Chasing Caravans: A Journey from the Start of the Silk Road to its Desert Oasis
It was the most legendary trade route in history, a network of treacherous paths that carried not just silk and spices, but ideas, art, religions, and entire empires on the backs of camels. You can still feel the powerful echo of that history on an epic journey from its ancient starting point in Xi'an to the remote desert oasis of Dunhuang.
Your adventure begins in Xi'an, amidst the clamor of the Muslim Quarter, where Silk Road merchants once traded. From there, you journey west into the vast, arid landscapes of the Hexi Corridor, a narrow strip of land squeezed between mountains and desert. You'll see the surreal Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye and the formidable Jiayuguan Fort, the westernmost end of the Ming Great Wall. Your journey culminates in Dunhuang, where you will witness the ultimate prize of the Silk Road: the Mogao Grottoes, a treasure trove of Buddhist art funded by the wealth of the caravans, a testament to the faith that traveled this very route.
Insider Tip:
While you can take trains between the major cities, consider hiring a car and driver for the leg through the Hexi Corridor (e.g., from Zhangye to Dunhuang). This gives you the incredible flexibility to stop at will, to photograph the desolate landscapes and ruined watchtowers, and to truly appreciate the immense, empty spaces that the ancient caravans had to cross.
