20 Days China Silk Road Motorbike Tour from Urumqi to Xian

Distance: ~50–80 km (city riding)｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~2–3 hrs｜Altitude: ~800m
Road Conditions: Urban roads

After breakfast, begin the day with a motorbike test ride and complete final preparations, including purchasing supplies for the tour.

After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum, home to ancient Silk Road relics and the famous 3,000-year-old mummies, offering deep insight into early Central Asian civilizations.

Continue to the Dongfeng Automobile Manufacturing Company, then explore the vibrant Grand Bazaar of Urumqi, a cultural and trading center filled with local crafts, spices, and ethnic goods.

In the evening, enjoy dinner in the city and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Highlights: Xinjiang Museum mummies, Grand Bazaar, Silk Road history, motorbike preparation
Accommodation: Hotel in Urumqi

Distance: ~180 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~–154m to ~800m
Road Conditions: Highway + desert roads

After breakfast, officially begin your Silk Road motorbike journey, riding from Urumqi to Turpan, an ancient oasis basin known as the “Flaming Desert Oasis.”

En route, enjoy vast desert landscapes and mountain transitions before arriving in Turpan.

Visit the ancient Karez Irrigation System (坎儿井), one of China’s three great ancient engineering wonders, alongside the Great Wall and Grand Canal. This underground water system demonstrates the remarkable adaptation of desert life.

Continue to the iconic Emin Minaret (苏公塔), built in 1777 in honor of Turpan general Emin Khoja. It is the largest Islamic-style minaret in Xinjiang and a symbol of Uyghur cultural heritage.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Uyghur family dinner, followed by a lively Uyghur dance performance, offering an immersive cultural experience.

Highlights: Turpan desert oasis, Karez system, Emin Minaret, Uyghur cultural experience
Accommodation: Hotel in Turpan

Distance: ~400 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~6–7 hrs｜Altitude: ~–200m to 800m
Road Conditions: Highway + desert basin roads

After breakfast, depart from Turpan (吐鲁番) and ride toward Gaochang Ancient City (高昌故城), located at the foot of the famous Flaming Mountains (火焰山). Once a thriving Silk Road kingdom founded in the 1st century BC, Gaochang was abandoned in the 13th century and now remains a powerful desert ruin site.

Continue your journey eastward across vast desert landscapes toward Hami (哈密), a historic oasis city situated in a low fault depression about 200 meters below sea level.

Hami is known for its rich ethnic diversity, with multiple groups including Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Kyrgyz communities, reflecting its long Silk Road history. The region is also famous for the sweet Hami melon (哈密瓜), once offered as tribute to the Qing imperial court.

Arrive in Hami and check in at the hotel for rest after a long desert ride.

Highlights: Gaochang Ruins, Flaming Mountains, Silk Road desert ride, Hami oasis city, ethnic diversity

Distance: ~200–250 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–2,000m
Road Conditions: Highway + grassland roads + mountain foothills

After breakfast, visit the historic Islamic King Tombs (回王陵) in Hami, built around 1840. The complex features beautifully preserved architecture including pavilion-style tombs, a domed structure, and a mosque decorated with intricate carvings and religious motifs, reflecting Islamic cultural heritage in Xinjiang.

Continue riding toward the vast Barkol Grassland (巴里坤草原), passing through open landscapes and approaching the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains (天山).

Barkol is famous across China for its horse and camel breeding culture, earning the nickname “County of Ten Thousand Camels.” The region is home to traditional Kazakh pastoral life and nomadic heritage.

Visit the White Stone Scenic Area (白石景区), known for its dramatic white rock formations rising from the grassland. Here you will have time to explore Kazakh yurts, interact with local herders, and experience authentic nomadic lifestyle.

End the day by enjoying a peaceful sunset over the grasslands.

Highlights: Islamic King Tombs, Barkol grasslands, Kazakh nomadic culture, White Stone Scenic Area, camel & horse culture
Accommodation: Kazakh Yurt Camp (Grassland stay)

Distance: ~250–280km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~5–6 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,000–1,500m
Road Conditions: Long-distance highway + desert transition roads

After breakfast in a traditional Kazak yurt in Barkol, begin your westward ride across the vast landscapes of northern Xinjiang. The route gradually shifts from alpine grasslands and grazing pastures into dry steppe and desert terrain, marking a dramatic change in scenery and climate.

