travel the silk route

52 Useful Tips for Travelling the Silk Road (Backpacker’s Guide)

January 19, 2020.

Thinking about travelling the Silk Road? You’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. This in-depth post will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip.

From the windswept steppe of Kazakhstan to the mighty Pamir Mountains and to the oasis towns of Uzbekistan, the Silk Road has it all. For thousands of years, travellers and traders made the treacherous journey along the Silk Road, across vast deserts and over high mountain passes.

Nowadays, it’s rather easy to see the countries of the Silk Road for yourself. Visa issues have basically disappeared and there is now plenty of infrastructure to accommodate tourists.

I’ve spent over 6 months travelling around the Central Asian Silk Road countries, and have learned a ton about the region.

• 1 What is the Silk Road?
• 2.2 Kyrgyzstan
• 2.3 Kazakhstan
• 2.4 Uzbekistan
• 2.5 Tajikistan
• 2.6 Turkmenistan
• 2.7 Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor)
• 3 Silk Road Travel Routes
• 4 Food along the Silk Road
• 5 People & Culture of the Silk Road
• 6 Visas for travelling the Silk Road
• 7 Safety along the Silk Road
• 8 Transportation while travelling the Silk Road
• 9 Accommodation while travelling the Silk Road
• 10 Silk Road Travel Costs
• 11 When to travel the Silk Road
• 12 Communication along the Silk Road
• 13 Internet & SIM Cards for the Silk Road
• 14 Travelling the Silk Road Wrap-up

What is the Silk Road?

1 – The Silk Road wasn’t just one route: The Silk Road was a vast network of trade routes that connected Europe to Asia. The most well-known route is the one from China to Turkey, via Central Asia and Iran. Other routes travelled to Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia.

2 – This post will focus on the Central Asian Silk Road : Most travellers who plan a trip to the Silk Road visit the Central Asian ‘stans and China. While places such as Iran and Turkey are also technically on the Silk Road, that’s not usually the first thing that comes to mind when people visit them.

3 – Where does it start? Where does it end?: People typically consider Xi’an in China to be the starting point, and Istanbul in Turkey to be the endpoint of the Silk Road.

Where to visit along the Silk Road

4 – There are 7 different countries that make up the Central Asian Silk Road: China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan are the countries that most consider being part of the Central Asian Silk Road.

Let’s go over the highlights of each of them below:

5 – History, nature, and delicious food: China has an incredibly long history, and it’s Silk Road corridor from Xi’an to Kashgar is no exception. Travelling along the Chinese Silk Road is an incredible experience. You’ll get to visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, taste some delicious noodles in Lanzhou, visit the famous Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, and check out the famous flaming cliffs of Turpan.

6 – Kashgar, China’s westernmost city: Closer to Baghdad than Beijing, Kashgar is an oasis city far from the rest of China. It’s inhabited by ethnic Uyghur people, and has always been an extremely important location on the Silk Road. When you visit Kashgar, you’ll be able to roam around its old city, visit animal markets, and take a road trip down the Karakorum Highway to the Pakistani border.

7 – Kyrgyzstan is a paradise for trekkers and nature lovers: Kyrgyzstan is without a doubt the most naturally beautiful Central Asian country. While small in area, it boasts a number of different landscapes. One of my personal favourites is the Alay Valley in the southern part of the country.

There are countless different treks that you can do while in Kyrgyzstan, and there is pretty good information floating around online about the best ones. The Ala-Kul trek is one of the most popular ones, although if you want to get really off the beaten path, treks such as the Heights of Alay will be right up your alley.

8 – Mountaineers will be right at home: Some of the most accessible 7,000-meter peaks in the world are located in Kyrgyzstan, and there are a number of agencies that assist experienced climbers in making attempts on these giant mountains.

I personally attempted to climb Lenin Peak when I was in Kyrgyzstan, it was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done but was incredibly beautiful.

9 – There are nice beaches in Kyrgyzstan: You probably wouldn’t expect to have a nice beach day with a mountain backdrop while you’re in Central Asia, but the massive Issy-Kul in Kyrgystan gives you this opportunity! There are a bunch of towns along the shores of Issy-Kul with great little beach resorts.

This lake is actually a popular summer destination among tourists from Russia and other parts of Central Asia!

Check out my backpacker’s guide to Kyrgyzstan for more info on this amazing country!

10 – Vast steppes and gorgeous mountains: While most of Kazakhstan is an empty steppe, there are some large mountains located in the Almaty and Altai regions of the country. The mountains in the Almaty region are super accessible (just a short bus ride from the city), and there are plenty of hiking and camping opportunities here.

11 – Almaty is the most European-like city in Central Asia: When you arrive in Almaty, you’ll notice immediately how European it feels. Everything from the architecture, cuisines, and way that people dress is quite a bit different than most of Central Asia. It’s a wonderful city to spend some relaxation time in after being in rural areas for a while. I ended up loving it so much I stayed in the city for almost two months!

12 – If you like history, Uzbekistan is for you: Out of all the Central Asian ‘stans, Uzbekistan has by far the best-preserved historical sights. The old cities of Bukhara and Khiva feel like living museums – you can wander around their endless alleys all day. Samarkand has the famous Registan and Gur-e-Amir (Mausoleum of Timur) which are two incredible sights that you can’t miss while travelling the Silk Road.

13 – The Aral Sea, one of man’s greatest mistakes: The Aral Sea was once a thriving sea in Uzbekistan, surrounded by fishing towns supporting tens of thousands of people. The Soviet Union decided to redirect the waters of the Aral Sea to use it as irrigation for cotton fields. Over time, this has lead to the Aral Sea almost completely drying up. Nowadays, one can visit the depressing former fishing town of Moynak to gain more insight into how the disaster affected people on the ground.

14 – Tashkent, the Soviet capital of Central Asia: Tashkent was the Soviet capital of Central Asia, and definitely still gives off those kinda vibes. The city is made up of giant 8-lane roads, large European looking buildings, and has plenty of monuments to look at if you’re bored.

For more info on travel in Uzbekistan, be sure to check out my detailed 2-week Uzbekistan itienerary !

Ceilings in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

15 – World’s greatest road trip: Tajikistan is home to the Pamir Highway, arguably the world’s greatest road trip. The Pamir Highway travels through Tajikistan’s mountainous Pamir Region near the border with Afghanistan. When travelling on the highway, you’ll drive over epic 4,500 meter passes, descend into gorgeous valleys, and meet some of the most hospitable people on Earth.

16 – Undiscovered, yet ready to explore: Tajikistan often gets overshadowed by neighbouring Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, but it’s so unique and beautiful it’d be a shame to miss it. There are plenty of regions of Tajikistan that see almost no tourists (the Bartang Valley, parts of the Fann Mountains, the Eastern Pamir). Tajiks are very friendly and the Persian influence on their culture is very unique from the rest of Central Asia.

Turkmenistan

17 – The North Korea of the Silk Road: Turkmenistan is a very closed off country, and is often touted as the North Korea of Central Asia. Tourist visas are impossible to get without visiting on a guided tour, making the country pretty off-limits for most backpackers.

Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor)

18 – Marco Polo’s route to China: During his travels along the Silk Road, Marco Polo passed through the Wakhan Corridor and Little Pamir to enter China via the Wakhjir Pass (4,923 m). This is one of the most remote and treacherous trade routes around, but locals have no choice but to use it.

19 – One of the most untouched places on the planet: Visiting Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor is like a trip back in time. Much of the region still doesn’t have any electricity and internet access is-non existent. This place isn’t for everyone, but experienced travellers will remember it for the rest of their lives.

For more info on visiting, check out my detailed guide to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor .

Silk Road Travel Routes

So now that you know a little bit about the countries that lie along the Silk Road, what is the best way to travel through them?

Let’s go over a few classic Silk Road travel itineraries.

20 – China to Central Asia – the classic Silk Road route: If you want to follow the classic route that traders would’ve taken towards Europe, begin your journey in Xi’an and start heading west. You should stop in Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Turpan, Urumqi, and Kashgar before crossing the Irkeshtam Pass into Kyrgyzstan.

When you’re in Kyrgyzstan, you’ve got a few options. You could head south to Tajikistan along the Pamir Highway, or go north to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan’s Capital) before crossing to Almaty for a little taste of Europe in Central Asia. From either Tajikistan or Kazakhstan, cross the border into Uzbekistan and check out the famous oasis cities of Bukhara and Khiva.

You can end your trip after Uzbekistan, or consider applying for a Turkmenistan transit visa to continue onto Iran if you’ve got even more time.

21 – The Central Asia Loop itinerary: If you want to focus on the heart of Central Asia, you need to visit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

I’d recommend flying into Almaty, then heading down to Bishkek for some time exploring Kyrgyzstan (Karakol and Osh are must-sees). After that, head south to Dushanbe, Tajikistan via the Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley (and hop into Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor if you’re up for it!).

After Dushanbe, visit Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains (if you’re not yet tired of mountains) before crossing the border into Uzbekistan. While in Uzbekistan, check out Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent before taking an overnight train back to Almaty.

Food along the Silk Road

22 – Food along the Silk Road is very diverse: Plov, Lagman, Shashlik, Samsas and Beshbarmark are just some of the unique foods that you’ll encounter while travelling around this part of the world. Central Asian food tends to be meat and dairy heavy, whereas Chinese food focuses much more on spices to add flavour.

23 – Plov and Lagman are the most common dishes: In all of the Central Asian countries, you’ll be able to find plov and lagman. Plov is a rice dish with meat and veggies (usually beef and carrots). Lagman is a noodle dish that originates from Uyghur parts of Central Asia. It’s typically made with pulled noodles, meat and vegetables. Spice levels with lagman vary, I only ever found it spicy enough in Xinjiang (China).

24 – Kumis is an alcoholic dairy drink: Made from fermented horse milk, you’ll often find kumis in rural areas of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It’s got a slight alcohol percentage and a sour taste that takes some getting used to!

People & Culture of the Silk Road

25 – The Silk Road is incredibly diverse: There are so many different ethnic groups in Central Asia, it’d be impossible to list them all. The most common ones that you’ll encounter are Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Dungans. As a result of the Soviet Union and China, there are also plenty of Han Chinese, Russians, and Koreans scattered around Central Asia.

26 – Islam is the most common religion: All Central Asian ‘stans are Muslim, and much of the Xinjiang region of China is as well (at least.. for now). Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are the most liberal areas, with plenty of people drinking alcohol and not fasting during Ramadan.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are more conservative, especially the southern regions of both countries. However, they are still much more liberal than places like Pakistan or Saudi Arabia .

27 – People are extremely hospitable: One thing that all of the people living in Central Asia have in common is their hospitality. No matter where I went, I was always welcomed with open arms and a cup of chai. People don’t see very many tourists around here and want to treat their guests as well as they can. You don’t have to worry about people being unfriendly here – just keep a smile on your face and you’ll have a wonderful time.

28 – Dress code varies from country to country: In liberal Almaty, girls can wear whatever they want and nobody will bat an eye. Try to do that in southern Tajikistan and you’ll get a different reaction.

In more religious areas, you should dress modestly. For the dudes, pants and a t-shirt is fine everywhere in Central Asia. For females, nothing revealing and you’ll be ok.

Visas for travelling the Silk Road

29 – Visas issues in Central Asia are disappearing: Central Asia used to be one of the most difficult regions to travel around. Travellers would need a visa for every country, and they wouldn’t be easy to get.

Nowadays, things are a lot easier. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan offer 30-day visa-free access for a number of nationalities. Kyrgyzstan gives 60-days for most people. Tajikistan still requires an e-visa, but it is easy to apply for online and can be gotten within a week or so and is valid for 45-days.

China still requires a visa, but it should be fairly straightforward to apply for before you leave home.

Turkmenistan is still locked down. You can’t get a tourist visa without a guided tour, although travellers are sometimes able to visit independently on a short 5-day transit visa.

30 – Border crossings aren’t too bad: Unless you fly everywhere, you’ll end up having to cross some borders while travelling the Silk Road.

Most border crossings in Central Asia are fairly straightforward now, and you don’t need to worry about a strict bag inspection or anything.

Exceptions are borders into and out of China. Expect a full bag inspection, as well as a search of all the photos on your electronic devices.

Safety along the Silk Road

31 – Central Asia is reasonably safe: I’ve spent a long time in Central Asia, and never once had any safety issues. While this is simply anecdotal, governments usually just advise travellers to proceed with caution while in Central Asia.

There are areas that are more dangerous than others. Parts of the Uzbek/Kyrgyz border infrequently have small violent clashes (you wouldn’t visit here anyway), and southern Tajikistan sometimes has issues.

The areas that tourists usually visit are very safe, in my opinion.

32 – Be careful with nature: I’d guess that most issues that arise when travelling in Central Asia are due to altitude sickness and twisted ankles. If you’re planning a trip along the Pamir Highway, you need to be sure to properly acclimatize or you could get altitude sickness. When hiking, always be careful and go with a guide if you’re unsure of your abilities.

33 – Driving can be dangerous:  Like everywhere in the world, Central Asia has some crazy drivers. Combine this with windy mountain roads, and you’re asking for disaster.

All you can do here is get out of a vehicle if you feel unsafe. If the driver smells like alcohol, that’s a bad sign.

In many places, you can take a train rather than drive, but driving is required to travel around Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

34 – Don’t forget your travel insurance: No matter where you go, you should always have travel insurance – Central Asia is no exception. Even though Central Asia is safe, accidents can still happen.

I personally use and recommend World Nomads. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of  adventure sports and activities (important if you plan on doing any hiking or other outdoor activities while in Central Asia).

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS HERE

Transportation while travelling the Silk Road

35 – Travelling the Silk Road involves long journey times: Distances are massive along the Silk Road, and the roads and railways are usually not the most modern.

For example, a train from Xi’an to Kashgar takes a solid 40 hours, and a minivan from Bishkek to Osh takes about 14 hours.

Patience is key here, but at least you’ll be able to look out the window and enjoy views of the epic scenery of Central Asia.

36 – When you can, take the train: Trains aren’t always an option, but in China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan they have pretty good networks. Trains are much more comfortable for long distances than buses, and they often run overnight so you can just sleep in a bed the entire journey.

37 – Get ready for a lot of marshrutka rides:  Marshrutkas (minivans) are the backbone of Central Asia. They run throughout all of the former Soviet Union countries and are pretty affordable.

Try to avoid sitting in the very back – it’s uncomfortable and you can’t see anything. Bring plenty of water, as these things don’t usually have air conditioning and the Central Asian summer gets bloody hot.

38 – Consider flying if you’re short on time: While I prefer overland travel, I understand that not everybody has 6 months to spend screwing around in Central Asia.

If you need to get from Osh to Bishkek (and you’ve already seen that epic drive at least once), then just take the $30 flight and skip the 14-hour long drive.

Accommodation while travelling the Silk Road

39 – Most forms of accommodation are available: In most places that you’ll visit while travelling the Silk Road, there are both budget and mid-range accommodation types available.

Hostels are common in Central Asia and are very affordable. Hotels are also found in all cities and large towns.

In rural areas, I recommend staying at a homestay to experience true Central Asian hospitality.

40 – When you’re in Kyrgyzstan, you need to sleep in a yurt :  The yurt is the traditional home of nomadic Kyrgyz, Kazakh, and Mongolian people. A yurt is a round, single-room building that is usually white on the outside. They’re warm and comfortable even when high in the mountains.

Tourist yurts are common in Kyrgyzstan, and the perfect place to spent a night while trekking.

41 – Research your Xinjiang accommodation in advance: The far west Chinese province of Xinjiang has a lot of restrictions on which hotels foreigners are allowed to stay at. The list is always changing, so you need to do a bit of research to find where you’ll be allowed to stay during your trip.

If you’re travelling with a tour, this would be arranged for you.

Silk Road Travel Costs

42 – Central Asia is a pretty cheap place: While not as cheap as India or Vietnam, travelling in Central Asia is still very affordable. If you stick to hostels, local food, and public transport, you can easily keep your budget around $35 per day.

If you want a bit more luxury, push that budget to $50 and you’ll be able to have amazing meals and stay in pretty nice places.

43 – China can be a bit more pricey: With China’s economic boom, prices have been increasing. While travelling in China is affordable for the most part, certain things like entrance fees and train tickets can add up over time.

44 – Money-saving tips: To save some money while travelling in Central Asia, I’d recommend using Couchsurfing and hitchhiking when possible.

Couchsurfing is a great way to meet locals, and you’ll save a bit of cash. Hitchhiking in Central Asia is fairly easy, although you sometimes have to pay a small amount (even locals do this).

