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China Signature — Silk Road Discovery - China Tour from New Zealand | signature Collection
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China Signature — Silk Road Discovery

Journey along China's ancient Silk Road from Urumqi to Xi'an across 17 days — exploring Heavenly Lake, the Flaming Mountains, Mogao Caves, colourful Danxia mountains, Bingling Temple grottoes, and the Terracotta Warriors.

Limited Availability
Only 5 seats left

Next Departure

25 Aug 2026

All departure dates

25 August14 October

Dates refer to scheduled group departures; year 2026 where applicable — confirm at booking.

17 Days
From NZD $6,699

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Tour Overview

Journey along China's ancient Silk Road from Urumqi to Xi'an across 17 days — exploring Heavenly Lake, the Flaming Mountains, Mogao Caves, colourful Danxia mountains, Bingling Temple grottoes, and the Terracotta Warriors.

CTS Tours departure schedule

Group departures from New Zealand (dates as published). Contact us to reserve a seat or request a private departure.

Signature series departures

Silk Road

signature · China

25 August14 October
Legacy of China

signature · China

13 August15 October
China Panorama

signature · China

14 October
Natural China

signature · China

20 August25 October

Discovery series departures

A Tale of Two Cities

discovery · China

13 August15 October2 November
Best of China

discovery · China

3 September
Shanghai & Surroundings

discovery · China

3 August14 October
Colourful Yunnan

discovery · China

10 September

Tour Highlights

Visit Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) in the Tianshan Mountains

Explore Turpan's ancient Jiaohe Ruins and Karez Irrigation System

See the dramatic Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Marvel at the world-famous Mogao Caves in Dunhuang

Experience the desert oasis of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring

Walk along the Hanging Great Wall and Jiayuguan Fortress

Photograph the colourful Zhangye Danxia rock formations

Take a boat trip to the Bingling Temple Grottoes

Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

Enjoy a free day to explore Xi'an at your own pace

Save this itinerary:

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day1

New Zealand — Shanghai

Day2

Shanghai — Urumqi

Day3

Urumqi — Heavenly Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day4

Urumqi — Turpan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day5

Turpan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day6

Turpan — Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day7

Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day8

Dunhuang — Jiayuguan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day9

Jiayuguan — Zhangye

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day10

Zhangye — Wuwei

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day11

Wuwei — Lanzhou

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day12

Lanzhou — Bingling Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day13

Lanzhou — Xi'an

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day14

Xi'an

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day15

Xi'an — Free Day

Meals: Breakfast

Day16

Xi'an — Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Day17

Shanghai — New Zealand

SHANGHAI (2N)XI'AN (3N)SHANGHAI (2N)
SHANGHAI (2N) — XI’AN (3N) — SHANGHAI (2N)

Schematic route for planning — not a geographic map. City order is derived from your itinerary text.

What's Included

Included

  • Return international airfares from New Zealand
  • Domestic airfares within China
  • 4–5 star hotel accommodation
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance fees and meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Land transport including high-speed trains (First Class)

Not Included

  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation and guide services during free time
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips (suggested NZD $10 per day per person)
  • Any items not specifically mentioned as included

Enquire About This Tour

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Traveller Reviews

MP

Margaret & John Patterson

Auckland, NZ

An absolutely magical experience! Baker arranged a private tai chi session on the Great Wall at sunrise. We have travelled extensively, but this trip was in a class of its own.

SW

Sarah & Tom Williams

Christchurch, NZ

We were nervous about travelling to China for the first time, but CTS made everything seamless. The hotels were beautiful, the guides were knowledgeable, and the itinerary was perfectly paced.

PF

Paul & Linda Foster

Dunedin, NZ

This was our 50th wedding anniversary trip and CTS made it truly special. From the surprise dinner at a courtyard restaurant in Beijing to the private calligraphy lesson, every moment was thoughtfully curated.

Quick Info

Destination
china
Collection
signature
Duration
17 Days
Price
From NZD $6,699

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