Silk Road Express 8 Day Private Package Tour from Kashgar to Dunhuang Highlights
01
Immerse yourself in ancient cities scattered along the Silk Road02
Explore contemporary cities and culinary treasures along the way03
See the famous Tarim mummies at the Xinjiang Museum04
Drive across the expansive Gobi Desert and through vast mountainsWhy we chose this tour
Our Silk Road Express 8 Day Package Tour from Kashgar to Dunhuang is a whirlwind of exploration centering around the world's most iconic travel route that passes through the lands of the world's oldest civilization. You'll immerse yourself in China's history and culture, taste unique flavors and discover the stunning variety of natural splendor around China. This tour is available every day and leaves with guaranteed departures.Book With Tourist Journey
- We hand-craft each tour package which we offer
- Each tour and experience is led by a true local expert full of passion
- Hassle-free experience promise. We take care of everything so you just have to enjoy
- Choose the hotels you stay at from our curated selection
- Great memories and the best stories guaranteed
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Silk Road Express 8 Day Private Package Tour from Kashgar to Dunhuang Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival to Kashgar
- Welcome to your first day of the tour, spent in the oasis city of Kashgar that's long been a hot spot on the Silk Road.
- You'll be picked up by our private driver and taken to your hotel for check-in, where you can rest up or explore the city!
- Overnight in Kashgar.
Day 2 - Kashgar City Tour
- Head out into the winding lanes of Kashgar to dive into its history, starting at the Apa Hoja Mausoleum that's stood since 1640.
- Admire its exquisite Uyghur architecture that highlights the beautiful blue tiles, towering minarets, and imposing dome of this site that houses 5 generations of locals.
- Continue to Kashgar's Old Town, walking through its traditional districts to discover its ancient past and contemporary color through tea houses, bakeries, workshops, and restaurants that line the area.
- Be sure to take your time at the handicraft street to marvel at the enormous musical instruments and bronze vessels that are still made the same way as they have been for centuries.
- Taste local snacks like nang bread and grilled en route to the Id Ghar Mosque, Xinjiang's largest, and even see the inside if you're there between prayer times.
- To make sure you'll be able to enter, please cover your shoulders and knees so you'll be able to admire the intricate decor and architecture.
- Savor a traditional lunch at a local Uyghur home to enjoy nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau.
- Spend the afternoon in the iconic Grand Bazaar, famous as one of the most lively in all of Central Asia, and bursting to the brim with edible goods and local treasures.
- If your tour takes place on a Sunday, you'll also visit the centuries old animal market in the afternoon.
- Overnight in Kashgar (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 3 - Kashgar Day Tour to Karakul & Flight to Urumqi
- Begin with a four hour drive across the desert sands on your way to Karakul Lake, crossing the famous friendship highway on the way to the Pamir Plateau, a dipping valley ringed by towering mountains.
- Along the way, stop at Upar, a traditional Uyghur village, where you can purchase some local snacks before you make your way into the mountains.
- Make your way to the stunning White Sand Lake that mirrors the pristine white dunes that line its shores and the snow-capped mountains behind it.
- Have lunch al fresco before you move to Karakul Lake, seated next to the imposing Muztagh Summit, where you'll enjoy the lake, the mountain, and yurts that paint a beautiful picture.
- Continue back to the city and Kashgar's airport for your flight to Urumqi and check in to your next hotel.
- Overnight in Urumqi (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 4 - Xinjiang Museum and Tianchi Lake
- Start with an hour-long drive through the verdant countryside on your way to Tianchi, or Heavenly Lake, a sparkling alpine lake high in the Tianshan mountains.
- Enjoy a traditional lunch after your trek in the morning, and then head to the world-famous Xinjiang Museum.
- It houses over 40,000 cultural relics and artifacts, included 381 first-grade national relics, and mummies that are almost 4,000 years old.
