15-Day Silk Road Adventure
Silk Road Epic: Xi’an Terracotta Warriors + Dunhuang Grottoes + Urumqi Cultures
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrive in Xi'an, the ancient capital and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Check in and rest.
2
Visit the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, a breathtaking sight that marks the beginning of our journey through China's imperial past.
Terracotta Army Museum of Qin Shi Huang
The Terracotta Army Museum of Qin Shi Huang is located in Lintong District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It is the burial pit of the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first feudal emperor of China, and is known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The terracotta warriors unearthed here are in various forms and lifelike, and are important physical materials for studying the military, culture, and art of the Qin Dynasty.
3
Cycle or walk on the impressive ancient City Wall. In the evening, explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) and visit the Great Mosque.
Xi'an City Wall
Xi'an City Wall, also known as Xi'an Ming City Wall, is the largest and most complete ancient city wall existing in China. It was built in the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, based on the imperial city of the Tang Dynasty, and fully embodies the style of ancient Chinese city construction. The total circumference of the city wall is 13.74 kilometers, including a moat, drawbridge, gate tower, arrow tower, main tower, corner tower, watchtower, parapet, and crenellations, forming a complete set of military facilities. Since 1961, the Xi'an City Wall has been listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit and is also a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, demonstrating the complete characteristics of city wall architecture in Chinese feudal society and serving as an important physical material for studying Chinese history and ancient architectural art. Visitors can cycle and stroll on the city wall, feeling the weight of history and the modern vitality of Xi'an.
Muslim Quarter
Xi'an Muslim Quarter is a snack street and commercial area located in the center of Xi'an, China, adjacent to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. It is bordered by Shehuo Street to the east, Zaoyuan Lane to the west, West Avenue to the south, and Hongfu Street to the north. The area has ten mosques, the largest of which is the Great Mosque, which is listed as a national protected cultural relic for its traditional architecture and religious significance. According to the 2010 census, the area has a population of about 60,000, more than half of whom are Hui people, and the rest are Han Chinese. In the past few decades, Xi'an Muslim Quarter has become a tourist attraction known for its culture and cuisine, attracting tourists from all over the world every year. The history of the Muslim Quarter can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, when Muslim merchants came and gathered in Chang'an (today's Xi'an) through the Silk Road. Since then, from the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, the Muslim population began to settle near Daxuexi Street and Huajue Great Mosque. Later, in the Ming Dynasty, the town government of Xi'an was located next to the Drum Tower, a traditional building used for timing, which was very close to the Muslim Quarter. This gathered a large number of wealthy merchants, thus cultivating a commercial lifestyle mainly dominated by Muslims within the Muslim Quarter. After the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty formed the pattern of "Three Temples and Thirteen Workshops". Although the Shaanxi-Gansu Hui Revolt in the late Qing Dynasty destroyed a large number of Muslim communities in Northwest China, the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an was unaffected due to its highly commercialized status and protected location within the city walls. The Middle Temple and the West Temple were built in 1919 and 1920 respectively, further developing the Muslim Quarter into a pattern of "Nine Temples".
Xi'an Great Mosque
The Great Mosque of Xi'an is one of the oldest mosques in China and one of the four major mosques in China. It combines traditional Chinese architectural styles with Islamic art elements. The temple has halls, pavilions, carved beams and painted buildings, with a rigorous layout and elegant environment. It is an important physical material for studying the development history of Islam in China.
4
Take a daytime high-speed train or an overnight sleeper train from Xi'an to the oasis city of Dunhuang.
5
Arrive in Dunhuang. In the afternoon, visit the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with stunning Buddhist art spanning a thousand years.
Dunhuang Grottoes Cultural Relics Protection Research Exhibition Center
The Dunhuang Grottoes Cultural Relics Protection Research Exhibition Center is located within the Mogao Grottoes scenic area. It is an institution that integrates the protection, research, and exhibition of Dunhuang Grottoes cultural relics. Through rich exhibits and professional explanations, the center showcases the historical culture, artistic value, and conservation achievements of the Dunhuang Grottoes to visitors, serving as an important window for understanding Dunhuang Grottoes art.
