The Complete Silk Road: Uzbekistan and China

Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting with our driver outside the airport. Transfer to the planned hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel.

We'll begin our tour of the capital:

Khast-Imam Complex, home to the famous Quran of Caliph Uthman.

At the Khast-Imam complex you'll visit the Barak-Khan and Muyi Mubarak madrasahs, the Friday Mosque and the mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi.

Independence Square - located in the centre of Tashkent. This is where the main state events and parades are held on national holidays. We'll end the tour at the Tashkent Metro, the only one in Uzbekistan and the first in Central Asia. Overnight stay.

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Early in the morning we'll transfer to the local airport in Tashkent to catch the flight to Urgench. Arrival in Urgench and transfer to Khiva (30 km). After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we'll begin our tour. Today we'll discover the city of the legends of "A Thousand and One Nights".

We'll take in the entrance of the Ota Darvoza gate of the citadel (Ichan Qala - inner citadel), whose architectural monuments were built between the 10th and 18th centuries and remain well preserved to this day. We'll see the truncated Kalta Minor minaret, the madrasah (a school of Quranic studies and social sciences) of Khan Mohammed Amin Khan and the old Kuhna Ark Palace. Continuing our journey, we'll explore in depth the Mohammed Rahim Khan Madrasah, the Friday (Djuma) Mosque, the madrasah with its minaret of Islam Khodja, Tosh Khovli Palace and the Khan's harem.Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we'll visit the Museum of German Mennonites from the 19th-20th centuries, which very few people know about, the Shergazi Khan Madrasah, the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud. We'll finish the visit with Khiva's famous wood-carving workshop. Free afternoon. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the city of Bukhara across the Kyzylkum Desert. Long ago, this area was used by caravans heading west, following the Silk Road that linked the western cities with Bukhara. In the afternoon we'll arrive in Bukhara and transfer to the hotel, checking in there. We'll do our afternoon sightseeing. We'll begin our tour on foot through the city, full of historic monuments (9th-19th centuries): the Lyab-i Hauz Complex– a pool with the Nodir Devonbegi and Kukaldash madrasahs; the old domed oriental markets.

Then we'll visit Ulugbek Madrasah (16th century) – one of the oldest madrasahs in Bukhara, Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah (17th century) – lavishly decorated;

Trading domes - Toki Sarrafon (once a currency exchange centre of Central Asia), Toki Telpak Furushon (which sold books, and later hats), Tim Abdullakhan (which sold carpets and textiles), Toki Zargaron (which sold jewellery). Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. A walking tour through the ancient, sacred and noble city of Bukhara, homeland of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), known as one of the world's most famous physicians.

We'll begin our tour with the Poi Kalon Complex made up of:

the Kalon Minaret (12th century) - a symbol of the city of Bukhara, built to call Muslims to prayer five times a day, the Kalon Mosque (15th century) - the layout of the Friday mosque (known as the Kalyan mosque) is traditional: a rectangular courtyard with a tall, grand maksura hall, and Miri-Arab Madrasah (16th century) - one of the finest monuments of the Bukhara school of architecture. We'll then visit the legendary Ark Fortress (4th century BC) - a symbol of state power. It was once the residence of the emirs of Bukhara.

We'll also visit the Bolo-Hauz Mosque (1712) *(from the outside) - the only monument preserved on Registan Square.

The complex consists of a cistern, the Friday mosque and the minaret. The oldest part of the complex is the pool (Hauz), from which Bolo-Hauz takes its name;

the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (9th century) - built as a family crypt immediately after the death of Ismail Samani's father. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today's visits will take us to Chor-Minor Madrasah (1807) - «Four Minarets» - it's believed that the decorative elements on the towers reflect the religious-philosophical understanding of the world's four major religions.

We'll finish our visits with Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa - the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, a unique place that combines oriental and Russian architecture.

The visits will conclude with the Bahauddin Architectural Complex, a site located near Bukhara, Uzbekistan, that includes the tomb of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, founder of the Naqshbandi order, who died in 1389.

In the afternoon we'll transfer to the train station in Bukhara to catch the fast train to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand and transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we'll visit the Mausoleum of Amir Temur (Tamerlane) and the Timurids - one of the most significant architectural complexes of the medieval East is the Gur-e Amir (Gur-Emir) building.

It stands in the south-western part of Samarkand and dates from the early 15th century; Registan Square in Samarkand, a symbol of Uzbekistan and the "eighth wonder of the world". It's a complex made up of three madrasahs: Ulugbek (15th century), Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori (17th century).

We'll then visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built in the 14th-15th centuries on the orders of Amir Temur and his favourite queen, Bibi-Khanym. We'll walk through the traditional Siab Bazaar in Samarkand and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, where Tamerlane's relatives are buried. We'll then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We begin today's tour with a visit to the famous Ulugbek Astronomical Observatory (15th century) and then the ruins of Afrasiyab - ancient Samarkand, an archaeological complex founded in the 8th-6th centuries BC - and the Afrasiyab History Museum; the traditional paper and carpet workshops that were, and still are, famous around the world. Today we'll also make a slightly different visit to the Orthodox Church, built in the 19th century during the era of the Russian tsars. In the afternoon we'll transfer to the train station in Samarkand to catch the fast train to Tashkent.

Arrival in Tashkent and transfer to Tashkent International Airport to catch the flight to Beijing. Overnight on board the plane.

There is no accommodation on this day.

