12-Day Classic Silk Road & Xi'an Private Tour
MUSLIM-FRIENDLY CHINA
12-Day
From US$2,499/pax
Highlights
Itinerary
Transportation
Meals
Accommodation
Cost
FAQs
🏔️ Tianshan Mountains & Xinjiang Culture
Begin with the alpine waters of Heavenly Lake of Tianshan before exploring the colorful Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar.
🍇 Ancient Oasis Life in Turpan
Explore Gaochang Ancient City, Karez Irrigation System, Flaming Mountains and Grape Valley, together with a local Uyghur family visit.
🐫 Dunhuang Desert Experience
Ride a camel across the dunes of Mingsha Mountain, see Crescent Lake and explore the world-famous Buddhist art of Mogao Caves.
🌈 Gansu's Historic Corridor
Travel through Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Wuwei and Lanzhou, combining Great Wall heritage, rainbow-colored rock formations, grottoes and Yellow River landmarks.
🏯 Xi'an: Imperial China & Muslim Quarter
Finish in Xi'an with the Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, pagodas, Tang heritage and the bustling Muslim Quarter.
Day
01
Day 12 - Xi'an Departure
Xi'an Hotel → Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Approx. 40–60 km / 0.75–1.5 hrs
Day
02
Day 11 - Historic Xi'an
Xi'an Hotel → Small Wild Goose Pagoda → Xi'an Museum → Daming Palace National Heritage Park → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Great Tang All Day Mall → Xi'an Hotel Approx. 30–50 km / 1–2 hrs
Day
03
Day 10 - Xi'an → Terracotta Army → Hanchenghu → Xi'an
Xi'an → Terracotta Army → Hanchenghu Scenic Area → Dafeng Pavilion → Xi'an Hotel Approx. 90–120 km / 2–3 hrs
Day
04
Day 9 - Lanzhou → Xi'an
Lanzhou Hotel → Lanzhou West Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station → Xi'an City Wall → Yongxing Fang → Bell Tower → Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter → Xi'an Hotel Approx. 530–580 km / 3.5–5 hrs
Day
05
Day 8 - Wuwei → Lanzhou
Wuwei → Tiantishan Grottoes → Lanzhou → Zhongshan Bridge → Waterwheel Expo Garden → Yellow River Mother Statue → Zhangye Road → Lanzhou Hotel Approx. 300–350 km / 4–5 hrs
Day
06
Day 7 - Zhangye → Mati Temple → Wuwei
Zhangye → Mati Temple → Wuwei → Leitai Han Tombs → Wuwei Hotel Approx. 380–450 km / 5.5–7 hrs
Day
07
Day 6 - Jiayuguan → Zhangye
Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia National Geopark → Giant Buddha Temple → Zhangye Hotel Approx. 250–300 km / 3–4 hrs
Day
08
Day 5 - Dunhuang → Mogao Caves → Jiayuguan
Dunhuang → Mogao Caves → Jiayuguan Pass → Jiayuguan Hotel Approx. 400–450 km / 5–6 hrs
Day
09
Day 4 - Turpan → Liuyuan → Dunhuang
Turpan → Liuyuan South Railway Station → Dunhuang → Mingsha Mountain → Crescent Lake → Dunhuang Hotel Approx. 700–730 km / 5–6 hrs
Day
10
Day 3 - Urumqi → Turpan
Urumqi → Gaochang Ancient City → Karez Irrigation System → Flaming Mountains → Grape Valley → Local Uyghur Family Visit → Turpan Hotel Approx. 220–260 km / 3–4.5 hrs
Day
11
Day 2 - Urumqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Grand Bazaar → Urumqi
Urumqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar → Urumqi Hotel Approx. 220–260 km / 3.5–4.5 hrs
Day
12
Day 1 - Urumqi Arrival
Urumqi Airport → Urumqi Hotel Approx. 15–30 km / 0.5–1 hr
Day
01
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Urumqi
Standard Double Room
Day
02
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Urumqi
Standard Double Room
Day
03
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Turpan
Standard Double Room
Day
04
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Dunhuang
Standard Double Room
Day
05
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Jiayuguan
Standard Double Room
Day
06
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Zhangye
Standard Double Room
Day
07
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Wuwei
Standard Double Room
Day
08
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Lanzhou
Standard Double Room
Day
09
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Xi'an
Standard Double Room
Day
10
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Xi'an
Standard Double Room
Day
11
Selected 4-Star Standard Hotel in Xi'an
Standard Double Room
The Cost Includes
• Professional licensed English-speaking guide for scheduled sightseeing
• Private air-conditioned vehicle for scheduled transfers and sightseeing
• Second-class high-speed train tickets listed in the itinerary
• 11 nights of selected accommodation meeting international 4-star standards
• 11 hotel breakfasts
• 1 welcome dinner
• 1 Desert Charm Banquet
• Admission tickets for scheduled attractions
• Required scenic shuttle buses, battery cars and other required scenic transportation specifically listed in the itinerary
• Camel riding at Mingsha Mountain as listed
• Scheduled boat rides and audio-guide services specifically listed
The Cost Excludes
• International flights
• Domestic flights not specifically included
• China visa
• Lunches and dinners except the meals specifically listed as included
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Single Room Supplement
• Optional activities
• Travel insurance
• Tips to guides and drivers
• Any service not specifically listed under "The Cost Includes"
Booking Notice
• The published reference price is From US$2,499/pax. Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, hotel availability, train tickets and confirmed services.
• Valid passport information is required in advance for train reservations and attractions requiring real-name booking.
• The suggested Turpan → Liuyuan train is subject to the final railway timetable and ticket availability.
• Desert activities may be affected by high temperatures, strong wind, sandstorms or other weather conditions.
• 【Mogao Caves】 uses controlled daily visitor quotas and advance reservations are essential.
• Some days involve long overland drives across Xinjiang and Gansu. The order may be adjusted according to road and attraction operating conditions.
Refund Policy
• More than 30 days before departure: 10% cancellation fee
• 30–15 days before departure: 20% cancellation fee
• 14–7 days before departure: 30% cancellation fee
• 6–2 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee
• Less than 48 hours before departure or no-show: 100% cancellation fee
• Any non-refundable costs already incurred for hotels, tickets, transportation or other services will be deducted from the refundable amount.
FAQ
Is an English-speaking guide included?
Yes. A professional licensed English-speaking guide is included for scheduled sightseeing and transfers.
Are Halal meals included?
The itinerary includes 【Xi'an Muslim Quarter】, but the source product does not explicitly confirm that all included meals are Halal. Halal meal arrangements should therefore be confirmed before booking.
Are the high-speed train tickets included?
Yes. Second-class high-speed train tickets listed in the itinerary are included.
Are the scenic-area buses and battery cars included?
Required scenic-area transportation specifically listed in the itinerary is included. Optional transportation is subject to separate confirmation.
Are lunch and dinner included?
The tour includes 11 hotel breakfasts, 1 welcome dinner and 1 Desert Charm Banquet. Other lunches and dinners are not included unless separately confirmed.
Is this a high-altitude trip?
Most destinations are not extremely high, but 【Heavenly Lake of Tianshan】 and some areas along the route are at higher elevations and may have significant temperature changes.
Is there a lot of walking?
Yes. Several sites, including 【Mogao Caves】, 【Jiayuguan Pass】, 【Zhangye Danxia National Geopark】 and Xi'an's historical attractions, involve walking and steps.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. This private itinerary can be adjusted according to your travel dates, interests and preferred pace.
