The Silk Road is an ancient trade route once connected civilizations between the East and the West. It has witnessed a lot of changes throughout history and has thereby become a place where various cultures met and mixed.
But what’s important is that it was not just a road for trading goods in the past. It is also a path for the sharing of religion, art, and ideas. Today, many parts of this route have turned into popular travel spots. Those who love history and culture often come here to explore. This article will take you on the best China Silk Road tours, through beautiful nature and rich cultural heritage.
Start in Xi’an – What to See in the Ancient Capital of China
The Terracotta Army
Standing in front of the ancient tomb, you can imagine how the history went thousands of years ago. The Terracotta Army built in 247 BC stayed hidden underground for centuries until it was discovered near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
The clay soldiers are now well preserved in the museum at the site. These artworks are now part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list and are considered a symbol of Chinese culture. The site opens from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost 150 RMB in high season and 120 RMB in low season. To avoid crowds, book tickets in advance on the official website.
The Ancient City Wall
Another must-se in the city of Xi’an, the Ancient City Wall is the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. You can bike or walk along the top of the wall. Either way, you can get a very good view of the old city. At evening, the lights all come on and the wall glows beautifully, which is the best time to visit.
Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter sits in the center of Xi’an, close to the Bell and Drum Towers. It includes several old streets like Beiyuanmen and Xiyangshi. This area is full of local snacks such as grilled skewers, lamb stew with flatbread, soup dumplings, and spicy lamb feet.
Many restaurants here are century-old stores who still follow the Muslim cooking traditions. Food is not the only surprise it has to offer. You can also feel the deep cultural roots in the area. There are many old mosques, like the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane and smaller ones on Guangji Street and Daxuexi Lane. These places show the long history of Muslim culture in Xi’an.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is inside the Daci’en Temple. It was built in the year 652 during the Tang Dynasty. Monk Xuanzang built it to store scriptures and Buddha statues he brought back from India. A symbol of Xi’an and a key part telling how Buddhism spread in China, the pagoda has really received a high footfall over the past few years. In the evening, you can watch the light show near the pagoda and enjoy its beauty under the night sky.
Travel Through Gansu – Desert Views and Buddhist Art
Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes
Dunhuang is at the end of the Hexi Corridor and is home to the Mogao Grottoes. It is a must during the China Silk Road tours. These caves were carved from the Sixteen Kingdoms period to the Yuan Dynasty, for over 1,000 years. There are now 735 caves, over 45,000 square meters of murals, and more than 2,400 statues. Five of the caves still have wooden roofs from the Tang and Song dynasties. These caves combine painting, sculpture, and architecture, making them very valuable for studying ancient Chinese art.
Good to know: The site is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets cost 238 RMB in high season and 140 RMB in low season. Book early on the official website.
Zhangye Danxia
Zhangye is famous for the colorful Danxia landforms. These mountains are like the rainbow, covering a large area with all these strange shapes and bright colors. They are a great example of dry-area landforms in China. This place is a favorite for photographers. You can see hills and cliffs in all sorts of colors and patterns, like the painting created by nature. If you come here, you can visit popular spots such as Colorful Canyon, Colorful Tower, and Flaming Mountain, each offering amazing views.
Explore Xinjiang – Culture, History, and Natural Beauty
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum
This museum, one of the most popular sites in China Silk Road museum tours, is the biggest one in Xinjiang, located on Xibei Road in Urumqi. It has many historical items on display, from Xinjiang’s past, along with creative exhibits that mix relics, stories, and local crafts. It’s open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You need to make a reservation through the museum’s official WeChat account.
The Kashgar Old Town
The Kashgar Old Town sitting in the city of Kashgar, in the far west of China, is one of the most popular attraction in Xinjiang tours. The town is over 2,000 years old but still remained the old charm. It’s seen as a living museum of ancient cities in the Western Regions. Many traditional Uyghur houses and crafts are still here. The town is open to tourists, and the locals are still living and working there. That means it is a great place for a Xinjiang culture tour. Just walk through narrow streets, see how people here weave and bake bread, and try local food.
The Karakul Lake
The Karakul Lake lies under the tall Muztagh Ata mountain, called by locals the “Father of Ice Mountains.” This high-altitude lake sits in a green pasture, where yaks and sheep graze. Around the lake, you’ll see yurts and wooden houses from the Tajik people, as well as camps for mountain climbers. “Karakul” means “Black Lake.” The water is so clear that it reflects the snow-covered peaks around it. The scenery is quiet and grand, with white mountains rising from the edge of the lake.
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We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.