Silk Road Biking, China ~ Butterfield and Robinson

Activity Level: E
Start / Finish: Xi’an / Beijing

Ancient Trails

One of the world’s earliest commercial highways, the Silk Road is easily the prettiest. By bike, we’ll take you along the over 9,000-mile route that linked Imperial China and the Roman Empire, passing incredible sand dunes on the lip of the Taklamakan Desert, poplar-lined avenues beneath the Flaming Mountains, centuries-old Buddhist shrines, bustling markets and small villages unchanged since antiquity. Our exclusive visit to Jiaohe, a 2,300-year-old earthen city where we feast on mouth-watering barbecued lamb in the square—with the whole town as our dining companions—are B&R signatures. For cultural experience more authentic and intensive than this, you’d need to go back in time. (We’re working on that one.)

For an amazing biking journey through the streets and historical sites of China’s majestic capital city, check out our Beijing Post-Trip.

Read more about this exotic destination in our newsletter, The Slow Road

Day 1 Work out the kinks with morning tai chi before mounting your bike and riding through fascinating townships
Day 2 Enjoy unprecedented access to the caves of Mogao, an obscure-yet-fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 3 Cycle to Uyghur villages where Westerners—especially ones on bikes—are rarely seen
Day 4 Dine in Turpan’s central square with the entire town as your dinner guests
Day 5 Explore the ruins of Jiaohe, reserved exclusively for us
Day 6 Haggle over the price of carpets, gold, spices and, of course, silk in Kashgar’s timeless market
Day 7 Learn about the Silk Road’s fascinating history, straight from the mouth of a local expert
Day 8 Enjoy a leisurely bike ride or walk through Kashgar’s old town before sitting down to a spectacular Silk Road send-off dinner
Day 9 Check out Beijing’s nightlife, or simply luxuriate in the creature comforts of one of China’s top hotels
Day 10 Breakfast and zai jian in Beijing


		Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang The Silk Road Hotel is built to reflect the traditional fortresses that at one time lined the trading routes. In colour, style and character, it blends comfortably into the landscape. It offers charm, simple hospitality and a little romance. The rooms and amenities are not luxurious by Western standards. There is a spa that offers traditional Chinese massages and a restaurant that, though basic, provides an introduction to the uncomplicated pleasures of western Chinese cuisine.
		Sheraton Urumqi Hotel, Urumqi The Sheraton is the best and newest hotel in Urumqi, with spacious and comfortable rooms. The hotel caters primarily to business travellers. It is large and busy, but centrally located in a vibrant part of the city.
		Tu Ha Petroleum Hotel, Turpan The Tu Ha Petroleum Hotel is a comfortable, modern hotel conveniently located downtown. The rooms are simple but clean, and the staff are friendly but have a limited command of English.
		Central West Asia Hotel, Kashgar This new four-star hotel is conveniently located right next to the city's central square, facing one of China's four remaining Mao statues.
		Raffles Beijing Hotel, Beijing Just a block away from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the Raffles offers the perfect combination of local elegance and exceptional service.

Need more details? Download a detailed copy of the itinerary of this trip, which includes a day-by-day breakdown, activity level descriptions and other helpful information.

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