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All-Inclusive Routes

Five journeys. One extraordinary country.

Each route is a complete, all-inclusive experience. Train suites, every meal, premium drinks, off-train excursions, permits, transfers and a dedicated English-speaking guide. One price. Zero surprises. Prices shown are reference rates in USD per person, double occupancy.

Every Journey Includes

The all-inclusive promise

✦ Luxury en-suite cabin
✦ All meals & premium drinks
✦ Off-train excursions
✦ English-speaking guide
✦ All permits & entrance fees
✦ Transfers & domestic flights
✦ 24/7 on-train concierge
✦ Luggage handling
✦ Travel insurance
Tibet Sky Road Most Popular

Tibet Sky Road

Ride the Shangri-La Express across the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The highest railway on Earth. From Xining, climb past turquoise lakes and glacier-capped peaks to Lhasa, then overland to the north face of Everest.

Duration11 Days
From$8,980
TrainShangri-La
Max Alt.5,072m
  • Xining → Lhasa aboard the Shangri-La Express, 2 nights onboard
  • Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street in Lhasa
  • Overland to Everest Base Camp via Yamdrok Lake & Gyantse
  • All Tibet Travel Permits arranged & secured on your behalf
  • Oxygen-enriched cabins & medical support throughout

Not Included

  • International flights to/from China
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory. We can arrange)
  • Gratuities for onboard staff (recommended: $8-12/day)
  • Alcoholic beverages beyond included wine/beer at dinner
  • Personal expenses & optional activities

Who This Journey Suits

Good for active travellers aged 50-75 in reasonable health
Cultural depth: Buddhist heritage, monastic visits
Max altitude 5,072m. Acclimatisation built into itinerary
Some walking at 3,600-5,200m; pace is moderate
Enquire Now Read the Guide
Silk Road Odyssey Epic Journey

Silk Road Odyssey

From Xi'an, where the Silk Road began, to the fabled bazaars of Kashgar. The New Oriental Express carries you through desert oases, the Mogao Buddhist caves of Dunhuang, and the wind-carved dunes of the Taklamakan.

Duration14 Days
From$11,200
TrainN. Oriental
Distance3,400km
  • Xi'an Terracotta Warriors & ancient city walls
  • Mogao Grottoes & camel trek at Dunhuang's Singing Dunes
  • Turpan's flaming mountains & ancient Jiaohe ruins
  • Kashgar's Sunday Grand Bazaar & old town
  • 4 nights onboard the New Oriental Express in a Deluxe Suite

Not Included

  • International flights to/from China
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Gratuities for onboard staff (recommended: $8-12/day)
  • Optional camel ride photography fees at Dunhuang
  • Personal expenses & laundry

Who This Journey Suits

Ideal for history & culture enthusiasts aged 45-80
Low altitude throughout (under 1,500m max)
Longest journey in our collection. Paced for comfort
Some days involve 3-4 hrs of walking in desert heat
Enquire Now Read the Guide
"We've ridden the Trans-Siberian, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and the Maharajas' Express. None of them prepared us for the sheer scale and beauty of China by rail."
Jonathan & Margaret K.  ·  Sydney, Australia
Giant panda in Sichuan bamboo forest Family Favourite

Sichuan & Panda Country

The Panda Deluxe winds through the misty gorges of Sichuan to Jiuzhaigou's fairy-tale lakes, with a private panda encounter at the Chengdu breeding base and the giant Buddha of Leshan along the way.

Duration8 Days
From$6,750
TrainPanda Deluxe
Highlights12
  • Private panda volunteer experience at Chengdu base
  • Jiuzhaigou Valley. UNESCO world-heritage lakes & waterfalls
  • Leshan Giant Buddha & Mt. Emei Buddhist temples
  • Authentic Sichuan cuisine cooking class onboard
  • 3 nights aboard the Panda Deluxe in a Panda Suite

Not Included

  • International flights to/from China
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Gratuities for onboard staff (recommended: $6-10/day)
  • Optional hot spring visit at Mt. Emei
  • Personal expenses & souvenirs

Who This Journey Suits

Excellent for families with children aged 8+
Moderate altitude (max 3,100m at Jiuzhaigou)
Shortest journey. Great for first-time visitors
Boardwalks at Jiuzhaigou require 2-3 hrs walking
Enquire Now Read the Guide
Yunnan Mekong Passage Cultural Immersion

Yunnan Mekong Passage

China's most diverse province, by rail. The Starlight Lancang-Mekong traces terraced valleys from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang, through the homelands of the Bai, Naxi and Yi peoples.

