16 Days Silk Road: Uzbekistan & China
Tour Overview
East meets West on this extraordinary 16-day odyssey spanning China and Uzbekistan — the two greatest civilizations of the ancient Silk Road. Begin in Beijing, China's imperial capital, and follow the trade route westward through Xi'an, the Hexi Corridor, and the desert oases of Xinjiang. Cross into Uzbekistan to explore the turquoise domes of Samarkand, the sacred heart of Bukhara, and the timeless walled city of Khiva. This is the Silk Road as it was meant to be experienced — a grand journey connecting empires, cultures, and millennia of history.
Trip Highlights
- Stand on the Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Face the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
- Explore the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang
- Walk the Great Wall's western end at Jiayuguan
- Experience Kashgar's legendary Sunday Market
- Marvel at Registan Square in Samarkand
- Wander the domed bazaars of Bukhara
- Discover the ancient city of Khiva — a living museum
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1Day
Arrive in Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Evening welcome dinner featuring Peking duck, the capital's signature dish.
- 2Day
Beijing — Great Wall & Forbidden City
Morning drive to Mutianyu Great Wall for a walk on the world's most famous fortification. Afternoon visit to the Forbidden City — the imperial palace of 24 emperors across 500 years.
- 3Day
Beijing ✈ Xi'an
Morning flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital where the Silk Road began. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and stroll through the Muslim Quarter. Evening Tang Dynasty music and dance performance.
- 4Day
Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors
Full morning at the Army of Terracotta Warriors — 8,000 life-sized soldiers guarding China's first emperor for over 2,200 years. Afternoon cycling on the ancient City Wall with panoramic views.
- 5Day
Xi'an → Lanzhou (High-speed train)
High-speed train to Lanzhou (approx. 3.5 hours). Afternoon walk along the Yellow River waterfront and visit the iconic Iron Bridge. Evening sampling of Lanzhou's famous hand-pulled noodles.
- 6Day
Lanzhou → Jiayuguan
Drive through the Hexi Corridor to Jiayuguan (approx. 6 hours with scenic stops). Afternoon visit to the Jiayuguan Fortress — the western terminus of the Great Wall, standing at the edge of the Gobi Desert.
- 7Day
Jiayuguan → Dunhuang
Morning at the Overhanging Great Wall. Drive through the Gobi to Dunhuang (5 hours). Evening free to explore the Dunhuang Night Market.
- 8Day
Dunhuang — Mogao Caves & Singing Sand Dunes
Full UNESCO day. Morning at the Mogao Caves exploring a millennium of Buddhist art. Afternoon camel ride on the Singing Sand Dunes and sunset at Crescent Moon Spring.
- 9Day
Dunhuang → Turpan → Urumqi
Morning high-speed train to Turpan (4 hours). Visit the Jiaohe Ruins and Karez irrigation system. Continue to Urumqi by evening. Stroll through Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar.
- 10Day
Urumqi ✈ Kashgar
Morning flight to Kashgar. Afternoon exploration of the Old City — a living museum of Uyghur culture. Visit the Id Kah Mosque and watch the sun set from a rooftop teahouse.
- 11Day
Kashgar — Sunday Market
Experience the legendary Kashgar Sunday Market — sheep, silk, spices, and the ancient rhythms of Central Asian trade. Afternoon at Abakh Khoja Tomb. Free evening to explore the Old City.
- 12Day
Kashgar ✈ Tashkent
Morning flight across the Pamirs to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's modern capital. Afternoon city tour: Khast Imam Complex (home of the ancient Quran of Caliph Uthman), Chorsu Bazaar, and Independence Square.
- 13Day
Tashkent → Samarkand (High-speed train)
Morning Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand (2 hours). Afternoon at Registan Square — three magnificent madrasahs with turquoise domes. Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, resting place of Tamerlane. Evening light show at Registan.
- 14Day
Samarkand → Bukhara
Morning at Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis and Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Afternoon train to Bukhara (1.5 hours). Evening walk around Lyab-i Hauz — the city's central pool surrounded by ancient madrasahs and teahouses.
- 15Day
Bukhara → Khiva (via desert drive)
Morning at the Ark Fortress, Kalon Minaret, and the domed trading bazaars. Drive through the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva (6-7 hours), the most remote of Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities. Arrive in this open-air museum frozen in time.
- 16Day
Khiva — Itchan Kala & Depart
Morning exploration of Itchan Kala — the perfectly preserved inner walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk the city walls for panoramic views. Transfer to Urgench Airport for departure. Your epic Silk Road journey concludes.
What's Included
15 nights 4-star hotel accommodation (twin-share)
English-speaking guide throughout (China & Uzbekistan)
All domestic/international flights & high-speed trains
Private air-conditioned vehicle & driver
Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All entrance fees & listed activities
Airport transfers on arrival & departure
Uzbekistan visa support letter
What's Excluded
International flights to Beijing / from Urgench
China & Uzbekistan visa fees
Personal expenses & tips
Single room supplement ($680)
What Our Travelers Say
Join 20,000+ happy travelers who have explored the Silk Road with us
"Thanks to the team for making our journey safe and unforgettable. Every detail was perfectly arranged — from the desert camps to the ancient cities. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"Special thanks to Alice for her professional arrangements. Our guides Harry and Jane were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The drivers Zhou and Huang provided excellent service throughout."
"Amazing 13-day Xinjiang + Silk Road tour! Our guide Ali was exceptional — his knowledge of history and genuine care for every traveler made this journey extraordinary."
"Everything went smoothly as planned. The Silk Road exceeded all our expectations. We're already planning our next visit — there's so much more to explore!"
"Thank you Alice and assistant Richard for all the help! As first-time China travelers, we were nervous, but you made everything seamless."
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