Luxury Train Travel: The Grand Silk Road

Walk along the Badaling restored section of the Great Wall, taking in the surrounding views • Savor an authentic Peking Duck lunch • Tour Beijing’s most prominent, historical sites, getting a glimpse into the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Summer Palace • Alternatively, discover Beijing’s more modern, architectural side, visiting the Olympic Village, CCTV Tower, and National Museum • In the evening, enjoy dinner on board before arriving at the next destination.

Arrive in the oasis amongst the surrounding desert, Dunhuang • Visit the UNESCO Mogao Caves, a collection of 500 caves carved within the cliffs, holding the largest depository of Buddhist art • Stand watch to a local performance of music and dance by local folk artists • After lunch, embark on a camel trek along the Silk Road to the Crescent Lake, a natural wonder that endures amidst the harsh sand dunes of the desert.

Enjoy a relaxing morning aboard the train, before arriving into Hotan • Visit an Atlas Silk and Carpet workshop, witnessing artisans handcrafting textiles using natural dyes and traditional techniques • Explore Yotkan in the evening, where illuminated ruins reveal the history of this former Buddhist kingdom • Return to the train for a farewell dinner, and enjoy the last night aboard the Silk Road Express in China. 

Arrive in Kashgar, your last destination in China • Visit the Apak Khoja Tomb and stroll through the old town, where the essence of history lingers • Explore the unique Gaotai folk houses and experience the rich cultural heritage of the region • After enjoying a local lunch, a private flight to Kazakhstan’s vibrant city Almaty awaits • Upon arrival in Almaty, spend the night at a luxury hotel • Join a morning tour of Almaty’s Panfilov Park, visiting the wooden Zenkhov Cathedral and Independence Square • In the evening, step aboard the private train and enjoy a welcome dinner. 

Begin the day with a guided tour of the second largest mountain lake in the world, Lake Issyk-Kul • Witness a captivating Eagle Hunting demonstration, a 4,000-year-old tradition, and learn about the Golden Eagle and its significance in Kyrgyz nomadic culture.

Visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and a former caravan stop on the Great Silk Road, to explore Ala-Too Square and local parks rich in Soviet history, featuring statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Spend the morning relaxing aboard the train • In the afternoon, arrive at Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, where you will tour the city’s Old Town with it’s traditional homes and buildings • See the world’s oldest Koran within a local library, followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and Museum of Applied Arts.

Explore the 2,500-year-old desert oasis of Khiva, a vital Silk Road crossroads and World Heritage Site where a wealth of magnificent architecture rises from the sands • Step back in time within the ancient walls to discover a labyrinth of turquoise-tiled mosques, madrassas, and minarets once frequented by traders from Mongolia, Russia, and Persia • Experience the living history of the Itchan Kala, wandering through bustling bazaars and grand monuments that reveal the city’s enduring legacy as an imperial desert outpost.

Explore the remote city of Nukus, nestled between the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum, and Ustyurt deserts where an untouched landscape of vast dunes and sandy vistas unfolds • Discover the extraordinary Igor Savitsky State Museum of Fine Arts, the ‘Louvre in the Sands,’ home to a staggering 100,000 avant-garde masterpieces and Karakalpak crafts • Immerse yourself in Central Asia’s most extensive art collection, a hidden gem offering a unique cultural experience in a captivating desert setting.

Discover Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, situated along the Varzob River, beginning with the Museum of National Antiquities to view its historic regional art and archaeological treasures • Visit the opulent Kohi Navruz Palace on a guided tour, exploring majestic halls adorned with breathtaking chandeliers and intricate craftsmanship by local master artists • Explore the Ismail Samani monument, Independence Square, and the vibrant Mekhrgon Bazaar before relaxing onboard the Golden Eagle to the melodies of the resident pianist while crossing into Uzbekistan.

Visit the UNESCO-honored statue of Amir Timur, also known as Tamerlane in Shahrisabz • Tour Amir Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace, which took over 25 years to build and was originally decorated with colorful mosaics and calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran; an inscription on the palace dates it to 798 AH (1395-1396 AD), indicating when it was completed.

Arrive in the evocative city of Samarkand, known for its stunning architecture from the 14th to 17th centuries when it was the capital of the Mongol empire • Visit Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Ulag Beg observatory • Enjoy an extraordinary evening light show at the illuminated Registan Square • Visit the necropolis of Shakh-i-Zindah, with its stunning 9th century mausoleums • Travel to the ancient settlement of Afrasiab and tour the museum housing ancient artifacts, including 7th century frescoes • Return to the train for lunch and continue the journey towards the Fergana Valley.

Visit Margilan, famous for its high-quality silk production, and tour the Margilan Factory to witness the traditional, manual silk-making process • Continue to Rishtan, home of Uzbekistan’s renowned ceramic industry, and watch a master ceramist demonstrate the meticulous craftsmanship • Explore the ancient city of Kokand, an important Silk Road trading post, including the majestic Palace of Khudayar Khan and the impressive Jami Mosque • Enjoy a farewell dinner on board the Golden Eagle before returning to Tashkent.