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Sofia's Spain Silk Road trip: 14 days from Xi'an to Urumqi
A 14-day mid-range trip through Xi'an, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, budgeted at $3,200 (≈ $229/day).
real-trip-budgets2026-10-18
At a glance
- Traveler
- Sofia
- Nationality
- Spain
- Travel style
- mid-range
- Month of travel
- June 2026
- Total cost
- $3,200
- Per day
- $229
- Days
- 14
Visa note
Spanish citizens are 30-day visa-free. Sofia entered without a visa.
Paying your way
BBVA Visa linked to Alipay. No FTF.
Highlights
- Madrid → Xi'an (Air China via Beijing, 13 hours total)
- Terracotta Warriors
- Mogao Caves at Dunhuang
- Flaming Mountains of Turpan
- Xinjiang food and bazaars
Cost breakdown
| Flights | $950 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $980 |
| Meals | $640 |
| Transit | $350 |
| Attractions | $200 |
| Misc | $80 |
Day by day
Day 1 — Xi'an
≈ $229- Arrived Xi'an Xianyang Airport
- City Wall evening
Day 2 — Xi'an
≈ $229- Terra Cotta Warriors (morning)
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda (afternoon)
Day 3 — Xi'an
≈ $229- Muslim Quarter morning
- HSR to Dunhuang (overnight train alternative: flight)
Day 4 — Dunhuang
≈ $229- Mogao Caves (morning, guided)
- Singing Sand Dune evening
Day 5 — Dunhuang
≈ $229- Crescent Lake (morning)
- Yulin Grottoes afternoon (optional)
Day 6 — Turpan
≈ $229- Flight Dunhuang → Urumqi → Turpan
- Jiaohe Ancient City afternoon
Day 7 — Turpan
≈ $229- Flaming Mountains (morning)
- Grape Valley afternoon
Day 8 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Bus Turpan → Urumqi (3 hours)
- Grand Bazaar evening
Day 9 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) day trip
Day 10 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Xinjiang Museum (morning)
- Northern Desert scenic drive
Day 11 — Urumqi
≈ $229- International Bazaar morning
- Xinjiang food street evening
Day 12 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Tianshan Grand Canyon day trip
Day 13 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Nanshan Pasture day trip
Day 14 — Urumqi
≈ $229- Departed Urumqi