The Shangri-La Express to Tibet
Hong Kong-Guilin-Kunming-Chendgu-Xian-Lhasa-Dunhuang-Kashgar (19 days)
October 10-28, 2007
Join us on this exciting adventures to the "Roof of the World" -- by private train to Tibet. China has recently completed the 713-mile rail line from Golmud to Lhasa, capital of Tibet. Be among the first to experience this new line. Join us on a legendary journey!
Day 1 HONG KONG, Flight Arrivals
Passengers arriving in Hong Kong are met and transferred to a central, five-star hotel for a one-night stay.
Day 2 SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS, GUANGZHOU
Free time before coaches transfer guests 35 km to Shenzhen station, where our private Shangri-La Express train awaits ready to serve lunch as we depart for Guangzhou (Canton). Our afternoon here includes a tour of the city.
Day 3 GUILIN
Early morning arrival in the enchanting city of Guilin, where we spend the day sightseeing. Situated on the Li River in some of the finest scenery in the world, our day includes a cruise on the river amongst the strange karst rock formations that feature on so many of the covers of books about China. We also visit the 600,000-year old Yudi Lan (Reed Flute) Cave on the outskirts of the city.
Day 4 SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS
A relaxing day on the train as we head towards the mountains of the Yunnan Province and Kunming.
Day 5 KUNMING
We spend the morning in Kunming where our visit includes the Golden Temple and Yunnan Stone Forest. At lunchtime we start our transit over one of the world’s most spectacular railway lines. Completed only in the 1970’s, the line to Chengdu tortuously passes over many precariously perched bridges and over deep ravines before plunging into yet another tunnel.
Day 6 CHENGDU
Mid morning we arrive in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province and home of the Giant Panda. During our city tour we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute.
Day 7 XIAN
Breakfast time arrival in the ancient city of Xian. The morning is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants 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. Lunchtime departure of the Shangri-La Express. Dinner on board.
Day 8 LANZHOU
Upon our arrival in Lanzhou, situated on the Yellow River, we take a trip down to the river during our short stop here as well as visiting the Gansu Provincial Museum.
Day 9 CLIMBING TO THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
Golmud is the starting point for the new 1,100 km ‘roof of the world’ line to Lhasa. From here it is a 12 hour daylight journey to reach the Tibetan capital. Transfer to Lhasa hotel upon arrival for a four night stay.
Day 10 LHASA
Considered one of the most difficult cities on earth to get to, our first day is spent at the hotel for acclimatisation purposes.
Day 11 LHASA
Day two we visit the 13th century Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine and the adjacent Barkhor market before having lunch with traditional folk music. In the afternoon our tour includes the spectacular 17th Century Potala Palace, former seat of the Tibetan Government and the Dalai Lama’s winter residence. It contains thousands of rooms, dominating the city skyline and is one of the architectural wonders of the world.
Day 12 LHASA
Morning visit to Norbu Lingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace. Free time in the afternoon to explore Lhasa.
Day 13 SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS
A full day on the train giving you time to relax and reflect on our visit to the ‘roof of the world’.
Day 14 SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS
Day two on board as we venture across one of the world’s most renowned deserts, the Gobi.
Day 15 GOBI DESERT
Today we pass through the Hexi Corridor, with its snow-capped peaks of the Daban, Datong and Tulai Shan, beyond which lies the Tibetan plateau. On the far side of the corridor lies the Gobi Desert.
Day 16 DUNHUANG
This morning we visit the fascinating Mogao 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 depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious art over a 1,000-year period. Over 2,000 statues and 45,000 murals remain. In the afternoon we visit the Sand Dunes where the more adventurous can take a camel ride to Crescent Lake. Dinner in Dunhuang before returning to the train for a late night departure.
Day 17 TURPAN
The oasis of Turpan lies some 400 feet below sea level and is the lowest and hottest place in China. Whilst here we visit the Flaming Mountains, best viewed at mid day, and the 3,000 km long and 2,000 year- old underground irrigation system. Lunch is in an idyllic setting, amongst the vineyards of the Grape Valley. Early evening departure of our train as we head for the 2,000-year old Silk Road city of Kashgar.
Day 18 KASHGAR
Early evening arrival in this still thriving merchant city where we transfer to the one of the city’s top hotels. Time to explore this, the largest oasis city in central Asia.
Day 19 Flight departures
After breakfast in the hotel, guests are transferred to the airport for departing flights.
Prices
Tour Double occupancy Single occupancy Land only: $ 9,895 $13,050
All prices are per personNow taking deposits of $1,500 per person to secure space on this historic journey!
Download our tour booking form here. Please read our terms & conditions.
Call us at (800) 478-4881 to secure your space.
Outside the U.S.: (502) 454-0277. Or e-mail us by clicking here.
Click here for other itineraries to Tibet.
The Line to Tibet...
In 2001, the Chinese Government included in its five-year plan the construction of a new, $3.6 billion, 713-mile railway line from Golmud to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. This project had been talked about for years as a way to link Tibet more closely with China. The project was not popular with the Tibetans as they feared that their culture would be overrun by the Han-Chinese once the link was established. In any case, no one could come up with a way to build a railway line through, that would have to climb over 17,000 feet and then cross 450 miles of permafrost. Indeed most engineers doubted that it was possible.
In late 2001, 100,000 workers started construction from Golmud. This was the easy section, having only to climb some 14,000 feet in 120 miles to pass through the Pamir Mountains at 17,146 feet—or 3.25 miles—above sea level. The line then descends onto the Tibetan Plateau, which averages 14,000 feet.
The workers were paid $200 per month, double the national average, and worked around-the-clock. The greatest problems faced were the altitude and cold. At such high altitudes, there must be a constant supply of oxygen available. Workers faced temperatures during the winter of –20ºF (-30ºC).
The track is now complete.
The Trains...
Our partner in this venture, GW Travel, is a pioneer in first-time, private train adventures, leads the way once again with this first-ever arrival of foreign visitors by train to the capital of Tibet—Lhasa. This Tibet trip will be aboard the most comfortable train available in China, the Shangri-La Express.
Aboard this train you will be transported in comfort and safety through the countryside that makes up the most populous nation in the world, China. Relax and enjoy life onboard our moving "hotel on wheels" as we take you back to a time when travel meant adventure and exploration. The train has all of the amenities available to travelers in China today, including: air-conditioned carriages, restaurant cars, first-class international and local cuisine, highly-trained staff that pampers guests with bathrobes, slippers, on-board laundry service and lectures.
Carriages are fitted with two bunk style beds; the lower converts to daytime sofa seating, with cabins being discreetly designed to provide optimal amenities and ample storage space.
The focal point of the train is the ‘bar car’. Whether it be to chat about local traditions, practice your local phrases with our bar staff, or to peruse the books, games, videos and magazines available, passengers can relax and enjoy the comfort of this cozy hive of activity.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
Click here to send us an e-mail.
