Silk Road Local Time:

The Beijing standard time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time(London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China. The visitors must know though that in Xinjiang,locals often use the Xinjiang time, which is two hours behind the standard Beijing time. For example : 08:00 AM Beijing time = 06:00 AM Xinjiang time. But the official time is still Beijing time, for example the time for flights,trains.

Best Seasons to visit the Silk Road:
The months of May and October are the best seasons to travel along the Silk Road.The summer can be pretty hot. The winter is freezing. During May, the average temperature along the route is around 15 degrees. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grassis turning green. Tourists can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.

Tips on visiting Temples or Monasteries along the way:
When traveling along the Silk Road, a temple or monastery is often an importantspot visited by travelers. There are some important things to remember, though,in order to ensure a pleasant visit to the temples or monasteries.
Proper Manners: Put your palms together and lower your head as meeting with the monks. Attempting to handshake, embrace or touch the head of the monk is considered sacrilegious.
Visiting Behaviour: Should be respectful. Do not touch or deface any religious artifacts, and be silent and nonjudgemental during religious ceremonies.

Taking photos: Please do not try to take photos for the things and monks in the temples or monasteries before they agree.

Tips on how to visit the local ethnic families:
When traveling along the Silk Road, you may be fortunate enough to be invited to visit families of other nationalities. Different nationalities have different customs, taboos and living styles. Remembering the saying, "While in Rome, do as the Romans do..." can ensure you a smooth and pleasant visit.
The best time to visit is in the afternoon, however the busy festival period should be avoided. Orderly visiting and clean clothing is the symbol of politeness. Wearing short trousers, waistcoat and hats is impolite. Before your visiting a cultural and religious area, you had better to get some knowledge about their religion, habits,living styles and especially taboos. Some gifts should be prepared at the first visit. Don't bring things that they would consider as taboo and don't touch the utensils in their houses. When the hosts treat you with their local food, it is considered impolite to refuse it. If you are really reluctant, thank your host and offer some a reasonable explanation. When the hosts toast you, you should receive the cup and first show your thanks to the hosts. Then you can drink it or let other people help you if you can not  bear the whole cup of wine by yourself.

Money Safety along the Silk Road:
China is probably one of the safest countries to visit, although you should still travel wisely and keep your money close to you at all times. In hotels,leave your valuables in the safe. Be cautious in crowded public areas like bazaars, bus and train stations since thefts from pockets and day packs are not uncommon. The best prevention against theft is a money belt worn inside your clothing.

Hotels on the Silk Road:
The Silk Road spans most of China, from modern cities in the central China to isolated villages and towns in the remote west. Accordingly accommodation salong the route range from high standard luxurious hotels to simple guesthouse.
In the cities like Xi’an, Lanzhou,Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumuqi ,Kashgar, the tourists can enjoy high standard hotels. They all provide excellent conditions,all-round services and they are quite safe,but this kind of hotels are more expensive. Tourists on a tight budget may consider the cheaper hotels(Guesthouse) with simpler facilities and basic service, which are mostly used by Chinese travelers. In the remote villages only simple and rough lodgings are available. Those locations offer nothing but a quite simple room
Matters andattentions for travelling in the west of China: 

1、In the northwest of China there is large temperature difference between daytime and nighttime. In the early morning and late night it is still a little cold. In the daytime it is still hot. Normally in August  the temperature from 15-30 degrees. So normally  wearing short shirt and shorts are ok. In different area and during different seasons the weather has significant difference. If meeting bad weather and temperature goes down quickly, a thick coat is very necessary. Especially living in the desert and going to Karakul lake (sea level around 3600 meters), probably it is colder than other places. So you had better prepare one proper coat when you travel in hot summer. Although it is much dry in northwest of China ,it still rains sometimes .Please prepare proper umbrella or raincoat by your own. In the mid day it is still hot and the sun is quite strong . Please prepare enough sun cream and proper sunglasses by your own.The material for driving mosquitos is necessary to be taken sometimes.

2、When you travel in different areas, because of  being unaccustomed to the climate of a new place, you’d better prepare some medicine for curing diarrhea and fever.

3、In northwest of China many places are worthy to take photos, so do not forget to take your photographic equipments when you leave.

4、In northwest of China sometimes the cities and scenic spots are a little far, needing long time to drive. In different areas the living and meals conditions probably are of certain gap with other inland cities, so please understand. You need necessary mental preparation.

5、 Many minorities inhabit in Xinjiang area. They have their own religions. As a traveler, please respect their religions and customes and avoid talking about religions and political topics, which reduces some unnecessary misunderstanding.

6、Please take a small flashlight by your own for using it in the Mogao Grottos ,the Giant Buddha Temple and in the desert camp.

7、When you do some shopping in the bazaars and night market, please take care of your belongs by your own. Please distinguish carefully the quality of different goods which you are going to buy. The travel agency won’t take any responsibilities for some economic dispute when you do some shopping in such free shopping markets.

8、When you go to Xinjiang ,the bigger sized knives are not allowed to take. So we suggest you do not take any swiss army knife or fruits knives which are above 5 cm long.

9、When you travel ,you’d better wear flattie shoes avoid sprain. Just suggest follow the principle which is “do not see scenery as walking and do not walking as seeing scenery.”

10、Every tourist has duty to protect the relic and natural scenery. So please be conscientious to protect the cultural relics , historical sites and he natural environments.

11、When you travel, keep properly your valuables, such as passport, camera, cash ,etc.

 

Xinjiang Travel Tips:
Xinjiang always has a sunny day. The temperatures during daytime and nighttime very greatly. The average difference is 12 C (53.6 F). Based on its dry, sandy and changeable climate, Cause it is in Summer time and it is very hot,we suggest you follow the following items:
1,Enough clothes to keep you warm during night time. Most of the time,you only need to wear short pants and shirts with short-sleeves. We suggest that you wear jeans in mountainous places where the weather might become a bit cooler. It is always advisable that you bring extra warm clothes and a jacket just in case the weather becomes chilly.(Important)
2, Hats, scarves, sunglasses, sun block and lip balm or some protective material are essential to protect you from sun and windburns(especially in desert areas).
3, Comfortable shoes are very important because you will be walking most of the time although there are some spots where camel rides are required.Sports shoes or low-heeled shoes are your best bet.
4,  Enough water to avoid dehydration.
5,  We suggest you take your sleep bag if you have the nights inthe Yurts .(Important)
6,  In the South of Xinjiang,there are not very convenient toilet, maybe sometimes in the Gobi desert or somewhere natural.

 

Above can be warm remaindering for reference before you start your tour. Probably it is not so complete, please check it and prepare other necessary things you think need in your mind.