The Silk Road is woven into the very fabric of our world. It needs no introduction, but then, it does, if only to let our imaginations run wild with the thought of travelling or driving the Silk Road. From its geographical configuration (at least 4,000 miles, in more than 40 countries) to its role in history, not many routes can claim the glory that belongs to the Silk Road. While its moniker came courtesy of Chinese silk, other goods such as spices and jade were also carried from east to west upon it.
The Silk Road has also had a social and cultural impact on the world. In its heyday, the route formed bonds and links between different ethnicities across its sprawling and complex network. In total there are more than twenty ethnic groups along the Silk Road; many with their own languages, customs, and traditions. Life around the Silk Road remains mostly unknown to us, but the legends, myths, and rituals warrant a closer look.
For explorers and travellers, this route is the embodiment of wanderlust; its very name suggests a voyage like no other, it is a trip through time. Buddhist art, Islamic architecture, lost dynasties, ruins, ancient cities, and dramatic scenery are only the beginning of what there is to discover. How do you explore something that spans most of the world? The answer: overlanding. When you overland, the purpose of your trip is not the destination but the journey, and there is no adventure more suited to this style of travel than that of the Silk Road.
Silk Road travel guide
The Silk Road is best described as a collection of intricate paths that form a network (so intricate that a travel guide is definitely required reading). Beginning in the former capital of China, Xī’ān, the route crosses mountain-tops and desert plains into Central Asia. The Silk Road played a considerable role in the development of China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, and Arabia.
The main artery of this track follows the Great Wall, over the Pamir Mountains into Afghanistan, and from there it leads to the Levant. Roads branched off this central route towards towns and cities, river ports, markets, and pilgrimage sites. Many cities located on the system flourished and became wealthy hubs during its trading days. As well as silk, other popular items traded along the route were salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices.
Along with metropolises rich in heritage and culture, the Silk Road is a haven for scenery, given that the route passes through so much wilderness and some of the highest places on earth. Visitors can discover cosmopolitan cities steeped in the past, semi-nomadic farming lifestyles, and explore hidden gems in a diversity of landscapes.
Best time to visit the Silk Road
March, April, and May are the perfect time to visit countries along the Silk Route. The weather will be around 15-20 degrees Celsius, and spring will be blooming. September and October are also another great time to visit; you can feast on juicy grapes and ripe dates. The winter is often too cold, and the summers are busy and hot.
Where to stay
The accommodation options along the Silk Road vary as much as the route itself. From luxurious hotels in urban habitats and guesthouses in towns, to local homestays in rural villages and cozy yurts under the stars, where you stay is really up to you. Not all the destinations will have as many options, particularly if you venture to remote locations that can be found on the route. Travellers who want to take away the hassle of figuring out where to stay should ideally pick a tour that will handle this element for them.
Visas
You will need visas for many countries along the Silk Road. This may seem a little daunting at first, but with a bit of research and the right planning, it can be a relatively easy process. Make sure you are up to date on any travel requirements for the countries you are visiting and apply for visas well in advance. Passport holders can also obtain a visa on arrival in certain countries, and tour companies often help with letters required to support your visa application.
What to pack
You can pack for the Silk Road as you would for most trips. A combination of shorts and t-shirts for the warm days, and extra layers for the cooler evenings. It may also make sense to pack a light waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes are a must. It’s also helpful to carry a backpack with essential travel items like a hat, a pair of sunglasses, lip balm, sunblock, snacks, refillable water bottle, and camera.
Being respectful while travelling the Silk Road
When meeting locals along the Silk Road it’s important to be aware of their culture, customs, and traditions. Doing a little research where possible will go a long way, and following in your host or tour guide’s example is the best practice. Likewise, when visiting temples and religious sites, it’s important to remember that these are sacred spaces and places of worship for the locals. Be respectful of dress requirements and visiting restrictions.
Medicines on the Silk Road
Depending on where you go on the Silk Road, you may need certain medications, though it’s best to acquire this information from a doctor or travel clinic. It’s also well worth packing some treatments for colds, upset stomachs, nausea, and fever. It also doesn’t hurt to travel with some bug spray and antiseptic creams, or a mini first aid kit. Also, do not carry any medicine that contains tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine, or opiates, as they are illegal in most of Central Asia.
