The Great Silk Road
Once an important caravan trade route, the Great Silk Road is now a fantastic trekking opportunity for those taking tours of china. The road first operated in the 2nd Century BC and ran from the silk producing areas of China through to the main regions of the Roman Empire. Obviously at that time the main commodity being traded was the luxurious silk of China – hence the name of the road.
Over the centuries, the Great Silk Road developed into a complex system of caravan routes that started in China and ran across Asia and Europe. This one road is responsible for the growth and development of some of the most influential cities of history plus the art of paper manufacturing and silk worm breeding in Central Asia.
Trekking the Great Silk Road
The road runs for thousands of miles, so trekking the entire length of the original Great Silk Road takes plenty of determination and some very stout boots. Most people who want to experience the sights of the ancient road tend to stick to the Chinese section and there are various ways to do this.
You can start from Beijing or Shanghai and travel the first section of the road westward until you reach Urumqi, a beautiful city on the edge of China. From here you can then fly back to your starting point with the entire trip taking around two weeks. On the way you’ll be treated to some of China’s richest landscapes and the towns and cities you visit are perfect for showing the true culture of the Orient.
The top attractions of the trek include the cities of Turpan – where you’ll find unique oases and ancient Buddha Caves – Dunhuang, Jiayuguan and Xian. Many smaller towns are also included in the itineraries of organised treks to truly big the experience alive.
Another option is to just explore the sections of the Great Silk Road around Beijing or Shanghai. You can spend as many days as you like and there are still plenty of examples of ancient architecture, stunning landscapes and oriental treasures to be seen.
For those that are keen on trekking and fancy a change from the Great Wall of China then the Great Silk Road is the perfect alternative. There are plenty of tour operators in the main cities that offer guided treks along the route, or if you prefer you can trek unattended and put together your own itinerary.
Although not as widely known as the other attractions of China, this trekking route is very popular and people who walk the road often see a side of China that they never thought existed. This beautiful route takes you back in time and shows you the best that China has to offer while also letting you see the cities that very few others get to see.