13-Day Xinjiang to Tibet Luxury Train Tour 2026

Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Hotan, Rouqiang, Golmud, Dunhuang, Xining, Lhasa

Traveler Reviews

13 Days From Xijiang to Tibet Rail Discovery Tour in 2026 tour map

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: SKY-Silk-Road-07

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 service.
Join an evening visit to UNESCO-listed Jiaohe Ancient City.
Follow a route designed for travelers interested in Chinese history and culture.
Continue from the Xinjiang Silk Road to Tibet.

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

From $ 19900

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Tour Itinerary

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Itinerary

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Day 1Sep 12, 2026 Arrival Urumqi

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: Wecloming Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Conrad Urumqi or similar

【10:00-17:00】Arrival Urumqi, met and transfer to hotel
【19:00-21:00】Welcoming dinner

Arrive in Urumqi, Xinjiang's regional capital, and meet your private driver for the transfer to Conrad Urumqi. Rest at the hotel before joining the scheduled welcome reception and dinner in the evening.

Urumqi City View

Day 2Sep 13, 2026 Urumqi – Turpan

Drive to Turpan, Jiaohe Ancient City Evening Visit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Silk Road Express Train

[09:00-10:00] Breakfast in hotel
[10:00-12:30] Free time in Urumqi
[13:00-14:00] Lunch in Urumqi
[14:00-16:30] Drive to Turpan
[17:00-19:00] Evening visit Jiaohe Ancient city
[19:00-20:00] Drive to the Silk Road Express train (SRE)
[20:00-21:30] Dinner on train

Travel to Turpan, where you will join the scheduled evening visit to Jiaohe Ancient City. Explore the remains of this former Silk Road city as daylight fades, accompanied by the arranged historical commentary.

Board the Silk Road Express in the evening, settle into your cabin and have dinner in the train's dining car.

Jiaohe Ancient City

Day 3Sep 14, 2026 Turpan

Gaochang ancient city, Karez

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: 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 in a local restaurant
[15:00-16:30] Karez Wells
[17:00-18:00] Drive to the train
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Explore Gaochang Ancient City, once an important Silk Road capital. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Karez Wells, an underground irrigation system that continues to support Turpan's vineyards. The program also includes Jiaohe Post before dinner onboard the train.

Gaochang Ancient City

Day 4Sep 15, 2026 Kashgar

Apak Khoja Mausoleum, Kashgar Old Town, Gaotai Folk Houses

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: 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 in a local restaurant
[15:00-17:00] Gaotai Folk Houses
[17:00-17:30] Drive to the train
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Arrive in Kashgar, then visit Apak Khoja Mausoleum, an ornate tomb associated with the region's Islamic history. Walk through Kashgar Old Town, have lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Gaotai Folk Houses for a closer look at traditional Uyghur homes before returning to the train.

Apak Khoja Mausoleum

Day 5Sep 16, 2026 Hotan

Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop, Yotkan Ancient city

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: 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 Rose Blossom Restaurant
[21:00-21:30] Drive to the train

Spend the morning onboard before arriving in Hotan, continue to the Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop, where artisans demonstrate the hand production of silk and carpets. In the evening, tour Yotkan Ancient City, linked with the former Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan, then dine at Hotan Rose Blossom Restaurant as scheduled.

Hotan

Day 6Sep 17, 2026 Rouqiang

Milan Ancient City Ruins, Luolan Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Silk Road Express Train

[08:30-09:30] Breakfast on train
[10:00-11:00] Drive to Milan Ancient City Ruins
[11:00-13:00] Milan Ancient City Ruins
[13:30-14:30] Lunch
[15:30-17:30] Luolan museum
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Arrive in Rouqiang and follow the day's listed program, which includes the Loulan Museum and Miran Ancient City Ruins. These sites introduce the history of the ancient Loulan region and the Silk Road settlements that developed in the desert during the Han and Tang periods.

Loulan Museum

Day 7Sep 18, 2026, Golmud

Chaerhan Salt Lake, Or Golmud City Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[09:30-11:30] Lecture at the hotel
[12:00-13:30] Lunch in Hilton Qinghai – Golmud
[14:00-17:00] Chaerhan Salt Lake or city tour
[19:00-20:30] Dinner on train

Attend the Silk Road history lecture at Hilton Qinghai – Golmud and have lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, choose between Chaerhan Salt Lake and the listed Golmud city tour.

