Region guide
Silk Road & the Northwest Travel Guide 2026
Mogao caves, rainbow mountains, Uyghur Old City bazaars, and the western terminus of the ancient Silk Road.
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- Silk Road & the Northwest Travel Guide 2026
Destinations in this region
12 cities · Mogao caves, rainbow mountains, Uyghur Old City bazaars, and the western terminus of the ancient Silk Road.
- Xi'an Travel Guide
Practical Xi'an travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Dunhuang Travel Guide
Practical Dunhuang travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Jiayuguan Travel Guide
Practical Jiayuguan travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Zhangye Travel Guide
Practical Zhangye travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Turpan Travel Guide
Practical Turpan travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Urumqi Travel Guide
Practical Urumqi travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Kashgar in 3 Days: Old City, Id Kah & the Bazaar
Kashgar in numbers: Id Kah mosque since 1442, Xiangfei Garden's 17th-century domes 5 km out at 30 CNY, gate ceremony 10:00, bazaars fullest on Sundays.…
- Lanzhou in 2-3 Days: the Yellow River City & Beef Noodles
Lanzhou in numbers: the 1909 iron bridge at 234 m, the 34.5 cm Bronze Galloping Horse of 1969, the Mother sculpture of 1986, beef noodles since 1915.…
- Xining Travel Guide
Practical Xining travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Xiahe Travel Guide
Practical Xiahe travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Yan'an Travel Guide
Practical Yan'an travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
- Silk Road (China) Travel Guide
Practical Silk Road (China) travel guide: top attractions, transport, accommodation, food, and verified on-the-ground info.…
FAQ
When is the best time to visit Silk Road & the Northwest?
April–May and September–October work for most of China. Silk Road & the Northwest has its own peak season — check the individual city guides for timing.
How do I travel between cities in Silk Road & the Northwest?
High-speed rail covers most major cities in Silk Road & the Northwest; smaller towns use regional trains or buses. Each city guide has transport links.
Do I need a separate visa for every city in Silk Road & the Northwest?
Mainland China uses one national visa policy. Hong Kong and Macau have separate entry rules, so check those city guides if they are included in Silk Road & the Northwest.