A curated 7-day Silk Road experience operated by Star Express (Fosun Group). This is a multi-mode journey: luxury train segments, high-speed rail transfers, and premium hotels. Not 7 days on the train, this is a combined train-plus-hotel journey designed to maximise cultural immersion while minimising transit fatigue.
Arrive in Xi'an, the ancient imperial capital where the Silk Road began. Afternoon visit to the Terracotta Warriors, the 2,200-year-old army of 8,000 life-sized soldiers. Evening welcome dinner in the Muslim Quarter. Overnight in a 5-star hotel.
Morning at the intact 14km city wall. Board the Silk Road Express at Xi'an Station. Settle into your en-suite cabin. Afternoon tea in the Observation carriage with panoramic windows as the train enters the Hexi Corridor. First dinner onboard.
Morning arrival in Xining. Transfer to Chaka Salt Lake, a vast mirror-like salt flat at 3,059 metres, one of China's most photogenic landscapes. Walk the wooden boardwalk over the crystalline surface. Return to train for overnight.
A full day transiting the Hexi Corridor, the narrow strip of fertile land between the Qilian Mountains and the Gobi Desert that carried silk, Buddhism and gunpowder for two millennia. Onboard lectures by the resident Silk Road historian. Observation car is the place to be.
Arrive in Dunhuang. The Mogao Caves: 492 painted grottoes spanning a thousand years of Buddhist art. A private guided visit to the most significant caves, including the Library Cave (Cave 17), where 50,000 manuscripts were discovered in 1900. Overnight in Dunhuang hotel.
Morning at the Mingsha Sand Dunes, the 'Singing Sands'. Camel ride to Crescent Lake, an oasis that has survived in the desert for over 2,000 years. Afternoon exploration of Dunhuang's old town and night market. Farewell dinner with a desert sunset.
Transfer to Dunhuang Mogao International Airport. Journey ends.
| Suite Tier | Per Person (RMB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Suite (Reference) | From ¥35,000 | Based on historical operator data. Final price confirmed at enquiry. |
| Premium Suite (Reference) | From ¥45,000 | Larger suite with sitting area. Subject to availability. |
Star Express's flagship luxury train. 38 en-suite rooms, suites up to 22 square metres, Observation carriage with panoramic windows, and the widest route portfolio among Chinese luxury trains.
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