The Shangri-La Express to Tibet
Hong Kong to Lhasa, 13 days
Sept. 7-19, 2008Begin this tour in modern Hong Kong. Travel over the spectacular railway line from Kunming to Chengdu. Visit the Terracotta Warriors and experience the world's highest railway line, peaking at 16,640 feet, en route to Lhasa. Spend three days exploring the Tibetan capital, taking in the most important Buddhist sites in the city.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Hong Kong
Independent arrivals into Hong Kong. Ten years on from being handed back to China, this cosmopolitan city is an exciting starting point for our 17 day adventure. We stay at a centrally located five-star hotel for one night and this evening we enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Hong Kong/ Border Crossing
Free morning to explore. There is time to visit Victoria Peak for stunning views of the island, take in some shopping at one of the many malls or visit Causeway to marvel at the awe-inspiring sky scrapers, such as the Bank of China or HSBC buildings. At lunchtime we depart by high-speed train to Guangzhou where we join our private train, the Shangri La Express. After settling into our cabins, there is time for a drink in the bar car before enjoying dinner in the restaurant car.
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: Shilin & Yunnan Stone Forest
The morning is spent relaxing on board the train as we make our way to Shilin. After lunch on the train we visit the beautiful Stone Forest with its magnificent stone masterpieces and various strange and steep intricate formations.Day 5: Kunming
Morning tour of Kunming visiting the local sights including the Golden Temple, which is actually made out of copper. At lunchtime we start our transit over one of the world’s most spectacular railway lines. Completed in the 1970’s, the line tortuously passes over many precariously perched bridges and over deep ravines before plunging into yet another tunnel on its way to Chengdu.
Day 6: Chengdu
This morning we arrive into Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province and the centre for traditional Chinese medicine within this vast country. Also the home of the Giant Panda, we will have the opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute and get close to these remarkable rare creatures. This afternoon is spent on the train relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
Day 7: Xian
Mid morning arrival in the ancient city of Xian. Our tour takes in the highlights of the city including the Great Mosque, the 14-km city walls, Drum and Bell Towers, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. If there is time we can take a stroll through the historic Muslim quarter with its winding lanes and spend some time bartering for souvenirs. We dedicate several hours 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. This evening we see the excellent Tang Dynasty dinner show.
Day 8: Lanzhou
Time permitting we may have a short stop in Lanzhou. Known as the Golden City it used to be a major stop on the ancient trading route, the Silk Road and has a colourful history dating back 2,000 years. We spent the rest of the day on the Shangri-La Express and enjoy our final dinner on board the train this evening.
Day 9: Golmud
After an early arrival in Golmud, starting point for the new 1,142 km ‘Roof of the World’ line to Lhasa, we say goodbye to the Shangri-La Express. From here we change to the new high-altitude train and embark on a 14-hour daylight journey into the Tibetan Capital of Lhasa cresting the 16,640 foot (5,072m) Tangula Pass 6 hours after leaving Golmud. This is the world’s highest scenic railway pass – over 3 miles (5km) above sea level and is certainly a once in a lifetime experience. Due to the high altitude, extra oxygen is pumped in through the ventilation system, and personal oxygen masks are available if required to make the journey as comfortable as possible. On arrival into Lhasa we are transferred to the Five Star Brahmaputra Hotel for a four-night stay.
Day 10: Lhasa
Lhasa is located in a small basin surrounded by mountains, and it literally means "place of the gods". At an altitude of around 11,975ft (3,650m) it is one of the highest cities in the world; it is also the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama and the holiest centre of Tibet with over a thousand years of cultural and spiritual history. Today we have free time in the hotel whilst we acclimatize.Day 11: Lhasa
On our second full day here, we visit the 13th century Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine and the spiritual home for almost all Tibetans. Next we explore the adjacent Barkhor market, the oldest market in the capital and a well-trodden route for the many pilgrims who make their way to the temple. A local lunch is accompanied by traditional folk music. This afternoon we visit the 17th century Potala Palace, former seat of the Tibetan Government and the Dalai Lama’s winter residence before he fled to India in 1959. Containing thousands of rooms it dominates the city skyline. Perched upon Marpo Ri hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, the Potala Palace rises a further 170 meters, is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet and one of the architectural wonders of the world.
Day 12: Lhasa
Today we visit to Norbu Lingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace, it was built in the 1740’s as a retreat from which to escape the heat of the summer. Meaning either “jewel garden” or “precious garden” it is still a tranquil haven from the noise of the city and a wonderful place to explore. We have our farewell dinner tonight and say our goodbyes.
Day 13: Lhasa Flight departures
Airport departure transfers
The Highlights:
• Travel on spectacular railway line Kunming-Chengdu
• Reach highest point possible by train at Tangula Pass (16,640 feet)
• Holy sites of Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbu Lingka, with experienced Tibetan guide
• Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute in Chendgu
• Fascinating Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and Yunnan Stone Forest in Kunming
• Li River cruise among strange karst rock formations
Prices
Double occupancy Single occupancy $7,995 $10,995 All prices are per person
Now 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 Shangri-La Express...
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.