When to travel the Silk Road

45 – Summers are super hot: The Central Asian summer is extremely hot. Summer temperatures can reach 50°C in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and cities like Tashkent and Dushanbe get pretty unbearable. Central Asia is quite dry, so you don’t need to worry about humidity, at least.

However, summer is the perfect time if you want to get into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan. The trekking season is short here, usually running from June to mid-September. If you’re at all interested in outdoor adventures, summer is a great time. You’ll just need to bear the city heat while you pass through them.

46 – Spring and Autumn are perfect: For the most comfortable experience, travel the Silk Road during spring or autumn. These seasons bring comfortable temperatures, especially in places like Uzbekistan. In the mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, things will be a bit chilly but it’s still possible to do some short hikes.

47 – Winters are harsh: Central Asia is a land of extremes. Winter brings freezing temperatures to much of the region. While travel is doable at this time of year, bring warm clothes and understand that certain summer activities just won’t be possible.

Snow-covered landscapes are beautiful, and the Silk Road landscapes look unique while covered in a blanket of fresh white snow.

If you’re a skier, you’ll be happy to know that Almaty, Bishkek, and Karakol have some great hills! Rental prices are pretty reasonable.

Communication along the Silk Road

48 – Russian is the most useful language: The five Central Asian ‘stans spent quite a while in the Soviet Union, and the Russian language spread throughout them during this time.

In Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, almost everybody knows Russian, especially in the cities. It’s much more common to hear Russian being spoken in Bishkek than Kyrgyz.

Uzbekistan still has quite a lot of Russian speakers as well, especially in Tashkent. In Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Russin is less common but it’s still possible to find some speakers of it.

While you obviously don’t need to learn Russian to travel in Central Asia, it sure does help to learn the Cyrillic alphabet and some basic phrases.

I recommend picking up a Russian phrasebook before leaving home.

49 – People love if you learn a word or two in their local language: Just learning how to say “thank you” in Kyrgyz ( rahmat )  makes Kyrgyz people super happy. I always try to do this when travelling, and in Central Asia, it’s a really great thing to do.

50 – Plenty of people know English: With tourism increasing along the Silk Road, more and more people are learning some English to work in the tourism industry. At hotels and hostels, you’ll usually be able to find an employee who knows English.

In cities like Bishkek and Almaty, so many young people know English and are eager to practice with foreigners. I’ve had people start friendly conversations with me just because they heard me speaking English.

Don’t stress if you don’t know any Russian or local languages. I always manage to get by with English, Google Translate, and some patience.

Internet & SIM Cards for the Silk Road

51 – Internet quality varies along the Silk Road: In Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, there is cheap and fast internet almost everywhere. I was able to get 3G signal at Lenin Peak base camp at 3,600 meters in Kyrgyzstan. In Kazakhstan, I paid about $5 for 9GB of data with unlimited social media use (including YouTube and Instagram). In Kyrgyzstan, I paid $4 for 40GB of data.

On the other side of the spectrum are Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The internet there is somewhat expensive, and coverage is pretty bad outside of the main cities. It’s still worth picking up a local SIM card, but you need to be a bit mindful of your data usage. WiFi is also less common here, although decent hostels will have it.

52 – You need to get around China’s Great Firewall: In China, the internet is restricted and most foreign websites are blocked. All Google and Facebook services are inaccessible, as well as sites such as Reddit and Wikipedia.

To access these sites, you need to use a VPN. The best VPN for travelling in China right now is NordVPN .

I’ve used a bunch of different VPNs while travelling and had by far the best experience with NordVPN . They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and high-speed servers that are reliable and consistent.

Travelling the Silk Road Wrap-up

I hope this post has helped you learn a bit more about travelling the Silk Road! I love Central Asia so much, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. It’s such an undiscovered and beautiful place to travel around.

If you have any questions, ask in the comments below!

Otherwise, check out some of my other epic guides:

• Guide to travelling in Kyrgyzstan
• Guide to travelling in Mongolia
• Guide to travelling in China
• Guide to travelling in Pakistan
• Guide to travelling in Saudi Arabia
• Guide to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor

21-year old Canadian dude who loves to visit off-the-beaten-path places, climb tall mountains, and try delicious foods.

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5 thoughts on “ 52 Useful Tips for Travelling the Silk Road (Backpacker’s Guide) ”

Wow looks so beautiful😍, I want to visit Silk road and Pamir Highway. How is temperature in Central Asia (May – Sept). Did you visit with a tour or autostop? I want take a tour because its more cheaper, we’re 4 people. I wanna book tour with Pegas Adventure. Anyone used this tour company?

You’ll love Central Asia 🙂

Temperatures depend on where you are in Central Asia – summertime peaks in July & August, so you should try to be in the mountains during those months where temperatures will be pretty comfortable. In the lowlands of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, summer temperatures can soar to above 40 degrees.

I don’t know much about tour agencies in Central Asia – If you have four people you could even consider renting a car and driving it on a big loop. Public transport is also very easy to take, but with four people it might end up costing the same just to rent your own car. You can even take it between countries, as long as the rental company allows it.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Hope this helps 🙂

Do you think it would be ok for two women traveling alone, say a mother-duaghter duo?

I’d say so, although some previous travel experience in a less developed country would be good to have.

Locals might be a bit surprised, as this isn’t something they’d typically encounter, although there shouldn’t be any hostility about it.

People in Central Asia are generally friendly and welcoming to foreigners! Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

Thank you for this lovely guide. You’ve done the hard footwork and then share such useful information with us! I hope that you’ll get to travel all the places in the world you desire, and are always at the right place, at the right time. ☀️🌈🌳🌸🌟☃️

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How to travel the Silk Road

What is the silk road.

The Silk Road is one of the world’s most famous and evocative routes. Named after the trade which sprang up in response to the demand for Chinese silk, its origins can be traced back over 3000 years.

Merchants exchanged goods such as horses, furs, jade and ivory for silk. This in turn led to trading posts springing up along the route, which over time grew into wealthy and important cities, such as Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan.

It wasn’t just goods which travelled the Silk Road, but in time everything from ideas and religion to cuisine and even disease. We’ve brought some of this to life in a Silk Road infographic.

View Our Silk Road Infographic

WHERE DOES IT RUN TO AND FROM?

Rather than a single road, the Silk Road was more like a network of different routes. At its full length, it stretched from Xi’an in eastern China to Constantinople, now Istanbul. Different branches stretched on alternative routes, to the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, across to the Middle East and over sea routes to North Africa.

WHICH  PARTS SHOULD I SEE?

That depends on what you’re after.

SCENERY: KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyzstan (above) is hard to beat in terms of breathtaking scenery, with landscapes of grassy steppe, primal forests and turquoise lakes, along with the remote and striking “Mountains of Heaven”.

It’s also the place to experience nomadic culture: sleep in traditional yurts, meet eagle hunters and enjoy watching nomad’s horse-games. Our  Kyrgyzstan Explorer trip spends two weeks uncovering this natural beauty, through walks, stays in yurts, horse rides and some unforgettable drives through the mountain scenery.

See All Kyrgyzstan Tours

CULTURE: UZBEKISTAN

If it’s the cultural legacy you’re searching for , head to Uzbekistan for the architecturally splendid ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, filled with elaborately tiled mosques, emerald domes, impressive fortresses and palaces all with fascinating histories.

Discover the legacy of great rulers such as Babur, who conquered northern India and became its first Mughal emperor, to Tamerlane, one of the last great nomadic conquerors of Central Asia, who built many of the stunning monuments of Samarkand and Bukhara on our Uzbekistan: Land of Silk Road Treasures tour.

See All Uzbekistan Tours

But if you can’t choose – don’t worry! Combine elements of both, for instance on our Mountains and Cities of the Silk Road tour, spending time in both Kyrgyzstan’s beautiful mountains and Uzbekistan’s wondrous cities.

Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan - Mountains and Cities of the Silk Road Tour

THE UNUSUAL: TURKMENISTAN

Beyond this, Turkmenistan offers unique travel experiences, with an ostentatious marble-clad capital like no other and the ever-blazing phenomenon of the Darvaza Gas Crater. 

See All Turkmenistan Tours

IRAN: 

Iran is experiencing a travel renaissance since it re-opened to western tourists, with a wealth of fascinating culture and history, stunning mountain scenery and an exceptionally friendly and hospitable populace. 

See All Iran Tours

THE FULL MONTY: 

For those with the time to spare, our epic 47-day Great Silk Road Adventure travels the entire route end-to-end, through six contrasting countries and 15 UNESCO sites.

The Great Silk Road Adventure Tour

WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?

“Surprisingly better than expected!” most of our travellers delight in telling us.

Signature dishes include laghman (hand-pulled noodles with meat) and plov (a slow-cooked rice dish - see photo above). Whilst there is a lot of meat, the region is not as un-vegetarian friendly as you might assume. From pumpkin-stuffed dumplings to beetroot soup and an abundance of aubergine and fresh tomato salads, there is plenty by way of meat-free alternatives.

Read our blog on the food of the Silk Road  from Wild Frontiers' Mike, who spent time there last summer. Travel and food writer Caroline Eden has recently published a wonderful cookery book Samarkand celebrating the cuisine of Central Asia and we discuss the main flavours and popular dishes with her  here .

ANY CULTURAL THINGS TO BE AWARE OF?

Travelling to Central Asia and the Silk Road, like travelling anywhere, requires an open mind and a respect for different cultures. With these in hand, you are bound to have both a revealing and rewarding visit. Particular issues crop up from country to country and on any of our trips we will always send you detailed notes on anything to be aware of beforehand. Examples of such issues include things like pretty vigorous border checks into countries like Uzbekistan, alongside alcohol not being permitted and women being required to cover their hair in Iran. 

Find Out What To Wear In Iran

WHAT IS THE VISA SITUATION?

For British and American nationals, clients will need to get visas before travelling to most Silk Road countries. The exception is Kyrgyzstan, which is simply a stamp on arrival. Iranian visas require a bit of time as we must acquire an invitation code for you. We can apply for this on your behalf and it generally takes three to four weeks to come through. You can then apply for your visa using this code. In addition, Turkmenistan requires an official letter of invitation.

You should always check the country guidelines for whichever country you are visiting.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO?

With everything else varying country to country, so too does the climate. The summer months are best for enjoying the mountain scenery of Kyrgyzstan; it's pleasantly warm in the daytime – enough to go walking in just a t-shirt, although at night when sleeping in yurts in the open steppe and at high altitude, temperatures fall to almost freezing. Layers and thermals are therefore key!

Both Iran and Uzbekistan are best enjoyed in spring or autumn and are in their prime in May and September. Our Great Silk Road Adventure departs in September in order to take into account the many considerations of a changing climate and altitude

GROUP OR TAILOR-MADE?

You can arrange either with Wild Frontiers. Our group sizes are never more than 12 – with the exception of our 47-day Great Silk Road Adventure which accommodates up to 16 people. If you travel in a group tour along the Silk Road with us, you will find yourself with a range of companions, mostly from Europe and the United States, across a range of ages, professions and interests. If you prefer to travel on a tailor-made basis, we have a range of suggested itineraries along the Silk Road or we can build your itinerary from scratch. 

See All Silk Road Tours

Michael Pullman

View michael pullman's latest blog posts, related tours.

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Caravanistan

The Silk Road Travel Guide

Silk Road Travel Planning

Once past Istanbul, the world changes scale Nicolas Bouvier

How do you start planning a Silk Road trip? How do you decide where to go, for how long, in what order, at what time of the year? Which form of transport should you take? How much will it cost?

And once you finally get there, what should you spend your time on? How do you get around? How do you talk to people? What are they like? Is it safe?

We are here to help you answer those questions. We have been traveling the Silk Road since 2008 and have been writing about it since 2011. Below, we will try to introduce you to Silk Road travel in a condensed format, and link out to some of the hundreds of articles found on this website if you want to delve in deeper.

Enjoy the trip! Steven & Saule

Table of Contents

Quick links

Start planning.

• Basic itinerary questions
• Books and literature
• Overland travel on the Silk Road in 2023: where to go with so many borders still closed?
• Custom tours and tour templates

Health and safety

• Is it safe?
• Health tips
• Have a back-up plan
• Travel insurance tips
• Travel with kids
• Single females
• Halal travel
• Racism and sinophobia
• Travel with pets

Practical details

• Visas and invitation letters
• Border crossings
• Accommodation
• Rules for drones
• Phone and internet
• Maps & Sending a package
• Self-driving
• Car & motorbike rental
• Ride-hailing and taxi apps
• Ferries:  Caspian Sea  –  Persian Gulf  –  Black Sea
• Long-distance cycling

Country guides

• Turkmenistan
• Afghanistan

Asia, so good for the heart, so bad for the nerves Nicolas Bouvier

Where is the Silk Road?

The Silk Road is a name for an ancient network of trade routes connecting the Eurasian continent.

We can name plenty of reasons why it is not an accurate name, but the fact of the matter is, the Silk Road is a powerful brand. It immediately conjures up images of romance, exploration and exoticism. So we decided to keep that name as the tagline for our travel guide.

So which modern countries fall under this umbrella? For the purpose of this travel guide, the Silk Road starts in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan) and fans out to Iran, the Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia & Azerbaijan), Mongolia, Western China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Where does Caravanistan come in?

We write comprehensive guides on the basics of travel (visas, transport, et cetera) for the 13 countries listed above. For the 5 Stans of Central Asia, we write much more: in-depth guides to places and things to do, and background articles.

Is our travel guide any good?

Yes. Lonely Planet calls it a “peerless online travel guide to the region” , while Bradt Guides says it is  ”the most comprehensive online guide to travelling the Silk Road”.  Founder and editor of Wired Magazine Kevin Kelly thinks we are “highly reliable, immensely helpful, and always inspiring.”

Once you know what is on offer, it’s time to start planning! Our itinerary page gives tips for those looking at a big East-West trip across Eurasia, as well as for anyone with a more modest time frame.

Reading is always a good way to get inspired and find ideas that can pull you deeper into a particular place or culture; we have a big list of books from travelogues to politics on the Silk Road and per country.

In when to visit  we discuss the weather, festivals and events to time your trip right. Finally, things to see and do in Central Asia is a huge chapter, that we are still busy writing and rewriting, with lots of practical detail on everything from how to find a match of kok boru to organising a ski trip on horseback.

If you are planning an organised trip: we can help. We specialize in finding you the right partner for custom-made tours . Have a look at some of our tour templates to get started.

We discuss your (parents’/kids’) worries about safety in Central Asia . We have an article on how to not get sick , and on travel insurance in case something does happen. Finally, we’d like to inculcate you with the importance of having a back-up plan . Things don’t always go according to plan in Central Asia.

If you are not a single white heterosexual man, do not fret! We have advice for getting on the Silk Road with kids , with pets , as a single woman , a Muslim or as LGBT , and how to deal with racism and sinophobia on the Silk Road.

The basics for getting into and out of these countries: visas and border crossings . Once you are there, how to get online and things to consider when selecting accommodation .

Food is always a sore topic in Central Asia, especially for vegans. How to overcome the language barrier is another difficulty.

Silk Road by train ? It’s possible these days to idle your days away on the train from Istanbul to Urumqi.

If you are a motorist, we have articles almost as long-winded as the road you will be traveling on, about self-driving from Georgia all the way to China . If you do not have your own wheels, read our guide to car and motorbike rental first.

Then there are the ferries across the Caspian Sea , Black Sea and the Persian Gulf .

Finally, we give some pointers for all the long-distance cyclists out there.

We have 5 country guides, for Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan . We discuss more practical details: everything from paying with cigarettes in Turkmenistan to internet on the Pamir Highway.

And we write about the places to go and the things to do and see along the way.

The world is a caravanserai, with one entry and one exit Omar Khayyam

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

The silk road.

For more than 1,500 years, the network of routes known as the Silk Road contributed to the exchange of goods and ideas among diverse cultures.

Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations, World History

Kharanaq, Iran

A tourist looks around the ancient city of Kharanaq, Iran. Towns such as these played a crucial role in the operation and success of the Silk Road.

Photograph by Mekdet

The Silk Road is neither an actual road nor a single route. The term instead refers to a network of routes used by traders for more than 1,500 years, from when the Han dynasty of China opened trade in 130 B.C.E. until 1453 C.E., when the Ottoman Empire closed off trade with the West. German geographer and traveler Ferdinand von Richthofen first used the term “ silk road” in 1877 C.E. to describe the well-traveled pathway of goods between Europe and East Asia. The term also serves as a metaphor for the exchange of goods and ideas between diverse cultures. Although the trade network is commonly referred to as the Silk Road, some historians favor the term Silk Routes because it better reflects the many paths taken by traders.

