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
China Rail Discovery
Embark on an unforgettable 13-day journey through the captivating landscapes of China and the fabled heights of Xizang, traveling in unrivaled luxury aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Urumqi
Urumqi (China), Turpan
Start the tour in metropolitan Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, checking in to a comfortable 4-star hotel and meeting up with the group at a festive welcome reception. Then start to explore this remote corner of the world. Near Turpan, the hottest city in China, explore the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century. Learn about the ancient karez, the long-lived underground wells that collect and distribute the glacial meltwater from the Tien Shan Mountains.
- Day 2overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Urumqi (China), Turpan
Start the tour in metropolitan Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, checking in to a comfortable 4-star hotel and meeting up with the group at a festive welcome reception. Then start to explore this remote corner of the world. Near Turpan, the hottest city in China, explore the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century. Learn about the ancient karez, the long-lived underground wells that collect and distribute the glacial meltwater from the Tien Shan Mountains.
- Day 3overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Urumqi (China), Turpan
Start the tour in metropolitan Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, checking in to a comfortable 4-star hotel and meeting up with the group at a festive welcome reception. Then start to explore this remote corner of the world. Near Turpan, the hottest city in China, explore the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century. Learn about the ancient karez, the long-lived underground wells that collect and distribute the glacial meltwater from the Tien Shan Mountains.
- Day 4overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Kashgar, Hotan, Ruoqiang
2,000-year-old Kashgar is unlike any other place in China, retaining the immense appeal of medieval Asia. Explore its Old Town and the Abakh Khoja Tomb, before setting off for remote Hotan and Ruoqiang, to take in traditional carpet making techniques, and ancient Buddhist archaeology.
- Day 5overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Kashgar, Hotan, Ruoqiang
2,000-year-old Kashgar is unlike any other place in China, retaining the immense appeal of medieval Asia. Explore its Old Town and the Abakh Khoja Tomb, before setting off for remote Hotan and Ruoqiang, to take in traditional carpet making techniques, and ancient Buddhist archaeology.
- Day 6overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Kashgar, Hotan, Ruoqiang
2,000-year-old Kashgar is unlike any other place in China, retaining the immense appeal of medieval Asia. Explore its Old Town and the Abakh Khoja Tomb, before setting off for remote Hotan and Ruoqiang, to take in traditional carpet making techniques, and ancient Buddhist archaeology.
- Day 7railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Golmud, Dunhuang, Xining
Make your way through Golmud, visiting the surreal Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake or joining a guided tour through the city. Explore the oasis town of Dunhuang, which ancient travelers had to pass through on their way to and from their destinations. Take a short camel ride at Crescent Moon Lake, and visit the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves. Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. Visit the local Buddhist monastery of Ta'er Si, and stop at the 600-year-old Dongguan Mosque. In Xining, board the high-altitude train to Xizang, spending one night aboard - a unique rail experience.
- Day 8railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Golmud, Dunhuang, Xining
Make your way through Golmud, visiting the surreal Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake or joining a guided tour through the city. Explore the oasis town of Dunhuang, which ancient travelers had to pass through on their way to and from their destinations. Take a short camel ride at Crescent Moon Lake, and visit the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves. Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. Visit the local Buddhist monastery of Ta'er Si, and stop at the 600-year-old Dongguan Mosque. In Xining, board the high-altitude train to Xizang, spending one night aboard - a unique rail experience.
- Day 9railovernight: Aboard the high-altitude train to Xizang
Golmud, Dunhuang, Xining
Make your way through Golmud, visiting the surreal Chaerhan (Qarhan) Salt Lake or joining a guided tour through the city. Explore the oasis town of Dunhuang, which ancient travelers had to pass through on their way to and from their destinations. Take a short camel ride at Crescent Moon Lake, and visit the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves. Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. Visit the local Buddhist monastery of Ta'er Si, and stop at the 600-year-old Dongguan Mosque. In Xining, board the high-altitude train to Xizang, spending one night aboard - a unique rail experience.
- Day 10railovernight: Aboard the high-altitude train
High Altitude train to Lhasa via Tangula Pass
Cross the rugged landscape, climbing in the special high-altitude train and meeting your fellow local and foreign passengers. Admire the pristine lakes and glaciered peaks of the Xizang Plateau from the comfort of the train. Pass by Tangula, the world's highest railroad station.
- Day 11overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa
In Lhasa, stroll through the gardens of 18th century Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. Light a yak-butter candle in Lhasa's massive UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, a maze of over a thousand rooms with thousands of altars and statues. Wander the Barkhor Market, bargaining for yak-wool boots or local fur hats.
- Day 12overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa
In Lhasa, stroll through the gardens of 18th century Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. Light a yak-butter candle in Lhasa's massive UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, a maze of over a thousand rooms with thousands of altars and statues. Wander the Barkhor Market, bargaining for yak-wool boots or local fur hats.
- Day 13overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa
In Lhasa, stroll through the gardens of 18th century Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. Light a yak-butter candle in Lhasa's massive UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, a maze of over a thousand rooms with thousands of altars and statues. Wander the Barkhor Market, bargaining for yak-wool boots or local fur hats.
Included
- Accommodations, as noted in the itinerary.
- All meals, from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final tour day, including a generous allowance of wine, local beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
- 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, as outlined in the itinerary.
- Services of an experienced Train Tour Manager as well as local guides for scheduled off-train tours.
- Complimentary tea, coffee, and mineral water from your car attendant at all times while on board the train.
- All gratuities.
- Baggage handling.
- Complete pre-departure information, including detailed packing list, reading list, and Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements, on request.
Not included
- International airfare, including taxes/fuel surcharges, and 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 personal nature, such as phone calls, email, laundry, and alcohol.
