Shangri-La Express:
Cina e Tibet Rail Discovery

A day dedicated to discovering the origins of Asian civilization and cultures by visiting the Urumqi Provincial Museum, with its immense collection of relics, artifacts, and objects of inestimable artistic and cultural value. In the afternoon, board the Shangri-La Express, make yourself comfortable in your cabin, and get ready to depart! Overnight on board with full board.

Arrival in Kashgar, an ancient city with over 2000 years of history behind it / walking along the streets of this oasis in the Taklamakan desert, you discover a historic center that brings together different cultures and varied but magnificent buildings, such as the golden Id Kah Mosque / transfer to the hotel and overnight stay on a full-board basis

The second day in Kashgar begins with the Sunday Bazaar, an off-the-beaten-path experience! This bazaar is one of the largest in the region, but being in a remote and difficult-to-reach area, not many travelers are lucky enough to pass through it. Return aboard the Shangri-La Express. Overnight stay on full board.

Turpan is surrounded by the spectacular scenery designed by the Fleming Mountains / to begin the exploration of the area we start from the ancient city of Jiaohe, a treasure chest of ruins of temples, houses and ancient workshops that show a world lost in the meanders of time / lunch / the afternoon is dedicated to the ancient underground irrigation system of the Karez area, one of the three great wonders of ancient Chinese engineering, together with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal / the day ends with a traditional dance show and tasting the local cuisine together with an Uygur family / return on board the train / overnight stay on full board

The delightful oasis city of Dunhuang is a treasure waiting to be discovered. In the morning, enjoy a camel ride across the desert dunes. Next, discover the Mogao Caves, which contain magnificent sculptures and murals dating back more than 1,000 years! Return to the train and spend the night on a full-board basis.

Arriving in Jiayugaun means reaching the Great Wall of China / the Jiayugaun Pass is one of the best preserved on the immense construction, a key passage point along the Silk Road in the past, today it does not lose its charm thanks to the green mountains that surround it / after lunch, the visit continues walking on the ancient stones of the Great Wall until reaching the Jiayugaun Fort, from which you can admire the endless view of the Gobi Desert and the snow-capped peaks in the distance / return aboard the Shangri-La Express / overnight stay on full board

Xining is part of one of China’s most multi-ethnic regions, a true melting pot of cultures and guardian of ancient traditions. The morning is dedicated to the Kumbum Buddhist Monastery with its distinctive towering shape. The afternoon is all about the Shuijingxiang Market, two avenues with over 3,000 display stalls where you can find literally anything! Return by train and overnight stay on a full-board basis.

The day starts early in Golmud, to change transport and transfer to the high-altitude train that will travel over the Tangula Pass to Lhasa: the highest railway journey on the planet lasts about 14 hours and ends on the ”roof of the world” / arrival in Lhasa, welcome at the station and transfer to the hotel / overnight stay on a full-board basis

Lhasa, literally ”home of the gods”, is one of the highest cities in the world at over 3000 meters above sea level, but it is also the home of the Dalai Lama and the most sacred place in Tibet. The discovery of the city begins with Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s summer palace designed as an oasis of peace in the mountains to escape the heat and chaos of the city. The rest of the day is free to immerse yourself in the new Tibetan atmospheres. Overnight stay in a hotel with full board.

The second day in the Tibetan capital begins with the Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred places for Buddhists / a few steps away is Barkhor Road, Lhasa’s historic market, a fundamental stop for all pilgrims heading to the temple / a typical lunch with traditional musical accompaniment / the afternoon is dedicated to the Potala Palace, once the seat of Tibetan central power and the winter home of the Dalai Lama: over 1000 rooms in an immense building that dominates the city from above, one of the architectural wonders of the world! / farewell dinner / return to the hotel and overnight stay on a full-board basis

airport transfer