The Silk Road extended approximately 6,437 kilometers (4,000 miles) across some of the world’s most formidable landscapes, including the Gobi Desert and the Pamir Mountains. With no one government to provide upkeep, the roads were typically in poor condition. Robbers were common. To protect themselves, traders joined together in caravans with camels or other pack animals. Over time, large inns called caravanseraiscropped up to house travelling merchants. Few people traveled the entire route, giving rise to a host of middlemen and trading posts along the way.

An abundance of goods traveled along the Silk Road. Merchants carried silk from China to Europe, where it dressed royalty and wealthy patrons. Other favorite commodities from Asia included jade and other precious stones, porcelain, tea, and spices. In exchange, horses, glassware, textiles , and manufactured goods traveled eastward.

One of the most famous travelers of the Silk Road was Marco Polo (1254 C.E. –1324 C.E.). Born into a family of wealthy merchants in Venice, Italy, Marco traveled with his father to China (then Cathay) when he was just 17 years of age. They traveled for over three years before arriving at Kublai Khan’s palace at Xanadu in 1275 C.E. Marco stayed on at Khan’s court and was sent on missions to parts of Asia never before visited by Europeans. Upon his return, Marco Polo wrote about his adventures, making him—and the routes he traveled—famous.

It is hard to overstate the importance of the Silk Road on history. Religion and ideas spread along the Silk Road just as fluidly as goods. Towns along the route grew into multicultural cities. The exchange of information gave rise to new technologies and innovations that would change the world. The horses introduced to China contributed to the might of the Mongol Empire, while gunpowder from China changed the very nature of war in Europe and beyond. Diseases also traveled along the Silk Road. Some research suggests that the  Black Death , which devastated Europe in the late 1340s C.E., likely spread from Asia along the Silk Road. The Age of Exploration gave rise to faster routes between the East and West, but parts of the Silk Road continued to be critical pathways among varied cultures. Today, parts of the Silk Road are listed on UNESCO ’s World Heritage List.

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Wild Junket

Silk Road Travel Guide

Last Updated on September 20, 2022

Here’s a comprehensive, detailed Silk Road Travel Guide I wrote, based on my overland journey through Central Asia. 

The Silk Road is the greatest travel route of all time, spanning 8,000km across continents, weaving through deserts, mountains and grasslands and bringing traders from East to West and vice versa. The original overland odyssey has long lured travelers, from the likes of the world’s first professional traveler, Marco Polo, to modern-day Silk Road author, Colin Thubron. For centuries, caravans of over 1,000 camels trekked through Central Asia trading everything from gold to gunpowder.

But these days, traveling the Silk Road can seem daunting even for the most hardened traveler. It often involves crossing vast distances and challenging terrain like deserts, mountain passes and seas. As if the distance is not intimidating enough, almost all the countries in Central Asia require visas to enter, so crossing this many borders means you’ll be facing a mountain of red tape.

Planning is indeed key, especially so if you intend to travel for a few months across several borders. Based on what I learned on my Silk Road journey, I’ve compiled some tips and info below that will hopefully help you plan an amazing trip. 

Table of Contents

Highlights of the Silk Road

How to go: independently or with a tour operator, is it safe to travel the silk road, visas: central asia’s red tape, when to travel the silk road, accommodation: camping, guest houses or hotels, cost of travel on the silk road, some extra tips:.

You’ll be surprised to know that the Silk Road isn’t even one distinct highway, but rather a network of tributaries. Granted, trails that weave through vast deserts are now replaced by tarred highways and paved roads, and caravans are substituted by massive cargo trucks.

The old world romance may be gone today, but in an era where untouched frontiers are rare, traveling the Silk Road still gives you the opportunity to take a peek into a relatively unknown region. It’s this history behind the Silk Road that makes overland travel in Central Asia a truly epic journey.

The route traditionally started in China’s Xi’an (then known as Chang’an) and continued northwest through the Xinjiang province, and eventually into Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Syria. Some tributaries extended as far as India and Rome. Other Silk Road stops – Iraq and Afghanistan – are sadly off-limits for now. There are numerous options to traverse the Silk Road that vary in length and stops. I chose to travel from Kyrgyzstan to Turkey , taking two months to explore six countries.

Using the word “epic” to describe this journey is clearly an understatement, as the Silk Road passes through so many magnificent sights across very distinctive cultures. It’s hard to pick the best, but here are some of my personal favorite parts of the journey:

• Celebrating Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day in Bishkek with horse races and carnivals.
• Witnessing the impressive burning Darvaza gas craters in the middle of the Karakom Desert.
• Being overwhelmed by the complete bizarreness of the sterile and empty city,  Ashgabat in Turkmenistan .
• Marveling at the turquoise tiled domes and ancient medressas (Islamic schools) of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva in Uzbekistan. The trio offered some of the most impressive architecture I’ve seen in my travels. The ones that stood out were Shah-i-Zinda avenue of mausoleum in Samarkand and Konya Ark in Khiva.
• Stumbling upon a Sunday animal market in Taraz, Kazakhstan, where hundreds of cattle and sheeps were on sale. What an experience!
• Meeting friendly locals everywhere in Iran and getting invited to our guide’s home for a lovely dinner with his family in Tehran.
• Ending my journey in Istanbul Turkey , one of the most fascinating cities in the world!

To traverse this challenging route, I chose to travel on an overland expedition with Oasis Overland , a UK tour operator specializing in overland travel. I opted to travel with an overland tour operator, because it was easier logistically in terms of border crossings and getting around each country.

As for options in Central Asia, there aren’t many companies that organize overland expeditions. Adventure tour operators that do this route include Oasis Overland , Dragoman and Odyssey Overland . I went with Oasis Overland because of recommendations from friends and also because it offered the longest trips at the most affordable prices. They seemed to be the most experienced in the overland travel business and the most reputed one as well.

Oasis Overland does several routes in Central Asia, ranging from the shortest – Ashgabat to Bishkek Silk Road Highlights trip (20 days) to the longest London to Beijing Trans-Asia route (17 weeks). I went on the Bishkek to Istanbul trip which took 78 days (although I joined part of the trip and it took 63 days).

Take note that some countries on the Silk Road only allow travelers on guided tours to enter. Turkmenistan is one example. We had a Turkmen guide join us on our overland trip during our time in the country. In Iran, only certain nationalities (namely British, American and Canadians) need to join guided tours. Don’t let this deter you from going though — if you dislike joining tour groups, opt for an individual tour and do your research to find the best guide in town. Turkmenistan and Iran were my favorite countries on this trip.

As for independent travelers, we met many people along the way who were either backpacking and staying in hostels. I was really surprised by the amount of people who had their own campervans and had driven from Germany, France and Switzerland. Getting a vehicle across borders can be a pricey and complicated process (except in Iran where it’s free!), but that doesn’t seem to deter them. I f you’d rather travel independently, it is difficult but definitely possible.

The Silk Road passes through a volatile part of the world. There are pockets of the region that may be unstable and unsafe to visit during certain times, so always keep an eye of the news and your country’s foreign advisory to keep abreast of the latest happenings. In general, I felt very safe throughout the trip especially so in Iran, considered to be unsafe by many. (Read more about how traveling in Iran is really like).

Before we started our journey, things seemed to be fine and peaceful in the region, but along the way, riots and protests broke out in the Kurdish region of Turkey and all of a sudden, we were in an unsafe region. Thankfully, Oasis Overland did some investigations, spoke to the Foreign Office and decided to change our route. The Silk Road offers a variety of routes, so you should always be able to steer yourself away from potential trouble.

No specific vaccinations are officially required for travel along the Silk Road but check with your doctor before traveling. Bring a proper first-aid kit with basic medication for headaches, diarrhea, stomach bug and infections. Always be prepared as you might always encounter problems finding a simple pharmacy on the way.

Ever since the Soviet days, Central Asia has been tucked behind the Iron Curtain, hidden amidst layers of bureaucracy and red tape. Almost every country in this region requires visas for entry (except Kyrgyzstan) and it can be a tedious and expensive process. The ever-changing rules for visa applications in Central Asian nations makes it worse and deters even the most seasoned traveler.

In general, it is recommended that you start applying for your visas at least two months before your trip (you can usually apply up to three months in advance), depending on the number of countries you intend to visit. Keep in mind that visa applications are a major cost for any traveler in Central Asia, so start saving! Also, if you end up not having enough time to apply for all your visas at home, don’t fret, you can still do that the road. In fact, it is easier and faster to apply for visas on the road . However, you’ll need to have a flexible travel schedule and plan enough time at each capital city to get your visas.

To save some time and pain, I used the services of The Visa Machine to help me do all the legwork. They charge an administration fee for each visa they help you to apply for, but considering all the time they saved me, it’s pretty worthwhile. 

Most of the Silk Road passes through deserts and mountains, so expect extreme weather — scorching summers and deadly winters. Spring and autumn (May and September) are the best seasons to visit, as temperatures are milder and conditions not as harsh. Most tours do Silk Road trips only during this period, although some of them (such as Dragoman) have regular departures from March all the way to December.

From October to March, some of the mountain passes such as Torugart Pass may be closed. Ramadan is a religious holiday largely celebrated in Central Asia by way of fasting, so be aware of that when visiting.

In general, Central Asia is great for budget travelers as it’s cheap and there are lots of hostels and eateries to choose from. Budget hotels usually range from $20 to $40 per night for a double room, which luxury hotels can go for as high as $200 to $300 a night. Uzbekistan in particular has a more developed tourism infrastructure than the other countries in the region, and you can easily find good quality guesthouses as cheap as $15 a night with proper facilities and good location. Note that some hotels in Iran do not allow unmarried couples or couples of mixed nationalities to share a room.

Community-based tourism is rather popular and easily available in Kyrgyzstan . It’s great way to stay with locals, get to know their culture, and travel on the cheap. You can arrange homestays with families, bike tours with a local guide, horse treks with nomads or yurt experiences. A great resource is CBT Kyrgyzstan where you can contact the CBT office in each region directly.

Campsites are not common along the Silk Road; during our trip, we usually bush camped out in the fields, deserts and even vineyards. We only stayed at three campsites on our entire trip, and the only one worth recommending is Ruslan Camp in Kazakhstan’s Aksu Zhabagaly Nature Reserve. If you’re traveling independently, think twice before you bring a tent with you unless you’re planning to bush camp the entire way.

Money situation is not as easy as I’d expected. You can use your Visa card in most banks and ATMs, but few places in Central Asia accept Mastercard. The best country to get cash is Kyrgyzstan, where you can withdraw in both Kyrgyz soms and US dollars.

In Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, there are black markets with competitive rates which make exchanging currencies more worthwhile than withdrawing cash. Take note that in Iran, foreign credit or debit cards are not accepted in the banks or ATMs . You will need to bring cash (in USD) with you to exchange when in the country. I have the habit of withdrawing money in the destination, but this time round I brought substantial USD to exchange there.

• Many countries on the Silk Road will only issue visas for entry on specific dates (eg Iran and Turkmenistan) so it is best to visit them earlier on in your itinerary or stick closely to your plan.
• Bishkek is a good place to fly into if you’re traveling from Europe; you can get flights on Pegasus Airline as cheap as €200 each way. Check for flights to Bishkek here.
• Many of the Silk Road countries are Muslim – both sexes should dress modestly ; Iran is especially strict. Women will need to wear a headscarf in public. Here are some Iran travel tips for solo female travelers .
• Read up on local etiquette . For instance, in many Silk Road countries you will be expected to remove your shoes before entering a house.

Disclaimer: Oasis Overland gave me a discount on this trip, but all opinions expressed above are my own. 

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Read more about her here and get more life updates from her on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Your journeys are inspiring. My closest is the Trans-Mongolian Express I took from Beijing to Moscow in 2011. I look forward to overlanding Africa and Central Asia someday soon. Thank you for sharing your journeys.

One of the greatest route in the history. I think you had experience there thanks for sharing this with us.

shay maree Corbett

How long did this trip take you and how long would you recomend?

My trip was around two months. I started in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and ended in Cappadocia, Turkey. I definitely recommend taking at least two months if you want to see all the countries in Central Asia.

This trip looks so awesome. Right now I’m looking to see if I can negotiate extended leave from work next year to do something like this. Thanks for sharing.

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Travelling Without a Passport

Travelling The Silk Road by Overland: Exploring a History the Length of the World

Exploring a history that spans the length of the world is no mean feat, our Silk Road travel guide will take you on a journey like no other!

The Silk Road is woven into the very fabric of our world. It needs no introduction, but then, it does, if only to let our imaginations run wild with the thought of travelling or driving the Silk Road. From its geographical configuration (at least 4,000 miles, in more than 40 countries) to its role in history, not many routes can claim the glory that belongs to the Silk Road. While its moniker came courtesy of Chinese silk, other goods such as spices and jade were also carried from east to west upon it.

The Silk Road has also had a social and cultural impact on the world. In its heyday, the route formed bonds and links between different ethnicities across its sprawling and complex network. In total there are more than twenty ethnic groups along the Silk Road; many with their own languages, customs, and traditions. Life around the Silk Road remains mostly unknown to us, but the legends, myths, and rituals warrant a closer look.

For explorers and travellers, this route is the embodiment of wanderlust; its very name suggests a voyage like no other, it is a trip through time. Buddhist art, Islamic architecture, lost dynasties, ruins, ancient cities, and dramatic scenery are only the beginning of what there is to discover. How do you explore something that spans most of the world? The answer: overlanding. When you overland, the purpose of your trip is not the destination but the journey, and there is no adventure more suited to this style of travel than that of the Silk Road.

See Also: The Fastest-Growing Destinations for 2019

Silk Road travel guide

The Silk Road is best described as a collection of intricate paths that form a network (so intricate that a travel guide is definitely required reading). Beginning in the former capital of China, Xī’ān, the route crosses mountain-tops and desert plains into Central Asia. The Silk Road played a considerable role in the development of China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, and Arabia.

The main artery of this track follows the Great Wall, over the Pamir Mountains into Afghanistan, and from there it leads to the Levant. Roads branched off this central route towards towns and cities, river ports, markets, and pilgrimage sites. Many cities located on the system flourished and became wealthy hubs during its trading days. As well as silk, other popular items traded along the route were salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices.

Along with metropolises rich in heritage and culture, the Silk Road is a haven for scenery, given that the route passes through so much wilderness and some of the highest places on earth. Visitors can discover cosmopolitan cities steeped in the past, semi-nomadic farming lifestyles, and explore hidden gems in a diversity of landscapes.

Best time to visit the Silk Road

March, April, and May are the perfect time to visit countries along the Silk Route. The weather will be around 15-20 degrees Celsius, and spring will be blooming. September and October are also another great time to visit; you can feast on juicy grapes and ripe dates. The winter is often too cold, and the summers are busy and hot.

Where to stay

The accommodation options along the Silk Road vary as much as the route itself. From luxurious hotels in urban habitats and guesthouses in towns, to local homestays in rural villages and cozy yurts under the stars, where you stay is really up to you. Not all the destinations will have as many options, particularly if you venture to remote locations that can be found on the route. Travellers who want to take away the hassle of figuring out where to stay should ideally pick a tour that will handle this element for them.

You will need visas for many countries along the Silk Road. This may seem a little daunting at first, but with a bit of research and the right planning, it can be a relatively easy process. Make sure you are up to date on any travel requirements for the countries you are visiting and apply for visas well in advance. Passport holders can also obtain a visa on arrival in certain countries, and tour companies often help with letters required to support your visa application.

What to pack

You can pack for the Silk Road as you would for most trips. A combination of shorts and t-shirts for the warm days, and extra layers for the cooler evenings. It may also make sense to pack a light waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes are a must. It’s also helpful to carry a backpack with essential travel items like a hat, a pair of sunglasses, lip balm, sunblock, snacks, refillable water bottle, and camera.

Being respectful while travelling the Silk Road

When meeting locals along the Silk Road it’s important to be aware of their culture, customs, and traditions. Doing a little research where possible will go a long way, and following in your host or tour guide’s example is the best practice. Likewise, when visiting temples and religious sites, it’s important to remember that these are sacred spaces and places of worship for the locals. Be respectful of dress requirements and visiting restrictions.

Medicines on the Silk Road

Depending on where you go on the Silk Road, you may need certain medications, though it’s best to acquire this information from a doctor or travel clinic. It’s also well worth packing some treatments for colds, upset stomachs, nausea, and fever. It also doesn’t hurt to travel with some bug spray and antiseptic creams, or a mini first aid kit. Also, do not carry any medicine that contains tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine, or opiates, as they are illegal in most of Central Asia.

