How to travel the Silk Road?

Let's say I want to retrace the Silk Road in 2026. I know the cities changed over time, but what's the best (most historical) way to do it? My current estimate is...

Start in Xi'an, then go to the Kashgar Prefecture of China, then over the mountains to Osh, then into the Fergana Valley (although I'm reading the actual city of Fergana is recent). Then head onwards to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

Unfortunately, I can't enter Turkmenistan or Iran, so I would have no choice but to go north of the Caspian Sea into Russia then to the Caucasus and Istanbul.

USA Passport, but hoping to get Italy soon.