How Long Did It Take To Travel The Silk Road

Last updated: Apr 17,2025 By: Cindy; Hits: 405

Many foreign tourists are interested in China's Silk Road. So today I will introduce China's Silk Road to you and give you some travel tips.

Silk Road

What Is the Silk Road

The Silk Road was the main route for trade between Asia and Europe in ancient times. It started in Xi'an, China, entered Xinjiang through the Hexi Corridor in Gansu, and crossed Central Asia and Persia in three routes: north, middle, and south, and finally arrived in Rome. Total distance: about 6,000-8,000 kilometers. This trade route has been around since the Han Dynasty (2nd century BC) and is famous for its silk trade, which promoted the exchange of religion and technology.

silk raod

The core hub is now Xinjiang, where the existence of ancient cities such as Kashgar, Turpan, and Kuche proves the traces of exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. The Silk Road not only promoted economic prosperity, but also accelerated the world's cultural pattern. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 2014.

How Long did It Take to Cross the Silk Road in Ancient Time

In ancient times, it took Xuanzang 17 years to travel from Xi'an to India, of course, he stopped to give lectures in the middle. The actual journey takes about 4-5 years. If you travel along the Gansu-Dunhuang-Kashgar-Samarkand route, the ancient caravans would walk or travel about 30-40 kilometers a day on camels, but they would have to cross deserts and mountains and rest in oases or cities. Therefore, it actually takes 1-2 years, and it is also affected by weather, politics, trade and other factors. Therefore, in ancient times, this was one of the important roads for great trade, politics and cultural exchanges. Now it has also become an adventure road for more travel enthusiasts.

How Long did It Take to Cross the Silk Road

Current time taken by different modes of transportation:

Modern self-driving or cycling:

Self-driving: If you drive 300-400 kilometers a day, it will take about 20-30 days

Cycling: 100 kilometers a day, it will take about 2-3 months.

Plane or train + major tours:

Selective tours of major cities (such as Xi'an, Dunhuang, Urumqi, Samarkand, Tehran, Istanbul) will take 1-2 months.

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Why Was the Silk Road Important

The Silk Road is one of the most important communication routes between the East and the West in ancient times. First, it promoted the trade of Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea with Western jewelry, glass, and spices, and promoted the progress of world trade; second, it facilitated the spread of religions such as Buddhism and Islam, as well as science and technology such as papermaking and printing, and promoted the progress of human culture; finally, it connected Chinese civilization, Indian civilization, Persian civilization, and Mediterranean civilization, promoted the cultural integration of different ethnic groups, and formed a world cultural pattern. This Silk Road not only changed the ancient world pattern, but its spirit is still continuing in the "Belt and Road" initiative.

How to Plan a China Silk Road Travel

The ancient Silk Road is a long tourist route covering many tourist attractions in China, mainly concentrated in the northwest of China. We can flexibly customize your Silk Road tour according to your vacation duration, departure city, personal preferences and budget. The trip time can be as short as a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months.

Main destinations for tourism: Xi'an, Luoyang, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Qinghai, Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Qiuci, Hotan, Tianshui, Ningxia, etc.

Popular tourist attractions: Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Danxia Landform in Zhangye - Rainbow Mountain, Qinghai Lake, Tianchi, Jiaohe Ancient City, Kashgar Ancient City, Karakul Lake, etc.

Recommended best travel time: Generally speaking, April to October is the best time to travel, because the temperature is moderate and pleasant, the weather is good, and the natural scenery is the most beautiful.

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Contact us to travel the Silk Road

Since most destinations along the ancient Silk Road are located in China's remote northwest region, and some attractions are far from cities, it is best to choose a local professional travel agency like "China adventure" to experience the charm of the Silk Road. We will not only help you plan a suitable itinerary, but also arrange all the services you need, including guides and drivers, transfer vehicles, hotels and tickets, meals, etc., to ensure that you enjoy a trip with cultural and historical educational significance in a relaxing and pleasant visual enjoyment. You can find more inspiration from our most popular China Silk Road tours, or contact us to customize your own exclusive itinerary.