Localized route content based on the Chinese source. Details can be adjusted according to the final itinerary.XinjiangXi’an
12-Day Silk Road Journey: Xinjiang, Hexi Corridor & Xi’an
A long-form Silk Road route across Xinjiang, Gansu and Shaanxi, combining Tianshan landscapes, Turpan oasis culture, Dunhuang art, the Hexi Corridor, Zhangye Danxia and the imperial heritage of Xi’an.
12 days 11 nights
Route Highlights
- Xinjiang’s Silk Road landscapes and oasis culture: Heavenly Lake, Turpan’s traditional village setting, the Flaming Mountains and the Karez irrigation system provide a clear introduction to the geography and human adaptation of western China.
- The Hexi Corridor in depth: Mogao Cave art, Mingsha Mountain, Jiayuguan Pass, Pingshanhu Canyon and Zhangye Danxia combine Silk Road history with some of northwest China’s most distinctive landscapes.
- Xi’an and the legacy of Chang’an: Tang-style costume, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Grand Tang Mall, Terracotta Warriors, “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow,” the city wall and the Muslim Quarter bring together Qin, Han and Tang history with present-day city life.
Itinerary
- 1
D1 Urumqi | Private airport pick-up and arrival day
- 2
D2 Urumqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Turpan
- 3
D3 Turpan | Tuyoq village, Flaming Mountains and the Karez irrigation system
- 4
D4 Turpan → Dunhuang | Rail journey into the Hexi Corridor
- 5
D5 Dunhuang | Mogao Caves and desert sunset at Mingsha Mountain
- 6
D6 Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Linze | Across the historic Hexi Corridor
- 7
D7 Linze | Pingshanhu Canyon and sunset at Zhangye Danxia
- 8
D8 Zhangye → Lanzhou | Yellow River culture and intangible-heritage craft experience
- 9
D9 Lanzhou → Xi’an | Tang-style costume experience and an evening in Chang’an
- 10
D10 Xi’an | Terracotta Warriors and The Song of Everlasting Sorrow
- 11
D11 Xi’an | Bell and Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter and the city wall
- 12
D12 Xi’an | Free time and private departure transfer
Inclusions
- Star-standard hotel accommodation throughout the journey, with an emphasis on clean and secure properties.
- Private vehicle throughout, with an experienced licensed driver who also provides cultural and local travel assistance.
- First-entry admission and listed scenic-area shuttle transport for the main attractions, including Heavenly Lake, the Turpan sites, Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, Jiayuguan, Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, Zhangye Danxia, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an City Wall.
- Professional Chinese/English interpretation at the Mogao Caves and Terracotta Warriors.
- Tang-style costume and make-up experience in Xi’an, Ruan-family gourd craft activity in Lanzhou, and a sanpaotai tea tasting by the Yellow River.
- One Dunhuang performance—either “Encore Dunhuang” or “Dunhuang Celebration”—plus a standard-seat ticket for Xi’an’s “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.”
- Intercity rail tickets for Turpan–Dunhuang, Zhangye–Lanzhou and Lanzhou–Xi’an as stated in the itinerary.
- 7×15-hour multilingual one-to-one online concierge support for itinerary questions, emergencies and on-trip assistance.
- Inbound China travel insurance for the duration of the journey.
- Complimentary assistance with the travel documents required for a China visa application.
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights and other long-distance transport to Urumqi and from Xi’an.
- Lunches and dinners; the guide can provide restaurant and regional-food recommendations across Xinjiang, Gansu and Shaanxi.
- A dedicated full-time English-, Japanese- or other foreign-language escort guide; this can be added at extra cost if required.
- Optional activities, shopping, snacks, personal purchases and upgrades such as higher-category performance seating.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
- Cancel 7 days or more before departure: full refund with no cancellation charge.
- Cancel 3–6 days before departure: 20% service charge.
- Cancel 1–2 days before departure: 40% cancellation charge for non-recoverable reservations.
- Cancel on the departure date: 60% cancellation charge for committed hotel, vehicle and other reservations.
- If extreme weather, natural disasters, attraction closures, traffic controls, policy changes or other force-majeure events prevent the trip from operating, services not yet incurred will be refunded in full; costs already incurred will be settled at actual cost.
Xinjiang Inbound Travel Notes
1. Documents and Entry Requirements
- Keep your documents with you: Please carry your passport and valid Chinese visa throughout the trip, as they may be required for hotel check-in, scenic area entry, or inspections along the route.
- Border-area registration: Some scenic areas, border regions, or key transit areas in Xinjiang may require simple identity registration. Your guide will assist with the process throughout the trip. Travelers only need to present their documents when required and do not need to handle complicated procedures on their own.
2. Climate and What to Wear
- Dress for temperature changes: Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, and mornings and evenings can be cool in mountain and lakeside areas. In any season, we recommend bringing a windproof jacket and comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
- Sun protection is essential: Xinjiang has long sunshine hours and strong UV exposure. Please prepare sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and other sun-protection items.
3. Itinerary and Transportation
- Prepare supplies for long drives: Distances between scenic areas in Xinjiang can be long. We recommend preparing drinking water and light snacks for the road.
- Flexible private travel: The trip is arranged with a private vehicle, with no shared-group restrictions. Stop times can be adjusted according to your pace, and photo stops at lesser-known places can be arranged nearby when safe and permitted.
- Scenic area transportation: Grasslands, ancient trails, valleys, and lake areas often require transfer by official scenic shuttle buses. Your guide will assist with tickets, transfers, and route coordination, and will accompany you in key scenic areas such as Hemu and Kanas.
4. Local Customs, Food, and Environmental Etiquette
- Respect local customs: Xinjiang is home to many ethnic groups, and some areas have predominantly Muslim communities. When visiting halal restaurants, local homes, or residential communities, please respect local dietary customs, religious beliefs, and ways of life. Avoid bringing or consuming pork or alcohol in inappropriate settings.
- Food adjustments: Local cuisine is based mainly on beef, lamb, noodles, and dairy products, often with a stronger flavor profile. If you have vegetarian preferences, dietary restrictions, allergies, or children’s meal needs, please inform your guide in advance so suitable meals can be recommended.
- Protect the local environment: Please do not step on herders’ grasslands, damage crops, or disturb livestock. Respect local nomadic lifestyles and help protect Xinjiang’s natural and cultural environment.
5. Health and Safety
- Altitude comfort: Most travel areas in Xinjiang are at moderate elevations and usually do not cause serious altitude sickness. In mountain or higher-altitude areas, some travelers may feel mild shortness of breath, so we recommend slowing down and resting when needed.
- Dry climate care: Xinjiang has a dry climate. Please drink water regularly and consider bringing moisturizer and lip balm.
- Safety during sightseeing: Complimentary inbound travel accident insurance is included. During hiking, sightseeing, and photography, please follow scenic area safety rules, watch your footing, and avoid dangerous slopes, water areas, or closed zones.
6. Photography Etiquette
- Ask before taking photos: Before photographing local residents, homes, religious sites, or livestock, please ask politely or signal for permission, and respect local privacy and customs.
- Protect natural scenery: Please do not step on vegetation, litter, or damage the natural landscape inside scenic areas. Help protect Xinjiang’s original natural environment.
7. On-trip Support
- Dedicated concierge support: During the trip, we provide 7×15-hour multilingual concierge support. You may contact us for itinerary, transportation, dining, accommodation, or other travel-related questions.
- Language support: If international travelers encounter communication difficulties, the concierge and guide will assist throughout the journey to ensure smooth communication and a supported travel experience.