Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. All accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, all meals on the train with wine and beer allowances, and all gratuities are included from Day 2 through Day 9.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

Escorted. MIR provides a Train Tour Manager on board and local guides for all scheduled off-train touring. Arrival and departure transfers are included if you arrive and depart on the tour dates and in the tour cities.

Which train am I traveling on?

The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, operating in Superior Class. It travels from Urumqi to Beijing with the itinerary routing through Turpan, Kashgar, Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, and Xi'an.

What hotels are included?

One night in Urumqi before boarding the train, and two nights in Beijing at the end of the tour.

How much walking and physical activity is involved?

Activity Level 2: Moderate. The itinerary includes walking tours of ancient cities, the Great Wall at Badaling, the Forbidden City, and museum visits, but no strenuous multi-hour hikes.

What is not included in the from-price?

International airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, optional extensions, single supplements, excess baggage charges, and items of a personal nature such as laundry and telephone calls.

MIR Corporation · Rail Journey

Ancient China by Private Train - Urumqi to Beijing

Twelve-day private train journey from Urumqi to Beijing across China's Silk Road.

MIR Corporation's Ancient China by Private Train is a 12-day, 11-night journey aboard the luxury Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, departing from Urumqi and traveling westward through China's historic Silk Road before concluding in Beijing. The trip balances extended time on the train, where you sleep and dine on board for eight consecutive nights, with guided off-train exploration of some of China's most significant cultural sites. You'll board the train in Turpan after visiting the ancient city of Gaochang, then travel through Kashgar, Hotan, Golmud, and Dunhuang, stopping to see the Mogao Caves and learn about Silk Road crafts and heritage. In Xi'an you encounter the Terracotta Warriors; in Beijing, the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace. A Train Tour Manager and local guides lead all touring. All meals on the train are included with wine and beer allowances. This itinerary suits history lovers and luxury travellers seeking an immersive rail journey through imperial China, as well as first-time and repeat rail travellers drawn to a fully escorted experience with no logistical burden.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement is substantial: 41,800 USD versus 25,000 USD for a double, nearly 1.7 times the base fare.
Visa fees are not included in the tour price; you must apply separately with MIR's customized visa kit.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express in Turpan after touring the ancient city of Gaochang and the Karez irrigation system.
Day 4Explore Kashgar's Old Town, visit the Apak Khoja Tomb, and dine on Uyghur cuisine at a local restaurant.
Day 5In Hotan, witness traditional silk carpet manufacture firsthand, then explore the ancient Yotkan city.
Day 7Visit the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see Buddhist statues and murals spanning centuries.
Day 10Walk the Great Wall at Badaling and explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

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).

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. All accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, all meals on the train with wine and beer allowances, and all gratuities are included from Day 2 through Day 9.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: Escorted. MIR provides a Train Tour Manager on board and local guides for all scheduled off-train touring. Arrival and departure transfers are included if you arrive and depart on the tour dates and in the tour cities.
Which train am I traveling on?: The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, operating in Superior Class. It travels from Urumqi to Beijing with the itinerary routing through Turpan, Kashgar, Hotan, Golmud, Dunhuang, and Xi'an.
What hotels are included?: One night in Urumqi before boarding the train, and two nights in Beijing at the end of the tour.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?: Activity Level 2: Moderate. The itinerary includes walking tours of ancient cities, the Great Wall at Badaling, the Forbidden City, and museum visits, but no strenuous multi-hour hikes.
What is not included in the from-price?: International airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, optional extensions, single supplements, excess baggage charges, and items of a personal nature such as laundry and telephone calls.

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