Silk Road Tour, May – June 2025
Xi’an to Samarkand
Another NZCFS adventure led by Dave Bromwich. 14 days in China, travel overland from Xi’an, the eastern end of the old Silk Road, through Gansu and Xinjiang visiting key points of interest. Highlights will include Dunhuang, Turpan, and Kashgar, where we depart the Old Silk Road in China, and travel to the west for a further 8 days travelling overland through Kyrgyzstan to the final destination of Samarkand, in Uzbekistan.
Download Tour in pictures (PDF)
A simple draft outline of the itinerary and an indication of the activity is as follows:-
Xi’an:
- Terracotta warriors OR Xi’an Incident Memorial hall and Museum
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Light view and fountain show in Datang – Never Night City
Zhangye:
- Liqian Ancient Town in Yongchang
- Great Wall in Ming dyanasty: UNESCO heritage site
- Zhangye Danxia national Geological Park
- Shandan Bailie School – founded by Rewi Alley
Jiayuguan:
- Jiayuguan Pass – the western end of the Ming Great Wall
- Great Wall Museum
- Weijin Tombs, famous for lifelike and succinct wall paintings
Dunhuang:
- Echoing Sand Mountain
- Yumen Pass
- Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, River Storage City
- Shazhou Night Markets
- Mogao Grottos, the Holy Center of Buddhism Culture and Art: UNESCO heritage site
Turpan:
- Thousand Buddha Cave
- Tuyu Ditch
- Karez Well irrigation system
- Jiaohe Ruins
- Sugong Pagoda (Emin Minaret)
Kashgar:
- Sunday Bazaar
- Id Kah Mosque
- Kashgar Museum
- Afaq Khoja Mausoleum
- Old Town
- Gaotai Residence relics
- Al Digar Mosque
- Zhiren Street
- Relaxing in the old teahouse
Naryn, Kyrgyzstan:
- Naryn, the largest and most mountainous area of Kyrgyzstan
- Torugart Pass
- Tash Rabat
Bishkek:
- Bishkek city – capital city of Kyrgyzstan
- Kockkor village
- Burana Tower
- A small handicraft museum
Osh:
- Asian bazaar
- Sulayman Mountain – major landmark in Osh: UNESCO heritage site
Kokand, Uzbekistan:
- Khudayar Khan Palace
- Modari Khan Mausoleum
Tashkent:
- Independence Square – the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II
- The local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur Square
- Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world
- Old city: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex with several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleum
Samarkand:
- Ulughbek Observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek
- Local Broadway, surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets, and workshops
- National bazaar Siab – oriental bazaar. Find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets
- The carpet factory
- Registan Square – a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries
- Shakhi-Zindeh necropolis – a complex of mausoleums of 11-15th centuries: UNESCO heritage site
- Mausoleum Guri Emir
- Bibi Khanum Mosque
May
20th May Arrive Xi’an
Gansu Province: Zhangye, Yongchang , Shandan, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang.
Xinjiang : Turpan, Kashgar
Krygyzstan: Naryn, Bishkek, Osh
Uzbekistan: Fergana, Kokand, Tashkent, Samarkand
Depart Samarkand for return to New Zealand (June 11 to be confirmed.)
- All travel (including international)
- All meals typical of the region
- Accommodation (4 star or best available, twin share — single supplement available on request)
- Site entry and performance entry fees
- Entry Tickets
*Visa and travel insurance costs not included. Note: visas not required for China as we are just within 15 days visa free period; and both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan do not require a visa for New Zealanders. This will be confirmed closer to the time.
$11,000 (est.)
| Duration: | 23 days |
| From: | May 19th |
| To: | June 11th (TBC) |
Experience the real China with Dave Bromwich.
Dave Bromwich has been designing and taking tours to China for more than a decade. His over 50 visits have taken him to every province and his knowledge of the country are clear in these specialty tours. Unlike many commercial tours currently available, Dave’s NZCFS quality tours provide depth, engagement, culture, scenic wonders, history and unforgettable experiences.