Rail tours between Hong Kong and Tibet’s capital Lhasa take in an extraordinary sweep of natural wonders and culture. You will enjoy everything from Lhasa - Tibet’s holiest city but until now virtually inaccessible in its remote Himalayan location - to China’s spectacular sights including the Three Gorges, Li River, the Terracotta Warriors, the world’s highest railway and beginning with the stunning international city of Hong Kong.

Your visit to Xian not only includes the 6,000 Terracotta Warriors (among the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century) but also the city’s remarkable old walls and pagodas, as well as its drum and bell towers. You will also visit the extraordinary Yunnan Stone forest, known in China as the ‘First wonder of the world’, and have a chance to get close to Giant Pandas.

Home for most of the tour will be the Shangri-La Express, although you will also ride on the high altitude regular service train to Lhasa and a modern fast express to access Hong Kong.

A luxury river cruiser will be your home for four nights during your unhurried journey through the world-famous Three Gorges. This gives you time to absorb the sensational sight of the peaks soaring (in places) more than 4,000 feet around you, but also some of the remarkable things created here by man. Fengdu’s unique ‘Ghost City’ is a man made vision of Hades, telling the story of those forced to live out their personal hell for eternity. Equally remarkable is the world’s largest dam.

In contrast to all of this is Hong Kong, one of the world’s great modern cities, situated in its stunning position on Victoria Harbour. With so much packed into this remarkable tour the itineraries offer the journey of a lifetime. Why not treat yourself?

• View Prices and Dates
• Route Map
• Highlights & Inclusions
• View Itinerary
• View Tour Images

Call 877-929-7245 for air add-ons from your city.

• First class, luxury travel aboard the Shangri Las Express train.
• Guilin - Immerse yourself in the haunting beauty of Guilin, cruising amongst the outlandish karst rock formations of the Li River and visit the amazing Reed Flute Cave.
• Chengdu - Enjoy the rare privilege of encountering giant pandas and visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute.
• Xian - Explore the famous and restored Terracotta Warriors - one of the greatest finds of the 20th Century.
• Highest Railway in the World - Experience an extraordinary and unforgettable journey over the 701 mile 'Roof of the World' line - through the Tangula Pass (16,640 feet, 5,072m) - the world's highest railway.
• Lhasa - The world's highest capital city. Visit the 17th Century Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Containing thousands of rooms, this breathtaking structure perches high above Lhasa.
• Luxury River Cruise of the Three Gorges - Enjoy 3 idyllic days as your luxury river cruise explores the outstanding natural beauty of the spectacular Three Gorges.
• Yunnan Stone Forrest -Witness the dramatic and centuries old Yunnan Stone Forest. Karststone peaks, pillars and stalagmites tower eerily as far as the eye can see.

Day 1 Hong Kong
Arrive into Hong Kong airport where you will be met and transferred to the luxurious five-star Harbour Plaza hotel (or similar) for a one-night stay. You will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your hotel, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2 Hong Kong - Guangzhou
This morning you are free to explore this vibrant and extraordinary city before joining a high speed train to Guangzhou, a journey which takes two hours. You then transfer to your private train, the Shangri-La Express. There is plenty of time to settle into your comfortable cabin before enjoying a Welcome Dinner onboard.

Day 3 Guilin
The haunting beauty of Guilin is legendary. The entire day is devoted to exploring some of the finest scenery in the world along the Li River. your unforgettable day features a delightful cruise on the river amongst the strange karst rock formations that give this area its distinctive appearance. You also visit the 600,000 year old Yudi Lan (Reed Flute) Cave on the outskirts of the city.

Day 4 Yunnan Stone Forest
This afternoon you visit the dramatic Yunnan Stone Forest. Set amongst verdant forests, ancient karst stone formations stretch towards the skies. Numerous peaks, pillars and stalagmites jostle for your attention, extending as far as the eye can see. Sculpted by centuries of wind and rain, these sensationally intricate formations suggest the form of animals, plants and even human figures. Tonight you spend the night in a hotel in Kunming.

Day 5 Kunming
Today you visit Kunming’s Golden Temple, the largest copper temple in China. This elaborate and magnificent structure is a testament to the aesthetic and architectural excellence of the Ming Dynasty. At lunchtime, you commence your journey over one of the world’s most spectacular railway lines completed in the 1970s. The line to Chengdu tortuously passes over many precarious bridge and traverses deep tumbling ravines, through areas of unsurpassed natural beauty.

Day 6 Chengdu
Today you can relax onboard as the Shangri-La Express continues its journey to Chengdu where you arrive early afternoon. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province is the centre for traditional Chinese medicine. This area is also home to the Giant Panda, an incredibly rare and enchanting creature which you can see at close quarters at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute.