See Also: Are You a Respectful Traveller?

Driving the Silk Road

From the silk traders that led to the naming of the road to the legendary rulers who used it satisfy their own ambitions, the cities along this ancient route have drawn visitors from far and wide. While it’s possible to travel the Silk Road by train (the most popular form of transport), understandably many visitors want to experience it more viscerally on a road trip.

If driving the Silk Road appeals to you, keep in mind that even today, the journey will require a substantial amount of travel days and preparation for you to get the most of out your trip. If you want to discover the route by road, we recommend doing it via overland vehicle. This removes the limitations of public transport, without sacrificing the chance to explore the Silk Road along old tracks that were used by historical figures like Marco Polo and Genghis Khan.

The Silk Road crosses some of the most exciting terrains on the planet; it won’t come as a surprise that it is here that overlanding was born. These days, visitors rarely get the chance to travel the entire route, but Dragoman has plenty of itineraries ranging from nine to 127 days that will let you experience the region thoroughly and authentically.

Silk Road travel itinerary

To follow in the footsteps of the remarkable explorers and traders who crisscrossed the world on this epic route, you’ll need an overland tour that travels through cities and destinations where the legacy of the Silk Road lives on. From bargaining in the market lanes of Tabriz and meandering the backstreets of Bukhara, to falling asleep alongside shepherds in the Pamir Mountains and exploring ancient towns, travelling the Silk Road can bring many dreams to life.

Overlanding is a unique and unrestricted way to visit the Silk Route. Imagine getting off the tarmac and taking the road less travelled? Staying with local families or heading off to remote villages and enriching your life with unchartered experiences? Overlanding captures the true spirit of the Silk Road, allowing travellers to form meaningful connections with the places they visit. Dragoman has been operating overlanding tours since the 1980s, so take advantage of their in-depth knowledge by opting for a carefully curated Silk Road travel itinerary.

• Turkey, Iran and the Silk Route : From the whirling dervish to Persian culture, this route will take you to some of the most beautiful cities. Shiraz, Tehran, and Istanbul may be cosmopolitan, but they sired some of the world’s oldest poets and artists. This route is teeming with breathtaking architecture, sacred sites, desert plains, art, and literature.
• Kyrgyzstan and the Chinese Silk Route:  Even today, for travellers, Kyrgyzstan’s pastures and mountaintops are a gateway to Central Asia. For merchants on the Silk Road, this country also played a pivotal role. This is probably why a number of Silk Road sites can be found in the region. This route will also take you to Xī’ān, the starting point of the Silk Road, and another gateway to Kashgar (the epicentre for regional trade in China) and beyond. In Xī’ān, you can take a guided tour of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, and explore the Great Mosque and Shaanxi Museum.
• Central Silk Route: This route will take you through Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, important trading posts on the Silk Road. Among the minarets, golden domes, and tiled mosaics of these cities, you’ll discover the history and culture left behind in Uzbekistan by traders and merchants that tread upon these roads all those centuries ago.
• Western Silk Route:  Start in Istanbul, a city where the spirit of the Silk Road manifests as east and west come together, and end your trip in the opulent marble palaces of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. You’ll have the opportunity to sail over the Caspian Sea, explore the Black Sea mountain monastery at Sumela, and walk through the ancient valley of Ihlara. The valley was a haven for Byzantine monks who chiselled churches into its cliffs.
• Silk Route and Mountains of Central Asia:  On this route, you can follow the famous Pamir Highway over the Kyzyl Art Pass, the frontier between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and one of the highest and most remote border crossings in the world. You’ll trek through the Fann Mountains, a stunning range of jagged peaks 30km east of Penjikent, camp beside Iskanderkul Lake, a glacial waterbody found in Tajikistan’s mountainous region and see the silk-weavers of Fergana Valley. Visitors will also see some cultural hubs that are filled with memories from the golden days of trade, including Samarkand in Uzbekistan, a city potently reminiscent of the Silk Road. The walled old town and grand architecture will quickly work its magic on you.

This story was created in partnership with: Dragoman 

Based in Toronto, Sahar is a full-time content editor for Days to Come and part-time travel junkie.

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The Silk Route, unpacked: highlights of Central Asia

By Central Asia specialists John

In the space of just a few days, you can travel from green mountain pastures to a land of desert, punctured by some of the most arrestingly designed Islamic architecture you might ever set eyes on.

Your journey along the Silk Route will be by no means luxurious ― but with sacrifices come immense gains. The hotels will be far from the best you’ve ever stayed in, and the food can be underwhelming. But, I think the scenic and architectural riches you’ll be exposed to more than make up for this.

You can travel the route in full, starting in China, or cherry-pick the parts you’d like: I suggest zooming in on Central Asia, taking in primarily Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan . It’s even possible to see the best of Uzbekistan in 11 days .

What was the Silk Route?

The Silk Route was actually a network of trading routes rather than one long road. Its roots stretch as far back as 207 BC, when silk was first produced in China and transported for trade. It eventually grew to link Asia , the Middle East and Europe , branching off into the Indian Subcontinent and Russia.

Silk Route trade didn’t stop at silk. Goods, from spices, teas, salt and sugar, to ceramics, ivory, jewels and furs, were shuttled back and forth as countries discovered new items produced in far-away lands. Less tangible exchanges also took place: ideas, languages, cultural practices, religions and even diseases were passed on between traders.

How to tackle the Silk Route

Some Silk Route itineraries will have you begin in Beijing and end in Tashkent , Uzbekistan, voyaging the width of China and Kyrgyzstan en route. But, I'm going to rip up the rule book and suggest that you focus your efforts on Central Asia.

For us, it’s the most intriguing section, full of juxtapositions. You’ll go from Kyrgyzstan’s mountains, lakes and plains to wide-open desert. From lakeside yurt camps to spindly minarets, and from relatively relaxed Kyrgyzstan to religiously conservative Uzbekistan  and to the highly regulated bubble of Turkmenistan’s dictatorship.

The route I suggest starts off with a flight into Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan. You then cross overland into Kyrgyzstan, one of the most scenic drives of the trip (more on that shortly). From Kyrgyzstan you journey through Uzbekistan, hopping briefly into Turkmenistan before heading back over the border and beginning your homeward journey from the Uzbek city of Khiva .

Silk Route need-to-knows

The Silk Route throws up particular challenges. We’ll always try to make it as manageable as possible for you, though, and I think the rewards of experiencing this region more than make up for the snags you might encounter while visiting it.

Here are some quirks to be aware of:

• As you’re covering such a vast distance, long journeys are part and parcel of a Silk Route tour. Some days you’ll spend seven or eight hours in a car. On the plus side, you’ll have private drivers, so you can spend your time gazing out of the window.
• As well as lengthy car journeys, the trip also involves several domestic flights and some journeys aboard Uzbekistan’s efficient rail network.
• Border crossings are memorable ― not always for the right reasons. You’ll have to contend with sometimes confusing paperwork and arcane bureaucratic formalities. Border guards can be stern, but if you’ve visited the USA  before, it feels similar to passing through US customs.
• Guides are not usually permitted to accompany you, and you might also have to walk up to 2 km (1.2 miles) with your luggage through no-man’s land when officially crossing a border. This is one trip where you should bring a rucksack, rather than a suitcase on wheels.
• Despite the headaches of border crossings, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are visa-free for UK residents. That said, you will need a big, officious-looking visa, arranged in advance and embossed with a huge Sovietesque stamp, in order to enter Turkmenistan. But even this is very easy to arrange, and you don’t need to go to the Turkmen embassy in person.
• Places to stay en route are usually no-frills: don’t expect swimming pools or luxe touches.
• Food can also be uninspiring. It can be a little trickier if you’re vegetarian, though you can definitely get by. Tasty dishes to look out for include ashlan fu, a spicy Kyrgyz soup served with giant potato fritters; plov, a rice and meat dish; fresh kebabs; and Uzbekistan’s ice-cream. The bread is also a delight: often round, flat and coated in sesame or poppy seeds, it’s sometimes served warm straight from the oven.
• You’ll have a different guide for each country, and they’ll accompany you throughout your time in that country. Sometimes quite young, these guides can be a bit happy-go-lucky, but they’re often good company and know their stuff.

Our recommended Silk Route trip: an overview

Crossing overland from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan

Almaty, Kazakhstan is your starting point. Not because it has any intrinsic interest (in fact, it’s all a bit gauche: even the mountains overlapping the city are ablaze with branding and billboards) but because from here you can easily access the best bits of Kyrgyzstan.

It’s a full-day drive that takes you through both bucolic hills and the snaking red-rock corridor of the Charyn Canyon, which looks in places like a copycat version of the Grand Canyon.

The border crossing over into Kyrgyzstan is unusually straightforward ― just a chain-link fence and a couple of young officials sporting the biggest hats you’ve ever seen.

Kyrgyzstan: hiking, eagles, yurts and horses

Vivid-green steppe grasslands, lake-filled alpine valleys and sky-punching mountains… Kyrgyzstan has an untamed beauty. There’s something rather Wild West about it all.

Horses are a big part of life here, and you’ll see everyone astride them ― even toddlers. Hunting with eagles is equally a local discipline, and we can arrange for you to watch a demonstration. You can also stay in a yurt camp, waking to a view over lakes and mountainsides.

Kyrgyzstan’s other calling card is its hiking . You can walk among wildflower meadows, snowy mountainsides, and glacially carved valleys ― and there’ll hardly be another soul in sight. Choose from eight-hour-round hikes or gentler half-day options, skipping some of the ascents by jumping in a 4x4. Guides accompany you every step of the way.

What to see in Uzbekistan: mosques, minarets and madrasas

Fly from Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, to Tashkent , a city where Islamic religiosity rubs alongside Soviet tower blocks. As soon as you step off the plane, the topographical contrast with Kyrgyzstan is startling: you’re now among flat desert.

As you explore, you’ll see how Uzbekistan feels more developed as a country and better set up for overseas visitors than Kyrgyzstan. There are more pedestrian-only areas, major sites are lit up come evening and restaurants occupy every street corner.

Search for Uzbekistan online, and you’ll find images showcasing the country’s intricately decorated mosques, madrasas and public squares. In places like Khiva , Bukhara and Samarkand , their blue domes and patterned mosaics stand out against the surrounding sand-toned structures.

Some of the finest examples can be seen at Samarkand’s Registan , which you can visit by train from Tashkent. This centuries-old public square sits at the heart of the city and has played host to royal announcements, public executions and important ceremonies over the years. It’s framed by three large madrasas: Tilya-Kori, Sher-Dor and Ulugh Beg.

Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, the madrasas have towering minarets rising on both sides, huge domes, and archways that are symmetrically decorated with bright tiles. Guides point out the significance of the Sher-Dor’s decoration: it uses images of tigers, despite the general rule in Islam that living beings shouldn’t be depicted on religious buildings.

Make sure to return to the square at night, when local families come to mill about, and the madrasas are subtly illuminated against the night sky.

From here, you travel on to Bukhara. You can climb the gigantic, still-intact portion of The Ark , a fortified citadel where British emissaries Stoddart and Conolly were executed during the years of the ‘Great Game’. Then, nose your way through souq-like markets and ascend the Kalon Minaret for panoramas over the city.

The whole city has a more languid feel than Samarkand, and you don’t have to wander far on foot to see unpaved gravel backstreets that look much like they did during the Great Game years.

What to see in Turkmenistan: ghost cities, gas spectacles and a glimpse at life in a dictatorship

From Bukhara, it’s an hour’s drive to the Turkmen border, a two-hour border crossing, and then a four-hour drive to Merv. A long day, but you can wake up the next morning to explore these completely unrestored, ghostly and weather-beaten ruins in the middle of the desert.

A once thriving Silk Route town before Genghis Khan set his sights on it, it’s a place of untouched citadels and adobe mounds. It’s how parts of Uzbekistan would look had they not received a facelift, nor witnessed any Soviet influence.

What I like about Merv is that there’ll only be about ten other visitors there, if that ― it redefines the meaning of off-the-beaten-track.

From here, it’s a four-hour drive to the capital, Ashgabat. A city of white marble buildings, it hosts a cult of personality dedicated to the president: a gold statue of him once rotated to face the sun. Foreign internet and mobile sites, as well as non-state TV channels, are banned.

You can explore, with your guide, the city’s prized carpet shops and its old Russian quarter. I also recommend enjoying the comforts of your hotel: it’s one of the few plush ones en route, with a swimming pool and bar.

Our advice is to revel in this luxury while you can: for the next day, you’ll be taking a long overland drive through the desert to the Darvaza Gas Craters (purposely lit in the 1970s, and still burning bright).

It’s a real adventure ― just you, your guide, your desert campsite, the stars, and the fiery mouths of the craters. There’s no commerce around the site, for the moment. Your driver will cook a decent barbecue, and there may well be vodka passed around.

From Darvaza, you drive to the Uzbekistan border, where you’re treated to more ruins, Kunya-Urgench ― a decaying cluster of mosques, fortresses, minarets, mausoleums and a caravanserai, some dating from as early as the 11th century. If you’ve already been to India and you think these structures look familiar architecturally, you’d be right ― they went on to inspire Mogul Empire creations.

Uzbekistan: there and back again

After crossing the border, it’s a half-hour drive to Nukus, where you can visit the Savitsky Collection, one of the world’s best (yet least-known) avant-garde art museums. It includes once-banned pieces smuggled out of Stalinist Russia. On a less lofty note, the café opposite the museum does very good coffee and cake.

From here, you drive on to Elliq-Qalas, great sandstone fortresses soaring up from the sand out of nowhere. They’re part of Alexander the Great’s legacy ― a fittingly mighty finale to your trip.

Then it’s onto to Khiva, a city of (you guessed it) more madrasas and mosques. They’re covered in elaborate majolica and azure patterns. From Khiva you fly back to Tashkent to begin your homeward or onward journey.

Best time to follow the Silk Route

As you’re covering a vast area, it’s hard to travel at a time when everywhere is at its best. I recommend taking a trip along the Silk Route between April and early June or September and October, when it’s warm but not uncomfortably hot like it is between late June and August. That said, cars (especially in Turkmenistan) are of decent quality and have air conditioning.

If you’re particularly interested in driving over the high-altitude passes in Kyrgyzstan, postpone your trip until June to avoid the spring snows.

Read more about trips to Central Asia

Uzbekistan discovered

11 days from £3,270pp

Highlights of central Asia: Kyrgyzstan's mountains & Uzbekistan's architecture

16 days from £4,465pp

Silk Route journey: western China, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan

22 days from £7,765pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

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Ancient Silk Road Routes

The route of the land silk road takes Chang'an (now called Xi’an ) in the Western Han Dynasty as the starting point of the whole route, passes through the Hexi Corridor , and then reaches the famous Dunhuang . However, from Dunhuang , it is divided into two routes: the two routes start from Dunhuang, bypassing the Taklamakan Desert and Lop Nur northward and southward, finally rejoin at the terminal Rome . 

It is an important commercial and trade channel connecting the hinterland of China and, Asian and European countries. It is the formation of this channel that made an important contribution to the earliest international trades. Now the silk road has become a world heritage site.

World Silk Road Route

Stretching about 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers), the Silk Road started from the ancient great China capital city Chang’an(today’s Xi’an), and later from Luoyang during the East Han Dynasty. It moved westwards, via the Hexi Corridor(Wuwei, Zhangye , Dunhuang, Jiuquan...), and divided into northern, middle, and southern routes. The southern and middle route rejoined at Kashgar, then passed through Pamir Plateau and north of Aral Sea, reached Baghdad and Damascus, moved northwestwards, finally ended at Constantinople. While the northern route moved through Turpan, Talgar, and Almaty, turned northwest past the Aral Sea and north of the Caspian Sea, then and on to the Black Sea and got to Constantinople.

It has two concepts. Generally speaking, the silk road includes two, one is the Land Silk Road and the other is the Maritime Silk Road . In a narrow sense, the silk road often refers to the land silk road.

The route of the maritime silk road is centered on the South China Sea . The maritime silk road was formed as early as the Qin and Han Dynasties, developed in the Three Kingdoms and Sui dynasties, and became more and more prosperous in the Tang and Song dynasties.

Northern Route

It started from the ancient capital of China - Chang'an (Xi'an) , and later it was moved further east to Luoyang. Then, the route stretches through the Chinese province of Gansu along the Hexi corridor and split into three further routes, two of them split at Dunhuang bypassing the Taklamakan Desert to rejoin at Kashgar , and the other going north of the Tianshan mountains through Anxi, Turpan , Yining and met the Dunhuang-Kashagar routes at Koland.