As you leave Barkol, the ride follows long, open highways framed by distant mountains and empty horizons. This is a classic Silk Road transition corridor where ancient caravans once moved between oasis settlements, and today it offers a powerful sense of isolation and scale.

Crossing through the Hami region en route, you will experience increasingly arid landscapes, with gravel plains and desert winds shaping the environment. A lunch stop will be arranged along the way in a small roadside town or service area.

By late afternoon, arrive in Liuyuan, a key transport junction historically linked to Silk Road logistics and modern rail connections. The atmosphere here reflects the edge between the Xinjiang desert expanse and the Gansu corridor ahead.

Highlights: Barkol Grassland, Hami Desert Corridor, Silk Road transition landscapes, long-distance desert riding

Distance: ~130km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~2–3 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,100–1,200m
Road Conditions: Paved highway + desert approach roads

After breakfast in Liuyuan, continue riding west toward the legendary Silk Road oasis city of Dunhuang. The road today is smoother and shorter, giving you more time to enjoy the shifting desert scenery.

Leaving Liuyuan, the route opens into the vast Gobi Desert, with endless gravel plains, sand dunes in the distance, and shimmering heat horizons. This stretch once formed part of the ancient Hexi Corridor (河西走廊 / Hexi Zoulang), a vital artery of trade and cultural exchange between China and Central Asia.

As you approach Dunhuang, the landscape gradually transforms into oasis farmland and desert foothills. Historically, Dunhuang was one of the most important frontier cities of the Silk Road, serving as a gateway where Buddhism, art, and merchants flowed between East and West.

Arrive in Dunhuang by midday or early afternoon. The rest of the day is free for rest and acclimatization before exploring its famous cultural and desert attractions.

Highlights: Liuyuan, Dunhuang, Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), Gobi Desert riding, Silk Road oasis transition

Distance: ~60–80km (local transfers)｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~2–3 hrs (optional riding sections)｜Altitude: ~1,200m
Road Conditions: Desert roads + paved access routes + scenic park roads

Begin your cultural exploration in Dunhuang with a visit to the world-famous Mogao Caves (莫高窟), one of the greatest treasures of Buddhist art in the world. According to legend, a monk in the 4th century saw a vision of a thousand Buddhas and began carving cave temples into the sandstone cliffs.

Over centuries, these caves developed into a vast complex filled with murals, sculptures, and manuscripts dating from the 4th to 10th centuries. Though many artifacts were later removed by early explorers, the site still preserves extraordinary examples of ancient Buddhist art and Silk Road cultural exchange.

In the afternoon, continue to the natural wonders of Crescent Lake (月牙泉) and Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山 / Echoing-Sand Mountain). Nestled in the desert, Crescent Lake is a rare oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes that have existed for thousands of years without being buried.

Explore the rolling dunes of Mingsha Shan, named for the sound produced when wind moves across the sand. You can walk or climb the dunes for panoramic desert views, or observe the contrast between golden sand and green oasis waters.

Return to Dunhuang in the evening. Enjoy the desert sunset atmosphere and local culture experience.

Highlights: Mogao Caves (莫高窟), ancient Buddhist murals, Crescent Lake (月牙泉), Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山), Silk Road desert oasis

Distance: ~220–240km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,000–1,200m
Road Conditions: Desert highway + Gobi Corridor roads

After breakfast, depart Dunhuang and continue your Silk Road journey eastward through the vast landscapes of the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊). Today’s ride takes you deeper into the historical heart of ancient China’s westward expansion routes.

The road passes through wide desert plains, gravel basins, and occasional oasis towns, offering a strong sense of isolation and historical depth. This section of the Silk Road was once heavily traveled by merchants, monks, and explorers connecting China with Central Asia.

En route, visit the Yulin Grottoes (榆林窟), also known as Wanfo Gorge. Carved into cliffs as early as the 5th century, these caves preserve stunning murals from the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, representing one of the most important branches of Dunhuang grotto art.

After exploring the grottoes, continue riding toward Anxi, a key historical station along the ancient Silk Road. Arrive in the evening and rest after a full day of desert riding and cultural discovery.