Chaerhan Salt Lake

Day 8Sep 19, 2026 Dunhuang

Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake, Mogao caves

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Silk Road Express Train

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[09:30-12:00] Sand dunes & Crescent lake
[12:30-14:00] Lunch
[14:30-17:00] Mogao caves
[19:30-21:00] Dinner on train

Travel into the Sand Dunes by camel and continue to Crescent Lake, the crescent-shaped oasis that has supported life among the dunes for centuries.

In Dunhuang, visit the Mogao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. Nearly 500 grottoes were carved here between 700 and 1,700 years ago, preserving sculpture and murals that trace more than 1,000 years of Buddhist art.

Return to the train for the scheduled Farewell Dinner , marking the final evening aboard the Silk Road Express.

Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune

Day 9Sep 20, 2026 Qinghai – Xi'ning – Lhasa

Ta'er Temple, Take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Qinghai-Tibet Railway

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast on train
[12:00-13:30] Lunch on train
[15:00-16:30] Ta'er temple or Shuijingxiang market
[17:00-17:30] Transfer to the railway station to Lhasa
[19:00-20:00] Dinner on Xi'ning-Lhasa train

Spend the morning aboard the Silk Road Express. In the afternoon, choose between Buddhist Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery and Shuijingxiang Market before boarding the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. The train then travels toward Tanggula Mountain Pass.

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway covers approximately 1,956 kilometers between Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, and Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Travelers may alternatively choose the listed direct flight to Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Day 10Sep 21, 2026 Tanggula Mountain Pass – Lhasa

Tanggula Pass

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: St Regis Lhasa or similar

[07:30-08:00] Breakfast on Xi'ning – Lhasa train
[12:30-13:30] Lunch on Xi'ning – Lhasa train
[16:00-16:30] Transfer to the hotel for leisure
[19:00-20:30] Dinner

Cross Tanggula Mountain Pass, the railway's highest point at 16,640 ft above sea level, with views of highland valleys and snow-covered peaks. After lunch, arrive in Lhasa, transfer to St Regis Lhasa and keep the afternoon free.

Lhasa City View

Day 11Sep 22, 2026 Lhasa

Norbulingka

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: St Regis Lhasa or similar

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast in hotel
[09:30-13:00] Norbulingka
[13:30-15:00] Lunch
[15:00-17:00] City tour
[17:30-18:30] Hotel for leisure
[19:00-20:30] Dinner

Visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace, built in the 1740s. Its name means “jewel garden” or “precious garden,” and the landscaped grounds offer a quieter contrast with central Lhasa. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the city.

Norbulingka

Day 12Sep 23, 2026 Lhasa

Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Potala Palace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: St Regis Lhasa or similar

[08:00-09:00] Breakfast in hotel
[09:30-12:30] Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market
[13:00-14:30] Tibetan lunch
[15:00-17:30] Potala Palace
[19:00-20:30] Dinner

Begin at Jokhang Temple, a 13th-century shrine and important destination for Tibetan pilgrims. Continue through Barkhor Market, Lhasa's oldest market, where pilgrims circle the temple beside stalls selling traditional crafts.

Lunch features Tibetan food accompanied by the listed traditional folk music.

In the afternoon, visit Potala Palace, the 17th-century former seat of the Tibetan government and winter residence of the Dalai Lama. The palace stands on Marpo Ri Hill, 130 metres above the valley floor and rises a further 170 metres. End the day with the scheduled farewell dinner.

Potala Palace

Day 13Sep 24, 2026 Departure Lhasa

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Lhasa Airport for the onward flight, concluding the journey from Xinjiang to Tibet.Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

13-Day Route: Urumqi – Turpan – Kashgar – Hotan – Rouqiang – Golmud – Dunhuang – Xining – Lhasa

Tour Date: Sep 12th – Sep 24th, 2026

Route	Date	Type of Cabin (Twin/Double)	Quotation	Single Supplement (S.S. in Train & Hotel)
Urumqi – Lhasa	Sep 12 – Sep 24	Superior Class	$19900/p.p	$13500/p.p
Urumqi – Lhasa	Sep 12 – Sep 24	Han Dynasty Suite	$49900/p.p	$49900/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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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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