China Silk Road tours – a brief introduction

One of the most famous destinations in China is the Silk Road. Several tour companies and travel agents are offering Silk Road Tours all year round. By tradition, this road stretches from central China’s Xian to Europe or the Middle East. Actually, there are numerous routes, some to Pakistan and India and those to Moscow. Just like the explorers during the 13th century, the prehistoric trade routes exist still though the good types sold and the way of transport have transformed. The basic reason why this road ends/starts in Xian is that it was the earliest capital of China and the internal trade routes, in several cases all along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, were established to supply goods within the country. 

These days, numerous tourists begin their Silk Road trip in Beijing. The Great Wall of China, the Imperial City and the many areas of historic importance will make your 3 to 5 day stay worthwhile. You can add some shopping and delicious northern Chinese cuisine to your list and you are all set for your Silk Road travel experience. 

The majority of international flights fly into Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing. The country has train connections that run west to Moscow and north to Hong Kong, Tibet, Mongolia. If you are an adventure-seeker, you can opt for one of the rail connections into Vietnam.

 

Visas are mandatory for all entrée points into the country and so it is recommended that you obtain one well in advance. 

Trains are the most popular means of transport in China though it doesn’t have a huge coach network. Yes, you can fly, but that will defeat the purpose of visiting the country; to meet the locals. Travelling by train is reliable, cheap and fast. You will require help purchasing the train tickets as only a few staff at the station speak English. The options and timetables can be a bit complex. Enquire a travel company with China experience for help. 

Several companies provide China Silk Road Tour. The majority of these utilize a combination of rail and coach travel. You can find more information on the internet. Certain tours include a tour guide and leader. Accommodation standards and comfort depend on the price that you are ready to pay. 

You can hire a local guide through local touring companies like https://www.silkroadtravel.com as well. The local guides can be hired for a tour or a daily basis, at very affordable prices. The guides are expected to be authorized in China. 

China is a huge country that covers 8 time zones. The climate of the country varies considerably. Summers are sticky and hot and the winters are extremely cold and so the best time to visit China would be in the Autumn and Spring. Seek advice from the best guide regarding the temperatures you might experience at your time of visit so that you can plan to dress appropriately.