In Kashgar, the route split again. The southern branch connects Balch to Merv, while the northern branch is from Kashgar to Koland, Samarkand, and reaches Merv. In Merv, the two branches rejoined and headed westward to Qumis, Seleucia, and finally Dura-Europos. The routes split again west of Kashgar, with a southern branch heading down the Alai Valley towards Termez (in modern Uzbekistan) and Balkh (Afghanistan), while the other traveled through Kokand in the Fergana Valley (in present-day eastern Uzbekistan) and then west across the Karakum Desert. Both routes joined the main southern route before reaching ancient Merv, Turkmenistan. Another branch of the northern route turned northwest past the Aral Sea and north of the Caspian Sea, then and on to the Black Sea.

Southern Route

The southern route was mainly a single route from China through the Karakoram mountains, a road connecting Pakistan and China. It then set off westwards, but with southward branches so travelers could complete the journey from various points. Crossing the high mountains, it passed through northern Pakistan, over the Hindu Kush mountains, and into Afghanistan, rejoining the northern route near Merv, Turkmenistan. From Merv, it stretches mountainous northern Iran, Mesopotamia, and the northern tip of the Syrian Desert to the Levant. Another branch road traveled from Herat through Susa to Charax Spasinu at the head of the Persian Gulf and across to Petra and on to Alexandria and other eastern Mediterranean ports from where ships carried the cargoes to Rome.

Maritime Route

The Maritime Silk Road or Maritime Silk Route often refers to the maritime section of Silk Road that connects China to Southeast Asia, the Indonesian archipelago, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian peninsula, etc. There are mainly 3 routes. ① The eastern ocean route runs from China along the harbor to North Korea and Japan. ② The southern maritime route runs from China along the seaport to Southeast Asian countries. ③ The western route runs from China along the seaport to the coastal countries of South Asia, Arabia, and East Africa.

Silk Road Route in China

China has a long history with splendid culture with abundant resources, the "Silk Road" is definitely a world-famous route for international economic trades, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe . It is the earliest commercial trade route in ancient times. The Silk Road extended more than 7,000 kilometers. While more than half of the whole length was located in China . In China, the Silk Road routes consisted of two sections: Eastern Silk Road and Western Silk Road.

Eastern Silk Road in China

Silk Road started from two capital cities of the Han Dynasty – Chang’an and Luoyang, moved westwards and split into northern, middle, and southern routes. The northern route started from Chang’an (from Luoyang in later Han), moved along the Wei River, reached Baoji and Longxian, climbed over Liupanshan Mountains, crossed Yellow River at Jingyuan, last got to Wuwei. This route was the earliest road which was short and lack of supply.

The middle route went from Chang’an(from Luoyang in later Han), separated from the northern route in Shanggui (today in Tianshui), passed by Liupanshan Mountains, arrived at Lanzhou, across the Yellow River, moved northwards to Wuwei. This route later became the major trade route because of its short length and better supply.

The southern route left Chang’an(from Luoyang in later Han), went via Tianshui, Lintao, and Linxia, crossed Yellow River in Yongjing, then passed Xining to Zhangye. This route had a good supply but was not chosen by most traders because of its long-distance.

The northern and middle Silk Road route rejoined the southern route at Zhangye, moved westwards via Jiuquan and Guazhou to one of the most famous cities on the Silk Road – Dunhuang which was the end of the eastern Silk Road in China.

Western Silk Road in China

Yangguang and Yumenguan Pass are two gates to the West Regions. The Silk Road left Dunhuang, then divided into two routes. The northern route started from Yumenguan Pass, traveled northward to Hami, then turned west to Gaochang(today in Turpan) from which the northern route became the later middle route because a new northern route was created in more northern West during East Han Dynasty. While the southern route chose Yangguan Pass as the starting point, passed by the southern edge of Taklimakan Desert, and got to Kashgar. The middle route left Gaochang, went along the northern edge of Taklimakan Desert, and then met the southern route at Kashgar.

Due to the tough road condition and barren environment of Taklimakan Desert and Lop Nur on the southern and middle route, East Han Dynasty created another route northwestward from Dunhuang, via Hami, Barkol Lake, Jimsar, Banquan, Huocheng, to Suiye which is the final stations of the northern route in China.

How to Plan a China Silk Road Travel

Major Destinations to Go: Xian, Luoyang, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Qinghai, Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Kucha, Hotan, Tianshui, Ningxia...

Top Tourist Attractions to Visit: Xian Terracotta Warriors, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Zhangye Danxia Landform - Rainbow Mountains, Qinghai Lake, Heavenly Lake, Jiaohe Ancient City, Kashgar Old Town, Karakul Lake...

Best Time to Go: Generally, months from April to October are the best time, because the temperature is moderate and pleasant, the weather is good and the natural scenery is the most beautiful during this period.

The ancient Silk Road is a long tourist travel route involving lots of Chinese destinations, mostly located in Northwest China. A Silk Road travel can be flexibly customized according to travelers’ length of vacations, departure city, individual preferences and budget. It can take a few days to a few weeks and months.

If you have a tight schedule with only several days ( 4 ~ 5 days ), you’re advised to make a brief Silk Road tour from the starting point - Xian , and visit Luoyang nearby or Dunhuang , the legendary treasury of Buddhist art, history and culture. If you have visited Xian and would like a deeper exploration, then Gansu’s Hexi Corridor (Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang) - essence of ancient Silk Road is the best recommendation and a classic trip takes about 6 days.

☛ 6 Days Zhangye Jiayuguan Dunhuang Discovery Tour ☛ 5 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Dunhuang by Flight ☛ 5 Days Luoyang Xian Tour by Train

Travelers with 7 ~ 8 days can visit more Silk Road destinations. You can explore the Hexi Corridor with neighboring Qinghai , enjoy beautiful Qinghai Lake and other stunning landscapes and cultures, or travel farther to Xinjiang , unveil the mysterious Western Regions in top destinations - Turpan, Urumqi and Kashgar . Depending on your pace, you can even take some side trips, such as travelling to Karakul Lake from Kashgar.

☛ 7 Days Miraculous Land Tour from Dunhuang to Zhangye Xining ☛ 8 Days Classic Xinjiang Tour including Urumqi Turpan Kashgar Tashkurgan

A holiday of 10 ~ 15 days and a longer length is suitable to cover major destinations along the Silk Road in China. You can flexibly arrange an itinerary based on your interests. The most classic Silk Road tour covers Xian, main destinations in Hexi Corridor and Xinjiang, and takes just 10 days. Qinghai and Ningxia are popular regions for an in-depth Silk Road adventure. If time allows, you can visit the holy land of Tibet (Lhasa, Shigatse, Mount Everest, Mt.Kailash...) which has impressive Buddhist and Tibetan culture and plateau vista, and other destinations in China to experience the vast and diversity of China.

☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian/Dunhuang/Turpan/Kashgar) ☛ 11 Days In-depth Wild Silk Road Adventure Tour ☛ 12 Days Epic Silk Road Tour including Qinghai Lake and Zhangye Danxia ☛ 15 Days Classic Ancient China Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train Experience ☛ 19 Days Silk Road & Tibet In-depth Tour

Travel to Silk Road with China Discovery

Since most destinations along the ancient Silk Road are located in the remote Northwest China and some attractions are scattered far from the cities, it’s best to travel with a local professional travel agency, like China Discovery, to enjoy a Silk Road adventure. We will not only help you plan a suitable travel itinerary, but also arrange all the services you need, including tour guides and drivers, transfer vehicles, hotels and tickets, meals, etc., to make sure you make an educational cultural and historical travel with relaxing visual enjoyment. You can find more inspiration from our Most Popular China Silk Road Tours or contact us to customize a special one.

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World history

Course: world history   >   unit 2, the silk road.

• Transregional trade
• The Silk Road was a vast trade network connecting Eurasia and North Africa via land and sea routes.
• The Silk Road earned its name from Chinese silk, a highly valued commodity that merchants transported along these trade networks.
• Advances in technology and increased political stability caused an increase in trade. The opening of more trade routes caused travelers to exchange many things: animals, spices, ideas, and diseases.

“I can see clothes of silk, if materials that do not hide the body, nor even one's decency, can be called clothes. ... Wretched flocks of maids labor so that the adulteress may be visible through her thin dress, so that her husband has no more acquaintance than any outsider or foreigner with his wife's body.”

State power and the Silk Road

• (Choice A)   The emperor wanted to scout and conquer central Asia A The emperor wanted to scout and conquer central Asia
• (Choice B)   The emperor wanted to find allies and resources B The emperor wanted to find allies and resources
• (Choice C)   The emperor was curious about how people in central Asia lived C The emperor was curious about how people in central Asia lived

Travel on the Silk Road

The effects of exchange.

• (Choice A)   People outside of China didn't have silk A People outside of China didn't have silk
• (Choice B)   China became more isolated from the world B China became more isolated from the world
• (Choice C)   Trade goods had to cross Asia, incorporating many people and locations into long-distance trade networks C Trade goods had to cross Asia, incorporating many people and locations into long-distance trade networks

Chinese silk in Rome

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• Sightseeing
• China National Silk Museum
• China Silk Photos

Basic Facts

Other routes, scenery along the road, silk road adventure, you may like.

F a r   L a n d s

Experience History's Greatest Journey

Whispers of a far land enter your ears. A land flowing with treasure more numerous than the sands of the Taklamakan and where the legends of China fills your mind with wonder. The Silk Roads beckon adventure, and perhaps something much more fulfilling. You take the step out to embark on a journey that surpasses the grandest of dreams, but also the most perilous of trials. All ideas and expectations are removed as you enter into far lands as a stranger.

In this interactive, choose-your-own-route across Eurasia, you assume the role of a merchant or explorer. The journey begins in Constantinople and from there the route diverges, and from the next outpost it branches again. Every route may be different, but they all lead to the Middle Kingdom - Hangzhou in eastern China.

Into the Silk Roads, you go.

Begin the Adventure

CONSTANTINOPLE

As a stranger you begin this passage through history, but you may finish as family.  

Explore the silk roads.

Use the interactive map below to explore an outpost on the Silk Roads.

Orange Icon indicates this location has a finished webpage and connecting routes.

Black Icon indicates this place has been charted but currently at work to bring it online.

GO TO OUTPOSTS

About Our Quest

Early summer of 2016 we stepped into Western China for the first time. It was a totally different world than what we were accustomed to. Lamb kebabs were stables, donkey carts brought us to and fro, and layers upon layers of history interspersed with everyday life. This kicked off a newfound passion for the Silk Road - one which I invested hours upon hours researching. And a quest formed - to overland the route, chronicling the experiences along the way.

However, the more I researched, the more I realized it was not just a single road stretching from China to Europe, but rather interconnected veins crossing over all the highs and lows of Eurasia. Several main branches had numerous offshoots connecting towns and villages, ideas and treasures. A simple journey from Point A to Point B was out of the books; this will be an investment of time, resources, and many years to traverse the ancient highways. And it was a challenge we were willing to take on...

Stories from the Silk Roads

A Journey to Ani

A roadtrip into the ancient lands of Eastern Turkey, once historic Armenia.

Expect the Unexpected

An overview of our traverse through the extremes of Xinjiang. 

Heart of the Grasslands

A nomad and his pup welcomes us into his yurt for milk tea and naan.

Heart of the Silk Roads

Exploring the bazaars, markets and treasures of Kashgar.

MORE STORIES

About the silk roads.

Silk Roads evoke glorious days of past, mirages of exotic locales, and extraordinary tales, captivating explorers from Genghis Khan to Marco Polo to even myself. These interconnected series of ancient roads are the veins of the world where peoples, faiths, and countries are intricately blended together. The Silk Roads are also the passageway from East to West, and it is here where both sides of the world dramatically clash to form a truly unique landscape where innovations thrived. It is also here where civilizations and religions have formed, setting the blueprint to our ever so complex modern world. The Silk Roads are not just remote corners of the globe, forgotten and unimportant. Rather, the Silk Roads are perhaps the center of our complex globalization. The landscape of our planet would look vastly different if merchants, nomads, nobles, and explorers did not traverse the thousands of miles for hundreds of years. It's perplexing how such an important part of history can be so often overlooked and minimized.

Follow Our Silk Road Journey

If you want to follow along on our quest to explore the Silk Roads, please subscribe to Into Far Lands and join the family!

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Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

Ultimate Guide to Plan a Trip to Old Silk Route, Zuluk: The Best Kept Secret of Sikkim

About this blog : Old Silk Road Tour in Sikkim is a prized road trip experience. Traversing the high passes of Sikkim Himalayas that touch the sky at 14,000 feet high, the Old Silk Road Tour takes you to Zuluk, and further if weather permits. In this blog post, we would sketch the entire road trip plan, with a tentative cost of traveling to Zuluk, places to stop for the night on the old silk road map, and practical travel tips. For viewing pleasure, you can watch my YouTube series on Sikkim travel as well!

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Falling in Love with old Silk Route, Sikkim: Why visit Zuluk?

Simply answering this question, we chose to visit old Silk Route of Zuluk for stunning landscape of Himalayas and intense cultural ties with Central Asia with this part of the world that began with the Han Chinese! The hair-pin bends of Zuluk look looked ethereal with a sprinkling of snow during winter months.

The Old Silk Route Tour invokes memories of days bygone, when caravan tracts reigned the high passes and arid desert lands connecting the Mediterranean to the orient shrouded in the mist of glitters and opulence. We are talking about days from the second century BC.

Gone are the days of ancient history when the arduous road brought in fortune for traders in this part of the world. Old Silk Route in Sikkim lies dangerously close to the Indo-Sino international border which may turn into unspeakable mayhem at the turn of the day! A mellow memory of Tibet covers the land with a mist. Ancient history confronts modern politics eye to eye as incredible abundance of nature prepares the battle field!

If you have been in awe of the mighty Sleeping Buddha even once, the Old Silk Route would take your breath away! The mountain stands in close guard at the bend of every road! It is quite an adventure to cross each of the multiple hairpin bends on the old Silk Route. But once you do, you will be rewarded with an elusive view of the Sleeping Buddha. there, just there.. a little further up the road and you can touch her magnificence!

The Old Silk Route is an obscure remote land where not many tourist crowd has reached till date. To a large extend, you can find yourself alone, amidst some of the tallest ranges of the mountains of the world! If you desire to steal a few quiet moments like this from the world, Old Silk Route is where your home is!

Also read: 20 Stunning pictures from Sikkim travels from December

Suggested 6 days 7 nights Old Silk Route Tour Itinerary

If You plan to return through Gangtok , you can plan a week exploring the Old Silk Route in the following order. This Old Silk Route Itinerary entails the best of the both world, jungles of Terai, verdant valleys and craggy high passes of High Himalayas!

• Day 1: Reach NJP- Proceed to Reshikhola
• Day 2: Reshikhola- Pedong
• Day 3: Start for Aritar
• Day 4: Ascend to Zuluk with permit from Rongli. Sunset at Thambi View Point
• Day 5: Visit Nathang and head back to Thambi view point for another sunset. Stay at Lungthung if you are comfortable with the cold and limited amenities. You may choose to stay at Nathang valley as well. If you can brave the cold, omit Reshikhola from the plan and start from Aritar with an extra day allocated at Nathang Valley.
• Day 6: Return to Gangtok with a stop at Tsomgo Lake (Changu lake). You may also start early and visit Nathula Pass
• Day 7: Gangtok to NJP/ Bagdogra depending on further travel plan

This is the complete loop of old Silk Route. Nathula is now open for tourists where you may see the clear border between India and China as recognized by the world!

If you do not plan to visit Gangtok to complete the Old Silk Route loop but want to visit till Nathang (this ideally happens if you are visiting during peak winter when the entire stretch of Nathang valley is off limit to tourist) this itinerary can come handy.

• Day 4: Ascend to Zuluk. Sunset at Thambi View Point
• Day 5: Visit Thambi View Point. Stay at Lungthung or Zuluk
• Day 6: Descend to Sillery gaon. Visit Ramitey for a beautiful view of Mt Kanchenjunga!
• Day 7: Gangtok to NJP/ Bagdogra

Please note, this trip can be made reverse way as well, like starting from Gangtok. Do this if you are visiting North Sikkim first. However, weather has to be clear to be able to “do it all!” It makes sense to ascend to Zuluk from Bagdogra or NJP first as you would be making shorter trip to Aritar compared to Gangtok.

