The Silk Road in China has a wealth of fascinating and beautiful destinations and attractions. This ancient Chinese trade route has many contrasting things to do.
A suggested Silk Road itinerary with all 12 recommended destinations is: Luoyang–Xi'an–Tianshui–Lanzhou–Ningxia (Guyuan, Zhongwei, Yinchuan) – Gannan–Zhangye–Jiayuguan–Dunhuang–Turpan–Urumqi–Kashgar.
The 12 Silk Road destiatinons and what to do in each place are covered below in order of recommendation.
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1. Dunhuang — Magnificent Grottoes Culture and Desert
Dunhuang became prosperous with the rise of the Silk Road. It was a necessary stop on the Silk Road from China's Central Plains to Central Asia. Its unique location bred its distinct culture — great civilizations met there.
One of the greatest influences of the Silk Road on ancient China was the introduction of Buddhism. As the gateway of the Silk Road to inner China, Dunhuang's grotto culture completely reflects this fact.
Artists from different periods of the Middle Ages carved exquisite murals and Buddhist statues in the grottoes, creating the greatest treasures of Buddhist art to exist in the world.
Mural painting in the Mogao GrottoesTop Things to Do in Dunhuang
Dunhuang Yardang National Geological Park- Bask in history and art in the Mogao Caves.
- Paint your exclusive mural on a mud slab that is made from the same materials as the Mogao Caves.
- Explore Devil City (the Yadan landscape) to witness a masterpiece that was created by wind and sand.
- Ride a camel and enjoy sand sliding on the Singing Sand Mountains.
2. Zhangye — Unique Danxia Landform
Zhangye Danxia National Geological ParkAn important staging point on the Silk Road, Zhangye is a fertile green zone in the otherwise desolate Gansu Corridor. In Zhangye, you can feel the influence of Buddhism: Zhangye's Grand Buddha Temple, built in 1098, houses China's largest indoor reclining Buddha. The frescos on the walls are depictions of stories from "Journey to the West" and "Classic of Mountains and Seas".
Zhangye also has a special attraction: its eye-catching red and even rainbow-colored landforms, known as Danxia — photographer's eye candy.
Top Things to Do in Zhangye
- Take instagrammable photos with the rainbow mountains in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
- Visit Wooden Pagoda Temple — the only pagoda remaining in Zhangye
- Visit the magnificent Mati Temple Grotto
3. Kashgar — Profound Uyghur Culture
Kashgar Old CityWith a history of over 2,000 years, Kashgar served as a main node of communications along the ancient Silk Road, which linked ancient China with the Central Asian countries.
It was a trading center for goods on the Silk Road, and so it got the name 'Bazaar Kingdom'.
Kashgar is one of the most characteristic cities of Xinjiang. Kashgar is China's most Muslim city. Uyghurs make up about 80 percent of the city's population.
Top Things to Do in Kashgar
- Discover Kashgar Old City — the only traditional historical district with typical characteristics of Xinjiang that is being preserved.
- Explore Kashgar Livestock Market — a bazaar that has existed for centuries on the Silk Road.
- Walk to Handicrafts Street to see various exotic handicrafts.
- Admire Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque in China.
Recommended: 5-Day In-Depth Nature and Culture of Kashgar Tour
4. Urumqi — Natural Scenery and Uyghur Culture
Heavenly LakeSituated on the ancient Silk Road's northern loop, Urumqi was an important stop for caravans traveling the Ili River Valley from the main route across the Turkistan region.
Urumqi possesses beautiful natural scenery and intriguing ancient remains. Xinjiang Silk Road Museum displays Chinese civilization along the Silk Roads and local ethnic cultures.
Top Things to Do in Urumqi
- Enjoy Heavenly Lake's picturesque scenery via a boat tour.
- Explore Erdaoqiao Market, which has a strong Islamic style, where you can find various Xinjiang foods and handicrafts.
- Have fun in Silk Road International Ski Resort in winter.
5. Turpan — Ancient Ruins and Juicy Fruits
In the vast land of Xinjiang, there is an oasis surrounded by the Gobi, quicksand, and dry ancient river channels. That is Turpan. There are mysterious legends, ruins, and numerous ethnic customs.
It was also an important window for communication, trade, culture, and religion between Central Plains and Western countries for thousands of years.
Summer and autumn are the best and most popular times to travel to Turpan when the trellises are full of juicy and sweet grapes.
Top Things to Do in Turpan
- Unveil the secrets of an ancient underground irrigation system — the Karez Well System.
- Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe — the world's 'largest, oldest, and best-preserved city of raw-earth buildings'.
- Find evidence of the cultural exchange that took place along the ancient Silk Road in Turpan Museum.
