12-Day Silk Road Private Tour: 2 Bullet Trains & Cross-Region Flight with Chauffeur

Crescent Lake Desert Oasis Aerial, Xinjiang

Mingsha Mountain Singing Sand Dunes Camel, Xinjiang

Mogao Caves Buddhist Art Architecture in Winter, Xinjiang

Karakul Lake Karakuli Snow Capped Blue, Xinjiang

Karakul Lake Karakuli Blue Water Snow, Xinjiang

Wensu Grand Canyon Red Rock Formations Sky in Summer, Xinjiang

Pamir Plateau Turquoise Reflection in Summer, Xinjiang

For Silk Road history and Pamir landscapes – high-speed rail and flight connections, with deep敦煌 culture and Southern Xinjiang.

FamiliesFriendsPremium familiesSenior travellersSmall private groupsCulture lovers

the Silk Road+Southern Xinjiang

MPVXinjiang Internal FlightsHigh-Speed Rail

Why this route works

Smart multi-province logistics: high-speed rail from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan to Ürümqi, then flight to Kashgar – saves time.
Deep cultural immersion in Dunhuang: Mogao Caves, Singing Sand Mountain, night cup/mural painting workshop, expert-led museum tour, live show.
Complete Silk Road highlights: Jiayuguan Pass,悬臂 Great Wall, Zhangye Danxia, Tianchi Lake, Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau.
Southern Xinjiang classics: White Sand Lake, Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata views, Stone Fort, Golden Grassland, Tajik home visit.
High-standard 4-5 star hotels throughout, with a well-paced itinerary.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Dunhuang

Private business van pickup and transfer to Dunhuang Huaxia Hotel (or equivalent 4-5 star standard).

Day 2Dunhuang → Mogao Caves → Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Lake

Private van to Mogao Caves and Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Lake. Overnight at Dunhuang Huaxia Hotel.

Day 3Dunhuang Art Academy → Dunhuang Museum → Encore Dunhuang Show

Private van to Dunhuang Art Academy (night cup making or mural copying), expert-led Dunhuang Museum tour, evening Encore Dunhuang performance. Same hotel.

Day 4Dunhuang → Jiayuguan Pass → Hanging Great Wall

Private van to Dunhuang station, high-speed rail to Jiayuguan. Visit Jiayuguan Pass and Hanging Great Wall. Overnight at a 5-star hotel in Jiayuguan.

Day 5Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia → Jiayuguan

Private van round trip to Zhangye Danxia. Return to Jiayuguan for a 5-star hotel night.

Day 6Jiayuguan to Ürümqi by High-Speed Rail

Private van to Jiayuguan station, high-speed rail to Ürümqi. Pickup and transfer to a 5-star hotel.

Day 7Ürümqi → Tianchi Lake → International Grand Bazaar

Private van to Tianchi Lake. Evening return to explore the Grand Bazaar and local food. Overnight at a 5-star hotel in Ürümqi.

Day 8Ürümqi to Kashgar by Flight

Private van to Ürümqi airport, direct flight to Kashgar. Pickup and transfer to a 5-star hotel in Kashgar.

Day 9Kashgar Old City → Id Kah Mosque → Fragrant Concubine Garden → Century-Old Teahouse

Private van to Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Garden, and the century-old teahouse. Overnight at a 5-star hotel in Kashgar.

Day 10Kashgar → Pamir Plateau → Karakul Lake → White Sand Lake → Tashkurgan

Private van to Pamir Plateau with views of Muztagh Ata, visit Karakul Lake and White Sand Lake. Overnight at a 5-star hotel in Tashkurgan.

Day 11Tashkurgan → Stone Fort & Golden Grassland → Tajik Home Visit → Kashgar

Private van to Stone Fort and Golden Grassland. Enjoy a Tajik home visit with eagle dance, milk tea, and pilaf. Return to Kashgar for a 5-star hotel night.

Day 12Departure from Kashgar

Private van transfer to Kashgar airport per flight schedule. End of trip.

Pricing logic

The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, domestic flights, hotel level, vehicle type and route feasibility. The sales team will confirm all inclusions before payment.

Usually included

Transportation
Exclusive 24-hour pick-up and drop-off service at airports and railway stations in Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Urumqi and Kashgar is included. Intercity high-speed train rides are arranged from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan and Jiayuguan to Urumqi, alongside a direct flight from Urumqi to Kashgar. A dedicated business vehicle is available throughout the entire itinerary.
Accommodation
11 nights’ lodging in total: 3 nights at Huaxia Hotel Dunhuang; 2 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Jiayuguan; 2 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi; 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Kashgar; 1 night at a 5-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan County.
Attractions
Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring, Dunhuang Academy of Painting, Dunhuang Museum, Dunhuang Encore, Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall, Rainbow Danxia Landform, Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Grand Bazaar, Kashgar Ancient City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Garden, Centuries-old Teahouse, Pamir Plateau, Muztagh Ata Peak, Karakul Lake, White Sand Lake, Stone City, Golden Grass Beach
Tour Guide
Professional driver-cum-tour guide providing exclusive private tour service.
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast included; a total of 20 set lunches and dinners are covered at a rate of RMB 50 per person per meal.
Insurance
Full-trip comprehensive travel accident insurance is included.

Usually excluded

Transportation: Round-trip international/domestic air tickets.
Accommodation: Surcharge for single room, personal expenses (laundry service, minibar).
Sightseeing: Optional activities and unplanned scenic spots.
Tour Guide Tip: Voluntary tour guide gratuity.
Insurance: Additional personal insurance.