Exploring the Silk Road 15 Days

Welcome to China! Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel.

In the early evening, we’ll take a transfer to Wangfujing Street, a vibrant pedestrian avenue known for its lively atmosphere, numerous shops, and diverse restaurants. This will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the city. Dinner will be included, followed by a return to the hotel.

An exciting day awaits us as we explore the highlights of Beijing, the vibrant capital of China. We’ll embark on a full-day tour, discovering some of the city´s most iconic avenues. Our journey will take us to the Great Chinese Imperial Palace, better known as the Forbidden City, the most majestic architectural complex in China, where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years.

We’ll also visit Jingshan Park, home to Coal Hill, one of the best-preserved imperial gardens in Beijing. From its summit, we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Forbidden City—weather permitting. Next, we’ll stroll through Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, from where we can admire the Great National Theater, also known as the Beijing Opera House.

Lunch will be included.

Our journey will continue with a visit to the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its picturesque gardens and serene lakes. In the afternoon, we’ll immerse ourselves in traditional Beijing life with a tricycle ride through the historic Hutong neighborhoods. Here, we’ll experience the city´s rich cultural heritage, explore traditional shops, and visit a Siheyuan, a classic courtyard house that reflects the city´s architectural charm.

We’ll then return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Note: Due to heritage protection measures and visitor safety regulations, the governing body of the Forbidden City has temporarily reduced daily visitor capacity. As a result, we cannot guarantee this visit. If access is unavailable, we’ll instead explore the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple, both of which are emblematic sites in Chinese history and culture.

Today’s journey will take us to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world—the Great Wall of China, at the Mutianyu section. This awe-inspiring architectural masterpiece spans over 2,000 years of history, winding through breathtaking mountain landscapes. We’ll take a cable car up and down to one of the most scenic sections, offering spectacular views of this legendary structure.

On our way back to Beijing, we’ll visit the vibrant 798 Art District, a former military factory that has been transformed into a dynamic hub of contemporary art, filled with galleries, studios, and creative spaces.

Our next stop will be the Temple of Heaven, one of China’s largest and most significant sacred complexes, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning architectural masterpiece was where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

Before returning to the hotel, we’ll take a moment to unwind after this eventful day with a soothing foot massage, followed by a Tai Chi class—a perfect way to experience the balance and harmony of traditional Chinese culture.

To bid farewell to Beijing, we’ll enjoy a lacquered duck dinner, a local culinary tradition that will leave a lasting impression.

After breakfast, we’ll head to the train station to board one of China’s state-of-the-art high-speed trains. Traveling at 300 km/h, we’ll cover nearly 1,000 km in less than four hours, arriving in Nanjing, a vibrant city of eight million people, often regarded as one of the most pleasant in China.

We’ll be captivated by the energy of this modern metropolis, known for its dynamic commercial life and rich history. Our visit will take us to Purple Mountain, where we’ll explore the impressive Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a grand tribute to the founding father of modern China. We’ll also visit the picturesque Linggu Temple, a serene and historically significant Buddhist site surrounded by lush greenery.

Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight stay in Nanjing.

We’ll depart for Suzhou, a city renowned for its exquisite classical gardens, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically, Suzhou was the world’s leading silk producer and has long been associated with beauty and elegance.

Our visit includes entrance to the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the largest and most famous garden in the city, where winding pathways, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery create a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscaping.

You’ll then have free time to explore the charming Pingjiang Road, a picturesque historic street lined with canals, traditional teahouses, and artisan shops.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Tongli, a delightful water town where narrow canals, stone bridges, and traditional houses evoke the charm of ancient China. We’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride through its tranquil waterways, offering a glimpse into the town’s timeless beauty.

Our journey will then take us to Shanghai, where we’ll check in for the night.

Our tour of Shanghai will take us through its most iconic sights. We´ll begin in Pudong, Shanghai’s modern financial district, located across the Huangpu River. This area is home to towering skyscrapers, including the iconic Pearl Tower.

We’ll then take a scenic ferry ride across the Shanghai River, offering spectacular views of both the historic and contemporary sides of the city.

Next, we’ll stroll through the Old City and visit the serene Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved private garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Here, we’ll also experience a traditional tea ceremony, an integral part of China’s rich cultural heritage.