Highlights: Dunhuang, Yulin Grottoes (榆林窟), Hexi Corridor landscapes, ancient Silk Road murals, desert riding experience

Distance: ~230–260km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–1,800m
Road Conditions: Desert highway + Hexi Corridor expressway + occasional oasis sections

After breakfast in Anxi, begin your ride deeper into the historic Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), one of the most important sections of the ancient Silk Road. The route gradually shifts from desert plains into more structured oasis landscapes as you approach the frontier region of northwestern China.

Along the way, you’ll experience long stretches of open highway framed by distant mountains and desert basins, echoing the historical movement of caravans that once connected China with Central Asia. A lunch stop will be arranged en route in a small town or service area.

By afternoon, arrive in Jiayuguan, a legendary frontier city known as the western terminus of the Great Wall system. Visit Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关), built in the Ming Dynasty around 1372, and historically regarded as “The First and Greatest Pass under Heaven.”

This massive fortress once marked the edge of imperial China, controlling movement along the Silk Road. Walk through its imposing walls, watchtowers, and desert-facing defenses while learning the legends of its construction, including the famous “last brick” story symbolizing completion.

In the evening, enjoy a local dinner and rest after a full day of desert riding and frontier history exploration.

Highlights: Anxi, Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关), western Great Wall terminus, Silk Road frontier landscapes

Distance: ~230–250km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–2,000m
Road Conditions: High-quality highway + Hexi Corridor farmland + mountain foothills

After breakfast in Jiayuguan, continue east along the Hexi Corridor, riding through one of the most historically rich and agriculturally important regions of northwestern China. This stretch of road links ancient military outposts, oasis towns, and fertile river valleys.

Arrive in Zhangye, once a major political, economic, and cultural center on the Silk Road. Historically, even Marco Polo is believed to have stayed here during his travels.

In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Giant Buddha Temple (大佛寺 / Dafo Si), home to the largest reclining Buddha in China. Built during the Western Xia Dynasty, the temple preserves a remarkable blend of Buddhist architecture, murals, and relics that reflect centuries of cultural exchange.

Continue to explore Zhangye Museum, which showcases artifacts from Silk Road civilizations and regional history across multiple dynasties.

Zhangye offers a striking contrast to the desert landscapes earlier in the journey, with green oasis surroundings and fertile plains.

In the evening, enjoy a relaxed local dinner and rest in preparation for the next stage of the Silk Road journey.

Highlights: Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Giant Buddha Temple (大佛寺), Silk Road oasis city, Western Xia cultural heritage

Distance: ~230–260 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~5–6 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–1,800m
Road Conditions: Highway + desert-edge roads + urban approach roads

After breakfast, ride out of Zhangye (张掖) and continue along the historic Hexi Corridor, a key artery of the ancient Silk Road. The route gradually transitions from fertile oasis landscapes into vast semi-desert plains.

Arrive in Wuwei (武威), once a major strategic hub of northwest China during the Han Dynasty. Visit the famous Leitai Tomb (雷台汉墓) in Leitai Park, where archaeologists discovered an extraordinary collection of Han Dynasty relics, including bronze chariots and the iconic “Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow” symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.

Learn how Wuwei (武威) served as a military and administrative stronghold controlling trade routes between China’s heartland and Central Asia, shaping centuries of Silk Road exchange.

Explore local streets and Silk Road cultural remnants before settling in for the night.

Highlights: Leitai Tomb, Han Dynasty relics, Silk Road frontier history, Wuwei ancient city culture
Accommodation: Hotel in Wuwei

Distance: ~300–320 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~6–7 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–1,800m
Road Conditions: Highway + river valley routes + urban entry roads

Depart Wuwei (武威) and ride eastward toward Lanzhou (兰州), the capital of Gansu Province (甘肃省) and a historic Silk Road gateway along the Yellow River (黄河).

Along the way, pass changing landscapes from arid plateau zones to greener river valleys. Arrive in Lanzhou (兰州), a city that has served as a key cultural and trading crossroads for over 2,000 years.

Explore the historical significance of Lanzhou (兰州), once known as the “Golden City” due to its strategic importance on the Silk Road. The city developed as a melting pot of Buddhist, Islamic, and Central Asian influences.

