Silk Road Travel Tips

Visa & Border Info

For Silk Road travel, check visa requirements for China (including Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai) and Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.).

China requires a tourist visa (L visa), while Central Asian nations may offer e-visas or visa-free entry for certain passports.

Note: Xinjiang and Tibet have additional travel permits. Ensure your passport has 6+ months validity. Carry printed hotel bookings and itinerary copies. Border crossings (e.g., China-Kazakhstan) may have strict checks—arrive early. Register with your embassy if visiting remote areas. Some Central Asian borders only accept USD cash for visas-on-arrival.

More details:
Visa & Border Info to Visit China & Central Asia

Latest China Visa-Free Entry Policy for Tourists

Pre-trip Packing List

Pack for diverse climates: desert heat (Xinjiang), high-altitude cold (Qinghai), and urban areas (Xi’an). Essentials include:

Sturdy walking shoes for ancient sites (Terracotta Warriors, Samarkand)
Sun protection (hat, SPF 50+) for desert routes
Layered clothing (mornings in Gansu can be chilly)
Universal adapter (China uses Type A/C, Central Asia Type C/F)
Medications (altitude sickness pills for Qinghai, diarrhea meds)
Silk Road guidebook/maps (offline access helps in remote areas)
Leave space for souvenirs like Xinjiang carpets or Uzbek ceramics.

Related Reading: Altitude Sickness Prevention: 5 Must-Know Tips

Best Time to Visit

April–June & September–October: These months are ideal for most Silk Road destinations, with mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C and clear skies.
- Spring (April–May): Enjoy the sight of blooming apricot flowers in Uzbekistan.
- Autumn (September–October): A perfect time to witness the golden poplar forests in Xinjiang.
Avoid July–August: Temperatures in desert regions like Xinjiang and Gansu can soar to 40°C, making travel uncomfortable.
Winter (November–March): While fewer tourists visit during this season, expect freezing temperatures, especially in Qinghai, where it can drop to -20°C.

Note: Some mountain passes (e.g., Pamir Highway) close in winter. Festivals like Xi’an’s Silk Road International Festival (September) add cultural flair. More details:

Best Time to Visit Xi’an

Best Time to Visit Xinjiang

When is the Best Time to Visit Gansu

Cultural Etiquette

China: Avoid political topics in Xinjiang/Tibet. Don’t touch artifacts in Mogao Caves (Gansu).
Central Asia: Dress modestly in mosques (cover shoulders/knees). Handshakes are common, but wait for women to initiate.
Dining: In Uzbekistan, leave a little food on your plate to show you’re full. In China, slurping noodles is polite!
Photography: Ask permission before photographing locals, especially ethnic minorities (Uyghurs, Kazakh herders).
Gifts: Offer small presents (tea, chocolates) to homestay hosts in Kyrgyzstan or Qinghai.

Currency and Payment

China: Cashless is king (Alipay/WeChat Pay). Carry some RMB for rural areas (Xinjiang’s Taklamakan Desert).
Central Asia: USD is useful for visas/borders. Local currencies (Kazakh tenge, Uzbek som) are cash-based—exchange at banks.
ATMs: Available in cities (Xi’an, Tashkent) but scarce in remote areas (Gansu’s Jiayuguan).
Haggling: Expected in bazaars (Kashgar’s Sunday Market, Samarkand’s Siob Bazaar). Start at 30% of the asking price.

More details about payment, please read this article: Payment Guide

Health and Safety Tips

Altitude: Qinghai (3,000m+) can cause altitude sickness—acclimate slowly.
Food/Water: Stick to bottled water in Central Asia. Avoid raw salads in rural China.
Vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended. Check Yellow Fever requirements for Central Asia.
Safety: Petty theft occurs in crowded bazaars (keep bags close). Xinjiang has heavy police checks—carry your passport.
Emergency Numbers: China (110 police, 120 ambulance), Uzbekistan (102/103).

Transportation Tips

Trains: China’s high-speed rail connects Xi’an/Luoyang. Slow trains go to Xinjiang (book soft sleepers).
Central Asia: Shared taxis (“marshrutkas”) are common but cramped. Trains between Tashkent–Samarkand are scenic.
Roads: Pamir Highway (Tajikistan) requires 4WD. Gansu’s Hexi Corridor has good highways.
Tickets: Book China trains via Trip.com. Central Asian trains sell out fast—buy at stations early.

More details:

How to Travel to Xinjiang & Aound? Transportation Guide

How to Get to Xi’an & Travel Around

How to Get to Gansu & Around – Gansu Transportation

Language Tips

China: Learn Mandarin basics (“Nǐ hǎo”, “Xièxie”). In Xinjiang, Uyghur phrases like “Ässalamu aläykum” (hello) help.
Central Asia: Russian is widely understood. Key Uzbek phrases: “Rahmat” (thank you), “Qancha?” (how much?).
Apps: Google Translate (download Russian/Chinese offline). Pleco for Chinese characters.
Signage: In Uzbekistan, look for Cyrillic + Latin scripts. Rural Gansu/Xinjiang may lack English.

Local Cuisine and Dining Tips

Xi’an: Try “yangrou paomo” (lamb stew with bread) and biangbiang noodles.
Xinjiang: Must-eat: hand-pulled noodles (“laghman”), cumin-spiced lamb skewers.
Gansu: Sample “Lanzhou beef noodle soup”(look for halal signs).
Uzbekistan: Shared plov (rice pilaf), samsa (savory pastries), and green tea.
Etiquette: In Central Asia, accept tea (even if you don’t drink it) to be polite. Use your right hand for eating in Muslim areas.