Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The from-price of USD 25,000 per person includes eight nights aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, all meals on board, and off-train excursions.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Golden Eagle's Tour Management team travels with guests throughout. Experienced local guides lead excursions at each stop.

The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, which runs Beijing to Urumqi in 2026 and Urumqi to Beijing in 2027. Superior Class cabins are en-suite.

What is included in the price?

Two nights at Four Seasons Beijing, eight nights on the private train, one night in Urumqi, all meals (11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners), all excursions, transfers, luggage porterage, gratuities, and beverages from the standard bar list.

When does the tour operate?

Departures run in September 2026, March 2027, and September 2027.

How much walking is involved?

Moderate walking includes tours of the Great Wall at Badaling, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, city Old Towns, and ancient ruins. Day 6 includes a camel trek along the Silk Road.

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains · Escorted tour

Ancient China by Private Train

Twelve-day private train journey from Beijing to Urumqi through ancient China

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains operates this 12-day private train journey through ancient China, departing Beijing and arriving in Urumqi. Guests spend two nights at the Four Seasons Beijing, then board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for eight nights traversing the Silk Road, with stops at Xi'an, Dunhuang, Golmud, Hotan, Kashgar, and Turpan before a final night in Urumqi. The itinerary balances on-train relaxation with curated excursions: Day 2 brings a morning walk on the restored Great Wall at Badaling; Day 4, a visit to the Terracotta Army and an evening Tang Dynasty dinner with live music and dance; Day 6, exploration of the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves followed by a camel trek to Crescent Lake. Days at leisure aboard the train offer access to the Observation Car and Bar Lounge Car. All meals, transfers, excursions, and gratuities are included, with a UK-registered doctor and cabin attendant service on board. This tour suits luxury-seekers and history-lovers who prefer fully guided, all-inclusive rail travel through China's imperial and desert heritage sites.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement is substantial: USD 41,800 for a single cabin versus USD 25,000 per person for a double, more than three times the per-person twin rate.
The tour operates only in September 2026 and March and September 2027; no additional departures are published.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, guests will be warmly welcomed and transferred in luxury to the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, where a two-night stay awaits. That evening, join fellow travellers for an exclusive welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Beijing
Morning visit to the Great Wall at Badaling, walking a beautifully restored section. Afternoon leisure time to explore Beijing. Evening dining experience at a celebrated Peking Duck restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Beijing
Comprehensive tour of Beijing's historic heart: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, or alternatively modern landmarks including the Olympic Village, the “Bird's Nest” Stadium, the CCTV Tower and the National Museum. In the evening, board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcoming dinner in the dining car.
Meals: Dinner
Day 4overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Xi'an
Explore the ancient city walls and the historic Great Mosque. Visit the Terracotta Army, a UNESCO site often hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Evening authentic Tang Dynasty dinner with traditional music and dance performance.
Meals: Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
On board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
A day of leisure traversing the Chinese landscape aboard the train. Take in panoramic scenery from the Observation Car or unwind in the Bar Lounge Car.
Day 6overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Dunhuang
Explore the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a delightful lunch, embark on a camel trek along the Silk Road to Crescent Lake.
Meals: Lunch
Day 7railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Golmud
Lecture at the Hilton Qinghai-Golmud on the Silk Road's history. Guests may explore the Chaerhan Salt Lake or take a guided tour through Golmud before re-boarding the train.
Day 8overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Hotan
Leisurely morning on board before an exclusive visit to Hotan's Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop. Evening tour of Yotkan Ancient City, once the heart of the Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan.
Day 9railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Kashgar (Kashi)
Visit the Apak Khoja Tomb, wander the Old Town and explore the Gaotai folk houses. Lunch in a local restaurant introduces Uyghur cuisine before returning to the train.
Meals: Lunch
Day 10railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)
Turpan
Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang, marvel at the Karez irrigation system, and visit the Jiaohe Ruins. Evening farewell dinner aboard the train.
Meals: Dinner
Day 11overnight: Hotel in Urumqi
Turpan & Urumqi
Restful morning on board before disembarking in Urumqi, the cosmopolitan capital of Xinjiang, for an overnight stay.
Day 12
Urumqi
Final morning; transfers to Urumqi's international airport for onward journey.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Morning walk along a restored section of the Great Wall at Badaling.
Day 4Visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, followed by an evening Tang Dynasty dinner with traditional music and dance performance.
Day 6Explore the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then embark on a camel trek along the Silk Road to Crescent Lake.
Day 9Wander Kashgar's Old Town and Gaotai folk houses, concluding with lunch introducing Uyghur cuisine.

Included

Quality pre and post-tour accommodation in Beijing and Urumqi
2 nights in Four Seasons Beijing
8 nights on board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
1 hotel night in Urumqi
Cabin attendant service including evening turndown
Experienced Tour Management team
Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
Arrival and departure transfers
All gratuities – on and off the train
Luggage porterage throughout the journey
Freshly prepared meals on board, using the finest local ingredients
Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
Inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Standard Bar list
11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners
Immersive excursions throughout the voyage
Insight of expert tour managers and specially selected, local tour guides

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. The from-price of USD 25,000 per person includes eight nights aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, all meals on board, and off-train excursions.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Golden Eagle's Tour Management team travels with guests throughout. Experienced local guides lead excursions at each stop.
Which train am I on?: The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, which runs Beijing to Urumqi in 2026 and Urumqi to Beijing in 2027. Superior Class cabins are en-suite.
What is included in the price?: Two nights at Four Seasons Beijing, eight nights on the private train, one night in Urumqi, all meals (11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners), all excursions, transfers, luggage porterage, gratuities, and beverages from the standard bar list.
When does the tour operate?: Departures run in September 2026, March 2027, and September 2027.
How much walking is involved?: Moderate walking includes tours of the Great Wall at Badaling, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, city Old Towns, and ancient ruins. Day 6 includes a camel trek along the Silk Road.

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