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
Voyage to the Roof of the World by Private Train
Roll across China from Beijing to Xi'an and Dunhuang, then hop a special high-altitude train to Lhasa – the “City of the Sun.”
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Beijing
Beijing (China), board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a two-night stay at a top hotel in Beijing, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. 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. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner before boarding the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.
- Day 2railovernight: Beijing
Beijing (China), board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a two-night stay at a top hotel in Beijing, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. 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. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner before boarding the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.
- Day 3rail
Beijing (China), board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express
Begin with a two-night stay at a top hotel in Beijing, and connect with fellow travelers at a welcome reception. 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. Cross Tiananmen square and appreciate the beauty of the Summer Palace. Or check out Beijing's more modern architecture including the Olympic Village and the iconic CCTV Tower. Round out the time in Beijing with a traditional Peking Duck dinner before boarding the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, where a festive welcome dinner marks the beginning of your rail adventure in style.
- Day 4
Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu
Head west 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. Continue to Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. In Chengdu, visit the Giant Panda Research Base and enjoy the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera Show.
- Day 5
Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu
Head west 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. Continue to Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. In Chengdu, visit the Giant Panda Research Base and enjoy the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera Show.
- Day 6
Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu
Head west 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. Continue to Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. In Chengdu, visit the Giant Panda Research Base and enjoy the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera Show.
- Day 7
Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu
Head west 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. Continue to Xi'an's ancient city walls and the magnificent Terracotta Warriors. At a special Tang Dynasty show, celebrate Xi'an's cultural heritage, pairing authentic cuisine with spectacular music and dance. In Chengdu, visit the Giant Panda Research Base and enjoy the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera Show.
- Day 8rail
Xining, Dunhuang
Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. Visit the local Buddhist monastery of Ta'er Si, and the Qinghai Provincial Museum, which showcases a diverse collection of artifacts. Stroll along Shui Jing Xiang, also known as Shuijing Alley Market. 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, where tradition says that a 4th-century Buddhist monk carved and decorated the first cave at the place where he had a vision of a thousand Buddhas. Return to Xining to board the high-altitude train to Xizang, spending one night aboard – a unique rail experience. (Or opt to fly to Lhasa instead of taking the high-altitude train.)
- Day 9rail
Xining, Dunhuang
Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. Visit the local Buddhist monastery of Ta'er Si, and the Qinghai Provincial Museum, which showcases a diverse collection of artifacts. Stroll along Shui Jing Xiang, also known as Shuijing Alley Market. 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, where tradition says that a 4th-century Buddhist monk carved and decorated the first cave at the place where he had a vision of a thousand Buddhas. Return to Xining to board the high-altitude train to Xizang, spending one night aboard – a unique rail experience. (Or opt to fly to Lhasa instead of taking the high-altitude train.)
- Day 10rail
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 13
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.
- 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. (Please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost).
Not included
- International airfare, including taxes/fuel surcharges, and surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour. MIR is able to assist with arrangements, as detailed in the itinerary.
- 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.
