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  3. Camille's France trip: 14 days on the Silk Road, Urumqi to Xi'an
Urumqi skyline beneath the snow-capped Tianshan mountains

Camille's France trip: 14 days on the Silk Road, Urumqi to Xi'an

A 14-day mid-range trip through Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Xi'an, budgeted at $2,900 (≈ $207/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-27
Nine-storey facade of the Mogao Caves, DunhuangTang dynasty figurines at the Xinjiang Regional Museum, Urumqi

At a glance

Traveler
Camille
Nationality
France
Travel style
mid-range
Month of travel
September 2025
Total cost
$2,900
Per day
$207
Days
14

Visa note

French citizens are 30-day visa-free. Camille renewed the visa-free stay by flying Urumqi → Almaty → Kashgar mid-trip (Kazakhstan re-entry resets the clock).

Paying your way

BNP Paribas Visa linked to Alipay worked in Urumqi and Dunhuang; Kashgar required cash (¥500+). ATMs at ICBC branches were reliable.

Highlights

  • Kashgar Sunday livestock bazaar (the real Silk Road)
  • Karakul Lake day trip against the Pamir peaks
  • Camel ride at the Mogao Caves at sunset
  • Xi'an's Muslim Quarter for the Silk Road food finale

Cost breakdown

Flights$880
Accommodation$720
Meals$480
Transit$520
Attractions$220
Misc$80

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Urumqi

    ≈ $207
    • Arrived in Urumqi
    • Urumqi International Grand Bazaar evening

  2. Day 2 — Urumqi

    ≈ $207
    • Tianshan Heavenly Lake day trip

  3. Day 3 — Urumqi

    ≈ $207
    • Xinjiang Regional Museum (morning)

  4. Day 4 — Kashgar

    ≈ $207
    • HSR/transit from Urumqi to Kashgar
    • Kashgar old town evening walk

  5. Day 5 — Kashgar

    ≈ $207
    • Kashgar Sunday livestock bazaar (the real Silk Road)

  6. Day 6 — Kashgar

    ≈ $207
    • Karakul Lake day trip against the Pamir peaks

  7. Day 7 — Turpan

    ≈ $207
    • HSR/transit from Kashgar to Turpan
    • Jiaohe ancient city ruins (afternoon)

  8. Day 8 — Turpan

    ≈ $207
    • Grape Valley and Karez wells (afternoon)

  9. Day 9 — Turpan

    ≈ $207
    • Flaming Mountains excursion

  10. Day 10 — Dunhuang

    ≈ $207
    • HSR/transit from Turpan to Dunhuang
    • Mingsha Sand Dunes sunset

  11. Day 11 — Dunhuang

    ≈ $207
    • Camel ride at the Mogao Caves at sunset

  12. Day 12 — Dunhuang

    ≈ $207
    • Crescent Moon Spring (morning)

  13. Day 13 — Xi'an

    ≈ $207
    • HSR/transit from Dunhuang to Xi'an
    • Xi'an's Muslim Quarter for the Silk Road food finale

  14. Day 14 — Xi'an

    ≈ $207
    • City Wall cycling (morning)
    • Departed Xi'an