Starting from the Weiyang Palace in Han Chang’an, amid vermilion walls and dark tiles, journey westward, crossing millennia of wind and sand, all the way to the desolate smoke of the Gobi and the setting sun over the long river in the Western Regions; from the majestic passes and winding roads of the Qin and Han dynasties, with clashing gongs and iron horses, to the camel bells and endless caravans of the Silk Road in the Tang and Song dynasties, the Silk Road has never been just a cold route, but a millennial epic engraved on the land of China, flowing with the genes of civilization. As the origin of this epic, Han Chang’an (modern Xi’an) was once the capital of the Han Dynasty, the starting point for Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions and the westward journey with the imperial seal, the base for Wei Qing and Huo Qubing’s western expeditions to guard the borders, and the first station for the deep intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations. With the majestic Han style as its base color, it connects the profound depth of Yellow River civilization, the vast expanse of the Hexi Corridor, and the splendid diversity of Western Regions customs, every step treading on the veins of millennial history, every place hiding the codes and legends of civilizational fusion.
This time, taking Han Chang’an as the origin, we shed the haste of superficial sightseeing and the regrets of cursory tastes, using 10 days to retrace this ancient path of civilization spanning over 2400 kilometers. We specially linger in Wuwei, anciently known as ‘Liangzhou’—this important town at the eastern end of the Hexi Corridor is the throat of the Silk Road, the homeland of heavenly horses, and the birthplace of the ‘ancestor of grottoes’ Tianti Mountain Grottoes, harboring too much millennial splendor and Han-Wei relics overlooked by time. Departing from Han Chang’an, following the footsteps of the ancients, passing through Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Hami, Turpan, and finally arriving in Urumqi, we integrate the Han-era spirit, historical remnants, cultural foundations, natural spectacles, and Western Regions flavors, allowing every traveler to immersively touch the grandeur and tenderness of the Silk Road, understanding the inclusiveness and brilliance of Chinese civilization, and the robustness and openness of the Han Dynasty in the journey. Full Chinese service throughout, adapted to traditional character cognition, making this millennial Silk Road journey starting from Han Chang’an both deeply穿越时空 and warmly touching the heart.
One, Itinerary Route Map
Two, 10-Day Silk Road Panorama Itinerary Summary Table
| Days | Itinerary Route | Core Highlights | Accommodation Location |
| D1 | Xi’an Assembly | Datang Everbright City, Hui Street, Unlock Chang’an Night Charm | Xi’an City Area |
| D2 | Xi’an → Lanzhou | Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, Yellow River Iron Bridge, Touch Qin and Tang Splendor and Yellow River Surge | Near Lanzhou West Station |
| D3 | Lanzhou → Wuwei | Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Leitai Han Tomb, Birthplace of Flying Horse Treading Swallow, Encounter Liangzhou Ancient Charm | Wuwei City Area |
| D4 | Wuwei In-Depth Tour | Tianti Mountain Grottoes, Wuwei Confucian Temple, Western Xia Museum, Understand Hexi Cultural Vein | Wuwei City Area |
| D5 | Wuwei → Zhangye | Wushao Ridge Great Wall, Zhangye Colorful Danxia, View Gobi Rainbow Spectacle | Zhangye City Area |
| D6 | Zhangye → Jiayuguan | Grand Buddha Temple, Jiayuguan City Fort, First Dun of the Great Wall, Feel the Majesty of the Strategic Pass | Jiayuguan City Area |
| D7 | Jiayuguan → Dunhuang | Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain Crescent Moon Spring, Encounter Desert Buddha Light and Sand-Spring Coexistence | Dunhuang City Area |
| D8 | Dunhuang → Hami | Gobi Sculpture Corridor, Hami Hui King’s Mansion, Unlock Western Regions Flavor | Hami City Area |
| D9 | Hami → Turpan | Jiaohe Ancient City, Grape Valley, Karez, Experience Huozhou Humanistic Charm | Turpan City Area |
| D10 | Turpan → Urumqi | Tianshan Tianchi, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, Conclude Silk Road Journey Successfully | Urumqi City Area (Itinerary Ends) |
Three, Detailed Itinerary
D1: Xi’an Assembly · Initial Encounter with Chang’an, Dream Back to Prosperous Tang
西安大唐不夜城
西安大雁塔
西安城墙
Today, travelers from various places gather at the starting point of the Silk Road—Xi’an, this ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, where every brick and tile hides millennial stories. Upon arrival, check into a city hotel, rest briefly to shed travel fatigue. In the afternoon, head to the Bell and Drum Tower Square, ascend the tower to overlook the ancient city streets, feel the historical echoes of ‘morning bells and evening drums’; then stroll along the Xi’an City Wall, rent a bicycle to ride, touch the vicissitudes of the millennial city walls in the sunset glow. In the evening, go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, pay homage to the place where Monk Xuanzang translated scriptures, feel the solemn tranquility of Buddhist culture. After nightfall, wander in Datang Everbright City, with lights just on, Tang-style buildings lining up, lights brilliant like a starry river, tourists in Hanfu shuttling through, as if traveling back to prosperous Tang Chang’an, freely check in for photos, feel the lively night market atmosphere. In the evening, also go to Hui Street, taste roujiamo, lamb paomo, pengao and other Xi’an specialties, unlock Chang’an flavors in the worldly fireworks.
