Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
Undiscovered Horizons of China
Thirteen-day China rail journey ending on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa
13 daysfrom $19,900
69% rail
MIR Corporation · Rail Journey
Ancient China by Private Train - Urumqi to Beijing
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of ancient China, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge on an extraordinary route aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Urumqi
Urumqi (China), Turpan, and board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Urumqi, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. Visit the ancient city of Gaochang and marvel at the ingenuity of the Karez irrigation system in Turpan.
- Day 2railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Urumqi (China), Turpan, and board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Urumqi, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. Visit the ancient city of Gaochang and marvel at the ingenuity of the Karez irrigation system in Turpan.
- Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Urumqi (China), Turpan, and board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Urumqi, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. Visit the ancient city of Gaochang and marvel at the ingenuity of the Karez irrigation system in Turpan.
- Day 4overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Kashgar
Explore the cultural crossroads of Kashgar, a vibrant city at the heart of the Silk Road. Visit sacred sites, stroll through historic streets, and savor the distinct Uyghur cuisine.
- Day 5overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xi'an
Head through China's Silk Road history as you make your way across the country. Arriving in Hotan, learn about traditional silk carpet manufacture, witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand; and explore ancient Yotkan city by night. Golmud presents a choice between Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake and an exploration of the city, while in Dunhuang the Mogao Caves reveal Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries. Take a camel ride at Crescent Lake and taste the desert experience of Silk Road merchants before heading to Xi'an to explore the ancient city walls and magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance.
- Day 6overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xi'an
Head through China's Silk Road history as you make your way across the country. Arriving in Hotan, learn about traditional silk carpet manufacture, witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand; and explore ancient Yotkan city by night. Golmud presents a choice between Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake and an exploration of the city, while in Dunhuang the Mogao Caves reveal Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries. Take a camel ride at Crescent Lake and taste the desert experience of Silk Road merchants before heading to Xi'an to explore the ancient city walls and magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance.
- Day 7overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xi'an
Head through China's Silk Road history as you make your way across the country. Arriving in Hotan, learn about traditional silk carpet manufacture, witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand; and explore ancient Yotkan city by night. Golmud presents a choice between Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake and an exploration of the city, while in Dunhuang the Mogao Caves reveal Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries. Take a camel ride at Crescent Lake and taste the desert experience of Silk Road merchants before heading to Xi'an to explore the ancient city walls and magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance.
- Day 8overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xi'an
Head through China's Silk Road history as you make your way across the country. Arriving in Hotan, learn about traditional silk carpet manufacture, witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand; and explore ancient Yotkan city by night. Golmud presents a choice between Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake and an exploration of the city, while in Dunhuang the Mogao Caves reveal Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries. Take a camel ride at Crescent Lake and taste the desert experience of Silk Road merchants before heading to Xi'an to explore the ancient city walls and magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance.
- Day 9overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xi'an
Head through China's Silk Road history as you make your way across the country. Arriving in Hotan, learn about traditional silk carpet manufacture, witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand; and explore ancient Yotkan city by night. Golmud presents a choice between Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake and an exploration of the city, while in Dunhuang the Mogao Caves reveal Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries. Take a camel ride at Crescent Lake and taste the desert experience of Silk Road merchants before heading to Xi'an to explore the ancient city walls and magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance.
- Day 10overnight: Beijing
Beijing
Finish the tour in China's capital. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and in the city stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner to celebrate the epic journey.
- Day 11overnight: Beijing
Beijing
Finish the tour in China's capital. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and in the city stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner to celebrate the epic journey.
- Day 12overnight: Beijing
Beijing
Finish the tour in China's capital. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and in the city stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner to celebrate the epic journey.
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express private train.
- Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (1 night Urumqi, 2 nights Beijing)
- All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.
- Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
- All guided off-train tours per itinerary.
- The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
- Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.
- All gratuities.
- Baggage handling.
- Complete pre-departure electronic document that includes detailed packing suggestions, reading list links, country-specific information, maps, travel tips and more.
- Customized visa application and instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Electronic final update bulletin, with any late news, updates and important information.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request.
Not included
- International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour.
- Meals and drinks not specified as included in the itinerary.
- Single supplement (difference between double rate and single occupancy rate) if requested or required.
- Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.
- Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification, or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR's control.
- Visa fees, excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination and other medical costs.
- Travel insurance including cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance.
- Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc).