- These well-preserved mummies include the iconic Loulan Beauty and Xiahe Princess, world-famous for how well they've survived the test of time.
- End the day with a three hour drive across the deserts and grasslands of the Tianshan Highway on your way to Turpan.
- Overnight in Turpan (Breakfast, and lunch included).
Day 5 - Turpan City Day Tour
- Enjoy breakfast before you head out to explore Turpan, this critical stop along the ancient Silk Road trade route.
- Turpan is famous for its well-preserved historical sites, and you'll start with one of the most iconic: the Bezklik Grottoes, home to over a thousand gilded Buddha statues that have been left by pilgrims over the centuries.
- Head through the Gobi Desert to the Astana ancient tombs, imposing rock cut tombs deep underground that houses over 500 different burial sites that have been buried here for almost 2,000 years.
- Make your way to Jiaohe, a historic city on the edge of the Yarnaz Valley, and Gaochang, an oasis city that was a key stopping point along the Silk Road.
- You'll also learn more about the sophisticated Karez Irrigation System, an extensive series of pipes that helped this area prosper for centuries.
- Head back to the city to visit the Emin Minaret, a 144 foot tall piece of art that's the highest in all of China, and to taste some traditional Uyghur food before you're on your own for the evening.
- Overnight in Turpan (Breakfast, and lunch included).
Day 6 - Turpan to Dunhuang
- After breakfast, hop into one of China's shockingly fast bullet trains to take you from Turpan to Liuyuan, and enjoy the speed as you fly across the countryside.
- Once you've arrived, drive across the spreading sands to Dunhuang, nestled right on the edge of the Gobi Desert, and explore the Mingsha Shan(Singing Sand Dunes) and view the surprisingly stunning hidden crescent springs nestled in the dunes.
- We recommend you take the night to explore the Dunhuang night market or some of the fantastic restaurants scattered across the city.
- Overnight in Dunhuang (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 7 - Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Dunhuang Museum
- Take your last full day to explore Dunhuang, a former frontier garrison along the Silk Road that's now famous for the caves carved into its cliffs and their stunning art.
- The Mogao Caves house thousands of artifacts, statues, and colorful frescoes that date all the way back to the 4th century, and they've been renovated over and over again.
- Learn more about Buddhism from your expert guide as you admire the art that decorates the walls of the caves.
- Enjoy a traditional local lunch before making your way to the new Dunhuang Museum to dive into the exhibitions that elaborate the incredible and intricate history of this area, dating from the stone age to modern times.
- We recommend you explore the vibrant night market after your tours have finished for the day.
- Overnight in Dunhuang (Breakfast and lunch included).
Day 8 - Departing from Dunhuang
- Wave goodbye to Dunhuang as you make your way to the airport, finishing your days of adventure along the Silk Road with a flight to your next destination.
- Whether that's home or another adventurous stop, we wish you safe travels!
- (Breakfast included.)
NB - all timings on Silk Road Express 8 Day Private Package Tour from Kashgar to Dunhuang are approximate
Have a question?
If you have any questions about our Silk Road Express 8 Day Private Package Tour from Kashgar to Dunhuang, please contact us. Our team is standing by and will be happy to help
Availability
Pricing
Important Details
Includes
Transportation to and from Airport
Fully guided tour with Certified English speaking guide
7 overnights in 5* hotel including breakfast (4* hotel in Turpan)
Flight ticket from Kashgar to Urumqi
Bullet train ticket from Turpan to Liuyuan
Lunches (Day 2-7)
Entrance fees
Excludes
International train/flight tickets
Dinners
Chinese visa fees
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities
What to Bring
Passport
Walking shoes
Comfortable clothing according to the season
Hat
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Essential Information
Visa to China is required
Kashgar: Yue Xing Jin Jiang international Hotel or similar
Urumqi: Mirage Hotel or similar
Turpan: Atour Hotel or similar
Dunhuang: Grand Soluxe Hotel or similar
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