【Warm Tip】No unified itinerary on assembly day, arrange freely according to arrival time; suggest arriving early to avoid rush, choose accommodation in city center for convenient next-day travel.
D2: Xi’an → Lanzhou · Qin and Tang Splendor, Yellow River Surge
Depart in the early morning to the world’s eighth wonder—【Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum】, under the guide’s explanation, appreciate the grand momentum of the Qin army formation, touch up close the bronze weapons and terracotta figures from over 2000 years ago, feel Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s grand strategy in unifying the world. Then head to 【Huaqing Palace】, stroll through Tang palace ruins, visit the site of the Xi’an Incident, appreciate Lishan Mountain scenery, feel the elegance and profundity of the prosperous Tang royal garden.
After lunch, take high-speed rail to Lanzhou (about 3 hours), upon arrival head straight to 【Yellow River Iron Bridge (Zhongshan Bridge)】, stroll on the bridge, watch the Yellow River passing through the city, feel the majesty of the ‘first bridge over the Yellow River in the world’, overlook the full view of Baita Mountain Park from afar. In the evening, go to 【Yellow River Mother Sculpture】, stand and gaze, feel the nourishment of the mother river to the Chinese people. In the evening, go to Zhengning Road Night Market, taste milk laozao, grilled lamb, niangpi and other Lanzhou specialties, stay near Lanzhou West Station for convenient next-day departure.
D3: Lanzhou → Wuwei · Yellow River Scenery, Liangzhou Ancient Charm
Morning in Lanzhou, taste a bowl of authentic Lanzhou beef noodles (clear soup, white cabbage, red chili, green coriander, yellow noodles), start today’s itinerary. Then head to 【Yellow River Mother Sculpture】 to capture the beauty in morning light, stroll in Baita Mountain Park, overlook the full view of Lanzhou city, feel the grand scenery on both sides of the Yellow River.
After lunch, take high-speed rail to Wuwei (about 1.5 hours), upon arrival head to 【Leitai Han Tomb】—the birthplace of China’s tourism icon ‘Flying Horse Treading Swallow’, enter the underground tomb chamber, feel the grand momentum of Han military burial array, appreciate up close the vivid and exquisite original bronze galloping horse, understand Wuwei’s millennial heritage as the ‘homeland of heavenly horses’. In the evening, go to Wuwei city Ming-Qing Street, stroll in the ancient-style alleys, feel the worldly fireworks of ancient Liangzhou city, taste Liangzhou three-piece set (lamian + bacon + fucha tea), mianshipi and other specialties, stay in Wuwei city area.
马踏飞燕
马踏飞燕
马踏飞燕
D4: Wuwei In-Depth Tour · Grottoes Root-Seeking, Cultural Vein Inheritance
Today, deeply unlock Wuwei’s millennial cultural vein, immersively feel the unique charm of the ‘Silk Road Pearl’. In the early morning, head to the renowned ‘ancestor of grottoes’ 【Tianti Mountain Grottoes】, this grotto built in the Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms period, earlier than Yungang and Longmen Grottoes, is a living fossil of early Hexi Buddhist sculpture art, the No. 13 cave statues by the lake are spectacular, can explore its profound influence on later grotto arts.
