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MIR Corporation · Rail Journey

China Rail Discovery

13-day Silk Road rail journey from Urumqi to Lhasa across China's remote interior

Illustration of China Rail Discovery

MIR Corporation's China Rail Discovery is a 13-day journey through China's remote interior, traveling from Urumqi in Xinjiang to Lhasa in Tibet aboard two luxury trains. Most nights are spent aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express or the high-altitude train to the Xizang Plateau, with guided explorations of ancient cities and archaeological sites on scheduled off-train days. The route passes through Kashgar, a 2,000-year-old caravan center; Hotan, where traditional silk carpet workshops still operate; Dunhuang, home to the UNESCO Mogao Caves; and Xining, a provincial capital with historic Buddhist monasteries. The tour culminates in Lhasa, where you visit the Potala Palace and the Norbulingka gardens. An experienced Train Tour Manager and local guides lead all tours. All meals, accommodations, transfers, and gratuities are included. This itinerary suits travelers seeking immersion in Silk Road history and culture aboard premium rail accommodations, guided throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is 33,400 USD (nearly 68 percent more than the 19,900 USD double rate), a significant premium for solo travelers.
  • International airfare is not included; travelers must book flights separately to reach Urumqi and depart from Lhasa.
  • Only one departure is currently listed: September 2026. Confirm availability and book well in advance.

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Explore the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century near Turpan, and learn about the ancient gravity-fed karez system that brings water from glaciers of the Tien Shan.
  • Day 4Walk through Kashgar's Old Town, wandering ancient dirt lanes between mud-brick Uighur houses with ladders leading to roofs, and visit the Abakh Khoja Tomb.
  • Day 7Take a short camel ride at Crescent Moon Lake and visit the UNESCO-listed Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves near Dunhuang.
  • Day 10Aboard the high-altitude train to Xizang, pass Tangula, the world's highest railroad station, while viewing pristine lakes and glaciered peaks of the Xizang Plateau.
  • Day 11In Lhasa, visit the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace, a maze of over a thousand rooms with thousands of altars and statues, and stroll the gardens of the 18th-century Norbulingka.

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.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of 19,900 USD includes all rail travel aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express and the high-altitude train to Xizang, plus accommodations, all meals with beverages, guided tours, transfers, and gratuities.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. MIR Corporation provides an experienced Train Tour Manager and local guides for all scheduled off-train tours. You travel with the group and do not arrange your own itinerary.
What trains are used?
The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express runs from Urumqi to Xining, and the high-altitude train to Xizang runs from Xining to Lhasa via Tangula Pass.
Where do you stay while on the train?
Cabins aboard the trains serve as your overnight accommodation for 9 of the 12 nights. Two additional nights are spent in hotels in Urumqi and Lhasa; the nights are spent on the trains themselves.
What meals are included?
All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day are included, with a generous allowance of wine, local beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner.
What is not included?
International airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, the single-room supplement if required, excess baggage charges, and personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, and any alcohol beyond what is provided with meals.

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