Itinerary

Silk Road tour · Xi’an → Urumqi, 11–22 June 2026

Day-by-day schedule for the Silk Road leg. For historical and cultural background, see the Silk Road review and the individual city guides linked there.

Day 0 — Thursday 11 June · Xi’an

Crystal Orange Hotel, Xi’an · No meals

David Leitch and Karen arrive at Xi’an Xianyang Airport at 23:50 on China Eastern MU2193, met by a driver and transferred to the hotel.

Day 1 — Friday 12 June · Xi’an: arrival in the ancient capital

Crystal Orange Hotel, Xi’an · No meals

On arrival at Xi’an airport you’ll be greeted by your private driver and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or take a first stroll through the historic streets of this once-imperial city.

Graham and Annette Harman arrive at Xi’an Xianyang Airport at 09:45 on China Southern CZ3201, met by a driver and guide and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 — Saturday 13 June · Xi’an: warriors, pagodas & local flavours

Crystal Orange Hotel, Xi’an · Breakfast & lunch

Start with the Terracotta Warriors, where thousands of life-sized soldiers stand in silent formation. Then visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist landmark from the Tang Dynasty. As evening falls, head into the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street), where the scent of lamb skewers and fresh-baked naan fills the night air.

Day 3 — Sunday 14 June · Xi’an to Zhangye: city walls, a train west & a reclining Buddha

Puyue Hotel, Zhangye · Breakfast & lunch

Begin atop the Ming Dynasty City Wall, with views over Xi’an’s old and new quarters. Later, board a high-speed train west to Zhangye. On arrival, visit the Great Buddha Temple, home to China’s largest reclining Buddha — a 35-metre figure. Then stroll through Ganzhou Market for dinner.

Day 4 — Monday 15 June · Zhangye: cliff temples & rainbow mountains at sunset

Puyue Hotel, Zhangye · Breakfast & lunch

Explore the Matisi Grottoes (Horse Hoof Temple), Buddhist caves carved into red cliffs — legend says a heavenly horse left its hoofprint here. In the late afternoon, arrive at Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, where the low sun brings out bands of crimson, gold, jade and rust rippling across the hills.

Day 5 — Tuesday 16 June · Zhangye to Jiayuguan: fort, hanging wall & Wei-Jin tombs

Grand Madison Hotel, Jiayuguan · Breakfast & lunch

Depart Zhangye by car, travelling west along the Hexi Corridor. In Jiayuguan, explore the Jiayuguan Fort, the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”, then walk up the Overhanging Great Wall, a steep section clinging to a rocky ridge. End the day at the Wei-Jin Tombs, whose brick murals depict daily life over 1,700 years ago.

Day 6 — Wednesday 17 June · Jiayuguan to Dunhuang: Mogao Caves

Jinyi Royalton Hotel, Dunhuang · Breakfast & lunch

Drive through desert landscapes from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, an oasis town steeped in Silk Road history. Spend the afternoon at the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient grottoes filled with Buddhist murals and statues preserved for over a thousand years.

Day 7 — Thursday 18 June · Dunhuang to Turpan: Singing Sand Mountain & high-speed train

Mercure Hotel, Turpan · Breakfast & lunch

Start the day at Mingsha Mountain (Singing Sand Mountain). Climb the dunes, listen to the sand “sing” in the wind, and take in the desert views. Later, board a high-speed train to Turpan, a low-lying oasis famous for grapes and ancient karez irrigation. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 8 — Friday 19 June · Turpan: desert kingdoms & flaming peaks

Mercure Hotel, Turpan · Breakfast & lunch

Explore the Jiaohe Ruins, a wind-worn city of clay that once thrived along the Silk Road. Visit the Karez Irrigation System, underground canals that turned desert into orchards. Then feel the heat at the Flaming Mountains, where red sandstone blazes under the sun. End at the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, with murals overlooking stark canyons.

Day 9 — Saturday 20 June · Turpan to Urumqi: Heavenly Lake & mountain vistas

Hami Building, Urumqi · Breakfast & lunch

Drive toward the regional capital, Urumqi, pausing en route at Heavenly Lake (Tianchi). Set in the Tianshan Mountains, its jade waters mirror snow-capped peaks and pine forests. Breathe the alpine air before continuing to Urumqi for the night.

Day 10 — Sunday 21 June · Urumqi: ecological park & grand bazaar

Hami Building, Urumqi · Breakfast & lunch

After breakfast, visit the Xinjiang Ancient Ecological Park — old trees, rare horses and a peaceful lake — and enjoy a live horse performance by skilled riders. After lunch, head to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, a market showcasing local culture and architecture (shopping optional). David will be transferred by a separate car to the airport for his flight to Beijing (MU6110, 10:20–13:55).

Day 11 — Monday 22 June · Urumqi: farewell to the Silk Road

Departure · Breakfast

After a final breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Urumqi Airport (CZ6895 Urumqi–Guangzhou, 10:45–16:00, for 3 passengers). As you depart, the vast landscapes, ancient echoes and warm hospitality of Xinjiang linger — a journey to remember until the next Silk Road sunset.