Driving the Silk Road
From the silk traders that led to the naming of the road to the legendary rulers who used it satisfy their own ambitions, the cities along this ancient route have drawn visitors from far and wide. While it’s possible to travel the Silk Road by train (the most popular form of transport), understandably many visitors want to experience it more viscerally on a road trip.
If driving the Silk Road appeals to you, keep in mind that even today, the journey will require a substantial amount of travel days and preparation for you to get the most of out your trip. If you want to discover the route by road, we recommend doing it via overland vehicle. This removes the limitations of public transport, without sacrificing the chance to explore the Silk Road along old tracks that were used by historical figures like Marco Polo and Genghis Khan.
The Silk Road crosses some of the most exciting terrains on the planet; it won’t come as a surprise that it is here that overlanding was born. These days, visitors rarely get the chance to travel the entire route, but Dragoman has plenty of itineraries ranging from nine to 127 days that will let you experience the region thoroughly and authentically.
Silk Road travel itinerary
To follow in the footsteps of the remarkable explorers and traders who crisscrossed the world on this epic route, you’ll need an overland tour that travels through cities and destinations where the legacy of the Silk Road lives on. From bargaining in the market lanes of Tabriz and meandering the backstreets of Bukhara, to falling asleep alongside shepherds in the Pamir Mountains and exploring ancient towns, travelling the Silk Road can bring many dreams to life.
Overlanding is a unique and unrestricted way to visit the Silk Route. Imagine getting off the tarmac and taking the road less travelled? Staying with local families or heading off to remote villages and enriching your life with unchartered experiences? Overlanding captures the true spirit of the Silk Road, allowing travellers to form meaningful connections with the places they visit. Dragoman has been operating overlanding tours since the 1980s, so take advantage of their in-depth knowledge by opting for a carefully curated Silk Road travel itinerary.
- Turkey, Iran and the Silk Route: From the whirling dervish to Persian culture, this route will take you to some of the most beautiful cities. Shiraz, Tehran, and Istanbul may be cosmopolitan, but they sired some of the world’s oldest poets and artists. This route is teeming with breathtaking architecture, sacred sites, desert plains, art, and literature.
- Kyrgyzstan and the Chinese Silk Route: Even today, for travellers, Kyrgyzstan’s pastures and mountaintops are a gateway to Central Asia. For merchants on the Silk Road, this country also played a pivotal role. This is probably why a number of Silk Road sites can be found in the region. This route will also take you to Xī’ān, the starting point of the Silk Road, and another gateway to Kashgar (the epicentre for regional trade in China) and beyond. In Xī’ān, you can take a guided tour of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, and explore the Great Mosque and Shaanxi Museum.
- Central Silk Route: This route will take you through Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, important trading posts on the Silk Road. Among the minarets, golden domes, and tiled mosaics of these cities, you’ll discover the history and culture left behind in Uzbekistan by traders and merchants that tread upon these roads all those centuries ago.
- Western Silk Route: Start in Istanbul, a city where the spirit of the Silk Road manifests as east and west come together, and end your trip in the opulent marble palaces of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. You’ll have the opportunity to sail over the Caspian Sea, explore the Black Sea mountain monastery at Sumela, and walk through the ancient valley of Ihlara. The valley was a haven for Byzantine monks who chiselled churches into its cliffs.
- Silk Route and Mountains of Central Asia: On this route, you can follow the famous Pamir Highway over the Kyzyl Art Pass, the frontier between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and one of the highest and most remote border crossings in the world. You’ll trek through the Fann Mountains, a stunning range of jagged peaks 30km east of Penjikent, camp beside Iskanderkul Lake, a glacial waterbody found in Tajikistan’s mountainous region and see the silk-weavers of Fergana Valley. Visitors will also see some cultural hubs that are filled with memories from the golden days of trade, including Samarkand in Uzbekistan, a city potently reminiscent of the Silk Road. The walled old town and grand architecture will quickly work its magic on you.
This story was created in partnership with: Dragoman
