Silk Road Highlights Tours and China's Golden Triangle Cities
Combined with the Golden Triangle cities, this Silk Road tour offers an adventure for first-time visitors to China. You can not only see the popular highlights but also go off the beaten path.
Days
13
Price
from US$4,030 p/p
Best For
Culture fans
Best Time
Jun. to Oct.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Excellent Encapsulation/Set of Experiences across China
It was a whirlwind across a number of cities, but a very comprehensive experience across the many sides and cultures of China. Most days had sufficient activities, but weren’t overwhelming, which was great.Across cities, we had excellent tour guides, like Kitty (Beijing), Jenny (Xian), William (Guilin/Yangshuo), Kris (Shanghai), and Tony (Yellow Mountains.) More
Ryan Farnan, Mar 2024
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Only way to see Beijing
From the time we landed in Beijing until we left, we were well taken care of. My wife and I had Lily Liu as our guide and she was amazing. From arranging visits to all the different sights, to teaching us the history, it was fantastic. More
John S, Mar 2024
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The tour was of The Greta Wall of China
The tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history More
Alice W, Mar 2024
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Chengdu at it`s best
We made a private tour through South China in January 2024. Altogether Chengdu was the highlight. We had an incredible day at Emeishan. In Chengdu our guidewas Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. More
peter, Feb 2024
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Best Tour Ever
Other highlights are too many to mention but here are a few Ken taking us to the Terracotta Warriors and our food tour in Xian was amazing, More
Liz Hickson, Feb 2024
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Chengdu and Volunteer program Panda base
Our day volunteering at the Panda Base was truly unforgettable. Helen, our guide, provided us with invaluable insights about Chengdu and the pandas, enriching our tour with her knowledge and expertise. We're grateful to Helen for accompanying us throughout the day and showcasing the highlights of China. More
Eliaquim, Feb 2024
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Chengdu at it`s best
We had a booking with China Highlights through Silvia Ye who guarenteed a perfect organisation. In Chengdu our guide was Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. More
Peter, Feb 2024
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Shanghai tour with Kris
We traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great. More
Maria C, Feb 2024
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Guilin 2024
We visited Guilin for 2 days and stayed in the Guilin Waterfall hotel. Guilin was absolutely beautiful! Our guide, William, was very knowledgeable and kind! He taught us so much about Guilin and the surrounding area! We really enjoyed trying the specialty rice noodles of Guilin. Our highlight was the Li river cruise. More
Explore, Feb 2024
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Excellent service
Amazing tour and the guide Mr. 贺霄 was very accommodating with our needs and request as we have bought our 2 years old with us. Well explained for all the place we visited. Any additional cost were informed well ahead and didn't felt any pressure if we opt not to go for additional detour. The trip was relaxing/ laid back/no rushing with zero shopping! More
JJC, Feb 2024
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We had an amazing to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Ray Luan, Feb 2024
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Amazing trip to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Ray L., Feb 2024
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. More
apisn2023, Feb 2024
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! More
Apis, Feb 2024
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Shanghai 2024
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Venture33530492375, Feb 2024
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Beautiful Yangshuo
Guilin, but mostly Yangshuo was at the tail end of our China adventure so there was a lot to live up to. Having a guide like Gary Wei meant that our trip ended on a high! We arrived in Guilin very late from an 11 hour train journey. Gary met us with gifts of fruit, sweet bread and cakes which was so unexpected and thoughtful.Gary's knowledge of the area was exceptional and his attention to us the same. He really took our children under his wing - even tuning in to annoying sibling rivalry and managing to keep the peace very well! Gary was our personal photographer at times and even our Taiji instructor, making a beautiful video of us all doing Taiji in a scenic setting :)The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is definitely worth taking and we enjoyed our few nights in the area, riding bikes along the river, doing a cooking class and enjoying the scenery More
JenB, Feb 2024
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Vincent was a fantastic guide !
Vincent was a fantastic guide !Vincent is a wonderful & warm guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and his explanations are excellent. He showed us around Guilin & Yangshuo. He attended to all of our needs and really made the tour very special More
David, Feb 2024
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. More
Nicola B, Feb 2024
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Alice was a fantastic tour guide
Alice was a fantastic tour guide. She took us to many places in and around Lijiang including Jade Dragon Snow mountain and the old town. She is knowledgeable and very warm & friendly and very helpful with everything More
文文, Feb 2024
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Thank you, Shannon. Thank you, Xi,an.
We met our tour guide Shannon in Xi,an and we enjoyed very much our stay. Her good English level and her knowledge of the history of the city made our jorney very memorable. Kind, flexible and patient, she attended all our wishes. We will always be grateful for her work. More
Man B, Feb 2024
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Tour Highlights
Itinerary Details
Below is the detailed tour itinerary, which is designed to provide inspiration for your immersion tour. We will follow your requests and assist you to customize your family journey to China.
Your guide will greet you outside the luggage claim area. Please look for your name on a sign. Then you will be transferred to your hotel, which takes about 1 hour. After you have checked in, you can enjoy your free day!
Tip to tailor-make your tour:
Most people usually prefer some free time to acclimatize to the jet lag. However, we are happy to customize the itinerary if you are excited to see this city sooner.
In the morning, walking through Tian'anmen Square, the largest square in the world, you will step into the Forbidden City. Countless events happened there. Every hall has its own stories to share and your guide will bring them alive for you as you visit these majestic buildings.
After lunch, a rickshaw ride (30 minutes) will introduce you to the local lifestyle. You will meet the locals, listen to their stories, and learn how life has changed over the years.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
Do you want to discover the local life in depth? Visiting a wet market or taking part in a cooking class is a good way to get close to the locals.
