Price from

2799 USD
Per Person

Days: 20 days | 19 nights
Tour Type: Private
Destinations: Beijing , Xi'an , Lanzhou , Jiayuguan , Dunhuang , Turpan , Urumqi , Kashgar , Shanghai
Tour Code: UHT-002

China's UNESCO World Heritage Discovery along the Silk Road

This tour is a fascinating 20-day journey that traces the footsteps of ancient traders, pilgrims, and explorers across the most iconic stretch of the Silk Road. From the imperial capital of Beijing to the cultural heart of Xi’an, and through the vast landscapes of Gansu and Xinjiang, this tour unveils the richness of China’s heritage preserved in UNESCO-listed sites. Along the way, you will be amazed by the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven; explore the legendary Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an; visit the remote Bingling and Mogao Grottoes, showcasing centuries of Buddhist art; and walk through ancient cities like Jiayuguan and Jiaohe that once thrived on trade and cultural exchange. The tour continues through Turpan’s desert oases and the towering Tianshan Mountains to the multicultural city of Kashgar, where East meets West. Ending in cosmopolitan Shanghai, this adventure connects the past and present through world-class heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Perfect for history lovers, cultural explorers, and Silk Road enthusiasts, this tour is a living historical museum of one of the world’s greatest historical corridors.

Highlights

Most popular destinations
Close encounter with Pandas
Delicious food opportunities
Various Chinese culture experience
Children friendly activities and participations

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Beijing

Day 2
Beijing

Day 3
Beijing

Day 4
Beijing-Xi’an

Day 5
Xi'an

Day 6
Xi'an-Lanzhou

Day 7
Lanzhou-Bingling Grottoes-Lanzhou

Day 8
Lanzhou-Jiayuguan

Day 9
Jiayuguan-Dunhuang

Day 10
Dunhuang

Day 11
Dunhuang

Day 12
Dunhuang-Turpan

Day 13
Turpan

Day 14
Turpan-Urumqi

Day 15
Urumqi

Day 16
Urumqi-Kashgar

Day 17
Kashgar

Day 18
Kashagar-Shanghai

Day 19
Shanghai

Day 20
Shanghai-Departure

Pricing & Accommodation

Choose your currency

	1 person	2-5 persons	6-9 persons	≥10 persons	Single Room Supplement
First Class Tour	$7399	$4799	$3999	$3799	$1600
Comfortable Tour	$6199	$4299	$3599	$3299	$1000
Standard Tour	$4999	$3699	$2999	$2799	$720

Price in every box above is for each person.
The default currency is in US dollar. Please use the Currency Converter to see the equivalent quote in your currency.
The prices are for your references only, they are subject to your actual itinerary, travel season, hotel price rise or fall, US dollar exchange rate fluctuation, car fuel price change and government tax adjustment, etc.
The differences between First Class Tour, Comfortable Tour and Standard Tour are mainly reflected in the hotels we use. For First Class Tour, we use mostly 5 star hotels (or hotels corresponded to 5 star ones), 4 star hotels for Comfortable Tour and 3 star hotels for Standard Tour. But there’re exceptions when there come home stay experience, remote destinations and other specified circumstances in the itinerary.

Inclusions

Attraction Entrance Fees
Hotels and Other Accommodations
Authentic Chinese Food
Private Experienced Guides
Private Cars/Van with Drivers
Internal Flights/Train(s) in China
Luggage Transfers
Airport Taxes and Fuel Fees
Service Charge & Government Taxes
Travel Insurance

Exclusions

International Airfare to Enter/Leave China
China Entry Visa Fees
Excess Baggage Charges
Personal Expenses
Single Room Supplement
Tips or Gifts to Guides/Drivers/Bellmen

Important Information

How to Pack up
We suggest that each person packs up one rollable suitcase with the weight under 20 kg/44lb. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like iPods and mobile phones.

Checklist
It's only for reference, you may not need all of them. Choose from below according to the tour you pick up: Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets/e-tickets
USD cash and travelers checks
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
China Expedition Tours vouchers and trip dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Day pack for daily personal items
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Alarm clock (on your cellphone)
Flashlight (on your cellphone)
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses (especially for summer season)
Insect repellent / Bug spray
Water bottle and plastic mug for train journeys
Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes / Sport sandals (for warm seasons)
Money belt
Shorts for summer months (June – September)
Long pants
Shirts / T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-Mar. Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves
Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
Camera with capable enough memory card
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

Local Dress
Generally speaking, the dress standard is more conservative in China than it is in western countries. Things also changes quickly, nowadays the young Chinese share the same hobbies with their western counterparts. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of summer. In predominately Buddhist and Muslim regions we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy or sacred sites.

Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Payment during Your Trip
First of all, we recommend the use of cash in USD currency. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and MasterCard and other credit cards in most Chinese cities. Major credit cards are accepted in shopping malls and big shops but mostly they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. For small shops and street venders, traditionally they take cash (either Chinese Yuan or US dollar) only. But nowadays, for almost all merchants/sellers, including shopping malls, big shops, small grocery stores and street venders, they all accept WeChat Pay or Ali Pay. Learn more about how to use Mobile Payment in China.

Meals
Eating is a big part of your visit in China. Travelling with China Expedition Tours you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally breakfasts and lunches are included except dinners to give you the flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Your group leader or local guide will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip.

Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an "emergency" fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control, necessitate a change to our planned route. But please note this is a rare occurrence!

Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in travel industry in Asia, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $3-$5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service, for driver, it could be half. If necessary, ask your tour leader or your China Expedition Tours tour consultant for specific recommendations based on the circumstances. If you have a tour leader for the whole tour, at the end of the trip if you felt he/she did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $3-5 USD per person, per day is suggested.

Internal Flights
All internal flights are included in the quote of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are all e-tickets. They are issued locally and you will be given the information of them prior to the flight departure.

Laundry
Generally laundry facilities are offered by our hotels for a charge. You also can go to a laundry service center near your hotel to have your clothing washed at a lower cost. There will be opportunities when you may want to or have to do your own laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Safety and Security
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, cash and other valuable items. Many of the hotels we cooperate with have safety deposit boxes which are the most secure way of storing your valuables. Lockable luggage is recommended.
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. When travelling on a trip, please note that your group leader or local guides has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader or local guides will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader or local guides will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time.

Health
You are suggested to consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders or local guides are prohibited from administering any type of medicine including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In China pharmacies tend to stock the same western medicines as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full medicine name with you when trying to purchase a prescription medicine. When selecting a tour please carefully read the itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in the itinerary. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. China Expedition Tours reserves the right to exclude any traveler from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader or local guides they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Medical Form
It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an "average level of fitness and mobility" is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own bags at a minimum. Travelers over the age of 70, or travelers with a pre-existing medical condition, are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their doctor. This is to ensure that senior travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders or local guides work hard to ensure that all our travelers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided.

Travel Insurance
Our tour package includes Travel Insurance we buy from our insurance company/agent in China. Although, we still highly suggest that you purchase your own Travel Insurance from your insurance company/agent in your country before your trip.

Passport & Visas
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your air tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Please note that visas for China and Hong Kong are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going.

Keeping in Touch
Internet access is everywhere now in China, even in a small village. So, with your smartphone, iPad or laptop, you can get connected with your family and friends easily. So far, some social media such as Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, etc. are not available in mainland China. However, there’s something called VPN. We highly recommend you to get a VPN on your smartphone before your China trip, so that you will get the full accessibility of those social medias during your China trip. Learn more about the VPN usage here.
WhatsApp and WeChat are both very convenient for live contact. We strongly recommend you to add our Customer Care’s WhatsApp and WeChat (86 139 7836 9041 or 86 189 7869 1566), so that you and us are able to contact each other anytime necessary.
Whatapp QRCODE

Feedback
After your trip with us, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important and valuable to us and we'll record it and give you CET travel points so you can use the points to get discount for your next CET trip or your friends' CET tours. Therefore, we appreciate your understanding of our “China Expedition Tours Evaluation Questionnaire” at every destination, and our email to you for overall feedback after your trip.

What customers say about us?

We believe that hearing directly from those who've experienced our private China tours is the best way to understand what we offer. It's not just about seeing the sights; it's about the whole journey, from planning to execution. We value all feedback and use it to constantly improve our tours.

Joe Thong Nguyen
United States

01/03/2025-22/03/2025

Our group of 4, last 21 days was a life time experience of exploring the culture, history, differences cuisines of many ethnic of North, Southeast, South, breathing scenery is a given, architecture as old as 900+ years & still live in and passing generations to generations…and, last through all the battles during the 3 kingdoms, and many many surprises that take time to digest .

