12-Day Beijing to Xinjiang Silk Road Luxury Train Tour 2026

Beijing, Xi'an, Dunhuang, Golmud, Hotan, Kashgar, Turpan, Urumqi

Traveler Reviews

12 Days From Beijing to Xinjiang Rail Discovery Tour in 2026 tour map

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: SKY-Silk-Road-06

Tour Highlights:

Travel on a rail journey authorized by China's Ministry of Railway.

Experience the China Silk Road Express with its stated five-star onboard service.

Visit the Great Wall in Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, both UNESCO-listed sites.

Explore Mogao Grottoes, a World Heritage site preserving major works of Buddhist art.

See Apak Khoja Mausoleum, an ornate tomb regarded as Xinjiang's holiest Muslim site.

Best Travel Time:
This journey operates on the annually fixed departure dates shown in the itinerary.

From $ 18500

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Tour Itinerary

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Itinerary

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Day 1Sep 21, 2026 Arrival Beijing

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing or similar

[08:00-18:00] Arrival Beijing, airport meeting and transfer to hotel
[19:30-21:00] Welcoming Dinner

Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing for the scheduled two-night stay. In the evening, meet the other travelers at the welcome reception and dinner before the rail journey begins.

Beijing

Day 2Sep 22, 2026 Beijing

Badaling Great Wall

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Beijing or similar

[07:00-08:00] Breakfast in hotel
[09:30-12:30] Badaling Great Wall
[13:00-14:30] Lunch
[15:00-17:00] City tour or leisure time
[19:30-21:00] Beijing Roast Duck Dinner

Begin at the Great Wall at Badaling, a restored section of China's best-known defensive structure. Walk along the wall and consider the role this mountain route played in imperial defense. The afternoon remains available for the listed city tour or leisure time. In the evening, dine at a Peking Duck restaurant where the duck is prepared and carved at the table.

The Great Wall

Day 3Sep 23, Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast in hotel
[09:30-12:30] Tiananmen square & Forbidden city
[13:00-14:00] Lunch
[14:30-17:00] Summer palace
[17:00-18:00] Transfer to the railway station
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Explore Beijing's historic center, beginning with Forbidden City, the imperial palace used by China's rulers for nearly 500 years. Walk through Tiananmen Square, then visit the gardens, temples and lakes of the Summer Palace.

As the listed alternative program, see contemporary Beijing through the Olympic Village, Bird's Nest, CCTV Tower and National Museum.

Transfer to the railway station in the evening and board the Silk Road Express. Settle into your cabin and have dinner in the dining car as the train begins traveling west.

Forbidden City

Day 4Sep 24, 2026 Xi'an

Terracotta Army, Great Mosque, Ancient City Wall, Tang Dynasty Show

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[07:30-08:30] Breakfast on train
[10:00-12:00] Terracotta Army
[12:30-13:30] Lunch
[15:00-16:30] The Great Mosque
[17:00-18:30] Ancient City Wall
[19:30-21:30] Tang Dynasty Show Dinner

In Xi'an, visit the ancient city wall and the Great Mosque, whose architecture combines Chinese and Islamic traditions. Continue to the Terracotta Army to see the life-size soldiers, chariots and horses created for China's First Emperor.

Attend the scheduled Tang Dynasty show dinner in the evening, combining dinner with traditional music and dance. Afterwards, continue toward Dunhuang aboard the Silk Road Express.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 5Sep 25, 2026 Silk Road Express

On Board The Silk Road Express

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[12:30-13:30] Lunch on train
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Spend a full day aboard the Silk Road Express. Watch the changing landscape through the Observation Car's floor-to-ceiling windows or relax in the Bar Lounge Car with the available wine and spirit selection.

Silk Road Express

Day 6Sep 26, 2026 Dunhuang

Mogao Grottoes, Sand Dunes & Cresent Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[09:30-12:00] Mogao Grottoes
[12:30-13:30] Lunch
[14:00-16:30] Sand dunes & Crescent lake
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Arrive in Dunhuang and visit Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO-listed complex of Buddhist caves containing murals and sculpture created over many centuries. The scheduled visit also includes music performed by local folk artists.

After lunch, take the arranged camel ride through the dunes toward Crescent Lake,, the crescent-shaped oasis that has remained among the desert sands for generations.

