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MIR Corporation · Rail Journey

Imperial China by Private Train

Twelve-day private train journey across imperial China from Xi'an to Hong Kong.

Illustration of Imperial China by Private Train

MIR Corporation's 12-day Imperial China by Private Train takes you from Xi'an to Hong Kong aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, a luxury private train. The journey covers nine nights on the train and two in hotels, with a Train Tour Manager and local guides leading all off-train excursions. You will stand before the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, walk the Great Wall at Badaling, explore Beijing's Forbidden City and Summer Palace, visit Shanghai's cultural sites from a private yacht on the Huangpu River, discover Chengdu's Giant Panda Research Base, and cruise Guilin's limestone-carved river at sunset. All meals, transfers, tours, and gratuities are included. The pace is relaxed, with multiple days at key cities and substantial guided exploration. This suits history lovers, luxury travelers, and those seeking an immersive multi-day rail experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is substantial: USD 45,900 compared to USD 27,500 per person, nearly double the base price.
  • Only one departure confirmed in the pack: April 2027. Verify additional dates directly with MIR before planning.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Xi'an

    Xi'an (China), Luoyang

    Begin your journey with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Xi'an, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. Discover Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. Head east into China's Silk Road history as you explore Luoyang, one of the seven ancient capitals of China. Here, discover Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the legendary Shaolin Temple. Board the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Xi'an (China), Luoyang

    Begin your journey with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Xi'an, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. Discover Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. Head east into China's Silk Road history as you explore Luoyang, one of the seven ancient capitals of China. Here, discover Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the legendary Shaolin Temple. Board the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Xi'an (China), Luoyang

    Begin your journey with a one-night stay at a top hotel in Xi'an, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. Discover Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. Head east into China's Silk Road history as you explore Luoyang, one of the seven ancient capitals of China. Here, discover Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the legendary Shaolin Temple. Board the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Beijing, Shanghai, Jingdezhen

    Explore the multi-faceted capital of China, Beijing. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and back in the capital stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Savor a traditional Peking Duck lunch before crossing Tiananmen square to appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Visit Shanghai, the most populous city in China and a global financial hub. Discover the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest and the world's third-tallest building. Continue to Jingdezhen known as the "Porcelain Capital" and explore the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum. Reboard the train and head to Yichang.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Beijing, Shanghai, Jingdezhen

    Explore the multi-faceted capital of China, Beijing. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and back in the capital stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Savor a traditional Peking Duck lunch before crossing Tiananmen square to appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Visit Shanghai, the most populous city in China and a global financial hub. Discover the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest and the world's third-tallest building. Continue to Jingdezhen known as the "Porcelain Capital" and explore the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum. Reboard the train and head to Yichang.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Beijing, Shanghai, Jingdezhen

    Explore the multi-faceted capital of China, Beijing. Head outside the city to take in the majestic Great Wall at Badaling, and back in the capital stroll through the vast complex of the Forbidden City. Savor a traditional Peking Duck lunch before crossing Tiananmen square to appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Visit Shanghai, the most populous city in China and a global financial hub. Discover the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest and the world's third-tallest building. Continue to Jingdezhen known as the "Porcelain Capital" and explore the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum. Reboard the train and head to Yichang.

  7. Day 7overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Yichang, Chengdu

    Begin your day in Yichang, an ancient city with a history spanning over 4,000 years. Take a boat trip through the breathtaking Natural Grand Canyon with lunch onboard. Explore Chengdu, one of China's oldest cities, visiting the Giant Panda Research Base and taking in a Sichuan Opera Show at Shufeng Yayun Opera House.

  8. Day 8overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Yichang, Chengdu

    Begin your day in Yichang, an ancient city with a history spanning over 4,000 years. Take a boat trip through the breathtaking Natural Grand Canyon with lunch onboard. Explore Chengdu, one of China's oldest cities, visiting the Giant Panda Research Base and taking in a Sichuan Opera Show at Shufeng Yayun Opera House.

  9. Day 9overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Yichang, Chengdu

    Begin your day in Yichang, an ancient city with a history spanning over 4,000 years. Take a boat trip through the breathtaking Natural Grand Canyon with lunch onboard. Explore Chengdu, one of China's oldest cities, visiting the Giant Panda Research Base and taking in a Sichuan Opera Show at Shufeng Yayun Opera House.

  10. Day 10overnight: Aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Guilin, Hong Kong

    Arrive in Guilin and admire its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Cruise the river among the crags and caves of the wind-carved limestone formations. Enjoy the serene sunset and witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing. Your final destination is Hong Kong. Enjoy free time in this vibrant metropolis, followed by a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the journey's end.

  11. Day 11overnight: Hong Kong

    Guilin, Hong Kong

    Arrive in Guilin and admire its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Cruise the river among the crags and caves of the wind-carved limestone formations. Enjoy the serene sunset and witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing. Your final destination is Hong Kong. Enjoy free time in this vibrant metropolis, followed by a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the journey's end.

  12. Day 12overnight: Hong Kong

    Guilin, Hong Kong

    Arrive in Guilin and admire its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Cruise the river among the crags and caves of the wind-carved limestone formations. Enjoy the serene sunset and witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing. Your final destination is Hong Kong. Enjoy free time in this vibrant metropolis, followed by a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the journey's end.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Visit Xi'an's ancient city walls and the Terracotta Warriors, then attend a Tang Dynasty show celebrating Xi'an's cultural heritage with authentic cuisine and music.
  • Day 4Day 4: Explore Beijing's Great Wall at Badaling, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace; enjoy a traditional Peking Duck lunch.
  • Day 7Day 7: Take a boat trip through the Natural Grand Canyon in Yichang with lunch onboard, then visit Chengdu's Giant Panda Research Base.
  • Day 10Day 10: Cruise the limestone formations of Guilin's river, witnessing the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing at sunset.

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 round the clock from your car attendant 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.
  • 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, 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?
Yes. The tour price includes all accommodations and meals aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express from Xi'an to Yichang, plus rail transfers between cities.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. MIR provides a Train Tour Manager and local guides for all scheduled off-train tours. Arrival and departure transfers are included if you arrive and depart on the tour start and end dates.
Which train is used?
The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express in Superior Class, operating from Xi'an to Yichang.
What meals are included?
All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day, including wine, local beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
When does this tour run?
The pack lists one departure in April 2027. Contact MIR to confirm additional departures and current availability.
What is the activity level?
Level 2 (Moderate). Activities include city walking, visits to the Great Wall, and a river cruise; no strenuous hiking.

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