Traveling the Silk Road in the Beautiful West of China

A journey to experience the romance of history that lives on along the Silk Road, a trade route that connected the cultures of the East and West

The Silk Road was named by the 19th century German geographer Richthofen because it was a trade route for transporting silk produced in China. This trade route network, which later came to be used as a general term for historical trade routes connecting the East and the West, is a historical place that has connected East Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, and Europe since ancient times. In particular, the multiple routes that run from China's Chang'an (now Xi'an) and Luoyang to Central Asia via Dunhuang, a city in northwestern Gansu Province, are components of the World Heritage Site "Silk Road: Trade Route Network of the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor," and are places where you can still feel the memories of important caravan routes that have been used since before the Common Era, such as the "Western Regions Southern Route" and the "Tianshan Southern Route." In this special feature, we will introduce cities and attractions that are deeply related to the Silk Road, such as Dunhuang, Urumqi, and Turpan. Take a trip to enjoy the large-scale scenery and exotic culture that have been passed down through time!

Dunhuang, an oasis city on the Silk Road

Located more than 2,000 km west of Beijing, in northwestern Gansu Province, Dunhuang developed as an oasis city at the crossroads of the Silk Road. In the past, the Chinese referred to the countries located to the west of China as the "Western Regions," and Dunhuang has long played the role of a gateway to this "Western Region." Surrounded by the Tarim Basin, the Gobi Plain, and the Qaidam Basin, the city is dotted with many famous sites associated with the Silk Road.

If you want to experience the "Silk Road" atmosphere around Dunhuang, we recommend heading to "Singing Sand Mountain" first. Located about 6km south of Dunhuang city, this place is home to beautiful sand dunes that symbolize the Silk Road. In addition, at the foot of "Singing Sand Mountain" is "Yueya Spring", a crescent-shaped spring with a pavilion next to it. The beautiful scenery created by the sand dunes and oasis will make you think, "This is the Silk Road!" You can also enjoy a caravan experience touring the sand dunes on camels, so take your time to enjoy the panoramic view of the "Silk Road".

Furthermore, the area around Dunhuang is dotted with historical heritage sites such as the huge Buddhist ruins of the Mogao Caves, which are designated as World Heritage Sites, and the Jade Gate and Yang Gate, which were built as checkpoints to the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty. All of these are attractions unique to Dunhuang, which flourished as an oasis city on the Silk Road, so be sure to visit them.

Urumqi, Turpan... A journey along the Silk Road to experience exotic culture and beautiful land

Located in the western edge of China, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is an area that has had a deep connection with the Silk Road since ancient times. If you visit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which boasts a vast area about 4.5 times the size of Japan and is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups including the Uighurs, Han Chinese, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and Mongolians, you will encounter beautiful scenery woven by vast wilderness and mountains, and an exotic culture that will make you wonder, "Is this really China?"
The base of your trip to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is Urumqi, the largest city in western China, located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The city, which has developed as the political, economic and cultural center of the autonomous region, has many attractions, including the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, which displays the history of the autonomous region.

Furthermore, Turpan, located about 190km southeast of Urumqi, is a place that flourished as an oasis city on the Silk Road. It is full of exotic atmosphere, with Islamic mosques and bazaars. In the surrounding area, ruins remain such as Jiaohe Ancient City, a city ruin from the Han dynasty, and Gaochang Ancient City, the ruins of the royal castle of Gaochang, which flourished from the 5th to 7th centuries. In addition, Flame Mountain, which can be said to be the symbol of Turpan, is also famous as the place where Sun Wukong fought against Bull Demon King in the famous Journey to the West. It is a beautiful spot that is perfect for reminiscing about the faraway Silk Road where Tripitaka also traveled.
The Silk Road is a trade route that has connected the East and the West since ancient times, and is still home to beautiful nature and diverse cultures that can only be found in this place. Take a little extra time off and enjoy the charm of the Silk Road at your leisure.