Marco Polo’s Summer Silk Road Exped
fromRetrace the footsteps of the legendary Marco Polo and his traders, as you relive one of history’s greatest journeys. Not only will you travel the ancient Silk Road on this tour across vast deserts and through the ruins of lost cities, but you will have a glimpse of vanishing Kashgar.
Smell the bustling bazaars with their rich smell of food, spices, incense and experience Uyghur hospitality in Turpan.
You will also marvel at the mummies in Urumqi and find enlightenment in Dunhuang’s Mogao Cave. But above all else, you will feel the desolateness and vast expanse of the Taklamakan Desert.
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Style Type
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China
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Culture
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Discovery
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Expedition
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Level Fairly Easy
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Group Size Medium Group
The Silk Road remains one of the world’s most legendary journeys, full of dusty desert roads and ancient towns immortalized in the accounts of Marco Polo.
Desert landscapes stretch out endlessly along this ancient crossroad of civilization, broken up only by the occasional oasis settlement.
The legacy of this trade route has shaped the region’s multiculturalism, becoming the home to several ethnicities, religions and languages.
Join us as we retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and his traders by exploring the bustling bazaars and experience the desolateness of the Taklamakan Desert. Wander through the unique cities that seem more Central Asian than Chinese.
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- China travel adviceby GOV.UK on 06/09/2023 at 1:57 pm
Updated information about entry requirements ('Entry requirements' page).
Radisson Blu Kashgar
The first international hotel in Kashgar, the Radisson Blu offers rooms that have views of the city and Kirzlesu River. 
Silk Road Hotel Dunhuang
Boasting unbeatable views of rolling sand dunes, this hotel brings out the character and history of the ancient Silk Road.
- All overland transfers with chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
- All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
- All meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
- English-speaking guide
- All accommodations, based on double-occupancy and including breakfast, service charge, and government tax
- Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
- International & domestic flights and relevant taxes (please speak to us and we can organise your flights)
- Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders (please speak to us and we can organise).
- Travel, health and trip cancellation insurance
- Meals apart from those included in the itinerary and alcohol
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
- Discretionary gratuities for guides and chauffeurs
You can secure your booking by paying a deposit of $500 USD. To start the booking process, get in touch with us and we will begin to organise your trip.
Visas
British nationals normally need a visa to enter mainland China, including Hainan Island, but not Hong Kong or Macao.
With effect from 1 November 2018, all visa applicants aged between 14 and 70 inclusive will need to make their visa application in person at a Visa Application Centre. As part of the application process, biometric data (scanned fingerprints) will now have to be provided.
Biometric data may be checked/collected by the Immigration Authorities when entering China to register your entry to the country.
If you’re transiting China, visa waivers are available in certain places. Visitors transiting through Shanghai can apply online for a 144 hour visa exemption via the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection. In other visa waiver transit locations, applications must be made in person on arrival. Contact the Chinese Embassy or the China Visa Application Service Centrebefore your proposed trip for further information. You can also consult your airline/tour operator about visa requirements.
If you visit Hong Kong from the mainland of China and wish to return to the mainland, you’ll need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China.
It is your responsibility to check your visa details carefully. Don’t overstay your visa or work illegally. The authorities conduct regular checks and you may be fined, detained or deported (or all three).
If you remain in China longer than 6 months, you may need to get a Residence Permit.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from China. You may be required to show a police report indicating how you lost your full passport.
If your ETD has been issued in China, you will need an exit visa from the Public Security Bureau before you can leave. This process can take up to 7 working days.
Registering with the Chinese authorities
You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this requirement with regular spot-checks of foreigners’ documentation. If you’re staying in a hotel, they will do this for you as part of the check-in process.
Yellow fever certificate requirements
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.
Working in China
You can only work in China if you have a Z visa – tourist and business visit visas don’t allow you to do so. You must also hold a valid work permit. The local police regularly carry out checks on companies/schools. Violation of Chinese immigration laws can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, deportation, a travel ban preventing you from leaving China, and an exclusion order, which prevents you from returning.
Before you leave the UK you should contact the Chinese Embassy to check visa requirements. When submitting your visa application, and when you receive your work permit, check that the details are correct, including the location you’ll be working in. If they’re not, you can be detained.
If you intend to change employer once you’re in China, you should check with the Chinese authorities whether a new visa and work permit is required before doing so.
Teaching in China
Teaching in China can be a rewarding experience, but before you travel it’s important that you research thoroughly the school or university that is hiring you and are confident that they are following the law. There have been many incidents of teachers being detained and/or deported for working on the wrong visas. It is your responsibility to check you’re working on the correct visa.
Yes of course, all our packages are fully customisable, allowing you to get the most out of your trip.
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