If time is not an issue, this is how the route actually looks like: NJP/ Bagdogra –> Icchey Gaon –>  Sillery Gaon (trek to Ramitey) –>  Kaagey –>  Pedong –> Reshi Khola –> Mankhim (Aritar) –> Rangli check point –> Lingtum check point –> Padamchen (8000 ft) –> Zuluk (9000 ft) –> Thambi View Point (11200 ft)–> Lungthung View Point–> Nathang valley (13,700 ft & many things to do here)–> Old Baba Mandir –> New Baba Mandir –> Nathula Pass –> Tsomgo Lake (12700 ft) –> Gangtok

As of now Sikkim does not have any railway but works are in progress to establish a railway route for faster movement of troops and then locals and then the tourists!

Also read : Offbeat day trips from Leh, a complete itinerary for 5 days!

Things to know before planning a trip to the Old Silk Route, Sikkim

Being one of the remote and obscure places tucked away in the Himalayas, you need to keep in mind few practical travel tips to visit the old Silk Route. This ranges from permits to safety tips to planning an effective itinerary etc.

Permit for Old Silk Route

You need to rent a local car to drive through the entire stretch of Old Silk Route. It is possible to take your own car but that entails a prolonged paperwork and a slurry of permits sanctioned by government officials.

Instead, we chose to go with a local car rental company. It was a decent experience with a mindful driver who also doubled as a kind photographer at times!

The travel agency would ideally help you get the permit done at Rangli. You also need to pass a check point as you cross the West Bengal and Sikkim border (if you are flying to Bagdogra). For permits, you need to provide a few hundred bucks, two passport sized photographs, your entire route map and recognized ID proof (passport, DL, Aadhar etc) for Indian nationals. Rangli is a nice little town with beautiful forest trails and lovely little doggos!

The permit to Old Silk route comes handy to control the tourist rush to the remote land where infrastructure is limited. Permit is also granted based on weather conditions. If a snow storm is predicted, you may not be allowed to visit Nathang valley or further.

Much like Tawang, traveling to Zuluk requires foreigners to follow a few specific rules. 

• One must not be traveling solo. People must travel in a group. 
• To apply for PAP (protected area permit), please apply with the tour operators who are registered with the Sikkim Tourism Department.
• Required: passport, Valid Visa, Passport size photographs, application fees. 
• Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO) is located at Tadong which is 5 kms from MG Marg, Gangtok.
• After India opens up for foreigners, there is a fair chance these rules would be different, especially for traveling to places as remote as Zuluk and old silk route!

Also read : Complete guide to explore Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Best time to visit the Old Silk Route

We visited old Silk route from 19 to 25th December and we loved that time. Sun shine washed the valley clean. there were instances of infrequent snow falls. It was extremely cold. but the weather was clear and we had extremely beautiful sunny sky that let us view Kanchenjunga and the entire sleeping Buddha range in prime glory!

Choose a time to visit Silk Route which is dry. The summer months of mid April to Mid June is a good time to visit the old Silk Route with roads blushing in red hue with blooming Rhododendron. Autumn in the mountain starts from late October to early November. Of course it changes with the course of monsoon. Wait till the monsoon has completely faded and then venture into the deep of the mountain. Ideally, till mid-January, you can safely plan a visit to Old Silk route and make it till Nathang valley. With increased snow fall, this route eventually closes down for tourists from February.

Check out: Sikkim Travel packages

Cost of a 6 days 5 night trip to Old Silk Route

Prices start from 30 thousand for an Innova for a 5 days trip to the mountains. With oscillating fuel price, vehicle prices change too. You need at least 4 nights to see the Old silk route properly. The more the merrier!

Prices for homestays starts from 2000 rs per night. Of course it varies with demand and supply model. Overall, for a 5 days trip to the Old silk route with a private vehicle, you should have an estimated cost of INR 40,000 which includes a vehicle with a driver, homestays with food and permits. If the vehicle is shared, prices drop down drastically. Shared vehicles are available from Gangtok for Old Silk Route.

Places not to miss on the Old Silk Route

Please do not miss Thambi View Point, especially a sunset from this place. You must pay a visit to Nathang valley and see the milk white ranges of Sleeping Buddha rising atop the arid valley. I absolutely loved the silence when we were flying on a cable car on top of the Tsomgo Lake. A night stay at Lungthung is a prized experience at the Old Silk Route where the first rays of the sun easily penetrates the glass panes of the windows! Do take a stop at the Elephant lake, among many other glacial lakes on your way back from Zuluk to Gangtok! Words fail to gather praise for such stunning natural wonders!

All the places on the way to Zuluk offer different charms. The greens of Reshikhola (a Terai area) paves way for slightly elevated Aritar where clouds often come down to play with the peaks. The golden brown bush starts welcoming you as you approach Zuluk, all the way to Nathang valley, which is also known as the Ladakh of Sikkim. The dry winters paint these places at high altitude with arid hues while the monsoon yields in beautiful blooms. Talking about spring, the mountains of Sikkim bloom in bright beautiful rhododendrons, which is a site hardly one should miss!

Pro tip for Zuluk trip: If the cold becomes unbearable, ask the locals for a share of their moonshine. It is made of locally produced cherries and works better than brandy! They laughed and declared their children grow up drinking this! I do not doubt. I heard in Siberia they train their children to sleep on the ice!

Also read : Offbeat things to do in Goa, a complete guide!

Packing tips for Old Silk Route

Pack woolens. Enough woolens that you can withstand a night outside at sub zero temperature, braving gutsy winds!

There, I have said it. I have spent long, ice cold nights in Kargil, Ladakh . However, the hotel had basic amenities like a room heater, a centralized one and running water.

No matter which time of the year you plan your trip to the old Silk route, please be advised it is going to be lethally cold!

Especially the cold winds and the long lightless nights are going to be trying unless you are prepared to battle the cold. No matter what the weather prediction is, always carry enough woollens to fight bitter cold. Please carry the following in your luggage while packing for Old Silk Route:

• Comforters for legs
• Enough layers, with jackets and sweaters) 
• Thermals (this is going to save your life)
• A woolen cap that covers your ears
• Sunglass (sun reflects harshly on the ice banks)
• Socks with extra pairs in case one gets wet in the snow
• Gloves (with backup pair)
• Shoe that can withstand melting snow and with great grip to help you with small hikes
• A thermal flask to carry lukewarm water to keep you hydrated
• Portable Oxygen Cylinder (in case of breathing trouble this will be of immense help)

Carry cash with you since there is no AT along the way to Old Silk Route!

There is an absolute shortage of cash procurement, not just on the way to Zuluk through Old Silk Route but from Siliguri itself, especially during peak travel seasons, say Durga Puja and likes. Please withdraw enough cash in time to complete the trip. 

I wore a saree and a shawl on top and walked under beautiful sunshine. It all went fine until winds started to blow and sent chills to my bones. Always layer up. I can not put enough emphasize on this. Do not forget to drink water as well.

The owner of my homestay offered me melted yak butter that keeps the locals warm during winter. Apparently, yak butter helps in gouts too.

Also read : Complete guide to Bhaktapur, Nepal, an ancient city from the Silk Road!

Food and lodging at the Old Silk Route, Sikkim

Please do not expect café and fancy dining places on the old Silk Route. It remains an offbeat destination frequented by mostly tourists from West Bengal.

Food is served by the homestays. they serve three meals and you may include that in your package. If you are planning to get ready to eat stuff, it might be a challenge to find warm water at Zuluk and areas further to that due to insufficient fuel.

Food is basic and suitable for vegetarians as well. For non vegetarians meals include chicken (for dinner) and egg curry (for lunch). The curries are fiery hot and can be had with roti or rice. You may choose to order simple Daal Chawal with bhajis. Save your appetite for the night you reach in Gangtok and head straight to the taste of Tibet for a gala dinner!

Meal prices range from INR 80 to INR 200 per person. There are pit stops at places where you may get some Maggi or hot tea, especially near the military camps. Due to Covid, these places were all closed.

The homestays usually serve this in set meals: Maggi or bread toast for breakfast. Anda curry with rice and dal and a sabji (local vegetables) for lunch. Dinner is similar with chicken replacing anda. 

We stayed at the following places on our trip to the Old Silk Route Sikkim.

• Aritar: Orange Court Resort
• Zuluk: Snow Lion
• Gangtok: Fern Dzong
• After Zuluk, you may stay at Lungthung homestay (optional) however amenities are really limited.
• If you have to stay in Nathang, try to book Dafter Bungalow.

Also read : Best places to shop sarees in Kolkata

Trip to Zuluk: How We Completed the Old Silk Road Loop from New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok

To visit the Old Silk Route in Zuluk, I started from Kolkata and S decided to join me from Bangalore. I took the night train to NJP station (New Jalpaiguri Station). The journey to Old Silk Road would span for next 4 days at least. It would take us to some of the most astounding heights of the Himalayan range in the lesser explored North eastern parts of India! Old Silk Route is a part of East Sikkim and straddles the border between India and China!

The night train to New Jalpaiguri Station

In old times, the train, also known as Darjeeling mail, would witness a flurry of over enthusiastic tourists. We were traveling by the end of December. The wind had a hint of ice cold notes. Thanks to the present scare of pandemic looming large, tourist rush was considerably low. Even the ones who were traveling were actually heading towards Darjeeling , the tried and tested hill town of West Bengal which never fails to amaze even when pressed with the charge of over tourism. 

I started from Sealdah. Darjeeling mail was renamed as a special train as the Indian Railway was testing with limited locomotive engines in a post lock down world. We were not given any blankets. Food vendors were not to be seen anywhere close by. I bought a bed sheet for INR 80 from Behala hawker’s corner and decided to use it for the train journey. I was empowered with liters of hand sanitizers and packed food. I try to minimize water intake on the train just so that I do not have to frequent the washroom. However, the night train to Darjeeling had a surprisingly clean wash room. It was a new train, a new world!

Also read : Complete Guide to Explore Shillong for a week !

Sleeping in a locomotive comes easy to me. I wish I could measure the deep sleep time in all my train journeys. 

I woke up to find myself racing amid a scenic stretch of green valley. Paddy fields gently nodding. Silhouettes of towering mountains adorned the sky at a distance! Sunrays awashed the valley in golden hues. I looked out from the window and a cold breeze numbed my ear lobes. Promptly I put my head back and wrapped it with woollens. This is winter in the North. This is going to be an adventure! 

All I could hope for was for the roads on silk route to remain bereft of snow to ensure a smooth journey. I was eagerly waiting to experience all the thrills, the hair pin bends, the Jjilipi viewpoints, the entire range of magnificent Sleeping Buddha, the glacial lakes, the road to Nathula where Indo-Sino war ensued in 60s. 

At New Jalpaiguri Station, jam-packed crowd welcomed us. The night train from Kolkata to Alipurduar had just left the junction. The station was overwhelmed with wander-lusters and locals alike! I managed to carry my luggage and camera bags to the overhead footbridge and leave the station premises. An old school steam engine is installed outside the station, greeting people with a reminder of the past.

In olden days, New Jalpaiguri was one of the first junctions to be connected to the mainland India. This is where wagons filled with freshly plucked tea leaves passed through. The British further experimented with tea wherever they went, including Mauritius however seldom found a worthy contender to the mountain slopes of Darjeeling!

We had rented a cab from a local Sikkim Taxi rental company. They suggested a pick up from the NJP station itself. I waited for S at the Bagdogra airport for an hour and finished a quick lunch with Fish curry and rice. The curry was fiery hot. I think an ample amount of Dalley chilly (now GI tagged) had been used in the make of that curry! We started for Sikkim by 2 pm.

Also read : Practical tips you need to plan a trip to Egypt!

About Silk Route: The 6400 km Silk Route extended from Xi’an (Sian), followed  the Great Wall of China to the northwest, bypassed the Takla Makan Desert, climbed the Pamirs (mountains), crossed Afghanistan, and went on to the Levant. Goods were shipped through the Mediterranean sea. Middlemen of each region helped progressing the caravans. From Europe, the Black Death pandemic moved to Asia through Silk Route! In this blog, we are talking about the Old Silk Route, a part of the ancient Silk Route.

The Ascend to Aritar and an unprecedented delay

NJP to Aritar: 110 km (time took 7 hours)

We were heading to Aritar for the night. I have already told you the routes you can take as you ascend to the Old Silk Route of Zuluk. If I could start at dawn, I would have gone to Reshikhola village and lived by the beautiful mountain stream of Reshikhola. The pictures reminded me of Jia Bharali river of Bhalukpong as we were visiting Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh . 

Reshikhola is famous for Birding opportunities, especially in the winters. All the Terai forestlands are spectacular in this aspect. For example, Kaziranga or Manas National Park in Assam or Chitwan National Park in Nepal . All of them are National Parks. To visit Reshikhola, you need to walk for a few hundred meters amidst a jungle. 

The lake in Aritar is also known as Lampokhari (Pokhri meaning a waterbody in Nepali language) which reflects the lush green surrounding area in its colour! Spend the day visiting Mankhim, the hill top of Aritar for a clear view of Kanchenjunga. We saw it from the road itself, the entire sleeping Buddha range and rushed towards Zuluk with glee.

If you have time, spend a day at Reshikhola

If you stay at Reshikhola , which happens to be a part of West Bengal, or to be more specific, straddles the border between West Bengal and Sikkim, count a day extra to visit Pedong, a small town in Kalimpong. Famous for the old Sangchen Dorjee monastery, Pedong came to be during the reign of British India as their tea factories were buzzing with tonnes of produce. In February, Pedong hosts a fair named Pedong mela where Bhutia and Lepcha tribes from distant villages come with their annual produce. Do not miss that for the world if you love cultural nuances! 

In Reshikhola, you can stay at Prakriti Eco Resort. To reach these homestays which use the word resort in the name you have to cross the Reshi river through a wobbly wooden bridge. It may be a bit dicey for the elderly people in the travel group. You may reach Reshikhola from the West Bengal side by crossing a dried up stream during summer months. But monsoon makes the river turn voluminous in the Bengal side.

Also read : Complete Guide to the Best beaches in Goa

Things to do in Aritar: First stop on the way to Old Silk Route

However, we rushed to see Zuluk and decided to spend the first night at Aritar . Besides, our two weeks long Sikkim itinerary had many quaint village stays in Pelling and Temi Tea Garden. We drove past Teesta and Rangeet river confluence, where many people stops for a night to camp. We stopped briefly on the road for momo and tea. By the time we reached Rongpo , the sun had set. It was the proverbial pitch dark night, one in which you can not see your hand in front. Rangpo is a town between Sikkim and West Bengal where the authorities would check for Sikkim Travel Card and other necessary details including permits etc.

Rangpo is an industrial town in Sikkim with many manufacturing units and pharma companies. There was a huge traffic jam in front of the Rangpo check point, the first of many checkpoints where you have to produce your Sikkim travel card. The nightmarish traffic lasted for a couple of hours. 

While crossing Rangpo checkpoint, you can pick up alcohol from Lohapool. Alcohol is cheap in Sikkim. I had no clue why until I faced the biting cold of Zuluk! 

Aritar is famous for a man-made lake (Aritar lake) . Boating facilities are available here. You may rent a mountain bike and drive past the lake and the small tracts as well. The lake reflected the greens of the surrounding area! Aritar is situated at a height of 4000 feet. 

At Aritar, we stayed at the Orange Court Resort . It is a family run homestay. Do not be fooled by the resort tag. Almost all the homestays in this route carry the word resort in their names, whereas in reality they are far from what a real resort looks or feels like. I do not complain. A homestay is the best way to run tourism in the fragile ecology in Sikkim. 

The Owner of the Orange County resort sat with us in the evening, treated us to Chicken Pakora as her son and a beautiful German Shepherd Lucy kept us company. I am usually shit scared of dogs but Lucy took my heart away! A German shepherd dog could be so kind, so loving! I would have never believed it unless I would have met Lucy!

Also read : A Photoblog on Zanzibar, the paradise island !

Geeting a permit for Old Silk Route

At Rongli, we stopped the car for about 40 minutes, produced travel card, route plan, government ID and passport sized photographs and procured our permit to visit Silk Route. Weather was permissible and we were told we could take the entire loop from Zuluk to Gangtok with a stop at Nathang Valley. If weather shows alert, the authority would not allow you a permit to visit Nathang valley.

From Aritar we started early in the morning. We finished a hearty breakfast with puri and bhaji and some piping hot tea! The road paved the way to the heights of Himalaya. Myriad shades of greens greeted us on the way. Some of the plants had turned their leaves in blood red hue. A few blood pheasants, state birds of Sikkim stood in alert. We crossed small streams, fountains, villages shaking off from slumber, young kids heading towards school. 

