Northwest China Private Tour: Xinjiang, Gansu and the Silk Road

The northwest is the biggest landscape in China — Xinjiang's Kanas forests and the Taklamakan's edge, Gansu's rainbow mountains and the Mogao caves at Dunhuang, the Hexi Corridor that carried the Silk Road. Distances are enormous and the driving days are the itinerary.

包車 — charter, car and driver

A charter is the only practical way to see Kanas, the Kashgar Sunday market, Zhangye's Danxia landform and the Jiayuguan pass. Fuel stops are far apart and the road conditions change with the season.

包團 — private tour, the route planned too

A private tour adds the internal flights that make Xinjiang feasible in a week, the permits for border areas, and guides who can navigate the region's language and security arrangements.

Routes that work

• 8 days Xinjiang north: Urumqi, Kanas, Hemu, Karamay — forests and lakes.
• 10 days Silk Road: Xi'an, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan by rail and road.
• 12 days south Xinjiang: Kashgar, the Karakul lake road and the Taklamakan's edge.

Getting around

Urumqi to Kanas is a flight plus several hours of road, or a long drive. Dunhuang to Zhangye is roughly five hours by road or two by rail. Xi'an to Dunhuang is a flight of about two and a half hours.

When to come

June to September for Xinjiang, when the passes are open and the days long. May and September for Gansu. Winter closes much of the north and the roads with it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Xinjiang open to foreign travellers?

Yes, with the usual permits for certain areas. Rules can change, so we confirm the current position for your itinerary before booking.

How long are the driving days?

Long — five to eight hours between stops is normal. That is why the routes above are built around two-night stays rather than one.

Can we do the Silk Road by train?

The Hexi Corridor is rail-friendly: Xi'an, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang. The car covers the sites between the stations.

What about altitude?

The Karakul road crosses passes above 3,600 m. Most of the route stays lower, but the high days need a slow start.

Do your guides speak English?

We match the guide to the party. Tell us the language you need when you ask.