Itinerary was jam-packed with great sights and activities that gave us a taste of both ancient and modern China, while still leaving some free time to explore on our own; excellent value. All the hotels were very good (luxurious for Exodus), with the Tianfu Sunshine in Chengdu being stand-out for room facilities and decor, the Bell Tower in Xi’an for location and generous room size, and the Dong Fang in Beijing for the most extensive and best quality breakfast buffet (and period charm in the historic coffee shop, courtyard, and public areas); Golden Tulip in Shanghai was also very glamorous and well-located for the Bund. Transport (bullet trains x 2, internal flight, private minibuses, and public buses) was all excellent – punctual, efficient and clean, and our trip leader, Sunny, got us to all the attractions before the busiest crowds, and marshalled us well on public transport. (There were only seven of us on my departure – five solos and one couple – which was a good number; I can imagine a full cohort of 16 would be much more challenging to manage in the busiest locations.) Food was amazingly cheap and generally good (you can eat well for a fiver, and feast for under £10; large beers cost around £1), although some of us might have liked an option once or twice to have a more upmarket and relaxed dining experience. This trip takes in all the main tourist attractions (Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, a section of the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, panda breeding centre), and they were all well worth seeing, but what I enjoyed most was having some time to explore the lesser known cities, Xi’an, and Chengdu. Xi’an was my favourite, for its historic centre, and lively night-time vibe. I would have liked some more time in Shanghai (not least because I was on a quest for family history); a day and a half on the official trip itinerary is not enough for such a vibrant city, specially as we lost half a day (the group trip to Yuyuan Garden) due to heavy rain the day we arrived. Luckily, some of us had late flights on departure day, effectively giving us another post-trip day in which we were able to visit the Yu Garden independently, but it would be good if this extra day could be factored into future trip itineraries. (Personally, I’d trade Beijing for more time in Chengdu and Shanghai. I’m planning to return to Shanghai independently.) As a solo traveller, this was my first long-haul trip, and it was brilliant. Just go!
Silk Road Holidays
Our Guide to the 5 Stans of the Silk Road
Silk Road Tours
For more than 1,500 years, merchants and traders braved some of the planet’s most inhospitable terrain and the threat of robbers in search of riches. Their network of trade routes, which connected China with the Mediterranean via the Central Asian steppes, was named the Silk Road, and shaped the world immeasurably.
Join one of our Silk Road holidays and you’ll follow in the footsteps of those wandering traders, discovering cities that were once the centre of civilisation: Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, Xi’an in China, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, and plenty more along the way.
Our guided Silk Road tours not only provide a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (the Five Stans of the Silk Road), plus China and Georgia, but also some of the greatest natural wonders. Hike among the spectacular Jety-Oguz Canyon, admire the architectural feats of Samarkand’s Registan Square and stand at the ‘Door to Hell’, a burning natural gas field in Turkmenistan.
On our Silk Road trips, our expert tour leaders guide you on a magnificent journey of discovery where you’ll soak up the unique culture, delve into the past and travel along parts of this world-shaping trading route.
Silk Road Trips
Meet the Expert
Tom Manchester – Product Manager
“Having travelled along much of the Silk Road, especially in Central Asia, the history and variety in the landscapes are what I find most fascinating. A favourite moment comes from our Pamir Highway Expedition, driving through the Wakhan Valley in Tajikistan, looking across the narrow Panj (Oxus) River to a caravanserai in Afghanistan in which Marco Polo is said to have rested.”
Ming Ho Essential China
Nigel Turner The Silk RoadI’m writing this two months after coming back. I’ve just finished my photobook of the trip and completing this made me realise how much fantastic stuff we saw. And how it’s like two trips in one. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are based on mountains, open spaces and some walks. Uzbekistan is cultural, four interesting cities and fantastic Islamic architecture. It’s great to have experienced both and enjoyed three new countries in one adventure.
Rachel Angus Tajikistan Expedition: Pamir Highway & beyondThis was an excellent trip through the high Pamir region of Tajikistan. Expect fabulous scenery, warm hospitality from the local people, and a certain amount of roughing it. If you are not prepared for dormitory accommodation sharing one long drop toilet with up to 20 people this is not the trip for you. Much of the journey is at high altitude over 4000 metres with little time to acclimatise.
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