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Planet Rail · Escorted luxury train tour

Imperial China - Xi’an to Hong Kong

12-day luxury train journey across China from Xi'an to Hong Kong

Illustration of Imperial China - Xi’an to Hong Kong

Planet Rail operates this 12-day luxury escorted journey aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, one of China's most prestigious hotel trains. The tour begins in Xi'an with a night at the five-star Ritz-Carlton, then spends nine nights aboard the train as it travels south and east to Hong Kong, stopping at eight cities and cultural landmarks across China. Days blend guided exploration of imperial heritage (Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Longmen Grottoes) with modern experiences: tea on the 120th floor of Shanghai Tower, a private yacht cruise along the Huangpu River, hands-on porcelain-making in Jingdezhen, and a sunset cormorant-fishing excursion on the Lijiang River near Guilin. Travellers also visit the Chengdu giant panda research centre and attend an exclusive Sichuan opera performance. The train features Superior Cabins with en-suite bathrooms, a dining car, observation car with China's largest train windows, and a resident pianist. All meals, guided tours, and transfers are included. This trip suits luxury-seekers, history lovers, food-and-wine enthusiasts, and those who prefer guided comfort with expertly arranged logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: April 2027; confirm future availability with Planet Rail.
  • The final hotel in Hong Kong is not named in the itinerary; contact the operator for details before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Xi’an (The Ritz-Carlton)

    Xi’an

    Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will be met and transferred to the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel for a one-night stay. Take some time to unwind before joining your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and Tang Dynasty themed dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Xi’an

    Explore Xi’an’s ancient city walls and the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, with lunch at a local restaurant. The highlight of the day is a visit to the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors, the vast subterranean army of over 6,000 life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots created to protect China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang. Return to the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for a grand Welcome Dinner onboard.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Luoyang

    Arrive into Luoyang, once the capital of 13 dynasties. Visit the awe-inspiring Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then continue to the legendary Shaolin Temple at the foot of Mount Song, the spiritual birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu, with a martial arts performance. Sample local specialities such as water banquet dumplings in the old town before rejoining the train for dinner onboard.

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Beijing

    Visit the Great Wall at Badaling, followed by a traditional Peking Duck feast for lunch at one of Beijing’s most celebrated restaurants. In the afternoon explore imperial Beijing (Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace) or alternatively modern Beijing (Olympic Village, CCTV Tower, National Museum). Dinner onboard.

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Shanghai

    After a leisurely morning and lunch aboard, visit the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest skyscraper, for afternoon tea on the 120th floor at the J Hotel’s celestial lounge. In the evening board a luxurious private yacht for a night cruise along the Huangpu River past the Bund and Pudong, with a bespoke dinner paired with fine wines.

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Jingdezhen

    In China’s legendary porcelain capital, visit the Jingdezhen Chinese Ceramic Museum, then continue to the Ancient Kilns & Folk Customs Expo Area for an immersive hands-on porcelain experience alongside master potters, shaping, carving and painting your own ceramic creation.

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Yichang

    From Yichang, gateway to the Yangtze, take an exclusive chartered boat trip through the Natural Grand Canyon stretching from the Three Gorges Dam to Gezhouba, with a leisurely lunch onboard featuring freshly-caught Yangtze fish and Sichuan-inspired delicacies.

  8. Day 8overnight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Chengdu

    After breakfast onboard, visit the world-renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, then enjoy a performance of traditional Sichuan opera, including the bian lian face-changing technique, at the Sichuan Opera Theatre exclusively reserved for the group.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Onboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    A day to relax and enjoy the luxurious amenities of the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express: panoramic views from the Observation Car with the largest train window in China, or the lounge with fine wines, cocktails and the resident pianist.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

    Guilin

    A privately chartered cruise along the Lijiang River from Guilin to the riverside town of Yangshuo. As evening falls, board an exclusive fishing boat for a sunset voyage to witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing. Rejoin the train for the farewell dinner on board as it departs for Hong Kong.

  11. Day 11overnight: Hong Kong

    Hong Kong

    Arrive in Shenzhen and cross the border into Hong Kong. The afternoon is free to explore Central, the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront or relax at your hotel, before a memorable Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

  12. Day 12

    Hong Kong

    Enjoy a leisurely morning before your private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, over 6,000 life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots buried to protect China's first emperor.
  • Day 3Explore the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then witness a martial arts performance at Shaolin Temple, the spiritual birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu.
  • Day 5Afternoon tea on the 120th floor of Shanghai Tower in the J Hotel's celestial lounge, followed by a private yacht cruise along the Huangpu River with a bespoke dinner and fine wines.
  • Day 6In Jingdezhen, shape, carve and paint your own ceramic creation alongside master potters in the Ancient Kilns & Folk Customs Expo Area.
  • Day 10Privately chartered cruise along the Lijiang River, then board an exclusive fishing boat at sunset to witness the age-old tradition of cormorant fishing.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 17,900 (approximately USD 23,906) covers all accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, meals, guided excursions, and the first and final nights in hotels. Rail transport is included throughout the journey.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Escorted. Planet Rail provides private guides at each stop and group hosting onboard the train. All excursions, meals and transfers are arranged.
What train is used?
The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, which travels from Xi'an to Hong Kong via Luoyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Jingdezhen, Yichang, Chengdu, and Guilin. Superior Cabins are 11 square metres with convertible beds, en-suite bathroom, minibar and Dyson hairdryer.
How many nights are spent on the train?
Nine nights. The remaining two nights are spent in hotels: one at the Ritz-Carlton in Xi'an at the start and one in Hong Kong at the end.
What is included in the price?
All on-train accommodation, all meals aboard the train and at restaurants during excursions, private guided tours at each stop, entrance fees to attractions (Terracotta Warriors, Longmen Grottoes, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Shanghai Tower, porcelain workshops, panda breeding centre, Sichuan Opera Theatre, river cruises), a private yacht cruise in Shanghai, and transfers between train and attractions.
When does the tour depart?
One departure is listed: April 2027. Contact Planet Rail to confirm whether additional departures are scheduled.

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