A Silk Road road trip from Kashgar (in Western Xinjiang) all the way to Xi'an (in Central China) is one of the great road trips on Earth. But it requires serious planning because of the distance.

Most people take 10-14 days for the full journey. You'll need a reliable vehicle, extra fuel for remote sections, and plenty of water. The best time to go is from May to September when the weather is mild.

Must-see stops along the way include Kashgar Old Town, the Taklamakan Desert, Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan Pass, and finally Xi'an.