Tour Silk Road: Mountains and Oasis - 13d - 2026

BEIJING 75ºF - 75ºF

Welcome to China! Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel.

In the early evening, we’ll take a transfer to Wangfujing Street, a vibrant pedestrian avenue known for its lively atmosphere, numerous shops, and diverse restaurants. This will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the city. Dinner will be included, followed by a return to the hotel.

BEIJING 75ºF - 75ºF

An exciting day awaits us as we explore the highlights of China’s capital. We’ll enjoy a full-day guided tour, starting with a walk through the immense Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world. Next, we’ll visit the majestic Forbidden City, the most impressive architectural complex in China, where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. We’ll also visit Jingshan Park, home to Coal Hill, one of Beijing’s best-preserved imperial gardens. Climbing to the top of the hill, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Forbidden City—weather permitting.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll experience local life with a tricycle ride through the traditional Hutong neighborhoods, where we can observe daily life, visit charming shops, and step inside a Siheyuan, a traditional courtyard house.

We’ll then conclude our tour with a visit to the stunning Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its exquisite gardens and tranquil lakes.

06:30 p.m. - Tour ends. You may return to the hotel by bus or choose to stay in the city center (in which case, the return to the hotel will be at your own expense. We recommend carrying the hotel’s address written in Chinese to show the taxi driver).

Note: Due to heritage conservation measures and enhanced visitor safety, the governing body of the Forbidden City has temporarily reduced daily visitor capacity. As a result, we cannot guarantee access to this site. If the visit is not possible, it will be replaced with a tour of the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple, both iconic landmarks in Chinese history and culture.

BEIJING 75ºF - 75ºF - SHANGHAI 82ºF - 84ºF

We’ll take an excursion to the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, a spectacular architectural masterpiece whose history spans more than 2,000 years. We’ll ride the cable car up and down to access the Wall (tickets included). We’ll bid farewell to Beijing with a delicious lunch included, featuring the famous Peking duck. Afterward, we’ll transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train bound for Shanghai. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

SHANGHAI 82ºF - 84ºF

Our tour of Shanghai will take us through its most iconic sights. We´ll begin in Pudong, Shanghai’s modern financial district, located across the Huangpu River. This area is home to towering skyscrapers, including the iconic Pearl Tower.

We’ll then take a scenic ferry ride across the Shanghai River, offering spectacular views of both the historic and contemporary sides of the city.

Next, we’ll stroll through the Old City and visit the serene Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved private garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Here, we’ll also an explanation of traditional tea, an integral part of China’s rich cultural heritage.

Our tour will continue through Xintiandi, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its stylish boutiques, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere.

Lunch will be included.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Tianzifang, a former residential district now famous for its maze-like alleys, charming craft shops, and contemporary art galleries.

We’ll conclude our day with a walk along The Bund, where grand colonial-era buildings reflect the influence of European trade in Shanghai.

Free afternoon. If you wish, you can enjoy a boat trip to see Shanghai at night, it will be an unforgettable experience.

SHANGHAI 82ºF - 84ºF - LUOYANG 77ºF - 77ºF

Transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train (scheduled departure at 07:17 a.m.). In just over five hours, we’ll travel 1,000 km through picturesque landscapes, passing through beautiful stretches of countryside before arriving in Luoyang.

Lunch will be included.

Our visit will begin at the awe-inspiring Longmen Buddhist Caves, an extraordinary complex stretching over a kilometer along the rocky cliffs of the river. Here, more than 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings have been sculpted into the stone, creating one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this site, we’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river.

Afterward, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Luoyang, where we’ll pass through its imposing walls and immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of its illuminated streets, filled with traditional charm and vibrant local activity.

LUOYANG 77ºF - 77ºF - LONGMEN 82ºF - 82ºF - SANMEXIA - XIAN 70ºF - 70ºF

In the early morning, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we’ll visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a vast and historic center of Buddhist learning that welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world.