That being said, regardless how long the planning (1 year 1/2) in addition to hundreds of YouTube - without Chanel Tang patients during the planning process & her team to make sure everything is OK from woke up with me at 5:00 am climbing the mountain as raining & thick foggy to take us to hotel at midnight, make sure we are safe. - we will not experience it. A huge thanks to China Expedition Tour & big kudo to her team. I am highly suggest to take the private tour. It is not cheap, or too expensive - very much a self expeditions with a local expert who knows where, when for photo, change to do list on-the-fly depending on weather, etc.…last but not least was treated like VIP.

Aurelia e Mario Bignami
Italy

01/11/2024-14/11/2024

Dear Mrs. Chanel,

We were really pleased with the whole trip that You organised for us.

All aspects were studied very well and we had the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes and to know and love China. All the guides were good and prepared; we remember with special affection Nancy that we had in Shangri-la and who really loved us.

Nancy anticipated of one day the visit to the Jade Mountain Snow and in this way we could see the spectacle of minorities that will not forget for life.

The visits to Guillin were exceptional and Lizzie was really good at explaining. The rice fields of Longji were an exciting experience because they are the demonstration of the secular ability of the Chinese people to adapt to the environment even in the most difficult areas.

The dinner at Your house was a demonstration of friendship that we will not forget and we wish you every luck for your Husband and for Your very good and polite daughter.

Shanghai was amazing and Luisa guided us with great advice in a huge but extraordinarily friendly and organized city.

My wife who speaks very little English has always found herself at ease; all the accommodations we tried were well above European standards and especially made us appreciate the China of small villages and ordinary people.

We gave Your references to all our friends and our 3 daughters encouraging everyone to live this experience because in fact we know little here in Europe of the reality of this great country and only through direct experience is possible to understand a civilisation that thousands of years of history and much to teach us.

We hope to come again and visit the center and north of China that surely reserve us new reasons for wonder and joy.

Dear Mrs Chanel,

Still many thanks for everything You have done for us.

Aurelia e Mario Bignami

Carmen_Franzon
Brazil

01/11/2019-14/11/2019

We took a 13 days / 12 nights tour of Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai with this company. We liked a lot. Everything worked perfectly. Our guides in every city were very professional and provided us with all the information and support we need. Mrs Tang, our contact, has always been cordial, helpful and competent. We really enjoyed and recommend this tour of China.

David and Miriam
United States

01/09/2024-14/09/2024

We finally have some free time on our last night in China to thank you for so much. It is with a mixture of joy and sadness that we come to the end of our journey to China. We have become more than just business partners putting together an itinerary for a trip; we've become friends.

Our first thank you is for the wonderful dinner we had at your place last week. It was one of the highlights of a trip that had so many. We enjoyed the food, meeting Heather, taking a walk around your neighborhood, and having the opportunity to "catch up" on things.

We also want to thank you for the hard work you put in making the arrangements for us, especially the accommodations for Miriam--the motorized chair (which was a godsend), the walk-in showers in each hotel, easy access to the many sites we saw, including the Great Wall.

All of the guides--David, Richard, Alex and David, and Stacy--were all great. They were all excellent and in a few days we became very comfortable with each one. It was sad to part ways with them. Alex and David said they want to visit us in Florida.

Also, all of the drivers were outstanding, though we'll never get used to how the cars and motorcycle weave in and out of traffic.

Finally: this is not good bye. On occasion we will write to you, not on business, but on a personal note.

Be well, enjoy living in such a wonderful country. Our fondest wish is for our governments and people to learn to live together in peace and friendship.

Yours always,

David and Miriam

yangg99
Melbourne

2024-01-15

The paradise you don't want to miss! Alex, I envy you! you live in this beautiful place! and everyone comes here would be so relaxed and happy! Alex has made us feel safe, relaxed, and truly enjoyed the China tour! Alex has great communication skills, fun to talk to, full of knowledge, stories to tell! We recommend Alex to everyone who would appreciate the beauty of Guiling, Yang shuo and China!

Yang G
Australia

2024-01-05

We had the best time ever in Yang shuo and Guiling. All thanks to Alex Guan! He is so professional, kind, sense of humour, looked after me and my family so well! I'm planning to take groups of my friend and students to China soon, and hoping to let them have a great experience like I did. Will recommend Alex and his colleagues to ensure a well organised, considered, and enjoyable trip! Thanks so much Alex!

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