21-Day China Tour with Silk Road

21 days
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Private Guided

China Classic Wonders and Silk Road Tour. This 3-week tour is a combination of China's classic wonders and the Silk Road. It is designed for first-time visitors to China who want to include the famous Silk Road in their trip. It includes the most popular destinations among European and American tourists, as well as the core destinations along China's Silk ...

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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover Hidden Halls in the Forbidden City
    • Explore a Less-Crowded Section of the Great Wall
    • Appreciate the Terracotta Army and Make Your Own Terracotta Warrior
    • Meet the 'Rainbow Fallen to Earth' - the Rainbow Mountains
    • Experience Traveling on a Camel as Silk Road Merchants Did
    • Discover a Unique Ancient City on the Silk Road
    • Catch a Glimpse of the Great Pamirs
    • Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Locals in an Ancient Uyghur Teahouse
    • Spend a Morning Hanging Out with Cute Pandas

What's this trip about?

    China Classic Wonders and Silk Road Tour. This 3-week tour is a combination of China's classic wonders and the Silk Road. It is designed for first-time visitors to China who want to include the famous Silk Road in their trip. It includes the most popular destinations among European and American tourists, as well as the core destinations along China's Silk Road. This tour covers an extensive range of places from east to west including the north and middle of China.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityBeijing
End CityShanghai

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Guided Group
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Camel Riding
  • Educational/ Learning

Trip includes

    • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
    • English-speaking local guide
    • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
    • 24/7 helpline while you are traveling

Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Landing in Beijing, you would be met by your private guide and driver who would transfer you to your hotel.

Your guide will assist you with your luggage and help you to check in at your hotel for a worry-free start to your stay.

Day 2 Beijing | Historical Marvels and Local Life

Breakfast & Lunch You would start your tour by walking through the largest world-famous square, Tian'anmen Square, and then arrive at the Forbidden City.

With countless houses, chambers, and halls, the Forbidden City was not only a royal residence but a tre...

Day 3 Beijing | The Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven

Breakfast & Lunch One of the best ways to learn about Beijing's culture is to visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning. People engage in various activities, such as morning exercises, dancing, singing, tai chi, brush calligraphy, and playing chess.

After a...

Day 4 Beijing to Xi'an | The Summer Palace and a High-Speed Train

Breakfast & Lunch You would visit the imperial garden — the Summer Palace — in the morning. In this garden, the combination of the lake, hills, gardens, and architecture creates a harmonious and picturesque landscape.

You would then take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an after lunch.

Day 5 Xi'an |The Terracotta Army and a Traditional Cave Dwelling

Breakfast & Lunch You would drive to the Terracotta Army Museum from the hotel directly in the morning, uncovering a mysterious life-size underground army array of 2,200 years ago.

You would then visit a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make...

Day 6 Xi'an to Zhangye | Xi'an Ancient City Wall

Breakfast After packing your luggage in the morning, you would fly to Zhangye.

Before heading to the airport, you would go to the medieval Xi'an City Wall to have a view of the city. You could walk on the wall for a while or rent a bike to ride along it.

Day 7 Zhangye | Zhangye National Geopark (The Rainbow Mountains)

Breakfast & Lunch Zhangye was a key town on the Silk Road and has a long history. You would visit its colorful hills — the 'Seven-Color Danxia Landforms' — in Zhangye National Geopark.

It is one of the best places for photographers and nature lovers to visi...

Day 8 Zhangye to Jiayuguan to Dunhuang | Jiayu Pass

Breakfast & Lunch You would drive from Zhangye to Dunhuang and make a stop at Jiayu Pass. There, you could experience the grandeur of its Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) fort with its tall gate tower, the vast Gobi Desert surrounding it, and the majestic mountain ranges ...

Day 9 Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and Singing Sand Dunes

Breakfast & Lunch You would start your visit to the Mogao Caves after breakfast. These caves are an important cultural and historical landmark, offering insights into ancient China's artistic and religious heritage.

After exploring the Mogao Caves, you woul...

Day 10 Dunhuang to Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty

You would visit the ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and remote Yumen Pass fort remains in the morning.

The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty is the oldest example of this defensive system in China. Inspect the ruins and find out how it ...

Day 11 Turpan | Turpan Highlights

Breakfast & Lunch You would begin your tour of Turpan by uncovering the ancient wisdom behind the Karez Well System, an impressive feat of engineering.

Next, you would visit the fascinating Ancient City of Jiaohe, an architectural marvel built by excavating...

Day 12 Turpan to Urumqi | Turpan Museum and Erdaoqiao Market

Breakfast & Lunch You would visit Turpan Museum in the morning. As the second largest museum in Xinjiang, it offers a glimpse into the economic, cultural, and artistic exchanges that took place along the Silk Road.