Learn about its role in protecting ancient trade routes and its evolution into a modern regional capital bridging northwest China with the rest of the country.

Highlights: Silk Road transition landscapes, Yellow River corridor, Lanzhou historical crossroads, cultural fusion heritage
Accommodation: Hotel in Lanzhou

Distance: ~50–80 km (city riding & short transfers)｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~2–3 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,500–1,800m
Road Conditions: Urban roads + riverside scenic routes

Today is a relaxed sightseeing day in Lanzhou, allowing you to recover from the long motorbike journey while exploring the cultural heart of the Yellow River (黄河).

Begin your day with a visit to Zhongshan Bridge (中山桥), the first permanent bridge across the Yellow River. Built between 1907 and 1909, it once served as a vital crossing point for Silk Road traders moving north and south. The bridge later received its current name in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Continue to Waterwheel Park (水车园), where traditional wooden waterwheels demonstrate ancient irrigation techniques once widely used along the Yellow River. These massive structures highlight the ingenuity of historical water management systems in northwest China.

Next, visit the iconic Yellow River Mother Statue (黄河母亲雕塑), one of Lanzhou’s most symbolic landmarks. It represents the nurturing relationship between the river and Chinese civilization, often referred to as the “Mother River of China.”

In the afternoon, head to White Pagoda Hill (白塔山), a scenic hillside park overlooking the Yellow River and Lanzhou city. Originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, the White Pagoda Temple was later expanded during the Ming and Qing dynasties. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of the river winding through the city landscape.

A short boat ride on the Yellow River offers a different perspective of Lanzhou’s riverfront scenery and bridges.

Return to the city in the evening for leisure time.

Highlights: Zhongshan Bridge, Yellow River Mother Statue, Waterwheel Park, White Pagoda Hill, Yellow River cruise
Accommodation: Hotel in Lanzhou

Distance: ~350–380 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~6–7 hrs｜Altitude: ~1,700–2,200m
Road Conditions: Highway + mountain roads + plateau valleys

After breakfast in Lanzhou, begin your eastward ride toward Pingliang (平凉), entering a more mountainous section of Gansu Province (甘肃省).

The route passes through changing landscapes of river valleys, loess plateaus, and mountain corridors. Along the way, stop for lunch and try local specialties such as roast chicken and Guokui (锅盔), a traditional northern Chinese flatbread.

Ride through the Liupan Mountain (六盘山) area, a historically significant region associated with revolutionary history in China. The surrounding terrain is lush compared to earlier desert regions, offering a refreshing contrast of forests and mountain scenery.

Arrive in Pingliang, a city known for its Taoist heritage and natural mountain landscapes. It sits near sacred peaks and ancient pilgrimage routes that once connected different cultural regions of northwest China.

In the evening, rest and prepare for the final stretch of your Silk Road motorbike journey.

Highlights: Yellow River departure region, Liupan Mountain scenic corridor, Silk Road transition from plateau to forest zone, revolutionary historical route
Accommodation: Hotel in Pingliang

Distance: ~220–250 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~4–5 hrs｜Altitude: ~800–2,100m
Road Conditions: Mountain highways + provincial roads + valley passes

After breakfast in Pingliang (平凉), ride to one of the most spiritually significant mountains in China—Kongtong Mountain (崆峒山). This sacred Taoist site is traditionally believed to be the legendary meeting place between the Yellow Emperor and the immortal Guangchengzi, making it one of the birthplaces of Chinese Taoist philosophy.

Explore the mountain temples, forested trails, and cliffside architecture that reflect centuries of spiritual practice and pilgrimage traditions. The atmosphere here is calm and deeply cultural, contrasting with the long-distance riding days before.

After the visit, leave Gansu Province (甘肃省) and cross into Shaanxi Province (陕西省). The scenery gradually changes from mountainous terrain into fertile valleys and river plains as you approach central China.

A lunch stop will be arranged either in Pingliang or en route along the highway. Continue riding through transitional landscapes that mark the shift from northwest plateau culture to central Chinese civilization.

Arrive in Baoji (宝鸡), a historically strategic city located in a valley between the Qinling Mountains (秦岭) and the Wei River basin (渭河流域). Known as a key gateway between northwestern China and the central plains, Baoji has long been a transportation and military hub.