6. Ningxia — Vast Desert and Great Vineyards
Shapotou in ZhongweiNingxia is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. On the northern loop of the Silk Road between Xi'an and Lanzhou, Ningxia used to be an important transportation and trade channel between the east and the west.
Ningxia possesses the Xumi Grottoes in Guyuan, which are comparable to the famous Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, the Helan Mountain Rock Paintings north of Yinchuan known as the 'Art Gallery of Nomads', the Western Xia Imperial Mausoleum in Yinchuan known as the 'Eastern Pyramid', and numerous excellent vineyards around Zhongwei.
Top Things to Do in Ningxia (all in Zhongwei)
- Experience dune bashing, sand sledding, camel trekking, and camping in the desert in Zhongwei.
- Experience sheepskin rafting on the Yellow River.
- Enjoy wine tasting and an organic lunch in peace with a view of the vineyard.
7. Luoyang — Kung Fu, Temples, and Grottoes
Longmen GrottoesLuoyang was the most eastern starting point of the Silk Road. In the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220), when Luoyang was China's capital, Emperor Ming sent his envoy Ban Chao to the western regions to open up the long-neglected Silk Road. He extended China's Silk Road trade to Europe for the first time, reaching the Roman Empire.
Luoyang was also the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu. It boasts many historical attractions, from World Heritage Sites to a State Protected Historic Area.
Top Things to Do in Luoyang
- Visit the Longmen Grottoes — Luoyang's biggest draw.
- Explore White Horse Temple — "birthplace of Chinese Buddhism".
- Watch performances of martial arts and learn kung fu in Shaolin Temple in nearby Zhengzhou.
8. Xi'an — Famous Terracotta Warriors
Xian Ancient City WallXi'an is where the Silk Road began when it was China's capital city during 13 dynasties. Emperor Wudi (156–87 BC) of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) sent the first Chinese delegation from Xi'an to Central Asia and Europe.
Xi'an reached its heyday as China's capital during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Western goods and clothes were very popular during that period.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), many Muslim merchants came to Xi'an via the Silk Road and put down roots there. You could feel Xi'an's Muslim culture in Muslim Street.
Top Things to Do in Xi'an
- Admire the Terracotta Warriors and make your own warriors at a cave dwelling.
- Have a pleasant stroll and taste local snacks at the Muslim Quarter.
- Ride a bike on the Ancient City Wall and enjoy views of the different areas of the city.
9. Gannan — Tibetan Culture and Plateau Scenery
Labrang MonasteryGannan in southeast Gansu, just 200 km south of the Silk Road running through Lanzhou, is one of China's ten Tibetan autonomous prefectures. There are gorgeous mountains, valleys, gorges, wetlands, and meadows. If you cannot go to Tibet, Gannan is an ideal place to experience Tibetan culture and appreciate stunning Tibetan plateau landscapes.
Top Things to Do in Gannan
- Explore Labrang Monastery, which is home to the largest number of monks outside of Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Visit Ganjia Grassland with fresh flowers and flocks of Tibetan sheep.
- Discover Edenic Zhagana — a Tibetan village hidden in the mountains.
Recommended：6-Day Xiahe, Langmusi and Zhagana Tour
10. Lanzhou — Cradle of Yellow River Civilization
Lanzhou was a key city on the Silk Road trade route, because it is at the entrance of a long, narrow valley called the Hexi Corridor joining the China plains with the western deserts, and it was a key place for crossing the Yellow River.
The legacy of centuries of travel and trade on the Silk Road is displayed at the Bingling Temple Grottoes and its ancient temple and fortifications in the Hexi Corridor near Lanzhou.
Top Things to Do in Lanzhou
- Visit Bingling Temple where you can see typical Indian-style hand gestures and poses.
- Take a stroll on Nanbinhe Road, known as 'Lanzhou's Bund'.
- Visit Gansu Museum to learn about the history of the Silk Road.
11. Jiayuguan — The Great Wall Meets the Silk Road
JiayuguanJiayuguan is on the Silk Road, where the western starting point of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) was.
In today's Jiayuguan, you can still find traces of the prosperous ancient Silk Road. The beacon towers on the ancient battlements are visible.
Top Things to Do in Jiayuguan
- Visit Jiayuguan Fort — gateway to medieval China.
- Explore the Overhanging Great Wall.
- Visit the Great Wall Museum — first Great-Wall-themed museum.
12. Tianshui — Grottoes and Temples
Tianshui is between Xi'an and Lanzhou on the Silk Road and on the "Eurasian Continental Bridge", a rail route said to be the cheapest and fastest land route between China's Pacific Ocean coast and northwestern Europe.
Tianshui is renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Fuxi Temple and Guatai Mountain are places where Chinese people worship their ancestors. The Maiji Mountain Grottoes display more of the features of the culture of China's Central Plains than Mogao's because they're nearer to central China.