武威文庙
天梯山石窟
武威西夏博物馆
After lunch, head to 【Wuwei Confucian Temple】, this temple known as the ‘crown of Gansu academies’, is the largest and best-preserved Confucian temple in the northwest, stroll through it, feel the enduring inheritance of Confucian cultural vein in the northwest among plaques and steles. Then head to 【Western Xia Museum】, housing the national treasure-level Han-Xia bilingual Western Xia Stele, a ‘living dictionary’ for deciphering Western Xia script and interpreting Western Xia auxiliary county history, immersively understand the historical codes of Western Xia civilization and multi-ethnic fusion. In the evening, go to Liangzhou Market, taste mitang youfuzi, bacon夹 and other specialty snacks, stay in Wuwei city area.
D5: Wuwei → Zhangye · Great Wall Relics, Danxia Spectacle
乌鞘岭明长城
张掖七彩丹霞
Morning, depart from Wuwei to 【Wushao Ridge Han-Ming Great Wall】, here is the throat of Hexi Corridor, stroll along the rammed earth Great Wall ruins, listen to the border defense stories of Han and Ming dynasties in the wind and sand, feel the vicissitudes and profundity of the Great Wall, can use drone to shoot full view of the Great Wall, record the majestic beauty of millennial relics.
After lunch, head to Zhangye (drive about 2 hours), afternoon arrive at 【Zhangye Colorful Danxia National Geological Park】, this is one of ‘China’s most beautiful Danxia landforms’, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple seven colors interwoven into a natural oil painting, best viewing time after 17:00, when the sun sets, Danxia mountains are dyed golden red, any casual shot is a masterpiece. Evening stay in Zhangye city area, can go to Zhangye Old Street, taste Zhangye sao mian, small rice and other specialties.
D6: Zhangye → Jiayuguan · Strategic Pass Stands Tall, Silk Road Fortress
Early morning depart to 【Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple】, pay homage to Asia’s largest indoor reclining Buddha, the Buddha statue serene in expression, grand in momentum, feel the solemnity and profundity of Buddhist culture. Then head to Jiayuguan (drive about 2 hours), upon arrival visit 【Jiayuguan City Fort】, ascend the city walls, walk the towers, feel the ‘one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot pass’ majestic momentum of the strategic pass, touch the vicissitudes relics of the westernmost Ming Great Wall, understand the life scenes of ancient border guards.
张掖之大佛寺
张掖之大佛寺
张掖之大佛寺
Afternoon, head to 【Overhanging Great Wall】 and 【First Dun of the Great Wall】, the Overhanging Great Wall built along the mountain, steep and perilous, the First Dun stands by the Taolai River, the eastern starting point of the Great Wall, overlook the river valley scenery, feel the grandeur of nature and the greatness of human engineering. Evening stay in Jiayuguan city area, taste Jiayuguan grilled meat, paoer you gao and other specialties.
D7: Jiayuguan → Dunhuang · Buddha Light Shines, Sand and Spring Coexist
Morning, depart from Jiayuguan, take bullet train to Dunhuang (about 2.5 hours), upon arrival head straight to 【Mogao Grottoes】—world cultural heritage, known as the ‘Oriental Art Treasury’. Must book A-class tickets 1 month in advance, can visit 8 caves + digital exhibition center, under expert explanation, appreciate millennial murals and Buddha statues, understand the Silk Road civilization and Buddhist stories behind the murals, feel the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient artisans.
Afternoon/evening, head to 【Echoing-Sand Mountain Crescent Moon Spring】, ride camels to stroll the desert, feel the grandeur of ‘lone smoke in the vast desert straight’, experience sand sliding fun, wait for sunset, watch the sun dye the desert golden red, contrasting sharply with the emerald green of Crescent Moon Spring, feel the natural wonder of ‘sand and spring coexistence’. Evening can go to Shazhou Night Market, taste donkey meat huangmian, apricot peel water and other Dunhuang specialties, stay in Dunhuang city area, optional desert camping to appreciate desert starry sky.
