The journey
From the great walls of Tang-era Xi'an westward into the golden Gobi, this journey traces the route once walked by Marco Polo and a thousand years of caravans before him. Private access to the Mogao grottoes at Dunhuang, a night under the stars at a luxury desert camp by the Singing Sands, oasis feasts in Turpan vineyards, and a finale in the labyrinthine bazaars of Kashgar — where China meets Central Asia. Every leg is choreographed between private flights, chauffeured 4x4s and bespoke heritage stays.
Journey Outline
- 01
Xi'an
Xi'an — Tang-dynasty starting point
Private after-hours access to the Terracotta Army, a Tang-era banquet inside the old city walls and a scholar-led tour of the Muslim Quarter.
- 02
Zhangye & Jiayuguan
Rainbow mountains & the western Great Wall
Sunset at Zhangye's Danxia rainbow mountains and a private visit to the westernmost fort of the Great Wall at Jiayuguan.
- 03
Dunhuang
Dunhuang — Mogao grottoes & Singing Sands
Scholar-led access to specially-curated Mogao cave temples, Crescent Lake at golden hour, and a night under the stars in a luxury desert camp.
- 04
Turpan & Urumqi
Turpan oasis & Heavenly Lake
Visits to the ancient ruins of Jiaohe, a long-table Uyghur banquet under grapevines, and a serene day at Tianshan's Heavenly Lake.
- 05
Kashgar
Kashgar — the western gateway
Private walks through the old city, the Sunday Livestock Bazaar, a master craftsman's atelier and a farewell rooftop dinner over Id Kah Square.