The Silk Road abounds in places and things worth visiting. For many miles, the Silk Road trip is an unforgettable and fantastic experience just because of the areas that are visited, but also because they are part of a historic place where in the past the great and famous merchants traded their goods. It’s hard to single out only ten places to visit during silk road travel, but I will try to tell you those who made my journey to me to stay forever in my thoughts, situations that every time I remember I get an unstoppable desire to pack up and go again to the Silk Road journey.
Xi’an Warriors
Xi’an Warriors are the first place that you should visit during the Silk Road trip. The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an is one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world. This army has an interesting history. Because of the fear of Qin Shi Huang from the afterlife, he ordered a considerable army to protect him in life after his death. There is another theory that says that the ruler ordered the army to be made because he expected to rule in life after death, just as he ruled while he lived. In the museum, you can see amazing artefacts which are also interesting as their history, make sure that your visit will be with a tourist guide.
The Mogao Caves
Visiting the Mogao Caves are included in almost all tourist packages offered by Chinese travel agencies, and I would recommend going on this Silk Road Trip with a travel guide. The Mogao Caves contain the best examples of Buddhist art, including valuable paintings, sculptures, historical documents spanning a period of 1000 years. The Mogao Caves are also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes or Caves of the Thousand Buddhas.
The Crescent Lake
Although it’s small in size, it still has a great charm to attract the visitors and to be a must-see place during the Silk Road trip. The Crescent Lake is located 6 km south of Dunhuang and is believed to be 2000 years old. It is also known as Crescent Spring and with its pure and turquoise water causes admiration from the visitors.
Jiayuguan Pass
Jiаyuguan Pass is the starting point of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty. In the past, Jiаyuguan Pass was excellent protection for the interior of China from the invasion of nomadic groups, but also a vital direction of the ancient Silk Road. When traffickers from the west were transporting goods that were to be imported into China, they first had to pass down this pass, as well as traders from China before transferring assets to Europe, had to go through this point. Jiаyuguan Pass has a length of 733 meters and an area of about 33,500 square meters. There are two gates: east and west, and on each gate, there is a building.
Heavenly Lake
The lake is located 82 km away from Urumqi. The lake is surrounded with snow-capped peaks in the Tianshan Tianchi National Park. The Heavenly Lake is a beautiful small mountain lake with crystal clear water and magnificent scenery. So when you are on your Silk Road trip, do not forget to visit the lake and prepare your camera to take some beautiful photos. In the summer the lake is top-rated among the tourists. You can have various activities like hiking, boating, sightseeing and learning about Kazakh culture. Don’t miss to try some of the delicious food.
Zhangye Landforms
It is a must-see place during the Silk Road trip. You will have splendid views on this beautiful coloured mountains. This land formed many years ago and was a part of the ocean. From each platform, you have a different view of vivid colours.
The first platform is closest to the entrance, only 10 minutes walking. The second platform is called Colourful Sea of Clouds Platform, and as you go up to the platform, the view spreads, and you will have a fantastic panoramic view. From the third platform you can see the ‘Seven-Colour Fan’ the mountains have pastel colouring. The fourth platform has the most remarkable view. Perfect timing to take a photo is at sunrise or sunset, in the morning and at sunset, the colours are so vivid and beautiful.
The Flaming Mountains
Another remarkable landscape worth to be visited during the Silk road trip. They lie near the northern part of the Taklamakan Desert and east of the city of Turpan. The mountains are about 100 km long and 5-10 km wide. The fiery mountains got their glory over the Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” where the main hero is the King Monkey.
The truth of the Flaming Mountains is that it reflects heat from the desert at night and looks like it burns. Also, because of the bright sun and warm air, smoke rises like a flame, so the name is derived from that phenomenon. However, a great attraction to visit during the Silk Road trip, and the best time of the day for visiting the Flaming Mountains are in the afternoon.
Kashgar
There is so many attractions to visit in Kashgar. First thing you need to visit is Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. Another great thing to visit is The Old Town, situated in the centre in Kashgar. When you are in Kashgar visit the Abakh Khoja Tomb, a structure with amazing Islamic style. Take time to visit the Bazaar, where you can buy hand made souvenirs.
Karakul Lake
Karakul Lake has located about 190 km from Kashgar at the foot of Mount Muztagh ata. The lake is 3600 meters above sea level, surrounded by snow covered mountains. The lake it changes colours, at dawn has beautiful pure water, and from the mornings and as the day passes, it changes the colour from goldish to light pink. The surrounding is peaceful and quiet, a beautiful place to spend the day.
Chengdu
Chengdu is the home of the Giant Pandas, so so it’s unavoidable to be on a Tour in Chengdu and not visit one of the three pandas parks. Chengdu is the capital city of the Sichuan Province, one of the most popular cities in Western China. There is so much to visit while you are in Chengdu, for example, the Sichuan Opera where there is a dramatic performance with face changing, dancing, singing and all this followed by fire spitting. If a Silk road trip brings you in Chengdu, you must try the delicious Sichuan cuisine.
The Silk Road journey can offer you a truly unforgettable experience, getting to know new and varied cultures, with kindly welcome and incredibly tasty food. During the Silk Road Trip, try to visit as many places as possible, because each area or city has its unique history and past that will delight you and leave you speechless. China is a rich country, but not because of money, but because of all the beauties, it hides in itself. Take the Silk Road trip for as long as possible, see as many places as possible, you will not regret.
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