Our tour will continue through Xintiandi, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its stylish boutiques, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Tianzifang, a former residential district now famous for its maze-like alleys, charming craft shops, and contemporary art galleries.

We’ll conclude our day with a walk along The Bund, where grand colonial-era buildings reflect the influence of European trade in Shanghai.

Free afternoon. If you wish, you can enjoy a boat trip to see Shanghai at night, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train (scheduled departure at 07:17 a.m.). In just over five hours, we’ll travel 1,000 km through picturesque landscapes, passing through beautiful stretches of countryside before arriving in Luoyang.

Lunch will be included.

Our visit will begin at the awe-inspiring Longmen Buddhist Caves, an extraordinary complex stretching over a kilometer along the rocky cliffs of the river. Here, more than 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings have been sculpted into the stone, creating one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this site, we’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river.

Afterward, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Luoyang, where we’ll pass through its imposing walls and immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of its illuminated streets, filled with traditional charm and vibrant local activity.

In the early morning, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we’ll visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a vast and historic center of Buddhist learning that welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world.

We’ll then continue our journey to Sanmenxia, a city rich in history. Here, we’ll admire the mighty Yellow River and visit the Baolun Temple, known for its striking tall pagoda. We’ll also explore the renowned Guo Museum, considered one of the finest in China, where we’ll see the ancient funeral carriages of the former State of Guo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.

Lunch will be included.

Our journey eastward will take us past the sacred Mount Hua, one of China’s holiest mountains, known for its dramatic peaks and spiritual significance.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Xian, where our day will come to an end.

We have arrived in Xian, the fascinating city where the ancient Silk Road began.

In the morning, we’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Army, an astonishing archaeological site where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, hidden underground for centuries, stand guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor.

Afterward, we’ll return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist structure that has stood for over a thousand years.

Next, we’ll explore the city’s historic walled center, passing through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where we’ll visit the Great Mosque. This unique site reflects the rich blend of cultures and religions that have shaped China over the centuries.

Our tour also includes entrance to the Drum Tower, where we’ll enjoy a short performance of traditional Chinese music played on ancient instruments.

Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

We’ll head to the airport to catch the included flight to the city of Dunhuang, an oasis in the Gobi Desert that played a crucial role along the Silk Road. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. We’ll embark on an excursion to the desert, where we’ll enjoy a camel ride across the Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan). One of the highlights will be reaching the Crescent Moon Spring, a crescent-shaped lake nestled at the foot of the dunes. We’ll travel by electric car to access the site. Afterward, we’ll return to Dunhuang for accommodation.

We’ll embark on an excursion to the incredible Mogao Caves, carved into the side of a mountain and home to as many as 18 monasteries. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll attend the local Youjian Dunhuang Show, a vibrant cultural performance. Afterward, we’ll provide a transfer to the station to board the high-speed train to Turpan for accommodation (D2703: 05:12 p.m. – 08:45 p.m.). This city is the lowest point in all of China, located in the heart of the Turpan Depression (500 meters below sea level).

We’ll visit some of the most important sites along the Silk Road today. Our journey will take us to the Ancient City of Gaochang and the Astana Tombs. Next, we’ll explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a remarkable set of rock-carved caves that were once part of an ancient monastery. Lunch will be included. We’ll then visit the Jiaohe Ruins, a stunning ancient adobe city that was a key strategic point along the Silk Road. We’ll end the day at the Flaming Mountains, with their striking red sandstone ridges, shaped by years of volcanic activity. Afterward, we’ll return to Turpan for our overnight stay.

We’ll begin with an exterior visit to the Su Gong Ta Mosque in Turpan, home to the impressive Emin Minaret—the tallest in China—built during the Qing dynasty. Next, we’ll visit a local vineyard, followed by the extraordinary Karez irrigation system, one of the greatest engineering achievements in China’s history. We’ll then depart by bus toward Daban District, where we’ll stroll through its bustling bazaars. Lunch will be included.

Our journey will continue to Urumqi, where we’ll explore the stunning salt lake and the vast wind farms, one of the largest wind energy production sites in the world. We’ll end the day with accommodation in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Province.

We’ll head to the Tianchi Lake scenic area, also known as Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake situated at an altitude of around two thousand meters and recognized as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Lunch will be included. We’ll then return to Urumqi for a visit to the Grand Bazaar, which preserves the ancient spirit of the Silk Road. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.