The mountain streams in the region are known as Khola in Nepali language. One of the important points is Que Khola Falls before you enter Lintham village. In winter sunshine, plenty of colorful blossoms bloomed by the makeshift tea joints. Wooden bridges covered in Buddhist flags bring down elusive peace of Earth. 

We drove past Padamchen , one of the larger habitats of the Old Silk Route at 8000ft. After Aritar, once you have procured your permit, you can only stop at places for which your permit has clear written mentions. For us, Padamchen was not mentioned in the permit and we could not stop even when we wanted to. This is a beautiful destination though, with pleasurable weather all through the year. Padamchen is also a sought after destination among the birders.

The last marketplace with enough stock is located at Padamchen. At Rangli you may find many shops, serving almost everything from trekking gears to Rosogolla, that too freshly prepared! Stock up with enough snacks. Carry some Korpur and medicines as prescribed by doctors.Please do not carry maggi and stuff that needs to be cooked in boiling water because you may not get the option to boil water in this rough mountain terrain at all! For a geyser to work, you need to switch on power right at 3 am. 

Zuluk travel is tough love but it is very very much worth it if you plan it correctly is all I can say!

Also read : Complete travel guide to Hampi, a UNESCO world Heritage Site!

Zuluk, the Star Stuck Mountain Township!

Aritar to Zuluk: 41 km (time took: 3 hours with permit)

In olden times, Zuluk happened to be a small village inhabited by the shepherds and nomads who resided at this high altitude zone in the harsh winter months. Situated at 9000 feet high, Zuluk claims the fold of the mountain, where ice cold northern winds do not find a passage. 

A little ahead of Zuluk, serpentine roads take you to Nathang valley that straddles the Indo-Sino border at the Tibetan plateau. The proverbial silk route existing for thousands of years takes one to the forbidden Kingdom of Lhasa, Tibet. 

With the presence of the Indian army, Zuluk town developed to be what it is today. The army has established a permanent transit camp at Zuluk. If you drive for 20 minutes uphill from Zuluk, you can see China on the right side. The road takes further turns and reaches Doklam, infamous for the stand off between India and China from 2017. It connects Nathula if you drive straight, another sensitive international border point between the South Asian powerhouses.

Trucks of army personnel are transported to the army camps. They gradually scale a high of 14000 feet and higher. Zuluk town was planned to act as a transit camp to help the men acclimatize at this astounding heights.

The army arranged for a permanent water tank, a luxury in an area where inhabitants are dependent on sunrays to melt the tap water that turns into ice in the dark of the night. The water tank stands atop the mountain, like an alert eye assuring and safeguarding the valley and its inhabitants with an assurance of sustenance. 

Also read : 10 Things to know before planning a trip to Darjeeling!

Army now but History came earlier!

The old silk route traversed a large distance of 900 km from Lhasa to Tamralipta. It mapped through Chumbi valley (now the conflict zone, Doklam) between India and Bhutan. Through the ancient trade routes, the Chinese and Tibetans traded silk, textile, livestock, chinaware, tea (read Jormer Chokh by Tillottama Majumdar) and ideas (Sri Atish Dipankara). Geopolitics of the twenty-first century may have stripped away importance from the old silk route but who can predict the course of history?

Thanks to the water supply, Zuluk developed two distinct places of stay. The Upper Zuluk Basti area , with a couple of hotels and a village that grows its own vegetables and manages its own waste with periodic visits to the nearby towns. Upper Zuluk has a military settlement just by the side, hence access to medical assistance (read need based oxygen supply) is a cakewalk here. Network was not available though, unless you are willing to wait by the main road for a while till a Jio signal picks up faint connectivity. 

Lower Zuluk Basti is a more crowded area, located a few km ahead of Upper Zuluk and a lower altitude zone. Lower Zuluk has a number of makeshift stay options, cheap homestays and a few grocery stores where local women with babies tied to their back sell toothpaste, maggi and cigarettes. 

Lower Zuluk resembled a haphazardly created locality to accommodate tourists. Most of the houses are in shambles. Bright blooms of myriad mountain flowers hanging from earthen hots at the entry of each house comes to rescue, to add hue to a foggy day. 

If I were to choose a place to stay in Zuluk, I would opt for upper Zuluk. The homestays range between 2500 to 5000 depending on demand. Food cost is extra. The homestays in lower Zuluk are cheaper alternative stays. However, do not expect luxuries like warm running water or room heater and stuff. 

It is imperative to choose a comfortable homestay in Zuluk. Zuluk is going to be one of the highlights of your trip. A few things you need to consider before booking a stay in Zuluk. 

• The Homestay in Zuluk should have access to running water. 
• The homestay in Zuluk should give you a room heater. 
• The homestay in Zuluk should have local networks to provide you medical assistance in case of emergency, think low oxygen level or breathing troubles. 
• Please ask your homestay provider if they have power back up. Usually power back ups provide for a faint light after sunset. Nights are long and dark in Zuluk and onwards.

Also read : Complete guide to Chitwan National Park for a first time visitor!

Things to know about traveling to Zuluk

• Many people visit Zuluk, make it a base for the next two days, explore Nathang Valley and then head back to Padamchen and descend to West Bengal. I have already elaborated on this route plan. 
• You may stay at Padamchen, if Zuluk seems tough. It may seem a bit tough if you are traveling with a baby or elderly people. The mornings are mellow. The valley is sun washed. However, sunset brings a different world to Zuluk. With cold gutsy winds and pin drop silence, it can be nightmarish. 
• I can not emphasize enough on this, but please make sure you start early and reach Zuluk before sundown. 
• In case you want to stay at Padamchen, which is located at a lower altitude than Zuluk, please mention that at the time of procuring your permit.

The quirky symmetry of 32 loops of Zuluk, which are part of the ancient 93 hairpin bends through which priceless silk used to be traded from Lhasa to modern day Tamralipto (Tomluk of West Bengal).

In Zuluk, you do not have much to see but a few chortens, a Shiva temple, army barracks.

Also read : Guide to all the Bonedi Barir Durgapuja of Kolkata

Is Zuluk worth Visiting?

Zuluk as a stand alone destination does not have much to offer however you need to visit Zuluk to experience the sheer beauty of high Himalayas that lies ahead at Lungthung and Nathang valley. Also, at 9000 ft height, Zuluk is the safest place to tuck in for the night if you can not stand the severe cold that Nathang Valley will unleash on you! 

Zuluk is located at the fold of the mountain. You can not see the Sleeping Buddha range from here. However, you can visit Thambi view point, a 15 minute drive from Zuluk and voila! It is a different world out there!  

Things to do in Zuluk

• Visit Thambi view point and spend the evening there. It is at the Thambi view point, I had experienced the most ethereal sunset of my entire life. Many people spend the night at Zuluk and start at the crack of dawn to visit Thambi. The first sunrays kiss the peak of the Sleeping Buddha range. Pregnant clouds crowd at the bottom of the mountains. Standing at Thambi, you get to witness a sunrise show of a lifetime! I had seen similar views of sunrise from Switzerland on Instagram! 
• From Thambi view point, you will also see the three level zigzag bends of the Old Silk Route. At the start of the day when the clouds are far up on the sky, you will be able to spot Zuluk town from a distance.
• It is only fair to assume you will fall in love with Thambi as you witness the first sunset! You would ideally want to spend the night there to wake up to a magnificent sunrise. For that choose a homestay at Lungthung, a few km ahead of Thambi view point. For a thousand and a few hundred bucks, you may get a room at one of the local run homestays at Lungthung. The homestays have huge glass window pens through which you may get a stunning glimpse of the world outside! In hindsight, Lunthung can be lethally cold at night. Check the window pens and take a call accordingly. Running water is unavailable here. They give you a bucket of water which might get frozen at night. Staying at Lungthung may not be the most cherished memory but waking up to witness that sunrise is going to be a prized experience indeed! 
• From Zuluk, you may visit Jelepla Pass, Kupup & Memencho Lake which are on the way to Nathang valley. Many people plan to stay in the Nathang valley. Some choose to stay back at Zuluk and visit Nathang as a day trip. Nathang Valley is situated at an even higher altitude. A handful of homestays are there. You may choose to spend one night at the Nathang valley before heading back to the plains.

Please note, be it sunrise or be it sunset, the look and feel are going to be the same from Thambi view point. thus, if you visit Zuluk on day one and witness sunset, schedule an early sunrise visit and to Thambi again and proceed to Nathang valley. Many people start the descend on day 2 itself however in my honest opinion that is a bit rushed affair. After Zuluk, allow some time to Nathang valley and plan for at least a couple of days at Zuluk if you want to complete the old Silk Route loop and end it at Gangtok. Alternately, you may choose to descend down and spend a night at Sillery gaon or Icche Gaon, quaint little hamlets in the West Bengal Himalayas.

Also read : Guide to Luang Prabang, the UNESCO heritage Temple Town of Laos!

Nathang Valley: A forgotten no-man’s land!

Zuluk to Nathang valley: 23 km (3 hours)

I was spellbound at the Thambi View point and thought this is the high point of the entire Old Silk Route tour until we reached natahng. By the end of December, Fresh snow kissed the pathway as we approached the arid mountain top. A few bends upwards Zuluk, the mighty Sleeping Buddha range presides over the sky!

Nathang is an even more remote spot compared to Zuluk. Once a few yak herders roamed this land. Now the over enthusiastic tourists have started to come and live here, hence few homestays sprung up. Spending a night at Nathang can be roughly compared to that of living under the starry night on a mountain top, while even craggier peaks stand at adistance. Nathang is a valley bordered with towering hills but the real deal is Mt Kanchanjengha!

You may spend a day at natahng and make day trips to the glacial lakes. I suggest visit till the elephant lake, also known as Kupup and return back if you are to descend down. I must mention, you can only visit these routes if you receive permit from the check points. The official order is to issue permits only if the sky is clear for coming days. Otherwise, you might be turned back from Zuluk itself. Fear not since Thambi View Point is a treasure of this part of the Himalaya.

While many chooses to descend down from Nathang valley through Padamchen, and rest a few days at Icchegaon and Sillery Gaon, small quiant village stays in West Bengal, we chose to complete the loop and head for Gangtok.

Also read : Most beautiful sunsets of Masaimara, Kenya!

Baba Mandir is standing in memory of Baba Harbhajan Singh where visitors irrespective of religious identity may visit and experience the magic! We are transient passengers in this mystic and harsh land. We must learn to shut up and listen to stories of motivation and faith prevalent among the locals, that includes inhabitants as well as army professionals. Loics fail when they state with confidence it is due to Baba’s blessing that nathang valley remains safe against intruders. I also try to gather the mellow tune that emerges from losing Tibet to the Chinese PLA. 

People of Nathang valley are originally descendants of the Tibetan tribesmen. Once upon a time a school was operational. But teachers referred to teaching in such extreme weather conditions. You can not really judge. On days one can wake up and see the entire valley is covered under the thick blanket of snow. Another day, merciless rain brings in thick fog. Cars get frosted. Batteries get damaged. Running water is a luxury. 

When it rains in Nathang valley, Oxygen level also drops in the air, causing trouble for tourists. The locals are made of iron lungs! 

I wonder what makes the old people of Nathang valley endure such extreme hardship. “This is my home!” An old lady grinned. Her toothless face lits up as she points out her son has gone to Gangtok, to study and work. 

Nathang valley to Gangtok

On our last day at Zuluk, we started at 11 from Zuluk and reached Gangtok by 5 pm. On the way, we stopped at Nathang valley and Changu (Tsomgo Lake) and saw Nathula as well. We did not venture to Nathula as we did not have permit and border was closed due to the ongoing lockdown issue. Recently, road to Nathula has been open and permits are given at check points. If you want to visit Nathula, mention the same at Rangli check point where your permit will be prepared.

Start early for the day and proceed to Gangtok. This way, you will have ample time to make multiple stops on the way. It is going to be one of the most beautiful road-trips in the Himalayas. I often compare this to the day trip to Bum La Pass from Tawang.

The road from Nathang is maintained by army and created by BRO. It is designed in a way that heavy duty army vehicles can easily operate on the high altitude terrain. Heavy snow and stuff do not usually perturb its make. I have heard many people complain that Sikkim has terrible road condition. I agree if you are talking about west Sikkim and the districts bordering with Indian states. But the international border is extremely well laid!

You can choose to stop at Baba Mandir. There are two, one is old baba Mandir and the other one is new baba mandir. The entire stretch is arid, with sparse vegetation. Wooly yaks roam with élan. A few shepherds appear out of nowhere. On the right hand, we had an entire valley covered with clouds. This happens in high altitude areas. We were told, that is China, once the stronghold of Tibet, the forbidden kingdom.

Also read : Phang Nga Bay, the other ace of Phuket that is hardly seen!

Should one plan a night at the Nathang valley?

At a height of 14,000 feet, Nathang Valley stands as an ode to the poem, Life Finds a Way! Once only inhabited by the yak herders of Tibet, Nathang valley had makeshift night arrangements for the caravans of silk route. Now, a few homestays have taken over with meagre arrangements to sustain life for a limited time. Nathang is accessible by tourists only for a handful months of dry summer and early autumn. During winter, gutsy wind blows in to the valley from every corner of the world, making life, forget holidaying, an adventure! Our guide mentioned the time he was stuck here with his vehicle under 5 feet deep snow!

Staying at Nathang valley is a daring adventure, is what I hear from my friends who spend a night at one of the many homestays at Nathang Valley. It is a task to take out your feet of the blanket and feet the toes after sundown. During sunrise, you see Kanchenjunga and the entire sleeping Buddha range standing in alert at a distance. From Nathang valley, the Sleeping Buddha range feels closer and more magnificent than ever. May be Pelling comes to a close comparison, however Pelling is a touristy town.

From Nathang valley, driving down to Gangtok brings you closer to the Hati Lake (elephant lake), Memencho lake and a few more high passes. It was biting cold and I barely could put my nose out of the car!

If weather condition shows a bit of red alert, authorities would not issue permits to visit Nathang valley. You have to take your car back from Zuluk itself. Zuluk usually does not receive heavy snow. Thambi view point, on the other hand, may be covered with snow, making the ride to Thambi quite an exciting one!

Places to visit near Nathang Valley

I laugh as I write this but Nathang Valley has the most of “Things to do” in the entire area. This is like nature being playful and throws a challenge. “Can you do this?” If you can not stand the cold, stay back in Zuluk, visit nathang valley as a day trip and see the following points. 

• Baba Mandir
• Trek down from Baba Mandir and visit Memencho Lake (4 km trek downhill)
• A little monastery where a handful of local Buddhist monks live in Nathang Valley
• The Eagle Nest Bunker (13,700 feet & a hard find). However, visit this place for an early morning sunrise view when you can have a 360 degree view of the entire valley, with kanchanjengha at one side and Tibet at another. I hear people say, you can even spot the mighty Bramhaputra river (Tsongpo River, his origin which is now in occupied Tibet). For astrophotography, eagle’s nest Bunker is a golden hunt!
• Tukla valley: 15 km from Kupup, Tukla straddles shoulder with Chinese border and remains partly accessible by the tourists. An eighteen-hole golf course called Yak Course (13025 feet) makes Tukla the highest golf course in the world. The Yak Golf Course has found a place in the Guinness book of world records for being the highest in the world. Golfers do not use a car here, instead they ride a yak! Many compare Tukla to be similar to Yumthang of North Sikkim.
• On a clear sky day, you may see Jelep la from Tuk La valley. Through Jelep La, one could travel all the way to Lhasa. Now the road is closed (under PLA). Old Trades have eventually paved way for short lived tourism.

Nathang valley is incredible! They say the mountains are different with the onset of a new season. I do not think you can witness the change any better anywhere else but nathang valley. A few mountain streams mark a boundary for this little village. Once a halt for the caravans coming from Lhasa, Nathang is now a brave halt for adventure seekers of plainlanders. 

The battle of Natahng was fought here in 1888, between the Tibetan & British forces. Legends of the fallen soldiers resonate in the air. 

In Nathang, please stay at the Daftar Bungalow! Once used by the British to collect custom duty (ugh the colonists) Daftar Bungalow is the only stone construction in the village where gutsy wind does not find a way in! It has been renovated by the department of tourism Sikkim Govt. In the peak of winter, winter skiing takes place in the valley. 

I recommend you visit Nathang on a clear sky day to truly experience the beauty of this vast land! But then mountains and her moods, we have no control over! If Nathang remains under thickets of fog, you will not be able to see many prime attractions on the road, including the Zuluk zigzag roads. 

