Golden Eagle Luxury Trains · Escorted tour

Undiscovered Horizons of China

Thirteen-day China rail journey ending on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa

Undiscovered Horizons of China, a rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains runs this thirteen-day, twelve-night journey through western and central China, ending with the Qinghai-Tibet Railway's climb to Lhasa. After a first night at the Conrad Urumqi, the group drives to Turpan for an evening tour of the Jiaohe Ancient City before boarding the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for seven nights, stopping at Kashgar's Old Town, Hotan's Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop, and Dunhuang, where the days include a camel excursion to the Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake and a visit to the Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves. From Xining, travellers can continue on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, crossing the Tanggula Mountain Pass at 16,640 feet, or fly directly to Lhasa, where three nights at the St Regis Lhasa include visits to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka. An Experienced Tour Management team escorts the trip throughout. This suits travellers prepared for a long, high-altitude journey through remote parts of China who want the Silk Road and the Tibetan plateau in a single itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • On day 9, the operator offers an alternative to the Qinghai-Tibet (Xizang) Railway: travellers can choose to fly directly to Lhasa instead of taking the train, so the final leg is not guaranteed to be by rail.
  • This is a high-altitude trip: the Qinghai-Tibet Railway crosses the Tanggula Mountain Pass at 16,640 feet, and the operator describes the destination as 'the fabled heights of Lhasa.'
  • Only one departure is listed in the evidence, in September 2026.
  • Single travellers pay a large premium: Superior Class single occupancy is $33,400pp versus $19,900pp twin share, about 68% more than the twin-share rate.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Conrad Urumqi

    Urumqi

    Transfer to the Conrad Urumqi for a one-night stay. Evening reception dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Turpan

    Scenic drive to Turpan for an evening tour of the Jiaohe Ancient City. Evening board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express with a celebratory dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Turpan

    Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang. Lunch in a local restaurant, then visit the Karez Wells irrigation system and Jiaohe Post.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Kashgar (Kashi)

    Visit the Apak Khoja Mausoleum, Kashgar Old Town and the Gaotai Folk Houses. Lunch at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Hotan

    Lunch on board, then visit the Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop. Evening night tour of Yotkan Ancient City; dinner at the Hotan Rose Blossom Restaurant.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Rouqiang

    Choice of the Loulan Museum or the Miran Ancient City Ruins.

  7. Day 7overnight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Golmud

    Silk Road history lecture at the Hilton Qinghai-Golmud with lunch. Afternoon choice of the Chaerhan Salt Lake or a guided city tour.

    Meals: Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (on board)

    Dunhuang

    Camel excursion to the Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake; visit the Mogao (Magao) Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. Farewell Dinner aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.

    Meals: Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Qinghai–Xizang Railway (on board) or flight to Lhasa

    Xining & the Qinghai–Xizang Railway

    Leisurely morning on board. Afternoon option to visit the Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery or Shuijingxiang Market before boarding the Qinghai–Tibet (Xizang) Railway toward Lhasa (alternative option to fly directly to Lhasa).

  10. Day 10railovernight: St Regis Lhasa

    Tanggula Mountain Pass & Lhasa

    Journey across the Tanggula Mountain Pass, the railway's highest point (16,640 ft). Afternoon check-in to the St Regis Lhasa.

    Meals: Lunch

  11. Day 11overnight: St Regis Lhasa

    Lhasa

    Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace. Free time to explore Lhasa.

  12. Day 12overnight: St Regis Lhasa

    Lhasa

    Visit the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Market, and tour the Potala Palace. Farewell dinner.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Lhasa

    Private transfer to Lhasa Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2An evening tour of the Jiaohe Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is included after the drive to Turpan.
  • Day 8A camel excursion to the Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake at Dunhuang is followed by a visit to the Mogao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex.
  • Day 10The journey crosses the Tanggula Mountain Pass, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway's highest point at 16,640 feet, before checking in to the St Regis Lhasa.
  • Day 11A visit to Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace, is followed by free time to explore Lhasa.
  • Day 12The Lhasa day tours the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market and the Potala Palace.

Included

  • Quality pre and post-tour accommodation in Urumqi and Lhasa
  • 1 night in Conrad Urumqi
  • 7 nights on board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
  • 1 night on board the Qinghai–Xizang Railway
  • 3 hotel nights in St Regis Lhasa
  • Cabin attendant service including evening turndown
  • Experienced Tour Management team
  • Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All gratuities – on and off the train
  • Luggage porterage throughout the journey
  • Freshly prepared meals on board, using the finest local ingredients
  • Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
  • Inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Standard Bar list
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • Immersive excursions throughout the voyage
  • Insight of expert tour managers and specially selected, local tour guides

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (7 nights, Turpan to Dunhuang) and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (1 night, Xining toward Lhasa), covering 8 of the 12 nights.
Is it an escorted tour?
Yes, an Experienced Tour Management team and local tour guides accompany the group throughout, with a UK-registered Doctor on board.
Which trains are used?
The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, in Superior Class or Han Dynasty Suite, and the Qinghai-Xizang (Qinghai-Tibet) Railway.
What hotels are used?
The Conrad Urumqi for 1 night, and the St Regis Lhasa for 3 nights.
Is the final leg to Lhasa always by train?
No. The operator offers a choice on day 9 between continuing on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway or flying directly to Lhasa.
When does this tour run?
The evidence lists one departure, in September 2026.

Similar journeys, different answers