Silk Road Travel Tips

The Silk Road is an international road of historical significance. It is the ancient passage -way that has connected the civilizations and thus promoted the multi-interchange between East and West. The ancient road has its start in Chang’an, an ancient capital of China (now Xian), and its terminus on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean through the Gobi deserts, vast grassland, magnificent mountains of Tianshan, Karakurum, Himalayans and others.

Silk Road starts from Xian in central China. It goes to the west and reaches to Dunhuang through the Hexi corridor. From Dunhuang further to west, goes by three different routes known as Southern Silk Road,Central Silk Road  and Northern Silk Road. Southern Route rides to southwest through ancient city of Kroran (Loulan), Miran and along the south of the Taklamakan desert, come to Khotan, Yarkand finally to Kashgar. Central Route arrives at the oasis of Kumul, Turpan and crossing the Tianshan Mountain to Kucha, Aksu then to Kashgar.

Starting from Kashgar, Caravans cross over the Tianshan Mountain again at Turgart and Irkeshtam passes on the north west of ancient Kashgaria. This route also takes them to  Samarkand and Bukhara through the magnificent mountains, lakes and grassland of Kyrgyzstan then finally come in to most civilized oasis of Central Asia as Ferghana valley, Khojand, Samarkand and Bukhara. A huge number of historical relics here stand still as  the witness of the glory of ancient Silk Road.

Cities and Attractions along Silk Road
Xian - City of Xi'an (population 6 million) was the first Chinese city to open up its doors to the Ancient world, during the Tang dynasty when Xi'an blossomed as the first stop on the Silk Road. The most popular attractions are: The Ancient City Wall, The Terracotta Warriors, Tang Dynasty Dance Show

Dunhuang - Throughout Dunhuang's history of over two thousand years, it has always served as a critical gateway leading to the west due to its unique geographical location at the juncture of Gansu. The most popular attractions are: Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake

Urumqi - Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The city lies west of Bogda Mountain(part of the Tianshan Range) and at the southeastern edge of Junggar Basin. The most popular attractions are: Heavenly Lake, Nanshan Grasslands

Jiayuguan: One of the most grandiose ancient forts on the Silk Road, is a significant fortification on the western section of the Great Wall. The city and fort have their present name from the pass

Turpan - It sits at the very center of Xinjiang, a desert bastion at the foot of the "Heavenly Mountains". This area is 328ft. below sea level, the lowest and the hottest place in all of China. The most popular attractions are: Karez Channels, Grape Valley

Kashgar - Kashi is situated in the southwest of Xinjiang. From the west, this is the first point of arrival on land routes from Pakistan and Kirgyzistan.  Long a vital stop on the Silk Road, this remote city. The most popular attractions are: Kashgar Grand Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb