Although it varies according to the period, most major cities are mainly in northern and western China, including Shaanxi, Henan, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Thus, one of the first places to visit on the ancient Silk Road is in Henan Province in central China and, more precisely, Luoyang. This place is famous for these ►
Although it varies according to the period, most major cities are mainly in northern and western China, including Shaanxi, Henan, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Thus, one of the first places to visit on the ancient Silk Road is in Henan Province in central China and, more precisely, Luoyang. This place is famous for these 6 World Cultural Heritage Sites, including the Longmen Caves and several other ruins and ancient city sites. Among the points of interest not to be missed in Luoyang is the Temple of the White Horse, and travelers must also enjoy the annual peony festival every spring. Another important place to be noticed on the ancient Silk Road is Xian, the starting point for those who want to cross it. Moreover, this place is home to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, the Terracotta Warriors. Regarding sightseeing, Xian offers many places, such as the Qin Shi Huang Emperor Mausoleum Site Museum, Han Dynasty Mausoleums, the Ancient City Wall, palaces, and towers. In addition, it is possible to enjoy the Tang Dynasty spectacle and taste the local flavors in the Muslim Quarter. A little further, Tianshui presents itself as the geometric center of China. Here, travelers should consider visiting the Maijishan Caves, the Gallery of Oriental Sculptures. There is also the Tianshui Museum and Fuxi Temple, among others. On the Lanzhou side, you should know that this place played an important role in trade and traffic. To get a good overview of its contribution to history, there is nothing better than the Gansu Provincial Museum, where hundreds of cultural relics are exhibited. Stopping at the Yellow River to admire the incredible landscape is possible. Travelers should also consider stopping in Zhangye to explore historical sites such as the Matisi Caves, Buddhist cliffside caves, Dafo Temple, or Danxia, the Rainbow Mountains. Further afield, Jiayuguan classifies itself as the transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road. Here, the highlight to visit is the Jiayuguan Pass, but there are also the surrounding beacon towers, abutments, moats, and city walls, and history buffs will be able to learn more about the Great Wall of China. In northwestern China, between Shaanxi and Gansu, lies Ningxia. This passage is essential because it marks the change of direction of the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty. The various cultural relics are interesting in exploring the history and culture of Ningxia. In addition, the famous Xumishan caves, the tombs of the Western Xia emperors, and the Guyuan Ancient City are attractions worth visiting. Apart from that, nature lovers will be transported by the fantastic topography of Ningxia with its beautiful rivers, mountains, plains, and valleys. In addition, Dunhuang is particularly popular as the ancient Silk Road's thriving and cultural border center. There are also Mogao Caves, Umen Pass, Yangguan Pass, and Magical Singing Sands to visit. Qinghai also played its part on the ancient Silk Road, and nowadays, visits are mainly to Xining's Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake, and Chaka Salt Lake, among others. Meanwhile, Turpan has the caves of the thousand Buddhas of Bezeklik, the desert entertainment, or the grape valley. Urumqi was an essential city in the western regions on the Northern Silk Road. Visiting the Xinjiang Regional Museum and the International Grand Bazaar is possible in the city center. For nature lovers, there is the paradise lake of the Tianshan Mountains. Further on, Kucha presented itself as a strategic city on the middle road of the ancient Silk Road. Here, the Kizil Caves, the two World Cultural Heritage Sites, and the ruins of Subhash are unmissable. ◄