Stop at the Changu lake (Tsomgo Lake) on the way back to Gangtok

Nathang valley to Gangtok: 5 hours ( with stop at Changu lake for an hour)

The highlight of returning to Gangtok from Zuluk was albeit a stop at Changu Lake. The glacial lake, a sacred waterbody to the locals, is a touristy spot. Much like the Pangong Tso, Tsomgo lake too changes its colour with the movement of Sun. Order piping hot Maggi, ride the largest cable car, get a picture with the decked up yaks or just walk close to the bank of the lake. Plan for a couple of hours to spend by the beautiful Changu lake!

Due to its close vicinity to Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake is frequently visited by a number of tourists, making is a bit underwhelming with the crowd and the usual touristy things. Despite being located at 12,300+ feet height, Tsomgo lake lacked the celestial vibe all thanks to the crowd.

Steal a few lone moment as you ride the highest cable car of Asia over Tsomgo Lake and reach for the table top plateau that lets you take a bird’s eye view of the high passes you have covered to make this journey a worthwhile!

make sure you reach back to Gangtok before sunset. Black ice starts to set in at the end of the day when sunlight do not abound the valley, making the ride a challenging one.

Also read : 2 weeks itinerary for planning a trip to Myanmar !

A Responsible Traveler’s Guide to Old Silk Route, Sikkim

Needless to point it out but old silk Route happens to be one of the most fragile ecological zone in the entire world. To top on it, it is a dangerously protected zone, reminding you a sleeping demon may wake up at any moment, disbalancing the peace that prevails in the valley! The trade caravans have retreated their old tracts paving way for amphibious war vehicles reigning the distant emptiness.

Thankfully, the major crowd puller in Sikkim remains the road to North Sikkim that empties vehicles by the banks of Gurudongmar lake or the beautiful Tsomgo Lake. The later has been taking it one for the team for ages now!

Sikkim is famous as one of the cleanest states of the country. Inhabitants of Sikkim state are well disciplined and follow the decorum. However it will take a while to grow that civic sense among the tour parties who frolic around with empty plastic packets of chips and glass bottles of beers. Be it the scenic Thambi view point or the banks of Tsomgo, no place finds a respite from this unrelenting litter.

people in the mountain usually wake up early, say 5 am. Nights are long and dark with power supply being erratic. dinner would be served by 7 or at best 8 pm since the homestay owners have to finish kitchen work by 10. Please co operate with them.

One way to help save the chastity of the region is by not playing Hindi music in loudspeaker. Please?

Please do not click pictures of Military installments. It is written on boards too.

Refrain from night drives because the road is lonely and black ice is lethal.

There is no hospital in close vicinity. In case of medical emergency, locals and tourists usually rush to army camp.

Avoid staying at Nathang valley if you are traveling with a small kid. That thing air may not be suitable for young lungs.

PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. I am sure if you had been my reader for a while, you know this. But this is for the newer ones, plastic waste by one tour party seems to be an innocent mistake but in reality that litter goes on to live for thousands of years and eventually becomes a part of the ecology in broken down form, increasing the power to pollute to infinity.

Also read : How to plan a trip to Varanasi as a solo woman traveler?

Medical facilities in the area is extremely limited with communication limited to faint network by the main road on certain network ones only. Please get your basic medication handy. Do not rush. DONT RUSH. Allow your body to acclimatize to the astounding heights of Old Silk Route and climb slow but steady. Not everyday you come so close to nature. It is absolutely okay to stay back and soak in the atmosphere!

Please get your Covid tests done, along with latest RTPCR report. Always keep the mask on when you are dealing with the locals. You have means to travel back to the city, quarantine, access to information and latest medical treatments. Locals in Zuluk do not have these privileges. Please get the test done. Do not be a rule flouter by any means.

The flags on the mountains are hoisted to bring peace to the valley. respect them, especially if they seem to be fallen off grid. If you have not received the permit to access a particular zone, do not try to play around. It is IAF we are talking about. Rules are meant to be adhered at old Silk Route.

If you are visiting the ancient monasteries, please respect the monks and the hand painted artefacts and thangkas. They are priceless to the locals and these antiquities date back to thousands of years!

Resources are scarce at the old Silk Route. Be mindful of what you can consume and take only that much on your plate. Homestay owners grow a little bit of vegetables including potatoes and cabbages which will be stored for the long bitter cold winter too. They will share a bit with your for a price.

Respect for locals and rule of the land comes imperative while you traveling to a remote land such as Old Silk Route. this not only sustains the tourism infrastructure of Zuluk but also ensures you have a safe ride back home!

Also read : Offbeat destinations in Greece for the first time visitor!

FAQs on Planning a trip to Old Silk Route

Q: Best Time to Visit Old Silk Route?

-Plan your trip to the Old Silk Route during Dry months, from Mid Oct to Mid Jan and Mid April to Mid July

Q: Can I visit Old Silk Route During Mid December?

-I visited Old Silk Route during Mid December and the trip was worth it! The weather was clear. We did the entire loop from Aritar to Gangtok with Zuluk and Nathang valley in between.

Q: Should you stay at Nathang Valley?

-If you can withstand biting cold and gutsy winds, please choose to stay at Nathang Valley for a night. It is going to be an experience of a lifetime! Of course it depends if you can procure a permit to visit Nathang valley at Rongli check point.

Q: If Zuluk Safe for solo women travelers?

-Zuluk is sparsely populated. there is no hostel. Overall it is a safe place with hospitable and kind locals. Weather could be a challenge though. getting medical help is a challenge too at Zuluk.

Q:Is it safe to visit Old Silk Route?

-Old Silk Route is an ancient trade route that connected India and China through Tibet. It is famous for the hair pin bends known as Zuluk loop. Zuluk is a safe and offbeat destination in east Sikkim however due to increased altitude, there might be breathing troubles. Please acclimatize well as you ascend to Zuluk, Lungthung and Nathang valley.

Q: Is it expensive to travel to old Silk Route in Sikkim?

-You have to arrange for a car for the entire road-trip. Ideally you should get an Innova or a similar car and prices start from 30 thousand INR onwards. Homestays cost INR 2000 onwards. For meals, prices go up a bit higher. Everything is chargeable, starting from hot running water to room heater. Overall, traveling to to Old Silk Route is by no means a cheap travel however it is worth every penny you spend due to the beautiful scenic beauty the road entails!

Q: Is Silk Route Tour in Zuluk open in December?

-Usually Old Silk Route remains open in December however North Sikkim gets closed by the mid of December.

Q: Old Silk Route in Sikkim height?

-Zuluk stands at 9400 feet. Nathang valley is at 13,400 feet. Tsomgo Lake sits at 12,700 feet.

Q: Is Silk Route Worth Visiting?

-The Old Silk Route in Sikkim is one of the best offbeat destination in India. It is one of the stunning road-trips across Himalayas that lets you take a beautiful view of the entire Sleeping Buddha range throughout he journey!

Q: The Best places to visit on the old Silk Route?

-On the Old Silk Route, my favourite destinations are: Zuluk, Lungthung, Nathula and Tsomgo Lake.

Q: Can I travel from Zuluk to NJP in a day?

-Technically, you can however it is a long road with many possible road blocks and the journey would be too tiring. Instead, stop at Aritar for a day and break the journey in two parts. Safe journey and happy journey!

Q: Can I visit Silk route tour if it snows?

-If it snows lightly, you may be provided with a permit to complete the entire loop of Old Silk Route from Aritar to Gangtok. However, in case of heavy snow storm, you will only be able to ascend till the Thambi View point. Sometimes, permits are issued for Nathang valley as well. But the road onwards is heavily militized for proximity to international border and often limited for commoners due to increased safety risk.

Q: Should I stay at Zuluk or Nathang valley?

-Make your base at Zuluk and see if you can endure the extreme cold. If the answer is yes, head towards Nathang valley for a night stay or you can visit Nathang as a day trip destination too. It is only a 30 minutes drive from Zuluk.

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Unveiling the Routes: What Was the Most Popular Way to Travel the Silk Road? Discover with Minzifa Travel

1. Unraveling the Journey: What Was the Most Popular Way to Travel the Silk Road?

The preferred silk road mode.

Minzifa Travel takes you back in time to discover the most popular way to travel the Silk Road . Explore how ancient caravans, laden with goods and cultural exchange, dominated the route, leaving a lasting legacy of trade and exploration.

The Caravan Conduits

Caravans were the heartbeat of the Silk Road’s popularity. Minzifa Travel delves into the intricacies of these organized groups of traders, merchants, and adventurers who journeyed together, forming a protective and mutually beneficial way to traverse the challenging terrains.

The Camels: Lifeline of the Silk Road

Camels were the workhorses that made the caravans possible. Minzifa Travel highlights the importance of these sturdy creatures, adapted to arid landscapes, and their role in facilitating trade, transport, and the cultural exchange that defined the most popular way to journey the Silk Road.

2. The Experience of Caravan Travel: Immersing in the Most Popular Silk Road Way

Trade, culture, and connection.

Minzifa Travel showcases how traveling in caravans fostered more than trade—it cultivated cultural exchange, understanding, and unity. Discover how the most popular way of Silk Road travel brought people of diverse backgrounds together in the pursuit of shared goals.

Caravanserais: Hubs of Exchange

Along the Silk Road, caravanserais acted as vital rest stops for travelers. Minzifa Travel delves into how these fortified structures not only offered shelter and safety but also facilitated cross-cultural interactions and the exchange of ideas, further enriching the journey.

Modern Echoes: Revisiting the Caravan Spirit

While caravans might have faded into history, their spirit lives on. Minzifa Travel invites you to embrace the camaraderie and sense of adventure that defined the most popular way to journey the Silk Road, even as you traverse the route through modern transportation.

3. The Minzifa Travel Experience: Reliving the Most Popular Way of Silk Road Travel

Guided caravan adventures.

Minzifa Travel brings the past to life with guided caravan adventures. Our expert guides lead you through the narratives and landscapes that defined the Silk Road’s most popular way of travel, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and exploration.

Cultural Connections and Traditions

Caravan travel wasn’t just about reaching destinations; it was about forging connections. Minzifa Travel introduces you to local artisans, traditions, and stories that provide a deeper understanding of the Silk Road’s significance, making your journey meaningful and enriching.

Begin Your Caravan Adventure

Curious about the most popular way to travel the Silk Road? Minzifa Travel invites you to relive the legacy. Book your Silk Road adventure today and immerse yourself in the camaraderie, culture, and exploration that define this historic trade route.

Silk Road Weather in May: a Good Time to Visit Weather-Wise (2024)

May is one of the best times to visit China’s Silk Road because of its pleasant average daily temperature range of 9–24°C (48–75°F) , which applies to most areas, and there are relatively few visitors.

There is little rainfall in May (and throughout the year) and the further west you go, the drier it gets. Occasionally, you may encounter dusty weather when visiting the desert areas.

Climate averages for the Silk Road in China:

• Temperature range: 9–24°C (48–75°F)
• Rainfall: 15 mm (0.6 in)
• Sunny days: 24
• Rainy days: 5
• Dusty days: 2

Content Preview

• May Weather for 8 Major Silk Road Cities
• Special Experiences for You in May
• What Should I Wear in May
• Is It Expensive to Visit the Silk Road in May

Average May Weather for 8 Major Silk Road Cities

The temperature in most cities on the Silk Road in May is warm, except for Turpan, which is very hot and one of the hottest places in China. May is mostly sunny with little rain, but the daily temperature ranges are big so both summery and warm clothes are needed.

Xi'an: Warm but Likely to Rain

Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road. It is warm in Xi’an in May, but it rains on 1 in 3 days in May. Light rain gear is advisable for possible rainfall, which is mostly light.

Lanzhou: Cool and Pleasant

The weather in Lanzhou is comfortable in May. As an old  Silk Road  city, Lanzhou is a window into the history of the Silk Road. Besides, Lanzhou is an important transportation hub on the way to Lhasa, Tibet.

Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang: Dry, Windy, and Sandy

The further you travel west along the Silk Road, the weather becomes drier and drier, so be sure to take moisturizing products and drink more water.  You may encounter dusty weather there,  as such, taking your sunglasses, preparing a face mask, and wearing a hat is wise.

Urumqi: Warm and Comfortable

May is a good month to travel to Urumqi weather-wise. It is neither cold, as it is from November to April, nor hot, as it is from June to August. The weather in Urumqi in May is very suitable for outdoor travel because of the comfortable weather.

Turpan: Hot with Strong Sunlight

The temperature in Turpan in May is very hot, especially in the Flaming Mountains tourism area. The highest temperature could reach well over 34°C (93°F) there, but it is mild at night.

Kashgar: Warm and Dry

Kashgar is comfortable warm and hardly ever rains in May. Kashgar is one of the most important cities on China's Silk Road. It is suitable for tourism all year round, but May is the best time, for the pleasant weather with few tourists in May.

3 Special Experiences for You in May

Every year from May to October, many travelers choose to take a cultural family trip or couple’s trip along the Silk Road for their big celebrations, such as big birthdays, 30-year anniversaries, or the start of retirement.

In addition to the popular attractions, here are three special experiences we recommend for you:

1. Xi'an: Immersive Han and Tang Cultural Experience

As well as visiting the Terracotta Army, a Han and Tang cultural experience is recommended. There are not as many people around and the weather is warm in May. So, it’s a great month to wear a colorful hanfu or Tang costume, dressing up as a person from ancient/medieval China, to immerse yourself in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and Tang Dynasty (618–907) cultures.

2. Zhangye Danxia National Geopark: a Paradise for Photographers

Spring and autumn are wise times to visit the Danxia landforms because summer there is very hot and winter is cold. This is one of the places that photography enthusiasts like. The Danxia landforms are colorfully-layered rock formations, a.k.a. the Rainbow Mountains of China.

You could take stunning photos of them in May, while avoiding the crowds.  The best time to shoot is in the afternoon when the Danxia landforms are at their most gorgeous and colorful.

There are many viewing platforms in the scenic area. Platform 4 is the best place for shooting a sunset or sunrise, and platform 2 is the most suitable for shooting panoramic views. Be sure to leave enough time to visit all the amazing Danxia landforms viewpoints that you are interested in.

Tip:  Take care to protect your camera as the wind may blow sand into it.

3. Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves: a Glittering Pearl Adorning the Silk Road

May is an off-season time to visit the Mogao Caves (apart from around Labor Day), so you could  admire the Buddhist murals and carvings without being disturbed by crowds. Spending 3 hours immersing yourself in these great works of art, you may be amazed by the exquisite details and the history they reveal.

Festival: The Bathing the Buddha Festival falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month every year (May 15 in 2024 and May 5 in 2025) . This is Sakyamuni’s birthday and locals gather at the Mogao Caves, praying for peace and good things. There is a special temple fair and you could see special folk performances. Inevitably, you would encounter large festival crowds, so it is highly recommended that you prepare in advance.

Contact us  for your own tailor-made private tour with experiences that are as hassle-free as possible.

What Should I Wear in May?

Short sleeves and warm jackets are needed.  Because of the temperature difference between morning and evening, you would need to wear short sleeves during the day and a warm jacket, such as a fleece, would be necessary for the chilly mornings and evenings.

Hats, sunglasses, and face masks are a must. The sunshine is very strong in May, so remember to protect yourself from the sun’s rays. You may encounter sand blowing around in the desert areas so remember to protect yourself and your camera from it.

Don’t forget some comfortable walking shoes. Most scenic spots are outdoors, such as Zhangye’s Danxia landscape and Jiayu Pass, so be sure to wear lightweight, comfortable shoes.

The climate in the northwest is very dry so be sure to prepare moisturizing products and water bottles.

Dress tips for photos:  It is recommended to wear loose clothing with solid colors (white, black, blue, etc.). For example, women could wear pure white long skirts for a picturesque couple’s photo in Danxia. But if you visit a place with ethnic customs, bright national costumes are recommended for local-style photos.

Is It Expensive to Visit the Silk Road in May?

The travel cost in May is US$350–400 per person per day for a private tour with 4-star hotels. May is not yet the peak season on the Silk Road compared to the summer vacation, so prices would be much cheaper, except for Labor Day. Generally speaking, you would need to spend more than 1 week there to explore the Silk Road in depth, so a private trip would be from around US$2,500 each.

During the Labor Day holiday (May 1st to 5th in 2024) , costs are about 30% more expensive and there are a lot of tourists. In order to increase your comfort levels and value-for-money when traveling, it is recommended that you avoid this time.

Contact us  for a tailor-made private tour that makes the best of travel opportunities in May.

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