Budget Silk Road Tour: Kashgar to Zhangye, Dunhuang 10D

Embark on a 10-day journey along China's legendary Silk Road, traveling from Kashgar to Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang on a budget. Using a mix of local transport—including cars, buses, taxis, and hard sleeper trains—you'll experience the route as travelers have for centuries. Visit historic cities like Kashgar, Turpan, Urumqi, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang, and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant cultures that shaped this ancient trade route.

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kashgar

Welcome to Kashgar, an old city on the ancient Silk Road. Today is arrival day. You can check in the hotel in Kashgar with your ID. Please contact us if you need airport or railway station transfer.

Transport: N/A

Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

Meal: None

Day 2 Kashgar explore before taking overnight train to Turpan

It is a busy day today to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will visit Apa Hoja Mausoleum this morning, which is a family cemetery with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun. Then you will visit the Grand Bazaar that is the biggest market in central Asia to sell all sorts of things. Later, you will visit the Kashgar old town where you will view the traditional houses and shops, workshop etc. 

Afterwards you will wander along the handicraft street in the Kashgar old town where there are music instruments, utensils and caps etc. Visit the Id Ghar Mosque, which is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. 

If it is Sunday, you will visit Animal Bazaar that opens only on Sundays.

Later, you will be transferred to Kashgar Railway Station to catch 13-15 hour overnight train to Turpan.

Transport: Car/Taxi + Train

Accommodation: Overnight on the hard sleeper train

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Sightseeing in Turpan

In Turpan, you'll explore the remarkably well-preserved ruins of two ancient cities—Jiaohe and Gaochang—where you'll uncover the legendary history of this fascinating oasis town.

You'll also visit the ingenious Karez Irrigation System, an underground water network that has sustained life in the arid Turpan Depression for centuries.

Additionally, you'll discover the stunning Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, nestled in a valley of the dramatic Flaming Mountains. Here, you can immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture that once flourished along the ancient Silk Road, all while enjoying spectacular photo opportunities in this breathtaking setting.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan

Meal: None

Day 4 Turpan to Urumqi by car or bullet train

Today is free day in Turpan. You can explore Turpan Bazaar, or Turpan Museum, or enjoy your free time in the hotel. Then you will catch 3-hour car ride or 1-hour bullet train ride from Turpan to Urumqi.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Urumqi hotel.

Transport: Vehicle or Bullet Train

Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Urumqi: City Tour

Today you will start your Urumqi day tour with your local guide at 9:30am. Firstly you will visit Xinjiang Museum that opens from Tuesday to Sunday. The various relicts display the long history of Xinjiang on the ancient Silk Road, particularly the dried mummies including the famous Loulan Beauty are well-known in the museum.

Then, you will visit Red Hill which is the high spot to view nearly entire city of Urumqi. 

Afterwards, head for the Hongguangshan Big Buddha Temple, the 40.8-meter in height standing Buddha Statue is very impressive.

Later, you will move to the bustling Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, where you will see all sorts of products from China and abroad. 

Finally, you will be transferred back to your hotel. 

Transport: Public bus/Taxi

Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Urumqi to Tianchi by car, then overnight train to Zhangye

Take one hour car ride to Heavenly Lake(Tianchi in Chinese), visit this stunning mountain lake before transferring to catch overnight train to Zhangye (10-12 hours).

Transport: Private vehicle + train

Accommodation: Overnight on the train

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Zhangye to Jiayuguan after visiting Danxia Rainbow Mountain

Today you will head to Zhangye Danxia Mountain, or Zhangye Rainbow Mountain in English, to view the colorful mountains, which is a very popular site recent years on the Silk Road for its impressive red, yellow, white and black clays on the mountains. You will take the sightseeing bus from one spot to another one to view the fantastic colorful clays. Moreover, the mountains are in all sorts of forms to display the colorful clays.

Later, you will take 3-hour car ride or 1-hour train ride from Zhangye to Jiayuguan where you will check in the hotel.

Transport: Vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan

Meal: None

Day 8 Jiyuguan to Dunhuang after sightseeing Jiayuguan Fort

Today you will visit the western end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan Fortress, which was built on the narrowest area in the Hexi Corridor between Qilian Mountain and Black Mountain. It is a renowned world heritage on the Silk Road. 

Later, you will take 5-hour car ride or 3-car train ride from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang via the large Gobi desert along the Hexi Corridor.

Transport: Vehicle or train

Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be traced back to the 4th century, and built many times in the history. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater at your own cost.

Transport: Taxi + bus

Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Departure from Dunhuang

Today is departure day, the wonderful Hexi Corridor tour concludes on the Silk Road. You can check out before noon, and depart on your own. Please conctact us if you need airport transfer service.

Transport: N/A

Accommodation: N/A

Meals: Breakfast