14-Day China Silk Road Tour: Shanghai to Beijing

Shanghai, Xi'an, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Beijing

Traveler Reviews

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Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: SKY-Silk-Road-01

Tour Highlights:

Follow a 14-day Silk Road route linking eastern China with Xinjiang.
Explore Xi'an, Dunhuang, Turpan and Urumqi in geographic sequence.
Visit Buddhist grottoes, oasis settlements, desert landforms and ancient passes.
Begin in Shanghai and finish with Beijing's major landmarks.

Best Travel Time:
This itinerary operates year-round, with April through October recommended for the most suitable overall conditions.

From $ 3061

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Tour Itinerary

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Itinerary

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Day 1Arrival Shanghai

Be transferred to the hotel

Meals: No meal
Recommended Hotel: In Shanghai

Arrive in Shanghai, meet your local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest.

Tips: A Maglev transfer between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road station can be arranged instead of the private-vehicle transfer if requested.

Shanghai City View

Day 2Shanghai

Yuyuan Garden, Consucius Temple, the Bund, Xintiandi & French Concession, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Shanghai
Optional Night Activities: Acrobatic Show about 2 hours (daily 19:30)

Begin at Yuyuan Garden, followed by the scheduled Chinese tea ceremony at a nearby teahouse. Walk to the Confucius Temple, then continue to the Bund for views across the Huangpu River.

After lunch, explore Xintiandi and the Former French Concession, visit Jade Buddha Temple, stop at the Silk Museum , and finish at the Shanghai Museum before returning to the hotel.

The Bund

Day 3Shanghai – Xian

Flight to Xian, Shaanxi History Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Xian

Fly about 2.5 hours to Xian, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, spend about two hours at the Shaanxi History Museum , then return to the hotel for a free evening.

Shaanxi History Museum

Day 4Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Xian City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda North Square

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Xian
Optional Night Activities: Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner 3.5 hours (daily 18:00 – 20:30 for dinner, 20:30 – 21:35 for Tang Dynasty Show)

Allow 2.5–3 hours at the Terracotta Warriors, followed by lunch near the scenic area. Return to central Xi'an for a one-hour visit to the Xian City Wall, then walk around Wild Goose Pagoda North Square before returning to the hotel.

Tips: Read the linked What is Terracotta Warriors guide for useful background before the visit.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 5Xian – Dunhuang

Flight to Dunhuang, transfer service to hotel

Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Hotel: In Dunhuang

Keep the morning free, then transfer to the airport for the 2.5-hour flight to Dunhuang. After arrival in this oasis city, continue to the hotel and keep the rest of the day free.

Dunhuang City View

Day 6Dunhuang

Yumenguan Pass, Dunhuang Yadan National Geologic Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Dunhuang

Drive about three hours to the Yumenguan Pass for a 30-minute visit, then spend approximately one hour at the Dunhuang Yadan National Geologic Park. Return to central Dunhuang on another three-hour drive and rest at the hotel.

Tips:
1. The road between Dunhuang and Yumenguan Pass can be bumpy, making this a long driving day.
2. Yadan Landforms in the park vary widely in scale and form; the area known as Dunhuang Dveil Town resembles a natural open-air architecture museum.

Yumenguan Pass

Day 7Dunhuang – Turpan

Mogao Grottoes, Train to Turpan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Turpan

Visit the Mogao Grottoes for about two hours. After lunch, drive roughly three hours to Liuyuan Train Station and board the four-hour bullet train to Turpan.

Tips: When visiting Mogao Grottoes:
1. Only electric torches may be used inside.
2. Photography is prohibited inside to protect the wall paintings.
3. The grottoes close on rainy days.

Mogao Grottoes

Day 8Turpan

Gaochang Ancient City, Bezeklik Cave, Flaming Mountain

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: In Turpan

Visit Gaochang Ancient City for about two hours, followed by one hour at Bezeklik Caves and approximately 1.5 hours at Flaming Mountain . Tonight, have the scheduled dinner under the grape trellis at a local family home before returning to the hotel.

Tips:
1. Depending on the selected train, arrival in Turpan may be between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
2. Turpan is a predominantly Muslim area; follow your guide's advice on local customs.

Grape trellis

Day 9Turpan – Urumqi

Emin Minaret, Karez Well, Coach to Urumqi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Urumqi

After check-out, spend about one hour at Emin Minaret , then allow 30 minutes at Karez Well. After lunch, drive approximately 2.5 hours to Urumqi and keep the evening free.

Emin Minaret

Day 10Urumqi

Heavenly Lake, Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Urumqi

Drive about 120 km northeast to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) and spend roughly three hours beside the alpine lake. Return to central Urumqi and browse Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar at your own pace before returning to the hotel.

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)

Day 11Urumqi – Beijing

Flight to Beijing, Hutong Tour by rickshaw

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Beijing

Fly about 3.5 hours to Beijing. After hotel check-in and a short rest, take a 40-minute Hutong Tour by rickshaw for an introduction to Beijing's traditional neighborhood life.

Tips: See the linked Beijing Hutong Tour Tips page for more detail about the route.

Hutong Tour by Rickshaw

Day 12Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Beijing
Optional Night Activities: Peking Opera 1.5 hours (daily 19:30)

Visit Tiananmen Square for about 40 minutes, then explore the Forbidden City for 2.5–3 hours. Continue to the Temple of Heaven for approximately one hour before returning to the hotel.

Tips: The linked Forbidden City Tour Tips page explains practical details for visiting the palace complex.

