Three weeks would allow you a leisurely and fulfilling trip on the Silk Road without any rushing from place to place. You could delve deep into the Silk Road's historical culture and art, amazing natural landscapes, and exotic customs.
However, planning a 3-week-long journey on the Silk Road could be a difficult task. In this article, we provide ideas for how to make the most of your 3 weeks and described three itineraries for inspiration.
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- How to Spend Your 3 Weeks on the Silk Road
- 3-Week China Cultural Silk Road Tour
- 3-Week China Classic Wonders and Silk Road Tour for First-Timersy
- 3-Week Silk Road Tour from China to Central AsiaIs
- How Much Is a 3-Week Trip on the Silk Road?
How to Spend Your 3 Weeks on the Silk Road
The main tourist destinations along China's Silk RoadThe Silk Road is a long road — even if you only consider China. From east to west, travel routes of China's Silk Road could be divided into three parts: the eastern route, the middle route, and the western route. Three weeks would make it possible to explore China's Silk Road from east to west deeply.
Normally, 2 weeks for a China Silk Road trip is the minimum for a overall view, while 3 weeks would make it possible to expand such a trip to some beyond-the-Silk-Road China destinations, or even to Central Asian countries that the ancient Silk Road passed through.
Below are some outline suggestions for how to spend your 3 weeks on the eastern Silk Road.
Week 1: China's Eastern and Middle Silk Road (Historical Sites and Marvelous Landscapes)
- Xi'an: 2–3 days
- Zhangye: 2 days
- Dunhuang: 2–3 days
Week 2: China's Western Silk Road (Xinjiang Highlights with Fairy-Tale Nature and Exotic Charm)
- Urumqi: 1 day
- Turpan: 1–2 days
- The Taklimakan Desert: 2–3 days
- Kashgar: 2–3 days
Week 3: Beyond China's Silk Road
Plan A: 1-Week China Classic Tour
- Beijing: 3 days
- Chengdu or Zhangjiajie: 2 days
- Shanghai: 2 days
Plan B: 1-Week Central Asia Tour
- Kyrgyzstan: 2 days
- Uzbekistan: 3 days
- Turkmenistan: 2 days
If you are ready to inquire, contact us for a worry-free Silk Road travel experience.
All of our recommended itineraries below can be customized according to your preferences. Read on for more inspiration.
Itinerary 1: 3-Week China Cultural Silk Road Tour
This 3-week itinerary covers almost all of the highlights of China's Silk Road from east to west. It is perfectly planned for you to witness the history and culture along China's Silk Road, making good use of time to see the highlights without being rushed.
- Days 1–3: Xi'an
- Days 4–5: Zhangye
- Days 6–7: Dunhuang
- Days 8–9: Urumqi
- Days 10–12: Turpan
- Day 13: Korla
- Day 14: Kuqa
- Day 15: Shaya
- Day 16: Khotan
- Days 17–21: Kashgar
This itinerary starts in Xi'an. Immerse yourself in the world-class historical sites to experience thousands of years of Chinese history and culture. Beyond visiting the must-see attractions, we offer special experiences suitable for couples and families, such as:
- Make a mini clay warrior with local artisans.
- Visit disappearing cave dwellings.
- Enjoy a Hanfu costume experience in an ancient academy.
Han Chinese Clothing and Customs Experience for CouplesNext, witness the miracles of the Hexi Corridor (Zhangye–Jiayuguan–Dunhuang):
- Witness the 'color palette overturned by God' — the Rainbow Mountains.
- Admire the Mogao Caves — the invaluable cultural heritage of the Silk Road.
- Experience traveling on a camel just as the merchants on the Silk Road did.
Buddhas in the Mogao GrottoesFinally, start your south Xinjiang adventure tour. Southern Xinjiang was an important route of the ancient Silk Road. With this itinerary, you would discover masterpieces of nature and culture containing the following exciting highlights:
- Drive across "the Sea of Death" — the Taklimakan.
- Venture into the rugged heartland of the Pamirs.
- Find traces of mysterious lost kingdoms.
TaklimakanThis well-planned itinerary was for your inspiration. Let us know your interests and we'll tailor-make a tour uniquely suited to you.
Insider tip: The temperature difference between morning and evening is large throughout northwest China, so warm clothing is needed even if traveling there in the summer (from June to August). Which are the best times to visit the Silk Road? See our month-by-month guide.
Itinerary 2: 3-Week China Classic Wonders and Silk Road Tour for First-Timers
Is this your first trip to China? If so, this itinerary is tailored for you! This 3-week itinerary offers you the highlights of China's Silk Road as well as China's classic wonders.
- Days 1–4: Beijing
- Days 5–6: Xi'an
- Days 7–8: Zhangye/Jiayuguan
- Days 9–10: Dunhuang
- Day 11: Turpan
- Day 12: Urumqi
- Days 13–14: Kashgar
- Days 15–16: Chengdu
- Days 17–19: Zhangjiajie
- Days 20–21: Shanghai
With this itinerary, you would experience many wonders of China — from the amazing natural scenery and Silk Road culture of northwest China, such as the Rainbow Mountains, the Mogao Caves, and Kashgar Old City, to the lovely giant pandas and modern cities of central and eastern China.
A Sleeping Giant PandaThe carefully-crafted itinerary above is just for your inspiration.Contact us for a personalized journey.
Itinerary 3: 3-Week Silk Road Tour from China to Central Asia
It is feasible for you to travel across China and Central Asia in 3 weeks, but it would be more complicated to plan a multi-country trip. This carefully-crafted itinerary includes China's Silk Road and the three most important Central Asian countries along the ancient Silk Road: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
- Days 1–10: China
- Days 11–12: Kyrgyzstan
- Days 13–17: Uzbekistan
- Days 18–21: Turkmenistan
This itinerary takes you through three mysterious countries of Central Asia, where you could explore the legacy of ancient Silk Road civilizations and experience historical changes in the region.
Appreciate medieval architecture with blue porcelain domes, as if in the fairy-tale world of One Thousand and One Nights. Immerse yourself in the modernist architecture of the Soviet era to feel the changes in more recent history.
Palace of the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate, Khudayar KhanVisit the hometown of Akhal-Teke horses, Turkmenistan, the only permanently neutral state in Asia and also the most mysterious country in Central Asia.
The itinerary above is just for your inspiration. Please feel free to contact us for a worry-free private travel experience that's tailored to your interests.
Get more infomation about this 3-Week Silk Road Tour.
How Much Is a 3-Week Trip on the Silk Road?
Prices vary from country to country and the more people traveling in your group, the cheaper the price. Here are the costs for a private tour based on two travelers and 4-star hotels:
- The travel cost for a China Silk Road tour is US$350–400 per person per day.
- For a Central Asia tour, the daily cost per person is roughly US$400–450.
All of the fees include domestic airfares and/or bullet trains, accommodation, entrance fees, tour guides, and transfers.
Early booking for transport, accommodation, and tours could result in savings. For peak vacation times, such as Christmas and New Year, make your reservations at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Contact us for a tailor-made private tour that makes the best of your travel opportunities.