14 Days China Silk Road Muslim Tour (Xian-Gansu-Ningxia-Xinjiang)

Tour Overview

The 14 Days China Silk Road Muslim Tour offers an enriching journey through the historical Silk Road, where you’ll explore the diverse cultures of Chinese Muslims, including the Hui,...

Code of Tour: CDT0000090878

Length of Travel: 14 Day

Destinations of Tour: Xian-Lanzhou-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi-Kashgar

Departure City: Xian

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour: Private

Features of Tour:

More Map & Picture

The 14 Days China Silk Road Muslim Tour offers an enriching journey through the historical Silk Road, where you’ll explore the diverse cultures of Chinese Muslims, including the Hui, Uyghur, and Kazak communities. This immersive tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about the traditional customs, architectural wonders, and vibrant lifestyles of these groups while visiting significant historical sites along the route.

Tour Highlights

• Xi’an: Discover the iconic Terra Cotta Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the lively Muslim Quarter, featuring the Grand Mosque, which blends traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic design.
• Lanzhou: Visit the largest mosque in Lanzhou, the Xiguan Mosque, and experience the beauty of the Yellow River and Zhongshan Bridge, tasting local specialties like hand-pulled noodles.
• Yinchuan: Explore the Helanshan Rock Carvings and the Western Xia Tombs, fascinating remnants of ancient civilizations that reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage.
• Dunhuang: Marvel at the Mogao Caves, known for their stunning frescoes and Buddhist art, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring.
• Turpan: Visit historical sites such as the Ancient City of Jiaohe, Karez Irrigation System, and the Emin Minaret, and savor local Uyghur cuisine.
• Urumqi: Experience the Xinjiang Museum and vibrant Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for unique souvenirs.
• Kashgar: Explore the impressive Apa Hoja Mausoleum, the bustling old town, and the largest mosque in Xinjiang, Id Ghar Mosque. Enjoy authentic Uyghur meals at a local’s home.
• Karakul Lake: Take a scenic day trip to Karakul Lake, nestled in the Pamir Plateau, surrounded by breathtaking mountains and traditional yurts.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Xian
• Day 2: Xian
• Day 3: Xian-Lanzhou
• Day 4: Lanzhou-Yinchuan
• Day 5: Yinchuan
• Day 6: Yinchuan to Dunhuang by overnight train
• Day 7: Dunhuang
• Day 8: Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
• Day 9: Turpan
• Day 10: Urumqi to Tianchi, fly to Kashgar
• Day 12: Kashgar
• Day 13: Kashgar to Karakul Lake day trip
• Day 14: Departure from Kashgar

Full Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Xi’an
Welcome to Xi’an, the historical city on the Silk Road. Upon arrival Xi’an, you will be met and transferred to hotel in Xi’an.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi’an
Drum TowerDrum Tower
Bell TowerBell Tower

Day 2Xi’an: Terra Cotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter and Grand Mosque
Today you will take one-hour car ride to The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum that is one of the highlights of the Silk Road. Discovered and excavated in 1974, the museum was built on the original site, and each of the warriors is unique one with its own uniform. You will learn the history and story about this site with your local guide.

In the afternoon, your will visit Muslim Quarter, particularly the Grand Mosque that is a traditional Chinese architectural style mosque.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Terracotta WarriorsTerracotta Warriors
Muslim QuarterMuslim Quarter

Day 3Xian to Lanzhou by bullet train
Visit the old City Wall in Xian, which was built in Ming Dynasty with a length of nearly 14km. You can walk or ride a bike on the city wall.

Then you will be transferred to catch 3-hour bullet train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, met and transferred to hotel.

Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
xian city wallXian City Wall
xian city wallXian City Wall

Day 4Lanzhou to Yinchuan by car
Today you will visit Xiguan Mosque in Lanzhou, which is the biggest Mosque in the city. Then you will visit Yellow River, Zhongshan Bridge, and water wheel park etc. Taste the yummy hand-made noodles for lunch.

Then you will take 3-hour car ride to Yinchuan.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
lanzhou zhongshan bridgeLanzhou Zhongshan Bridge
Lanzhou CityLanzhou City

Day 5Yinchuan: Helanshan Rock Carvings, Western Xia Tombs
Visit the rock carvings. The Helanshan Rock Carvings are located 60km northwest of Yinchuan. The cliff carvings in Mt.Helan were done by the nomadic poeple in north China during Warring States period and Western Xia State. These carvings depict the life, religious activities, wars, herding, and hunting of the minority peoples at that time.

After lunch, head to the Western Xia Mausoleum, 40km west of Yinchan city. These were the royal tombs of the Western Xia State about 800 year ago. Nine kings and more than 140 royal family members of Western Xia State were buired here covering an area of 50 square kilometers. The tombs are in the shape of pyramid, hence its name the Pyramid in China.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Western XiMausoleumWestern XiMausoleum
Western XiMausoleumWestern XiMausoleum

Day 6Yinchuan to Dunhuang by overnight train
After hotel breakfasy, you will head to the Nanguan Mosque. The Nanguan Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in North China. The mosque has a high status among the Hui people.

Then you will visit Ningxia Museum where there are plenty of relics displaying the history about Ningxia area.

Later, you will catch overnight train to Dunhuang.

Transport: Private Vehicle + Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight on the soft sleeper train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Nanguan MosqueNanguan Mosque
Nanguan MosqueNanguan Mosque

Day 7Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan
In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be track back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
mogao grottoesMogao Grottoes
mingsha sand dunesMingsha Sand Dunes

Day 8Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
Today you will visit Dunhuang Museum (close on Monday), which is a new museum to exhibit he history, relics, antiques, paintings and statues in Dunhuang area on the Silk Road.

Afterwards, you will take 2-hour ride to Liuyuan where you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan.

Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Dunhuang MuseumDunhuang Museum
Picture from Dunhuang MuseumPicture From Dunhuang Museum

Day 9Explore Turpan
Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renowned for its well-preserved conditions.

Today you will visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide.

You may taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food at the lunchtime.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Gaochang City RuinGaochang City Ruin
Flaming MountainFlaming Mountain

Day 10Turpan to Urumqi by car, visit Xinjiang Museum
You will take a 3-hour ride to Urumqi where you will visit Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays), mummies are a must-see in it, particularly the Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty.

Afterwards you will visit the well-known Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar where you can purchase all sorts of souvenirs. Later, you will be transferred to the hotel in Urumqi for a rest.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast
Xinjiang MuseumXinjiang Museum
Erdaoqiao Bazaar Erdaoqiao Bazaar

Day 11Urumqi to Tianchi, fly to Kashgar
This morning you will take 1-hour ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese, which is a high mountain lake with stunning scenery in the Tianshan Mountains, a world natural heritage.

Then you will catch 2-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle + Flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
TianchiTianchi
Heavenly LakeHeavenly Lake

Day 12Kashgar city explore
Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret.

Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. You will also visit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang.

Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur’s house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau…etc.

The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.

Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
apak hoja mazaarApak Hoja Mazaar
kashgar old townKashgar Old Town

Day 13Kashgar to Karakul Lake day trip
Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renowned friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains. Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. After lunch, you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise.

Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.