Forbidden City

Day 13Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended Hotel: In Beijing
Optional Night Activities: Peking Roasted Duck around 1 hour

Walk along the Mutianyu Great Wall, then return to central Beijing for an approximately 1.5-hour visit to the Summer Palace. Transfer back to the hotel afterwards.

Tips: Review the linked What to pack for Great Wall Trips guide for practical packing advice before the Great Wall visit.

Great Wall

Day 14Departure Beijing

Be transferred to the airport

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight and conclude the Silk Road journey.

Service Ends.

Note: Visiting and transport times, as well as the duration of shows and meals, are indicative and may be adjusted to local conditions.

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

Hotel Class	Group Size	Dec. ~ Feb.	Mar. ~ Nov.
Economy Hotel ★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 3968	$ 4289
Economy Hotel ★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 3061	$ 3382
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 4115	$ 4540
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 3184	$ 3609
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 4629	$ 5240
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 3685	$ 4297

Price includes:

♦ Domestic flight or high-speed train as specified
♦ Private transfer between the airport or railway station, attractions, and hotels
♦ Private licensed English-speaking guide and driver service
♦ Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast on sharing basis
♦ All attraction entrance fees as specified
♦ Meals mentioned in the itinerary, Chinese local food

Price excludes:

* International Air tickets or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
* Tips to your tour guide and driver on your own discretion
* China Entry Visa Fees
* Personal expenses
* Optional tours, meals, activities and services
* China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance

Remarks:

※ Prices are valid from Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027, except Chinese public holidays, local fairs or events.
※ YUNSKY reserves the right to adjust the price caused by exchange rate
※ No guide on the flight and Yangtze River cruise.
※ Recommended hotels are subject to change in actual booking
※ Special requirements should be advised to YUNSKY in advance.
※ YUNSKY reserves the right of final explanation for any change due to the reasons beyond our control.

Useful Information

Why Choose Us

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos
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5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though

Kiwimac53

5.0

We were looking for a tour in SW China while in the area for work and found this one. While we wouldn't normally get a private tour but surprisingly it was actually cheaper than most of the group tours in the area and was great value. While I would usually rather keep one guide for the whole tour, as you get to know each other and they get to know what you are interested in, we changed guides 5 times during this trip (fortunately we had the same guide in Kunming at the start and end of the tour which was a real bonus as Murphy, our Kunming based guide, was excellent.) In this case changing guides had the advantage of local knowledge at each site so compensated for the change. Of the 4 guides we had 3 excellent and 1 very good with each of them working hard to look after us and make sure we enjoyed our trip. Vicky, our Dali based guide was also extremely good making our time there a highlight. The tour gives you 2 days at each base ie travel in the morning, have the afternoon and the next day touring the area then drive to the next base. We chose the driving tour as we feel it gives you a better experience of the area and you get to see the locals in action. All the drivers we had were great – they went out of their way to look after us and were very safe, which is saying something for driving in China. While all of the guides were very fluent in English none of the drivers could speak English which was a slight disadvantage as you didn't have the guides with you when traveling between bases but the friendliness and helpfulness of the drivers more than made up for this.
The tour was very well organised and we knew what we were doing from the time we met our guide on arrival at the Kunming railway station to when we walked through security at the airport on our way out. The tour comes with 4,5 and 6 star accommodation choices and we went for the cheapest 4 star option. While the English at the hotels was limited the guides made sure we were checked in and out and took care of any issues (which were minimal). The 4 star option is largely “Chinese style” hotels ie designed for Chinese visitors with breakfast consisting of what many westeners would consider dinner style food but there was always eggs and toast for the less adventurous. The hotels were all clean and comfortable and generally very well located. The Hotel in Kunming (Jin Jang Inn) was a bonus as it seemed higher than 4 star and we stayed there both on our way in and out. As well as breakfast, lunch came with the tour which was enjoyable as the guides choose the restaurants so we got a variety. I got the feeling that most of the restaurants were owned by friends or family or there was some arrangement with the guide, but as you get to formally review each guide and the meals at the end of each stop they work hard to make sure you enjoy the meal and there was always an abundance of food. We tried a range of local cuisine and there was only one meal we didn't think was up to par. You get your own dinner which also suited us as there is invariably a range of restaurants or for the more adventurous there is the street vendors and you can choose what you want. The vehicles we were driven in were all very good- plenty of space and very comfortable.
Being a private tour, while there was a set itinerary, which was diverse and very interesting with something for most people, the guides could tweak it to suit individual interests eg more time at one site and less at another. It is easy to get a bit templed out but overall the itinerary was a good mic of nature and culture. I would thoroughly recommend the tour and the company and we will be looking to the company if/when we go back – Guilin is next on the list as the guides were very happy to discus what they thought we would and wouldn't enjoy based on working with us on this tour,

N2265ZIinfo

5.0

Excellent guides, flexible and knowledgeable travel agent. They speak good English. Our trip was very well organized. We are 100% happy and I can recommend Yun Sky Travel to everybody.

Wesley O

5.0

I contacted Yun Sky Travel for a 13 day China vacation (Beijing/Xian/Yangtze River cruise/Shanghai) and right from the start Bonnie provided me with great choices and package options. Throughout the entire planning and even during the trip Bonnie was there for us following up and making sure everything was perfect. Thank you Bonnie for making our China vacation unforgettable.

Johnf8958

5.0

From the minute I contacted Vicky at Yun Sky Travel to book our holiday, to the time we were taken to Pudong airport for our flight home, the experience was perfect.
My wife and I visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and all of our tour guides were fluent in English, very knowledgeable and very friendly.
Thank you Vicky and all at YUNSKY and I will definitely be in contact when I return to China.

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