Day 7 Chongquing
Chongqing is situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. You have a full day to explore the labyrinthine streets of this bustling city, perhaps most famous for its hot Sichuan cuisine and world famous hotpot dishes. As you enter the old part of this city you will come across street vendors and restaurants where you can experience these exciting and spicy delicacies. Late afternoon sees you transferring to a five-star Victoria Cruises river boat for your three-night Yangtze River cruise through the dramatic scenery of the Three Gorges.

Days 8 Three Gorges Cruise - Fengdu
This morning you take an off board excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City situated on Ming Mountain. Its 75 temples and numerous sculptures tell the story of ‘sinners’ who were forced to live out their own personal hell for eternity. Alternatively, you may visit Shibaozhai, perched precariously against a rectangular cliff, where you will see the stunning twelve-storey Quing Dynasty wooden temple. In the afternoon you sail through the Three Gorges region enjoying the stunning natural scenery.

Day 9 Three Gorges Cruise
First you enter the shortest but most dramatic of the three gorges, Qutang Gorge with steep, imposing mountains crowding the perimeter of the 5 mile (8km) stretch. Then you travel through the deep 27 mile (44km) Wu Xia Gorge from where you make a short trip to the shallow, clear waters of the Shennong Stream. You then continue along the western stretch of the Xiling Gorge, with its strong currents and rocky outcrops. At 43 miles (70km) this is the longest and deepest gorge and perilous peaks tower towards the sky reaching heights of over 4,000 ft (1,500m).

Day 10 Three Gorges Cruise - Yichang
Today you cruise along the eastern stretch of the Xiling Gorge and visit the Three Gorges Dam project before your lunchtime disembarkation in Yichang and rejoin the waiting Shangri-La Express to continue your journey towards Lhasa.

Day 11 Xian - Terracotta Warriors
Your fascinating journey of discovery takes you to Xian, the former Imperial Capital of China. Here you will explore the ancient city walls and Great Mosque, one of the oldest and largest in China. If there is time, you will take a stroll through the historic Muslim quarter with its quaintly winding lanes. You dedicate several hours to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants only 30 years ago. The 6,000 terracotta figures and their horses, buried with the First Emperor of Xin in 210BC, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th Century. This evening you enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner, Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of ancient music and dance.

Day 12 Tianshui & Lanzhou
Today the tour takes you to the amazing Maijishan Grottoes, an extensive complex of caves that house thousands of ancient Buddhist sculptures that chart the evolution of this fascinating religion. Your train then takes you on to Lanzhou which used to be an important trading post on the ancient Silk Route with a rich history dating back some 2,000 years.

Day 13 Xining
Today you explore this historic and multi-ethnic region which is home to an incredible 37 different nationalities. Located on the eastern edge of Qinghai Province, Xining’s history can be traced back 2,100 years to antiquity. Here you will experience some of the distinctive traditions and beguiling customs of this region. The exploration of Xining takes you on to Dongguan Mosque. Built in 1380, its eclectic style combines both traditional Chinese and Islamic architectural influences. Tonight is your final night on board the Shangri La Express.

Day 14 Golmud - Lhasa (Tibet)
At Golmud you board the new high-altitude train (on which you have reserved seats) that will take you on an extraordinary and unforgettable 14-hour daylight journey along the new 1,142km ‘Roof of the World’ line to Lhasa, cresting the 16,640ft (5,072m) Tangula Pass. This is the world’s highest railway pass, reaching an unbelievable 3 miles (5km) above sea level. Due to the high altitude, supplementary oxygen is pumped in through the ventilation system. Personal oxygen masks are available if required. At Lhasa, you are transferred to the centrally located five-star Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (or similar) for a three-night stay.

Day 15 Lhasa
This morning is free for you to acclimatise to this high mountain region or you may choose to wander through the vibrant streets of Lhasa, absorbing its unique atmosphere. This afternoon, the tour takes you to Norbu Lingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace. Built in the 1740’s as a retreat from the intense summer heat, its name literally means ‘jewel garden’. This tranquil dappled garden contains many valuable objects, including gold, silver, jade and Buddhist artifacts.

Day 16 Lhasa
Today you explore the 13th Century Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most holy shrine. This four-storey timber complex topped with a golden roof is a stunning fusion of architectural styles of the Tang Dynasty, as well as those of Tibet and Nepal. The ancient Barkhor market is next on your itinerary, where an astounding jamboree of activity greets you as you weave your way through its streets. A traditional lunch is served accompanied by traditional folk music. This afternoon you 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 and is one of the architectural wonders of the world. At a height of 170 metres, this breathtaking structure perches on Marpo Ri Hill, 130 metres above the Lhasa valley. Tonight you say goodbye to your fellow travelling companions at the Farewell Dinner.

Day 17 Lhasa
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Lhasa airport to begin your journey home.