China's Silk Road (10 days)

Your journey begins in the dazzling and sophisticated Shanghai, where you’ll check into one of the city’s top-notch hotels. For this itinerary, we recommend the Shanghai Peninsula and the Waldorf Astoria on the Bund - both allowing you direct access to the city’s best entertainment and dining. You’ll also be perfectly-positioned to start the afternoon’s tour of the iconic Bund, with its eclectic array of architecture, high-end bars and restaurants, and beautiful river views. Spend the night in your luxury hotel on the Bund.

Today you’ll fly to Xian, a UNESCO World Heritage city dating back more than 3,100 years, and the last stop on the famed silk road. Just outside Xian is the site of the Terracotta Warriors, an army of sculpted soldiers, horses and weapons constructed in the 210 BC tomb of China’s first emperor. After exploring the site - with the chance to access the excavation level for a more indepth look at this historic treasure - you’ll return to Xian to navigate its immense walls. The fortifications surrounding the city are up to 50 feet wide in some parts, and you can bicycle or walk around its 7.4-mile perimeter. Check into a luxury Xian hotel for the night - the Shangri-La Hotel, Xian is an excellent option.

Start the day with a trip to the Shaanxi Museum of History, located in a beautiful Tang Dynasty-styled building. There are more than 300,000 items on display, from paintings to ceramics to fossils of Lantian Man, dating back nearly a million years. You’ll enjoy more history at the Han Mausoleum, the vast royal tomb of Emperor Han with more than 60,000 burial items shedding light over the complexities of the social hierarchy of the dynasty. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a towering structure built in 652 AD, that offers far-reaching city views from its top platform at 610 feet. Enjoy another night in your luxury Xian hotel.

Your next stop on the Silk Road is Dunhuang, formerly a major stopping point on the trade route.  Here in the “City of Sands” you will discover many historic landmarks, some of which are millennia old. A highlight are the Mogao Grottoes, a network of 735 caves containing Buddhist art and ancient manuscripts - a local expert will guide you through this intriguing historic site. Next, you will enjoy some thrills on the remarkable Mingsha Dunes on the edge of the Gobi desert, where you can sand-toboggan, paraglide or ride a camel. Check into the majestic, traditionally-styled Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, set against a backdrop of rolling dunes.  

Today, you’ll be introduced to another fascinating aspect of Dunhuang - the Huyang Forest. This unusual forest is characterized by its golden poplar trees, many of them hundreds of years old. Next, you’ll visit the White Horse Pagoda, dating back to the 4th century. The pagoda was built in tribute to a monk’s beloved horse, which died after faithfully carrying his master from faraway Kucha, carrying with him important Buddhist scrolls. The bells atop the monument are said to echo the horse’s neigh. In the evening, return to your luxurious hotel in Dunhuang.

This morning, it’s onwards to the striking inland city of Urumqi. First, you’ll get a feel for Urumqi’s heritage at the History Museum where a curator will take you on a private tour of the complex. You’ll gain insight into the history of the Silk Road and see 3,000-year-old mummies and other rare artifacts. In the evening, you’ll enjoy the colors and flavors of the night market, with its abundance of aromatic street foods, including Chinese Muslim fare and hand-pulled noodles. You’ll also have the chance to see the Grand Bazaar -  the largest bazaar in the world covering more than 44,000-square-feet and housing an open mosque, a viewing tower and more than 3,000 stalls. Settle into a luxury hotel this evening, the Sheraton Urumqi is a great choice.

Get out into Urumqi’s brilliant outdoors today with a trip to the aptly named Heavenly Lake. This stunning alpine lake is 6,600 feet above sea level, covering an area of nearly two square miles. Its turquoise colored waters contrasted against Mount Bogda in the background provide a truly unforgettable sight. Drive to the outskirts of Urumqi next to pay a visit to a Kazak campsite to learn more about the nomadic lifestyle of these agricultural people. Return to your hotel in Urunqi tonight.

Today it’s onto the medieval city of Kashgar, China’s westernmost city. This ethnically-rich outpost has long been a center of trade and today boasts a diversity of cultural influences that make it a delight to explore. To see just some of Kashgar’s charms, you’ll begin your stay here with a walking tour of the city. You’ll also visit Yeksjemba Bazaar, the largest open-air bazaar in the world with more than 100,000 stalls from international vendors selling everything from livestock to souvenirs to silk. Check into the Kashi Tianyuan International Hotel tonight.

Today you will be taken on a guided tour of the Mosques of Kashgar. A local history scholar will be your guide, providing insight into the role of Muslim minorities throughout Kashgar - and Chinese - history. To completely immerse yourself in the nomadic culture of the Tajik people, tonight you’ll be treated to a homestay in a yurt - a traditional tent dwelling. The yurts are warm and comfortable, and staying overnight on the arid plains of Xinjiang province promotes an unforgettable experience of China’s desert wilderness.

Today you conclude your Silk Road itinerary with a flight back to Shanghai to continue your onward travels.