Duration9 Days
From$7,450
TrainStarlight
Ethnic Groups7
  • Yuanyang rice terraces at sunrise & Hani minority villages
  • Dali old town & Erhai Lake cycling
  • Lijiang's Naxi old town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
  • Shangri-La (Zhongdian) & Songzanlin Monastery
  • 4 nights aboard the Starlight Lancang-Mekong

Not Included

  • International flights to/from China
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Gratuities for onboard staff (recommended: $6-10/day)
  • Optional Impression Lijiang performance tickets
  • Personal expenses & craft purchases

Who This Journey Suits

Perfect for cultural immersion & photography lovers
Varied altitude (1,900-3,300m), gentle acclimatisation
Great for multi-generational family travel
Some early morning departures for sunrise terraces
Enquire Now Read the Guide
China rail landscape at dusk

The frontier awaits.

Our final route reaches China's far northwest, where the Tianshan mountains meet the Taklamakan Desert.

Snow-capped Tianshan mountains Off the Beaten Path

Xinjiang Tianshan Explorer

A frontier journey through the vastness of China's far northwest. The Tianshan Explorer crosses vast grasslands, alpine lakes and desert basins. From Urumqi to the old Silk Road city of Kuqa and the lavender fields of Ili.

Duration10 Days
From$8,300
TrainTianshan
Best SeasonJun-Sep
  • Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) beneath Bogda Peak
  • Ili River Valley. Lavender fields & Kazakh grasslands
  • Kuqa's ancient Kizil Caves & Grand Canyon
  • Kashgar extension available. Combine with Silk Road Odyssey
  • 5 nights aboard the Tianshan Explorer

Not Included

  • International flights to/from China
  • Chinese visa application fees
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Gratuities for onboard staff (recommended: $8-12/day)
  • Optional horseback riding in Ili grasslands
  • Personal expenses & regional craft purchases

Who This Journey Suits

For seasoned travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path China
Low altitude throughout (under 2,000m)
Best experienced June-September
Long travel days between remote destinations
Enquire Now Read the Guide
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions our travellers ask most.

Your suite onboard the train, all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on your final day, premium drinks (wine and beer at dinner, tea and coffee throughout), every off-train excursion with entrance fees, all ground transfers, domestic flights within China if needed, English-speaking guides, all permits (including Tibet Travel Permits), luggage handling, and 24/7 concierge service. The only things not covered are international flights, your Chinese visa, personal insurance, gratuities and personal spending.
Tibet and Xinjiang routes require 60-90 days lead time for permit processing. Yunnan and Sichuan can be arranged in as little as 30 days. Private departures are available year-round on request. We recommend enquiring 4-6 months ahead for peak season (May-October) departures, as suite availability is limited.
Prices shown are reference rates per person based on double occupancy in a standard suite, in US dollars. Final pricing depends on your chosen suite category, departure date, seasonal surcharges, and currency fluctuations at the time of booking. Your journey designer will confirm the exact price in your personalised proposal. Prices are reviewed and updated regularly.
China Expresses is a specialist travel curator that partners with China's luxury train operators to bring these journeys to English-speaking travellers. We handle all planning, permits, English-language service and guest care, while the trains themselves are operated by their respective railway companies. This means you get expert English guidance and seamless logistics, with the trains running as officially scheduled services.
The Tibet Sky Road reaches 5,072m at the Tanggula Pass. Our trains are equipped with oxygen-enriched cabins and carry a medical officer. The itinerary is designed with gradual acclimatisation. We ascend slowly and spend time at intermediate elevations before reaching the highest points. We also provide pre-departure altitude guidance and recommend consulting your doctor before booking.
Absolutely. Many travellers combine the Silk Road Odyssey with the Xinjiang Tianshan Explorer for an epic 24-day transcontinental journey. We also arrange pre- and post-train extensions in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Chengdu. For private groups of 8 or more, we can organise exclusive departures with customised excursions. Tell us your ideas and we'll build it.

Let us match you to the right journey.

Tell us your travel dates, interests and party size. We'll recommend the route and suite that fits. And tailor a private departure if our scheduled dates don't suit.

Enquire Now →