FrontierThe Ancient Silk Road
Thirteen days from Beijing and Xi'an to Dunhuang, Turpan and Urumqi — desert, cave art and the old caravan routes.
Northwest China
The Silk Road
Dunhuang's painted caves, the Gobi desert and the old oasis towns of the northwest.
The feeling
Desert, caves and caravans.
The Silk Road is less a single route than a network of desert crossings, oasis towns and mountain passes. In China's northwest it leaves behind some of the most remarkable art in Asia: the Buddhist cave murals at Dunhuang, the mud-brick cities of Turpan and the markets of Urumqi.
This is a journey for curious travellers who are happy with long horizons and early starts. We use flights where they save days and keep the road sections scenic.
- Region
- Northwest China
- Best time
- May–October
- Ideal length
- 4–10 days
- Access
- Flight or high-speed rail
- Style
- Private, tailor-made
All journeys here are private and can be combined with other regions.
Don't missThe essentials,
The essentials,
and the quieter corners.
These are the experiences we build into most journeys here — but the best days are often the ones we leave open.
Mogao Caves at Dunhuang
The signature experience — worth planning your route around.
Mingsha sand dunes
Best with a specialist guide and time to slow down.
Turpan's grape valleys
We weave this in where it fits your interests and the season.
Urumqi and the Tian Shan
We weave this in where it fits your interests and the season.
Journeys hereWays to travel
Ways to travel
The Silk Road.
Start with one of these, or use them as a starting point for something entirely your own.
All journeysFrontier
