14-Day Silk Road Self-Drive Tour: Xi’an to Urumqi
Overview
The route starts in Xi’an, continues through Baoji, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and finishes in Urumqi. Built around the Gansu Corridor, with Zhangye and Jiayuguan as another main focus, this itinerary is best suited to experienced road-trip travelers comfortable with long driving days and changing road conditions. Driving time, vehicle arrangements and overnight stops are confirmed from Xi’an onward.
Your Route Map
Tour Highlights
- Drive west from Xi’an through Baoji and Lanzhou before entering the historic Gansu Corridor.
- See Zhangye’s Danxia landforms and Jiayuguan’s Great Wall setting on consecutive road stages.
- Spend two days around Dunhuang for the Mogao Caves, desert scenery, Yumen Pass and Yadan landforms.
- Continue through Hami and Shanshan to Turpan for oasis culture and the low desert-basin landscape.
- Finish the self-drive route in Urumqi after crossing from Turpan into northern Xinjiang’s main gateway.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route / main plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Xi’an |
| 2 | Xi’an Historical Sites |
| 3 | Xi’an to Baoji |
| 4 | Baoji to Lanzhou |
| 5 | Lanzhou to Zhangye via Wushaoling and Wuwei |
| 6 | Zhangye Danxia and Drive to Jiayuguan |
| 7 | Jiayuguan to Dunhuang |
| 8 | Mogao Caves and Dunhuang Desert Scenery |
| 9 | Yumen Pass and Yadan Landforms |
| 10 | Dunhuang to Hami via Yangguan |
| 11 | Hami to Shanshan |
| 12 | Shanshan to Turpan |
| 13 | Turpan to Urumqi |
| 14 | Depart Urumqi |
Tour at a Glance
| Travel style | supported self-drive tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 days |
| Route | Xi’an to Baoji to Lanzhou to Zhangye to Jiayuguan to Dunhuang to Hami to Turpan to Urumqi |
| Activity level | Moderate, with substantial travel between overnight stops |
| Best for | experienced road-trip travelers comfortable with long driving days and changing road conditions |
| When to go | Spring or autumn; other seasons depend on the route |
Good to Know Before You Go
Pace and Physical Demands
Moderate, with substantial travel between overnight stops. Protect road and rest time instead of adding attractions to already long days. Use the daily plan to understand the walking required around the Gansu Corridor and the travel time between overnight stops.
Season and Reservations
Spring and autumn are usually comfortable. Check public-holiday crowds, summer heat or rain, and seasonal opening hours against the exact travel dates. For the 14-Day Silk Road Self-Drive Tour Xi’an to Urumqi, confirm current access and any timed entry for Zhangye and Jiayuguan after choosing the dates.
- A foreign driving licence alone is not sufficient; check the applicable temporary permit, vehicle and insurance arrangements.
Related Destinations and China Travel Guides
- Xi’an
- Baoji
- Lanzhou
- Zhangye
- Jiayuguan
- Best Time to Visit China
- How to Pay in China
- First Trip to China: Where to Go
Customize This China Tour
Use Plan My Trip to send your dates, group size and preferred pace, including any special request around the Gansu Corridor. Driving days, overnight stops and support can be adjusted after current licence, vehicle and route requirements are confirmed. We will verify availability and return with a trip-specific plan and price.
Daily Itinerary
Arrive in Xi'an, meet the local transfer and check in at the hotel. Use the remaining time to rest and consider the vehicle, licence, insurance and road-support arrangements before the westbound drive begins.
Use the first full day for Xi'an's historical context, with the Terracotta Warriors, city wall and Muslim Quarter forming the main choices. Keep the final selection realistic so there is time to prepare luggage and the vehicle for departure the next morning.
Begin the self-drive section from Xi'an and continue west to Baoji. Treat this as the first road stage, with fuel, rest breaks and the overnight location confirmed in advance. Do not repeat the previous day's Xi'an sightseeing after the route has left the city.
Leave Baoji and continue to Lanzhou, crossing from Shaanxi into Gansu. Allow a full travel window for the road, regular breaks and city traffic on arrival. check in at Lanzhou and keep any evening walk independent and close to the hotel.
Drive from Lanzhou to Zhangye through the Gansu Corridor, passing the Wushaoling and Wuwei sections named in the route. This is a long onward stage, so build the day around road conditions, fuel and rest stops, then stay overnight in Zhangye.
Visit Zhangye's Danxia landscape at a time suited to weather and visibility, then continue west to Jiayuguan. Leave enough daylight and road time for the onward drive rather than treating Zhangye as an overnight-only stop. Check in after reaching Jiayuguan.
Use the morning for Jiayuguan's Great Wall history and Gobi setting, then drive west toward Dunhuang. The road stage is part of the sightseeing context of the corridor, but the schedule still needs a practical arrival and hotel check-in at Dunhuang.
Visit the Mogao Caves on the confirmed timed ticket, then continue to the selected desert section around Dunhuang, such as the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake area. Summer heat and cave-entry times should determine the order rather than a fixed midday schedule.
Set out from Dunhuang for the longer day trip toward Yumen Pass and the Yadan landforms. The route crosses exposed desert terrain, so carry water and allow for wind, heat and substantial driving time. Return to Dunhuang after the visit.
Leave Dunhuang for Hami, including the listed Yangguan section before the route crosses into Xinjiang. This is a major road day; confirm fuel, permits or checkpoints, rest breaks and the Hami hotel before departure. Avoid adding a distant desert excursion on the same stage.
Continue west from Hami to Shanshan through eastern Xinjiang's oasis and desert landscape. Keep the schedule centered on the drive, with heat, wind and road conditions considered in the stop plan. Reach Shanshan for the overnight stay.
Drive from Shanshan to Turpan and begin the oasis section of the journey. Use the cooler parts of the day for any selected Turpan visit, since summer temperatures in the basin can be intense. Stay overnight in Turpan.
Complete any confirmed Turpan visit in the morning, then drive north to Urumqi. Include city traffic, vehicle return or inspection and hotel check-in at the usable time. The self-drive route ends after arrival in Urumqi.
Transfer from the Urumqi hotel to the airport or railway station according to the confirmed departure time. Allow enough time for luggage, any remaining vehicle formalities, city traffic and terminal procedures.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Ground services required from Xi'an through to Urumqi
- Accommodation for the 13 overnight stops shown in the itinerary
- Admission or activity arrangements for the Gansu Corridor, plus Zhangye and Jiayuguan, when listed for the departure
- Transport needed to travel from Xi'an through to Urumqi
Before payment, check the dated service list for the arrangements around the Gansu Corridor and the overnight stops.
Not Included
- International transport before arrival in Xi'an and after departure from Urumqi
- Meals not identified as included in the departure details
- Optional experiences outside the planned program around the Gansu Corridor or Zhangye and Jiayuguan
- Insurance, visas, gratuities and traveler-requested changes
