the Ancient Silk Road of China

This ancient trade route starts in the old capitals of Luoyang and Xian, and

reaches the Yellow River at Lanzhou, follows along the "Gansu Corridor" and

stretches along the edge of deserts and mountains.



Before the discovery of the sea route to India, the Silk Road was the most

important connection between the Orient and the West. The Silk Road experienced

its last great era during the time of Mongols,when the entire route from China to

the Mediterranean was part of one empire.



At that time, Nicolo and Marco Polo traveled from Kashgar to the Far East along

the southern route. The overland link quickly lost its importance as trade across

the seas developed.Today it has been replaced in China with the railway line

Lanzhou-Hami-Urumqi.



The last part, to Alma-Ata in Kazatchstan was completed in 1992. The trade

route was never known as the Silk Road historically.



It was given the name by a German geographer Ferdinand Freiherr von

Richthofen. Silk Road tours allow you to step back into the 13th century as you visit

the cities of the legendary silk traders and monks.


Travel through deserts where silk traders have traveled for thousands of years.

You can discover the ancient mysteries of the Silk Road including bazaars where

merchants haggle over camels and carpets,where you can meet the nomadic

minorities of China, and attend music, dance and artistic performances.


These tours are often combined with stops to Beijing, Xi’an, and Dunhuang to

make your China travel adventure vacation complete.