6
Experience the desert by visiting the Singing Sands Mountain and the magical Crescent Lake. Enjoy a camel ride and watch the sunset over the dunes.
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, and is a unique natural landscape composed of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Mingsha Mountain is famous for its wonder of 'mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water coexisting,' and gets its name from the sound made by moving sand. Crescent Spring is a crescent-shaped lake, shimmering with clear water in the desert, remaining unfrozen for thousands of years, and is hailed as a 'desert marvel.' It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and recognized by UNESCO as part of the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, making it an excellent destination to experience desert scenery and Silk Road culture.
7
Take a day trip west to see the otherworldly wind-eroded landscapes of the Yadan National Geopark and the historic ruins of the Jade Gate Pass (Yumenguan).
Dunhuang Yadan National Geological Park
Dunhuang Yadan National Geological Park (official name: China Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark) is a Chinese national geopark approved by UNESCO in 2015, located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, China, showcasing the local Yadan geological landform features. The park covers an area of 398 square kilometers and is located approximately 180 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang city center. Yadan landforms are the main geographical feature, formed over a long period by wind and rainwater eroding the softer parts of the earth's surface, while the harder rock sections remain in the desert. Some uniquely shaped rocks within the park are named 'Yurt,' 'Camel,' 'Stone Bird,' 'Peacock,' and 'Golden Lion Welcoming Guests,' among others. The unique rock formations in the park were formed over 700,000 years. The Yadan landforms found in Dunhuang Yadan National Geopark are the largest in China. One of the most famous attractions in the park is Yadan Devil City, which contains the ancient castle of Aiskexiaer, where Aiskexiaer means 'Old City' in Uyghur.
Yangguan Yumen Pass Tourist Area (Yumen Pass)
Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) is a pass on the Great Wall west of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, China. During the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), it was a vital passage on the Silk Road and the only route connecting Central Asia with East Asia (China), the latter being known as the Western Regions. Just to its south is Yangguan Pass, which was also an important location on the Silk Road. These passes and other sites along the Silk Road were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 as part of the Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor World Heritage Site. The pass is located at an altitude of 1400 meters.
8
Take a high-speed train across the vast landscapes of Xinjiang from Dunhuang (Liuyuan Station) to Urumqi.
9
Take a high-speed train across the vast landscapes of Xinjiang from Dunhuang (Liuyuan Station) to Urumqi.
10
Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Visit the regional museum to see the famous 'Mummies of Xinjiang' and learn about the diverse cultures of the region.
11
Take a day trip to the stunning Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, offering spectacular views.
Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
The Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area, located in Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a natural scenic area centered around a high-mountain lake. It is a typical mountainous natural landscape in China's arid northwest and an important part of the 'Xinjiang Tianshan' World Natural Heritage site. The scenic area attracts numerous tourists with its unique natural beauty and profound cultural heritage. The Tianchi lake water is clear, surrounded by mountains, with snow-capped peaks reflected in it, earning it the reputation of 'Fairyland of the Jade Pool'. Major attractions include Dinghai Shenzhen (Magic Needle of the Sea), West Xiao Tianchi, East Xiao Tianchi, Hanging Spring Waterfall, Maya Mountain, etc. The scenic area also integrates the mythological legends of the Queen Mother of the West, Taoist culture, and Kazakh ethnic customs.
12
Explore the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in the world. Experience the vibrant atmosphere, shop for local crafts, and taste Uyghur snacks.
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is an Islamic bazaar located in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. It is one of the largest bazaars in the world, integrating Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism, and entertainment. It is also one of the most famous landmarks in Urumqi and even Xinjiang. The Grand Bazaar covers an area of 4000 square meters and features an 80-meter-high sightseeing tower, an open-air mosque, an opera house, and a food court.
13
For a deeper experience, take a flight to Kashgar, the cultural heart of Uyghur culture and the most atmospheric city on the Chinese Silk Road.
14
Explore Kashgar's old city, visit the Id Kah Mosque, and experience the famous Sunday Livestock Market if your timing is right.
15
Depart from Urumqi, concluding your epic Silk Road adventure.
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