In the evening, rest after a full cultural and riding day.

Highlights: Kongtong Mountain (崆峒山), Taoist heritage site, Gansu–Shaanxi border crossing, Qinling Mountain corridor, Baoji valley landscape
Accommodation: Hotel in Baoji

Distance: ~170–200 km｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~3–4 hrs｜Altitude: ~400–800m
Road Conditions: Highway + suburban expressways + urban roads

After breakfast in Baoji (宝鸡), continue eastward toward Xi’an (西安), one of the most historically important cities in China and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.

The ride today gradually descends from mountainous terrain into the fertile plains of the Guanzhong Basin (关中平原). This region has been the political and cultural heartland of ancient China for thousands of years.

Arrive in Xi’an, a city with over 3,100 years of history and once the capital of 13 dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. As the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an represents the final destination of your long cross-regional motorbike journey.

In the afternoon, visit the Ancient Bronze Museum (青铜器博物馆), showcasing powerful relics from early Chinese civilization, especially from the Zhou Dynasty period, highlighting the origin of Chinese ritual culture and state formation.

In the evening, explore local cuisine in Xi’an’s vibrant food districts and experience the cultural fusion of this ancient capital.

Highlights: Xi’an arrival, Guanzhong Basin landscapes, Silk Road eastern terminus, Ancient Bronze Museum, dynastic Chinese capital heritage
Accommodation: Hotel in Xi’an

Distance: ~30–60 km (city riding)｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~2–3 hrs｜Altitude: ~400–500m
Road Conditions: Urban roads + historic city routes

Spend a full day exploring the historic heart of Xi’an (西安), one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.

Begin with a visit to the well-preserved Xi’an City Wall (西安城墙), one of the largest ancient city fortifications in the world. You can ride or walk along sections of the wall and enjoy panoramic views of the old and modern city blending together.

Continue to the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty to preserve Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. Standing at 64 meters, the pagoda remains one of Xi’an’s most important religious landmarks and offers excellent city views from the top.

Next, explore the famous Drum Tower (鼓楼) and Bell Tower (钟楼), historic timekeeping structures located in the center of the ancient capital. These landmarks symbolize the rhythm of daily life in imperial China during the Ming Dynasty and remain key architectural icons today.

Walk through the vibrant Muslim Quarter (回民街 / Huimin Street), a historic neighborhood shaped by Silk Road cultural exchange. Here, Arab and Persian merchant descendants developed a unique Hui Muslim culture that continues to thrive today.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet, followed by a spectacular Tang Dynasty Song and Dance Show (唐乐舞表演), showcasing the artistic elegance of ancient China’s golden age.

Highlights: Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Drum & Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter, Tang Dynasty cultural performance
Accommodation: Hotel in Xi’an

Distance: ~120–150 km (round trip excursion)｜Motorbike Riding Time: ~3–4 hrs (or vehicle transfer)｜Altitude: ~400–500m
Road Conditions: Highway + museum access roads + suburban routes

Today you visit one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world—the Terracotta Army (兵马俑).

Travel to the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇陵), the tomb of China’s first emperor, who unified the country in 221 BCE and initiated monumental construction projects, including early forms of the Great Wall.

Explore the vast excavation pits containing thousands of life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots buried to protect the emperor in the afterlife. Each figure is uniquely detailed, representing the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Qin Dynasty.

Continue learning about the historical legacy of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇), whose reforms shaped the foundation of imperial China for over two millennia.

Return to Xi’an in the afternoon for free time, shopping, or relaxation in the old city area.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in the city and reflect on your Silk Road journey from Urumqi to Xi’an.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, ancient imperial China history, UNESCO World Heritage site
Accommodation: Hotel in Xi’an

Distance: Transfer only｜Motorbike Riding Time: N/A｜Altitude: ~400–500m
Road Conditions: Urban transfer roads

Today marks the end of your epic Silk Road motorbike journey across Xinjiang, Gansu, and Shaanxi.

Depending on your departure schedule, you will be transferred to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场) for your onward flight.

Thank you for riding across deserts, mountains, oases, and ancient capitals—tracing one of the world’s most historic trade routes.

Highlights: End of Silk Road journey, departure from Xi’an