The Silk Road

An extensive network of ancient trade routes, the Silk Road has long stirred the imagination with tales of camel caravans and swashbuckling adventurers. It was during the Han Dynasty that China began to trade silk outside its own borders, with its materials eventually reaching as far as Rome. The empires along the route, including India, Persia and Arabia exchanged more than just goods – religions, philosophy and technologies found their way across the continent and forged political and economic relationships that became a significant factor in the development of all these civilisations.

Travelling along the original route you are following in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Genghis Khan, travelling through extraordinary landscapes and through the legendary towns and cities that once thrived and are now full of rich history – Kashgar and Samarkand to name just a few. The Silk Road was for century after century the world’s most historically important overland trade route – today it seamlessly brings together modern-paced adventure with ancient culture.

Popular Tours Visiting The Silk Road

Silk Road Explorer

26 Days from
holiday price

3,645pp

Follow in the footsteps of intrepid adventurers by journeying along one of the world’s most famous trading routes, the Silk Road. Beginning in ancient Xian, venture across this vast land to reach the fascinating outpost of Kashgar and its famous Sunday market.

Road to Samarkand

24 Days from
holiday price

4,345pp

Journey through the heart of Central Asia crossing starkly beautiful deserts and magnificent mountain landscapes. Discover ancient cities full of intricate Islamic architecture, thriving bazaars and a mystical old-world atmosphere, all inextricably linked with the legends of the Silk Road

View all The Silk Road tours

Five Reasons To Visit The Silk Road

Kashgar
An integral Silk Road trading post for two millennia, Kashgar may now be a modern city but it’s streets are still full of history. The famous Sunday Market offers an unforgettable experience!

Urumqi
Sat in the shadow of the beautiful Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains), Urumqi exudes an exotic Central Asian ambience. Visit the spectacular Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) for a taste of the nomadic lifestyle.

Jiayuguan
Jiayuguan is surrounded by some of China’s most starkly dramatic landscapes. The city marks the westernmost reaches of the Great Wall and the symbolic reaches of China – it was once an important Silk Road stop.

Samarkand
Mythical Samarkand is often called the ‘crossroad of world cultures’. This city was founded in the 7^th century and went on to be a centre of trade for millennia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Khiva
A sleepy oasis with a rich and fascinating history, Khiva was a powerful Islamic Khanate and a stop on the Silk Road. The walled town at its heart, Itchan Kala, is spectacular and UNESCO-listed.