Itinerary - 8 Night Luxury Holiday by Rail - Heritage Class Cabin

Day 1

Arriving into Urumqi

Arrive at Urumqi Airport and transfer to the 5 star Sheraton Urumqi for an overnight stay. Dinner is included.

Urumqi looks like a part of Switzerland or Canada set in the midst of the Gobi desert. It is the largest city and one of the most spellbinding in the western half of China

Day 2

Urumqi and Turpan

After breakfast there is a visit to the renowned mummy exhibition at the Provincial Museum in Urumqi before you travel to Turpan, where the Flaming Mountains create a magnificent backdrop. After lunch in a local restaurant you take a fascinating tour to the ancient underground irrigation system that has successfully fed the rich orchards and vineyards for centuries. Our final destination is the elegantly decaying sand city of Jiaohe that was founded in 108 BC. Tonight you spend your first evening onboard the Shangri-La Express.

Day 3

Dunhuang

You arrive after lunch in Liuyang and transfer to the small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex, which contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago, and filled with an amazing collection of sculptures and murals of Buddhist religious art. In the afternoon you take a camel ride to one of the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, Crescent Lake, which has been a source of water amongst the incredible sand dunes for thousands of years. Tonight you dine and experience a local folk performance in this magical setting.

Day 4

Jiayuguan

This morning you arrive in Jiayuguan. Famous for being the first pass at the most westerly point of the Great Wall, it was given the name “The first & greatest pass under Heaven” and was considered a key waypoint along the ancient Silk Road. The fortress at the end of the Great Wall is situated here and dates back to 1372. Perfectly restored it is considered one of the great sights of North-western China. This afternoon you have time to relax in the bar car and learn more about this immense fortification line.

Day 5

Xi'an

Midday arrival into the ancient city of Xi'an. Your tour takes in the highlights of the city including the Great Mosque, the 14 km city walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered barely 30 years ago. The 6,000 Terracotta figures, arranged in row after row of warriors and horses, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. Early evening you head back to the city for dinner and the excellent Tang Dynasty show.

Day 6

Beijing

Today you spend your last day on board the Shangri-La Express as the train winds its way northwards towards Beijing, where you arrive early evening. Having travelled almost across China, you bid farewell to the train crew and transfer to the The Regent Hotel, (or similar) for dinner and a three night stay.

Days 7 to 9

Beijing

During your time here you visit Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the magnificently restored Forbidden City, home to the Emperors and their numerous concubines. You also visit one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of China, the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Tombs. On day 9 you will be transferred to the airport or railway station for your journey home or onward travels.