We’ll then continue our journey to Sanmenxia, a city rich in history. Here, we’ll admire the mighty Yellow River and visit the Baolun Temple, known for its striking tall pagoda. We’ll also explore the renowned Guo Museum, considered one of the finest in China, where we’ll see the ancient funeral carriages of the former State of Guo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.

Lunch will be included.

Our journey eastward will take us past the sacred Mount Hua, one of China’s holiest mountains, known for its dramatic peaks and spiritual significance.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Xian, where our day will come to an end.

XIAN 70ºF - 70ºF

We have arrived in Xian, the fascinating city where the ancient Silk Road began.

In the morning, we’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Army, an astonishing archaeological site where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, hidden underground for centuries, stand guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor.

Afterward, we’ll return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist structure that has stood for over a thousand years.

Next, we’ll explore the city’s historic walled center, passing through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where we’ll visit the Great Mosque. This unique site reflects the rich blend of cultures and religions that have shaped China over the centuries.

Our tour also includes entrance to the Drum Tower, where we’ll enjoy a short performance of traditional Chinese music played on ancient instruments.

Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

XIAN 70ºF - 70ºF - DUNHUANG 73ºF - 73ºF

We’ll head to the airport to catch the included flight to the city of Dunhuang, an oasis in the Gobi Desert that played a crucial role along the Silk Road. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. We’ll embark on an excursion to the desert, where we’ll enjoy a camel ride across the Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan). One of the highlights will be reaching the Crescent Moon Spring, a crescent-shaped lake nestled at the foot of the dunes. We’ll travel by electric car to access the site. Afterward, we’ll return to Dunhuang for accommodation.

DUNHUANG 73ºF - 73ºF - TURPAN 88ºF - 88ºF

We’ll embark on an excursion to the incredible Mogao Caves, carved into the side of a mountain and home to as many as 18 monasteries. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll attend the local Youjian Dunhuang Show, a vibrant cultural performance. Afterward, we’ll provide a transfer to the station to board the high-speed train to Turpan for accommodation (D2703: 05:12 p.m. – 08:45 p.m.). This city is the lowest point in all of China, located in the heart of the Turpan Depression (500 meters below sea level).

TURPAN 88ºF - 88ºF

We’ll visit some of the most important sites along the Silk Road today. Our journey will take us to the Ancient City of Gaochang and the Astana Tombs. Next, we’ll explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a remarkable set of rock-carved caves that were once part of an ancient monastery. Lunch will be included. We’ll then visit the Jiaohe Ruins, a stunning ancient adobe city that was a key strategic point along the Silk Road. We’ll end the day at the Flaming Mountains, with their striking red sandstone ridges, shaped by years of volcanic activity. Afterward, we’ll return to Turpan for our overnight stay.

TURPAN 88ºF - 88ºF - URUMQI 75ºF - 75ºF

We’ll begin with an exterior visit to the Su Gong Ta Mosque in Turpan, home to the impressive Emin Minaret—the tallest in China—built during the Qing dynasty. Next, we’ll visit a local vineyard, followed by the extraordinary Karez irrigation system, one of the greatest engineering achievements in China’s history. We’ll then depart by bus toward Daban District, where we’ll stroll through its bustling bazaars. Lunch will be included.

Our journey will continue to Urumqi, where we’ll explore the stunning salt lake and the vast wind farms, one of the largest wind energy production sites in the world. We’ll end the day with accommodation in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Province.

URUMQI 75ºF - 75ºF

We’ll head to the Tianchi Lake scenic area, also known as Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake situated at an altitude of around two thousand meters and recognized as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Lunch will be included. We’ll then return to Urumqi for a visit to the Grand Bazaar, which preserves the ancient spirit of the Silk Road. Overnight stay.

URUMQI 75ºF - 75ºF

After breakfast, we´ll provide a transfer to the airport and our services will come to an end, aiming to leave you with lasting memories.