鸣沙山月牙泉
鸣沙山月牙泉日落
月牙泉
D8: Dunhuang → Hami · Traverse Gobi, Initial Western Regions Experience
Morning, depart from Dunhuang to 【Gobi Sculpture Corridor】, appreciate giant sculptures standing in the Gobi, feel the desolation of the vast desert and collision with art, then proceed along Gobi highway, enjoy Gobi scenery all the way, feel the vastness of the ancient Silk Road.
After lunch, head to Hami (bullet train or chartered car, about 3 hours), upon arrival visit 【Hami Hui King’s Mansion】, feel the perfect fusion of Uyghur architecture and Central Plains architecture, understand Hami’s history and folk culture. Then head to Hami Museum, delve into Western Regions history and multi-ethnic fusion stories. Evening taste kaobaozi, hand-grabbed rice, Hami melon and other specialties, stay in Hami city area.
D9: Hami → Turpan · Huozhou Flavor, Humanistic Exploration
Morning, depart from Hami to Turpan (drive about 3 hours), upon arrival head to 【Jiaohe Ancient City】, this world’s largest and oldest raw soil architectural city, enduring millennia of wind and rain, still stands in the Gobi, stroll the ancient city ruins, feel the prosperity and vicissitudes of ancient Western Regions city-states.
Afternoon, head to 【Grape Valley】, walk under grape trellises, taste fresh seedless white grapes, feel the sweetness of Huozhou, visit grape processing factory, understand raisin production process. Then head to 【Karez】, this ancient water conservancy miracle, known as ‘underground Great Wall’, observe the structure of Karez up close, feel the wisdom of ancient laborers. Evening check in at 【Flaming Mountains】, feel the scorching heat of ‘China’s hottest extreme’, appreciate giant thermometer, experience Huozhou’s unique flavor. Evening stay in Turpan city area, taste roasted whole lamb, yogurt zongzi and other foods.
吐鲁番坎儿井
葡萄沟
吐鲁番火焰山
D10: Turpan → Urumqi · Tianshan Fairyland, Successful Conclusion
Morning, take bullet train to Urumqi (about 1 hour), upon arrival head to 【Tianshan Tianchi】, this is the ‘Jade Pool Fairyland’, emerald green lake water reflecting snow mountains and forests, like a natural painting, can take cableway up Mayashan, overlook full view of Tianchi, feel the magnificence and vitality of Tianshan.
新疆国际大巴扎
新疆天山天池
新疆天山天池
Afternoon, head to 【Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar】, shop Asia’s largest bazaar, appreciate Uyghur song and dance performances, buy raisins, Hetian jade, handicrafts and other specialties, feel the liveliness and flavor of Western Regions. Evening go to Consulate Alley, taste kaobaozi, hand-grabbed rice, big plate chicken and other Xinjiang specialties, pack luggage, review the bits of the 10-day Silk Road journey, successfully end the itinerary.
Four, Conclusion
Ten days, from the Qin and Tang splendor of Chang’an, to the ancient charm of Liangzhou in Wuwei; from the Danxia spectacle of Zhangye, to the majestic strategic pass of Jiayuguan; from the Buddha light and sand spring of Dunhuang, to the sweet Huozhou of Turpan, finally arriving at the Western Regions flavor of Urumqi, we cross over 2400 kilometers, tread the ancient Silk Road path, touch millennial relics, feel natural grandeur, taste human fireworks.
Along this journey, we marvel at the grand Qin army formation before the Terracotta Warriors, encounter the vivid Flying Horse Treading Swallow at Leitai Han Tomb, immerse in the brilliant millennial murals before Mogao Grottoes, feel nature’s gift at Tianshan Tianchi; along this journey, we taste the worldly fireworks of Xi’an, the richness of Lanzhou, the authenticity of Wuwei, the enthusiasm of Xinjiang, understand the inclusiveness and profundity of Silk Road civilization, and feel the vastness and magnificence of the Chinese land.
The Silk Road has never been a simple trip, but a dialogue with history, an encounter with civilization, a gentle journey hidden in the years. It carries the cultural roots of the Chinese people, and hides the world’s most moving scenery. Whether compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, all can find their own cultural resonance and spiritual belonging in this journey.
