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Istanbul to Beijing Overview

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See Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan as you travel from Istanbul to Beijing

Get ready for a massive overland adventure from bustling Istanbul to Beijing’s metropolitan core. Travel through some of Asia’s most remote, wild and unique wildernesses along the legendary Silk Road into China. See Istanbul’s famous blue mosque, cross Iran’s remote desert landscapes as you travel to Tehran, pass through Uzbekistan’s soaring mountain vistas, tour Xi’an’s famous Terracotta Warriors and arrive at secluded sections of the snaking Great Wall of China. From Turkey to Turkmenistan and beyond, this adventure encompasses the very best of Central Asia and the Middle East. If you're longing for an epic overland odyssey away from the tourist crowds, Beijing to Istanbul is just for you.

  • Climb deserted sections of the Great Wall of China
  • Explore the sprawling Ishak Pasa Palace
  • Explore the temple and pagoda studded Kongtong Mountain
  • Hike through the Djety Oguz Valley
  • Visit Istanbul and tour the Blue Mosque
  • Visit Kyrgyzstan’s epic Song Kol Lake
  • Walk through the Enchanted Valley
  • Wander through Beijing’s’ Forbidden City

Istanbul to Beijing Summary

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Days 50-51 Song-Kol Lake

Spend the night in a yurt near Song-Kol Lake and join in a game of ulak-tartysh.

Day 52 Bush Camp

Make tracks back to Bishkek, stopping to camp in the wilderness overnight.

Days 53-54 Bishkek

Relax on the final days in Bishek. Why not stroll through the city's markets and haggle for bargains. Alternatively, relaxing in an Oak Park cafe and reflecting on the adventure is another good option!

Day 55 Kochkor

Day 56 Bush Camp

Day 57 Kashgar

Day 58 Karakol

Days 59-61 Kashgar

Travel to the westernmost end of China and visit Kashgar, an exotic fusion of Chinese, Uzbek and Kyrgyz. Wander the streets that weave through the old town and discover the markets and bazaars of this diverse city.

Days 62-63 Bush Camp

Leave Kashgar and head to the outskirts of the enormous Taklamakan Desert. Travelling into seemingly unchartered terrain, spend two days on an overland adventure.

Days 64-65 Heavenly Lake

Travel towards the Tian Shan mountain range, and arrive at the pristine Heavenly Lake. Located at the top of a mountain - and in the middle of a desert - this is a remote spot, perfect for relaxation.

Days 66-67 Turpan

Escape the desert sands in the laidback town of Turpan.

Day 68 Bush Camp

Continue the overland adventure towards the ancient Silk Road town of Dunhuang. Spend the night wild camping beneath the desert stars.

Days 69-70 Dunhuang

Arrive in Dunhuang and relax in this Gansu oasis trading town. Visit the nearby Mogao Caves and discover their breathtaking Buddhist art.

Days 71-72 Bush Camp/Great Wall

Drive to Jiayuguan and discover deserted sections of the Great Wall.

Days 73-74 Liujiaxia

At the crossroads of Qinghai and Gangsu, arrive at Liujiaxia. Visit the Bingling Si Buddhist Grottoes to see intricate cliff-side carvings.

Days 75-76 Xiahe

Travel to the Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, often described as one of the most enchanting places to visit in China.

Day 77 Lanzhou

Relax beside the rushing waters of the Yellow River.

Day 78 Pingliang

Camp beneath the stars.

Days 79-81 Xi'an

Admire the 2,000-year-old army of Terracotta Warriors at the end of this journey from Kashgar to Xian.

Days 82-83 Gansu Province/Mount Kongtong

Admire the view from atop the temple-studded Kongtong Mountain and enjoy the spoils of Gansu Province, which has a rich and colourful history as one of the important links on the ancient Silk Road.

Day 84 Shapotou

The reward for a morning of travel is letting off steam in Shapotou, where daredevils will delight in the dune sliding madness of this sandy wonderland. And if the stars align, embark on an overnight camel safari on the fringes of the stunning Tengger Desert.

Day 85 Yinchuan

After a pit stop at the grand temples of Zhongwei Gao Miao, enjoy fraternising with locals amid the ebb and flow of daily life in provincial China in the friendly city of Yinchuan.

Days 86-87 Hohhot

Travel to the cultural centre of Hohhot, the gateway to Inner Mongolia. This busy ancient city gives off a laidback vibe making it the perfect place to reload before embarking on a Mongolian homestay. Yak butter tea, anyone?

Days 88-89 Datong

Marvel at the Hanging Monastery, delicately perched on a steep cliff face in Golden Dragon Gorge, and explore the World Heritage listed Yungang Grottoes, home to a staggering collection of over 50,000 statues and fascinating ancient rock art.

Days 90-91 Chengde

Stroll through the lush Shanzhuang gardens in the footsteps of past Emperors who holidayed here. Take in the rich heritage of Chengde by bicycle or admire Mongolian and Tibetan influences in local temples and monasteries.

Day 92 Huairou

Take a walk along the monumental Great Wall as it snakes its way through rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Imagine the exhaustive effort of farmers and labourers who toiled for many generations to construct the Wall.

Day 93 Qing Dongling

Perhaps go on a short trek along a stunning section of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai.

Days 94-96 Beijing

Journey into the valley of the Changrui Mountains, where emperors and their concubines lay entombed at Qing Dongling. End the tour by joining the buzzing hive that is Beijing - a place where discovery and intrigue lie around every corner. Visit the Forbidden City to admire imperial architecture or the sprawling Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lake.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Istanbul, Turkey

  • Finish:

    Beijing, China

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    No meals included

  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (11 nts), Camping (with facilities) (7 nts), Guesthouse (2 nts), Homestay (2 nts), Hostel (2 nts), Hotel (53 nts), Yurt (4 nts)

  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    Aksu-Zhabagly National Park, Ali Qapu Palace, Esfahan walking tour, Forbidden City Tour, Fort & Wall Entrance Jiayuguan, Great Wall, Entrance, Jinshanling section, Beijing, Guided city tour, Guided tour of ancient ruins of Persepolis, Guided Tour of Cappadocia, Guided Tour of Terracotta Warriors, Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb, Guided walking tour, Hanging Monastery, Entrance, Datong, Hiking, Iman Mosque entrance and guided tour, Imperial City, entrance, Chengde, Ishak Pasha Palace, Jameh Mosque, Ming Tombs, entrance, Beijing, Mount Kong Tong, Regional Museum, Sunday Market, Tehran walking tour, Visit to ancient ruined city, Visit to Lake Tuz, Women's felt-making cooperative, Yunguang Grottos, Entrance, Datong
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About China , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Iran

    • 96
    • KDOZC
    • Extras tool tip
      CNY 50 Bell & Drum Towers
      CNY 80 Cycling on City Wall
    • Contact us Discontinued trips tool tip
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