Flight times:

22:50 – 07:30 (+1) or 22:50 – 06:40 (+1)

Arrival in Beijing at 06:40 or 07:30. Meeting with our team.

Transfer from the airport and half-day excursion in Beijing.

- Summer Palace, including a boat ride* (*weather permitting)

- Free time to enjoy the rest of the day

Welcome to China! On arrival in Beijing, you'll meet your guide and be transferred into the city for a relaxing half-day excursion to the magnificent Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful imperial gardens in China.

Admire its elegant pavilions, tranquil lake and beautiful scenery, with a boat ride included, weather permitting. The rest of the day is free, allowing you to rest after your journey or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring Beijing's most famous culinary speciality, Peking roast duck, before settling into your hotel. Overnight stay.

Hotel check-in from 2:00pm on this day.

Roast duck dinner at a local restaurant.

Full-day excursion in Beijing

- Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, without cable car

- Shopping at the Silk Street Market

Today, discover one of China's most iconic sights with a full-day excursion to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.Surrounded by lush mountains and spectacular scenery, this beautifully preserved section offers an unforgettable opportunity to walk along the ancient fortifications and appreciate the extraordinary engineering of the Ming dynasty.

Without using the cable car, the visit offers a more active and rewarding experience for those who wish to explore the wall on foot.

Later, enjoy shopping at the Silk Street Market, a lively destination known for its wide variety of goods, from clothing and accessories to souvenirs and local products.Return to your hotel after a fascinating day. Overnight stay.

Half-day excursion and transfer to the train station in Beijing

- Tiananmen Square

- Forbidden City* (closed on Mondays)

High-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, 2nd class, G361, 15:05-19:23 or similar

Transfer to the train station in Xi'an

Begin your day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and a powerful symbol of modern China.

Continue on to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, where magnificent halls, courtyards and ancient treasures reveal the grandeur of China's imperial past.

The Forbidden City (remains closed on Mondays).After the tour, transfer to the train station and board a comfortable high-speed train bound for Xi'an, one of China's most historic cities. On arrival, you'll meet your local guide and be transferred to your hotel to enjoy a well-earned rest. Overnight stay

Full-day excursion in Xi'an

- Terracotta Warriors

- the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (without climbing)

Today, travel back in time with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, one of China's greatest archaeological discoveries.

Marvel at the thousands of life-size soldiers, horses and chariots created to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife.

Continue on to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a celebrated Buddhist monument and a symbol of Xi'an's rich religious and cultural heritage.

The visit includes the surrounding grounds without climbing the pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a memorable Tang Dynasty dinner show, along with a delicious Chinese dumpling dinner.

Through music, dance and colourful costumes, experience the elegance and splendour of ancient Chang'an. Overnight stay.

Tang Dynasty dinner show.

Half-day excursion and transfer to the train station in Xi'an

– Ancient City Wall

– Great Mosque

– Muslim Quarter

High-speed train from Xi'an to Shanghai, 2nd class, G96, 15:32-21:22 or similar

Transfer to the train station in Shanghai

Continue exploring Xi'an with a visit to the ancient City Wall, one of the most impressive and best-preserved walls in China.

Enjoy panoramic views of the historic city and its modern surroundings. Next, discover the Great Mosque, a unique architectural treasure that combines traditional Chinese and Islamic styles.

Stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter, where narrow streets, local shops and tempting food stalls offer a fascinating glimpse of Xi'an's multicultural heritage.

After the tour, transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, you'll meet your local guide and be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay.

Full-day excursion in Shanghai

- Jade Buddha Temple

- Yu Garden and the bazaar area

- Shanghai Tower (118th floor)

- Nanjing Road and the Bund

Discover the highlights of Shanghai on a full-day city tour.

Start at the serene Jade Buddha Temple, one of the city's most famous Buddhist temples, known for its exquisite jade Buddha statues.

Continue on to Yu Garden and the bazaar area, where classical Chinese gardens, traditional architecture and lively shops create a charming atmosphere.

Go up to the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city skyline.

In the afternoon, stroll along Nanjing Road, Shanghai's main shopping street, before visiting the Bund, the city's iconic waterfront promenade, where historic European-style buildings stand facing the modern Pudong skyline. Overnight stay.

Full-day excursion to Zhujiajiao

- Zhujiajiao water town, including a boat ride*

(*weather permitting)

- Stroll through Xintiandi

- the former French Concession

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a full-day excursion to the water town of Zhujiajiao, one of the most picturesque ancient water towns near Shanghai.

Explore its charming canals, stone bridges and traditional houses, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride, weather permitting. The town's tranquil canals and historic atmosphere offer a delightful contrast to Shanghai's modern energy.

Return to the city and spend some time strolling through Xintiandi, a trendy neighbourhood where restored Shikumen architecture blends with stylish cafés, boutiques and restaurants.

Located in the heart of the former French Concession, this vibrant area is perfect for enjoying the unique blend of old and new that characterises Shanghai. In the evening, celebrate your trip with a farewell dinner. Overnight stay.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to Shanghai Airport

Enjoy one last relaxing morning in Shanghai before your departure. After breakfast, meet your guide and head to the airport for your connecting flight. As your memorable journey through China comes to an end, take with you wonderful memories of Beijing's imperial treasures, Xi'an's ancient heritage and Shanghai's vibrant cityscape. We wish you a pleasant journey home and look forward to welcoming you back to China in the future. End of our services.