You would arrive in Urumqi after 3 hours o...

Day 13 Urumqi to Kashgar | Kashgar Highlights

Breakfast & Lunch Get up early and fly to Kashgar.

There, pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque, which is the second biggest mosque in China. Then you would walk along Handicraft Street, which has an amazing range of handicrafts, including copper, metal, porcelain, ...

Day 14 Kashgar | Karakul Lake

Breakfast & Lunch In the morning, you would explore the renowned Kashgar bazaar, which is famous across Asia. It offers a diverse array of goods, including dried fruits, delicacies, clothing, shoes, leather products, textiles, rugs, carpets, scarves, souvenirs, an...

Day 15 Kashgar to Chengdu

Breakfast You would use day 15 as a traveling day. It takes about 4½ hours to fly from Kashgar to Chengdu.

Day 16 Chengdu | Lovely Pandas

In the morning, you would visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the active pandas in their nursery amid bamboo groves and walkways.

Afterward, you would enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Then head to People's Park to get some f...

Day 17 Chengdu to Zhangjiajie | Tianmen Mountain

Breakfast & Lunch Take a morning flight to Zhangjiajie.

You would take the longest cable car ride in the world to the top of Tianmen Mountain, taking 30 minutes. Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk is one of the world's highest observation platforms, jutting out...

Day 18 Zhangjiajie | Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Breakfast & Lunch Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its mesmerizing landscapes, towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and serene valleys. You would focus on its Yuanjiajie area, which is famous and popular for its Hallelujah Mountain, named after the floating rocks in Avatar.

Day 19 Zhangjiajie to Shanghai | Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is a world-famous attraction that stretches across Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Walking on the transparent glass floor, visitors could marvel at the dizzying depths beneath their feet and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Day 20 Shanghai | Shanghai Highlights

Breakfast & Lunch You would visit Yu Garden and explore a nearby market in the morning.

In the afternoon, embark on an In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour to unravel the captivating story of Shanghai's rise to the skies. You would enter the old buildings a...

Day 21 Shanghai Departure

Your tour guide, driver, and van would pick you up from your hotel for your airport transfer and flight. Your guide would accompany and assist you as far as the security check and would then wave goodbye.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,500
Price per day$310
Last Updated: 2/13/2025

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
    • Visa Fees
    • Excess Baggage Charges.
    • Personal Expenses
    • Meals: Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
    • Insurance
    • Single Room Supplement
    • Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers

Accommodation

Requirements
Payment Deposit & Final payment A deposit which is equal to 10% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The full or final payment is required 30 days before departure for your China tour. Should the tour booked within 30 days before departure for your China tour, full payment is required. Receipt of your deposit or final payment will indicate that you and your travel agent (when applicable) have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you (and your agent) have accepted them. The Terms and Conditions below form the basis of the contractual relationship between China Highlights International Travel Service Co., Ltd (Business Certificate Number: L-GX00724) and its clients. It is extremely important that our clients understand and accept these Terms and Conditions as well as their quotations, itineraries and other relevant communication from our travel advisors. Methods of Payment We are now able to offer 3 methods of Payment: Visa or Master Card secure online payment via PayPal. Visa or Master Card by email Wire transfer. Cash payment, travelers' check and company check is applicable upon special request, but personal checks cannot be accepted. or click here to enter the "Payment Center" page to know more. If we receive a fraud alert from our credit card processor, we'll require confirmation before your transaction can be processed. If the booking is too urgent to get all required confirmation in time, we have the right to cancel the booking and refund the card holder's account for our own and the card holder's protection. Disclaimer of Difference Caused by Exchange Rate (For clients who make payment by credit card only). China Highlights will draw Chinese currency (CNY) from your credit card. The Credit Card Company or Bank will convert this amount to the currency of your credit card account. China Highlights converts Chinese currency to US Dollars at a rate of CN721 = US$100 for our quotations, but must charge your credit card in CNY (Note: China Highlights will apply the latest exchange rate, which may differ from the one shown above.). Banks and credit card companies must then buy Chinese currency at their local rate to make the payment. The rate may be more or less than our rate. Banks and credit card companies may also make a service charge for the transaction. For these reasons what appears on your bank statement may be more (or even less) than what you were expecting. Click here for an illustration. Note: Before you pay, please check our exchange rate against your bank's exchange rate and your bank's transaction fee policy. China Highlights currently quotes tour prices in US Dollars on our web site to give you an idea of the tour cost and quote in CNY to you at the time when you are making bookings. 1. Should a revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi occur, China Highlights will honor all quotations for tours that have been fully paid at the time of the revaluation. 2. Customers who have not paid for their tour in full at the time of any revaluation will be required to pay the difference between the old and new price calculated in Renminbi. China Highlights will never charge more that our quotation that has been accepted by you, our client. Luggage AllowanceIn accordance with regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the free baggage allowance within China is 20kg for the economy class, 30kg for the business class, and 40kg for the first class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within China specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft. Alteration of Itinerary Alterations to your itinerary before the booking are happily processed free of charge. Alterations after payment of the deposit will attract a fee of $25.00 per request. All expenses incurred by China Highlights in alteration of the booking are the responsibility of the customer. This includes all fees and charges levied by third parties such as cruise operators, airlines and hotels. Liability & ResponsibilityChina Highlights provides tour information and China tour bookings. China Highlights publishes travel information and services gathered from the selected quality hotels, air ticket agencies and tour companies & operators. Chinahighlights will not be responsible for errors, emissions or inaccuracies in information provided by third party providers. China Highlights shall not be responsible for any wrongful or negligent or fraudulent, omissions, changes of itinerary, cancellation or the failure of any equipment operated by those suppliers or any other party not directly owned or controlled by China Highlights. China Highlights shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property, alteration of itineraries or cancellation in part or in full, caused by climatic conditions, sea fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, terrorist activities, or any other actions, omissions or conditions beyond China Highlights's control. Neither China Highlights nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses of liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes China Highlights is not responsible for a client's failure to comply with customs regulations. China Highlights is not responsible for the theft or loss of any customer's valuables or items of personal property due to the negligence of the customer. China Highlights reserves the right to substitute hotels, flights, trains, or cruise ships, to alter itineraries, or to cancel the tour prior to departure. If China Highlights has cancelled any tour prior to the commencement of the tour, China Highlights is liable for a full refund of the money received from the client. Many of China Highlights tour packages include activities which require care and attention. Such activities include boarding and going ashore from boats, climbing hills and entering and exiting tombs and caves etc. You will receive help and advice from our representatives but all activities are undertaken at your own risk. China Highlights, its employees and agents cannot be responsible for any action or event that occurs after its said employees and agents have exercised their duty and taken the necessary care. China Highlights reserves the right to modify or rescind the terms and conditions in whole, or in part at any time with or without notice.Modification or Discontinuance of Service China Highlights reserves the right to modify or discontinue service to clients who behave illegally or objectionably toward its employees and agents. Offensive behavior includes behavior which is obscene, racially offensive or of a sexual nature. CommunicationsYou can contact China Highlights via the web form from www.chinahighlights.com, email, fax, or phone. If for any reason, you fail to receive any reply from China Highlights in regard of your tour status within 48 hours from the time you submitted the request for booking, modifying, or canceling a tour, please contact China Highlights customer service center at customercare@chinahighlights.com to ensure that we are able to deal with your enquiry under the terms of our Terms and Conditions. Contact Us Form Complaints and ClaimsShall you feel unsatisfied with any service China Highlights has provided, please notify your 7x24 hours available travel advisor or China Highlights Customer-care service to avoid the potential for similar problems happening again during your trip. Phone no. or WhatsApp: +86 18007839275 Email: customercare@chinahighlights.com  In the event of a complaint or claim for compensation, you must inform us by email, regular mail, or facsimile in writing within 15 days from the end of your tour. Relevant receipts and substantiating evidence must be attached to the letter of claim. China Highlights will not be liable for any claims made later than 15 days after the completion of your tour.,
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Refunds
We would deeply regret your decision to cancel your trip to China, however we realize that there are many valid reasons that this can happen.

In the event of a cancellation, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure. The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows except specified by your travel advisor:

  • Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
  • After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
Special Notes:

  • The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask you travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.
Travel Insurance
China Highlights tour packages include Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance up to a maximum of $30,000 per adult provided free of charge as part of our package. We still highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin. Insurance provided by China Highlights is not applicable where only hotel or China flight booking are purchased through China Highlights.
Visa requirements
All clients must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentation is the sole responsibility of the client. Your travel advisor may assist you in applying for the necessary travel documentation upon request. China Highlights accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
Health & Safety
Clients should take into account all international travel risks and familiarize themselves with health requirements applicable to the areas they intend to visit. The client is solely responsible for checking the safety and security conditions, vaccination, and other health requirements of governments in countries visited or transited. Travelers to Tibet are required to provide a doctor's certificate stating that the he/she is fit to travel and his/her blood pressure and heart condition are normal. This is a necessary requirement because of the possible effects that the very high altitude may have on certain people.
Meals Included
Breakfast & Lunch
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
chinah-ChToSiRo

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