High-Speed Train to Turpan

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Zhangye Masjid
Accommodation: Local 4-star Turpan Hengze Hotel (Muslim-Friendly)  or similar

Begin your day embarking on an unforgettable journey through Zhangye’s contrasting geological wonders, starting in the morning with a visit to the dramatic, labyrinthine ravines of Pingshan Grand Canyon, where towering red sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and rugged rock formations resemble China’s own Grand Canyon. Board a bullet train to Turpan in the afternoon. Turpan has long been the center of a fertile oasis famous for its grapes and melons, and an important trade center on the main northern branch of the Silk Road from Hami to Kashgar, with an alternative northern route, via Uruqmi running into Central Asia. At 154m below sea level, Turpan is the second-lowest depression in the world and the hottest spot in China.

Day 7 Turpan | Turpan City Highlights

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodation: Local 4-star Turpan Hengze Hotel (Muslim-Friendly) or similar

Begin your morning in Turpan exploring the striking red sandstone ravines of the iconic Flaming Mountain, where shimmering heat waves bring ancient Silk Road legends to life against the stark desert backdrop. Continue deeper into the region’s history with a visit to Tuyoq Valley, a tranquil, time-honored oasis village where traditional mud-brick Uyghur homes sit tucked beneath towering red cliffs and lush grape trellises. Dive into the Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), a 2,300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site perched on a desert cliff and recognized as the world’s largest raw-earth ancient city. Continue to the iconic Emin Minaret, China’s tallest minaret at 44 meters, before discovering the Karez Wells – an ingenious underground irrigation system that has sustained Turpan’s desert agriculture for centuries.

Day 8 Turpan – Urumqi | Transfer to Urumqi, Urumqi International Grand Bazaar

Distance: Approx. 190 kilometers
Estimated Travel Time: Around 3.5 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodation: Local 4-star Urumqi Jingcadia Hotel (Muslim-Friendly) or similar

Departing Turpan in the morning, the drive northwest to Urumqi offers a striking journey as you ascend from arid, below-sea-level desert basins into broad mountain valleys framed by the snow-capped Tianshan range. Highlights along the way include driving alongside the vast Dabancheng Wind Farm – where hundreds of giant white wind turbines stretch across the desert valley in a spectacular display of modern engineering against rugged mountain backdrops. Upon arrival in Urumqi, head straight to the bustling Urumqi International Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest Islamic-style market complex, where you can admire soaring red-brick minarets, shop for local handicrafts, and savor authentic Xinjiang street food.

Day 9 Urumqi – Kashgar | Fly to Kashgar, Kashgar City Highlights

Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodation: 4-star Mercure Kashgar Ancient City (Muslim-Friendly) or similar

Fly to Kashgar, a vital oasis city nestled at the foot of the Pamir Mountains. As a major crossroads on the ancient Silk Road, where northern and southern routes converged, Kashgar thrived as a bustling gateway for caravans journeying towards Central Asia, India, Pakistan, and ancient Persia (modern-day Iran). Visit Abakh Hoja Tomb upon arrival. This mausoleum is one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in China. It is an ancient Islamic building complex and a cemetery where five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried. Next, visit the 15th-century Id-Kah Mosque, the largest in Xinjiang. Proceed to Kashgar Old Town, which boasts over 2,000 years of history. Enjoy a stroll, meet Uyghur locals, and observe coppersmiths and cobblers using traditional tools, immersing yourself in their rich culture.

Day 10 Kashgar – Tashkurgan | Karakoram Highway, Baisha Lake, Karakuri Lake

Distance: Approx. 310 kilometers
Estimated Travel Time: Around 5.5 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodation: Local 4-star Ji Hotel (Tashkurgan Khunjerab Road, Muslim-Friendly)or similar

Set off along the legendary Karakoram Highway, a scenic route that winds its way through some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. Stop at Baisha Lake, where the shimmering turquoise waters reflect the surrounding white sand dunes and snow-capped mountains, creating a truly surreal vista. Arrive at the jewel of the Pamirs: Karakuri Lake. Situated at an altitude of over 3,600 meters, this pristine lake offers a mirror-like reflection of the majestic Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Kongur Tiube peaks. Take your time to soak in the serene beauty of this high-altitude paradise, breathe in the pure mountain air, and perhaps interact with the local Kyrgyz nomads who call this region home. Continue the overland journey to Tashkurgan along the Karakuri Highway.

Altitude Sickness Notice: Altitude Sickness Notice
Located on the Pamir Plateau at 3,200 meters – with nearby highlights like Karakol Lake and Khunjerab Pass exceeding 3,600 to 4,700 meters – Tashkurgan involves a rapid elevation gain from Kashgar that can cause mild altitude sickness. To ensure a comfortable trip, stay warm, move at a relaxed pace, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid overexertion during your first 24 hours. Carrying portable oxygen canisters and simple headache remedies is highly recommended, and anyone experiencing severe symptoms should immediately rest, use oxygen, or descend to lower altitudes.

Day 11 Tashkurgan – Kashgar | Tashkurgan Fort, Golden Grassland

Distance: Approx. 310 kilometers
Estimated Travel Time: Around 5.5 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodation: 4-star Mercure Kashgar Ancient City (Muslim-Friendly) or similar

Morning visit to the ancient Tashkurgan Fort. Tashkurgan, meaning ‘stone city’ in Uyghur, is named for the ancient Tashkurgan Fort, a 2,000-year-old marvel. Strategically located at the convergence of vital caravan routes to Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan, the fort’s weathered stone walls stand as a testament to its pivotal defensive role along the Silk Road. Beyond its historical significance, the fortress offers panoramic views of the surrounding grasslands, deserts, and the majestic, snow-capped peaks of Muztagh Ata and its neighbors. Next, visit the mesmerizing Golden Grassland, where golden hues contrast against the dramatic backdrop of towering mountains. As its name implies, the grassland transforms into a golden paradise during sunrise and sunset, particularly stunning when framed by the fort and the surrounding snow-clad mountains. Return to Kashgar along Karakoram Highway (approx. 5 hours).

Day 12 Depart Kashgar

Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel

A private transfer to the airport or train station of Kashgar will be provided for your departure. If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know and we would be delighted to assist you in customizing your itinerary. Have a wonderful trip!