Mogao Grottoes

Day 7Sep 27, 2026 Golmud

Chaerhan Salt Lake or City Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[09:30-11:30] Lecture at the hotel
[12:00-13:30] Lunch
[14:00-17:00] Chaerhan Salt Lake or city tour
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Attend the scheduled Silk Road history lecture at Hilton Qinghai–Golmud, then have lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, choose between Chaerhan Salt Lake, and the listed guided city tour before returning to the train.

Chaerhan Salt Lake

Day 8Sep 28, 2026 Hotan

Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop, Yotkan Ancient city

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[12:00-13:30] Lunch on train
[14:30-16:00] Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop
[17:00-19:00] Yotkan Ancient city
[19:30-21:00] Dinner in Hotan
[21:00-21:30] Drive to the train

After a relaxed morning and lunch onboard, visit Hotan's Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop to see artisans producing silk and carpets by traditional methods. Continue in the evening to Yotkan Ancient City., once part of the Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan and an important Silk Road center.

Hotan

Day 9Sep 29, 2026 Kashgar

Apak Khoja Mausoleum, Kashgar Old Town, Gaotai Folk Houses

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[09:30-11:00] Apak Khoja Mausoleum
[11:30-12:30] Kashgar Old Town
[13:00-14:30] Lunch
[15:00-17:00] Gaotai Folk Houses
[17:00-19:30] Dinner in a local restaurant
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Explore Kashgar, a long-established meeting point for cultures, religions and architectural traditions. Visit Apak Khoja Tomb, walk through the Old Town and continue to the Gaotai folk houses. Lunch at a local restaurant introduces Uyghur cuisine before the group returns to the train.

Apak Khoja Mausoleum

Day 10Sep 30, 2026 Turpan

Gaochang Ancient City, Karez Wells, Jiaohe Ruins

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: China Silk Road Express Train

[08:30-09:30] Breakfast on train
[09:30-10:30] Drive to Gaochang Ancient city
[10:30-12:30] Gaochang Ancient city
[13:00-14:30] Lunch
[15:00-17:30] Karez Wells
[17:30-18:30] Drive to the train
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on the train

Arrive in Turpan,Ancient City of Gaochang and explore Karez irrigation system, once a major Silk Road trading settlement. After lunch, visit the Jiaohe Ruins, which has supplied water to this dry region for centuries, then continue to Jiaohe Ruins and its distinctive rock-cut remains.

Return to the train for the scheduled farewell dinner aboard the Silk Road Express.

Gaochang Ancient City

Day 11Oct 01, 2026 Trupan – Urumqi

Xinjiang Museum, Grand Bazzar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Conrad Urumqi or similar

[08:30-09:30] Breakfast on train
[09:30-12:30] Drive to Urumqi
[13:00-14:00] Lunch
[14:30-16:00] Xinjiang Museum
[16:30-18:00] Grand Bazzar
[19:30-21:00] Dinner

After the morning train journey, disembark in Urumqi, Xinjiang's multiethnic regional capital. Visit the museum and Grand Bazaar as scheduled, then stay overnight in the city.

Grand Bazzar

Day 12Oct 02, 2026 Departure Urumqi

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Urumqi airport for the onward flight and conclude the Beijing-to-Xinjiang rail journey.

Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

13-Day Route: Beijing – Xi'an – Dunhuang – Golmud – Hotan – Kashgar – Turpan – Urumqi

Tour Date: Sep 21rst – Oct 2nd, 2026

Route	Date	Type of Cabin	Quotation	Single Supplement (S.S. in Train & Hotel)
Urumqi – Lhasa	Sep 21 – Oct 2	Twin Bedroom	$18500/p.p	$12400/p.p
Urumqi – Lhasa	Sep 21 – Oct 2	Double Bedroom	$18500/p.p	$12400/p.p

Note: The above price is based on 2 persons sharing a room. If one person would like to stay a room, he or she need to pay single supplement.

Remarks:
1. All prices in US dollars;
2. Prices subject to change without any further notice;
3. Accommodation and tour itineraries are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control.
4. We reserve the right to distribute passengers of sharing cabins; in case the cabin cannot be share, the cost applies on the passengers in the cabin.

Price includes:
1) ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
Arrival and departure transfers are included.

2) ADMISSION FEE TO ATTRACTION
Main tickets of scenic areas and traffic fee within the scenic areas listed in the itinerary, including the in-tour train ticket of Xining/Lhasa on soft berth basis.

3) HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION
Hotel and onboard accommodation as described in your individual tour itinerary are included in the tour price. All hotels in Urumqi and Lhasa are of 5 star standard or, room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost.

4) BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY
All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train.

5) GUIDE SERVICE
Professional English tour guides for all sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.

6) EXPRESS TRAIN TICKET
The entire fare of the Silk Road Express train is included in the above quotation.

7) GRATUITIES
All gratuities on and off the train.

8) TRAVEL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Price excludes:
1.International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
2.China Entry Visa Fees
3.Excess Baggage Charges
4.Single Room Supplement.
5.Personal Expenses such as visa costs, insurance, drinks from the bar car, laundry, spa treatments, hairdressing.
6.All expenses not mentioned as above are to be paid by the guests themselves.

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Why Choose Us

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos
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5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though

Kiwimac53

5.0

We were looking for a tour in SW China while in the area for work and found this one. While we wouldn't normally get a private tour but surprisingly it was actually cheaper than most of the group tours in the area and was great value. While I would usually rather keep one guide for the whole tour, as you get to know each other and they get to know what you are interested in, we changed guides 5 times during this trip (fortunately we had the same guide in Kunming at the start and end of the tour which was a real bonus as Murphy, our Kunming based guide, was excellent.) In this case changing guides had the advantage of local knowledge at each site so compensated for the change. Of the 4 guides we had 3 excellent and 1 very good with each of them working hard to look after us and make sure we enjoyed our trip. Vicky, our Dali based guide was also extremely good making our time there a highlight. The tour gives you 2 days at each base ie travel in the morning, have the afternoon and the next day touring the area then drive to the next base. We chose the driving tour as we feel it gives you a better experience of the area and you get to see the locals in action. All the drivers we had were great – they went out of their way to look after us and were very safe, which is saying something for driving in China. While all of the guides were very fluent in English none of the drivers could speak English which was a slight disadvantage as you didn't have the guides with you when traveling between bases but the friendliness and helpfulness of the drivers more than made up for this.
The tour was very well organised and we knew what we were doing from the time we met our guide on arrival at the Kunming railway station to when we walked through security at the airport on our way out. The tour comes with 4,5 and 6 star accommodation choices and we went for the cheapest 4 star option. While the English at the hotels was limited the guides made sure we were checked in and out and took care of any issues (which were minimal). The 4 star option is largely “Chinese style” hotels ie designed for Chinese visitors with breakfast consisting of what many westeners would consider dinner style food but there was always eggs and toast for the less adventurous. The hotels were all clean and comfortable and generally very well located. The Hotel in Kunming (Jin Jang Inn) was a bonus as it seemed higher than 4 star and we stayed there both on our way in and out. As well as breakfast, lunch came with the tour which was enjoyable as the guides choose the restaurants so we got a variety. I got the feeling that most of the restaurants were owned by friends or family or there was some arrangement with the guide, but as you get to formally review each guide and the meals at the end of each stop they work hard to make sure you enjoy the meal and there was always an abundance of food. We tried a range of local cuisine and there was only one meal we didn't think was up to par. You get your own dinner which also suited us as there is invariably a range of restaurants or for the more adventurous there is the street vendors and you can choose what you want. The vehicles we were driven in were all very good- plenty of space and very comfortable.
Being a private tour, while there was a set itinerary, which was diverse and very interesting with something for most people, the guides could tweak it to suit individual interests eg more time at one site and less at another. It is easy to get a bit templed out but overall the itinerary was a good mic of nature and culture. I would thoroughly recommend the tour and the company and we will be looking to the company if/when we go back – Guilin is next on the list as the guides were very happy to discus what they thought we would and wouldn't enjoy based on working with us on this tour,

N2265ZIinfo

5.0

Excellent guides, flexible and knowledgeable travel agent. They speak good English. Our trip was very well organized. We are 100% happy and I can recommend Yun Sky Travel to everybody.

Wesley O

5.0

I contacted Yun Sky Travel for a 13 day China vacation (Beijing/Xian/Yangtze River cruise/Shanghai) and right from the start Bonnie provided me with great choices and package options. Throughout the entire planning and even during the trip Bonnie was there for us following up and making sure everything was perfect. Thank you Bonnie for making our China vacation unforgettable.

Johnf8958

5.0

From the minute I contacted Vicky at Yun Sky Travel to book our holiday, to the time we were taken to Pudong airport for our flight home, the experience was perfect.
My wife and I visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and all of our tour guides were fluent in English, very knowledgeable and very friendly.
Thank you Vicky and all at YUNSKY and I will definitely be in contact when I return to China.

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