Once a very important royal temple, the Temple of Heaven has exquisite architecture. As time has gone on, it has become a city park for locals. In the morning, you can see seniors doing their morning exercises. If you like, you can join them.
After a 1½-hour drive, you will reach the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. After lunch, you will take the round-way cable car to the wall. As a masterpiece of restoration, you can see its original glory.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
Doing tai chi is quite popular at the Temple of Heaven. If you're interested in this, we can arrange a tai chi class for you.
Besides Mutianyu, you have more options for the Great Wall with distinctive features, such as a wild section of the Great Wall for hiking and a night tour for a unique experience. Just tell us if you want something different.
After breakfast, pay a visit to the Summer Palace, take a boat ride on Kunming Lake, and get an insight into the imperial theater.
Taste some delicious Peking duck for lunch at a local popular restaurant. You will fly to Xi'an after lunch. Your Xi'an guide will be waiting for you and will transfer you to your hotel.
Start your tour with the Terracotta Army. It is regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. You will meet hundreds of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots in battle array.
After lunch, you will visit a craftsman in a local cave dwelling to learn the secrets of making clay warriors. There, you can make your mini warrior.
In the late afternoon, climb up to the ancient city wall. You can ride a bike or have a leisurely walk to enjoy the view of the city.
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It's the landmark of Xi'an, which houses precious Buddhist material dating back to the 7th century.
Have a date with Shaanxi History Museum. You will see the largest collections in China, including clay figurines, bronze wares, and jade articles.
In the late afternoon, visit the bustling Muslim Quarter, a paradise of local snacks. After the tour, you will go to the airport and fly to Dunhuang.
Dunhuang, once a hub of the Silk Road, has prosperous cultural relics and stunning scenery.
Discovering the Mogao Caves, you will see the oldest Buddhist artworks shining on the Silk Road. Guided by an expert from the Dunhuang Research Academy, you will have a professional introduction to the culture and history behind the mural paintings and statues.
In the afternoon, take a camel ride along the Singing Sand Dunes, sit next to Crescent Moon Spring, and watch the sunset if the weather permits.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
The Mogao Caves are recommended for an in-depth tour. You can visit the Dunhuang Research Academy to appreciate copies of other mural masterpieces. You can also copy a sample mural on a mud slab with the guidance of the teacher.
Unlike the Great Wall in Beijing, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty was built with sand and weeds instead of bricks. The ruins display how people used the limited materials to set up their defensive system.
After lunch, take the bullet train to Turpan. You can enjoy the Gobi Desert scenery along the way.
Visit the Emin Minaret in the morning. Go into the mosque and try to tell the time by checking the sunlight on the wall.
Then discover the extraordinary irrigation system, the Karez Well System. This tunnel system is still widely used in Turpan after thousands of years. You can learn about its history and functions and go underground to see it.
Have lunch at a local Uyghur restaurant. You can see its vineyards if you like.
Finally, walking through the ancient city of Jiaohe, your guide will introduce you to the unbelievable construction method and tell you the vivid stories behind these raw earth buildings.
After breakfast, you will depart from Turpan and be driven to Urumqi. Upon arrival, you will explore the charming Heavenly Lake. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, the lake is simply beautiful under the blue sky. Take a cruise to get close to its beauty or choose a cable car ride for a higher and better viewing point. Doing some walking is a good way to admire the attractive scenery along the paths.
You can't miss the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum if you are a fan of museum tours. You will see the well-preserved ancient Caucasian mummies and their artifacts. You can also find a collection of silk articles and other artifacts from various eras of history as well as written materials in different languages.
After lunch, visit the great bazaar, Erdaoqiao Market. Walking inside this bustling market, you can find goods of the typical Uyghur style. If you like, you can look for some souvenirs.
After the tour, take a flight to Shanghai.
Discover the exquisite Yu Garden. This is the best place to get a glimpse of ancient Shanghai, as reflected in the movies. Go into it to experience the unique design, exquisite carvings, and traditional lifestyle.
A nice stroll along the Bund will introduce you to the living history of Shanghai from its colonial buildings.
Finally, take the fastest elevator in the world to the observation level of Shanghai Tower (the highest building in China) and take in a panoramic view of the Bund.
At the appointed time, your guide and driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight home. They will see you off after helping you with the airline check-in procedure.
We wish you a great trip!
Price Includes
Price from: $4,030 (Tour code: gh-cht-sl-02)
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Trip Notes
Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.
1. Extend the Tour
- Suzhou and/or Hangzhou: add 1–4 days — water towns, gardens, the Grand Canal, and West Lake
- Chengdu: add 2–3 days — a panda keeper program, have your photo taken next to a panda, and the Leshan Giant Buddha
- Hong Kong: add 2–3 days — Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, and a day-tour of Macau
- Free days: Yangshuo and Shanghai are popular destinations to add one or more free days to explore on one's own.
- More destinations: Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, and Tibet... Inform us of your interests and we will offer you some recommendations.
2. Accommodation
Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the style of the region. Whatever your accommodation preferences are, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect one for you.
Most hotels in China allow at most three people in one room. If there are more than three people in your group, we will check if there is family room available or do our best to arrange interconnecting rooms or adjoin rooms.
3. Transportation
China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience more efficient, we usually arrange flights to connect your destinations.
China's high-speed rail network is a fast-paced way to travel. We recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours to interested customers — please tell us if you are one of them.
4. Meals
Lunches at popular local restaurants are included for you so you can taste authentic Chinese food. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes.
Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free — all your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. Let us know if you have any of these dietary requirements during your booking.
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