Premium · Since 2024 · Northwest China

Silk Road Express 丝路梦享号

Name: Silk Road Express
Brand: Silk Road Express

Operated by Star Express (Fosun Group). 38 private en-suite rooms for 80 guests, suites up to 22m². One of the widest route portfolios among Chinese luxury trains: five itineraries from 4 to 17 days across the Silk Road and Xinjiang, plus a seasonal winter collection across Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi.

Background video courtesy of Silk Road Luxury Trains

Launched 2024, Fosun's entry into luxury rail. 38 rooms across 15 cars (based on operator documentation). Among the largest standard suites in Chinese luxury rail (11m² minimum, 22m² top suite). Five distinct itineraries across Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang, and East China — and, in the 2026/27 winter season, a Winter Carnival collection across Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. Bookable through Star Express: website, mini-program, or hotline 400-115-5831.

OperatorStar Express / Fosun Group

Product TierPremium Luxury

Rooms38 (80 pax max)

Suite Sizes11-22 m²

BookingStar Express 400-115-5831

Launched2024

Suite Categories

Deluxe King / Twin

1.7m x 1.9m king or two 0.75m singles. All en-suite. Exceeds many competitor premium offerings.

11 m²

Family Suite

King bed + 0.6m x 1.7m children bed. Only dedicated family configuration in Chinese luxury rail.

11 m²

Jiumu Imperial Suite

1.8m x 2m king. Two-room configuration. Separate living/sleeping. Largest suite in Chinese luxury rail.

22 m²

Officially Published Route Highlights

The operator's current detail page presents more than one fixed itinerary. Routes are released by season and may combine dedicated train travel with premium hotels, private excursions and specialist local experiences.

2027 Silk Road Golden Autumn: a 7-day Xining to Kashgar journey, or reverse, timed around the Poplar season and including southern Xinjiang landscapes.
2027 Splendour: a 5-day Xining to Dunhuang journey featuring Qinghai-Gansu highlights such as Chaka Salt Lake, Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves.
Additional specialist routes: the official page also presents Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Hekou, Dali, Guizhou and Guangxi departures — see the 2026/27 Winter Collection below. These should be treated as operator-published products, not assumed year-round departures.

Earlier Published Routes (2026)

Archived for reference. Current bookable departures are listed above under 2027.

Silk Road Classic 7 Days

The essential Silk Road in one week: ancient capital, Hexi Corridor, and the Mogao Caves.

Xi'an → Xining → Qinghai Lake → Golmud → Hexi Corridor → Dunhuang

Archived

Splendour 5 Days

Xining to Dunhuang. A shorter version of the Classic route, ideal before or after a Silk Road extension.

10 dates

Archived

North-South Xinjiang 17 Days

From Xining across the full arc of the northwest to Kashgar. The ultimate Xinjiang journey.

One confirmed date · 2026-06-29

Archived

Golden Poplar 7 Days

Xining to Kashgar in autumn. The desert poplars turn gold, one of China's great seasonal spectacles.

One confirmed date · 2026-10-23

Archived

East China Heritage 4 Days

Cross-regional heritage route (2024-2025). Short-duration option for East China-based travellers.

Historical

Archived

Routes & Departures 2027

3 Journeys · 22 Sailings from Xining

The 2027 portfolio gathers the official Silk Road Golden Autumn and Splendour journeys alongside other operator-published seasonal and regional products. Full day-by-day tables for all eight journeys are on the itineraries page. Confirm current dates, hotels, excursions and availability before booking.

Splendour - crescent lake oasis and the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang

5 Days 4 Nights

繁华伊始之旅Splendour · Qinghai-Gansu

Xining - Chaka - Dunhuang. The shortest Silk Road Express route. Salt lakes, desert oases, and the Mogao Caves in one compact week. Ideal for adding a luxury rail experience to a broader China itinerary, or for first-time Silk Road travellers short on time.

Forward: Apr 30, Jul 7, 17, 28, Aug 3, 8, 13, Sep 30, Oct 5 (9 dates) Reverse: May 2, Jul 9, 19, 30, Aug 5, 10, 15, Oct 2, 7 (9 dates)

长乐双晖阁RMB 36,800 / person

长乐清雅 / 亲子居RMB 38,800 / person

锦绣未央套房RMB 186,666 / suite

from RMB 36,800 / person

Golden Autumn - the Silk Road Express threads through the gold poplar forests of South Xinjiang

7 Days 6 Nights

丝路金秋之旅Golden Autumn · South Xinjiang

Xining - Hami - Turpan - Luntai - Kashgar. A focused South Xinjiang run timed for the 2027 Poplar (Hu Yang) season: the Dahaidao yardangs at Hami, a Turpan choice day (Jiaohe, Karez), Luntai's poplar forest and two days in Kashgar. Two sailings only: one forward, one reverse.

Forward: Oct 20 · Reverse: Oct 25, 2027

长乐双晖阁RMB 56,800 / person

长乐清雅 / 亲子居RMB 58,800 / person

锦绣未央套房RMB 286,666 / suite

from RMB 56,800 / person

North-South Xinjiang Panorama - aerial view of a Qinghai salt lake along the Silk Road corridor

17 Days 16 Nights

逐影西域North-South Panorama · Xinjiang

Xining - Hami - Urumqi - Kanas (Altay) - Yili - Kuqa - Kashgar - Pamir - Xining. The ultimate Xinjiang journey: from Qinghai across the full arc of the northwest to the Pamir Plateau and back. Two sailings (dates approximate per operator).

~May 30, 2027 ~Jun 20, 2027

长乐双晖阁RMB 138,800 / person

Xining - Chengdu / Shenzhen - Shanghai / Shanghai - Xi'an. The train itself is the destination — short two-day escapes connecting major cities without a fixed itinerary.

Nov 25, 2026 (Xining-Chengdu) · Dec 22, 2026 (Shenzhen-Shanghai) · Jan 11, 2027 (Shanghai-Xi'an) Standard from RMB 13,500 · early-bird from RMB 12,150

长乐双晖阁RMB 13,500 / person

长乐清雅 / 亲子居RMB 14,500 / person

锦绣未央套房RMB 67,500 / suite

from RMB 12,150 / person early-bird

Details Confirmed on the Official Product Page

CabinsRoom categories include the 22 m² Jiumu Imperial Suite, 11 m² king or twin rooms, and an 11 m² family configuration.

BathroomsThe Imperial Suite description specifies a larger bathroom with a smart toilet and THG Paris fittings. Confirm the exact configuration by room category.

DiningTwo dining cars, one Chinese and one Western in style, with seating for up to 80 guests and menus built around fresh local ingredients.

Observation & leisureThe Han Yuefu multifunction carriage includes a 270-degree observation area, large windows and evening entertainment features.

Guest servicesTrain managers, vacation ambassadors, turndown service and one complimentary laundry and drying service per room per departure, subject to the operator's terms.

Onboard Experience

Dual Dining Cars

Chinese and Western cuisine, each seating 80. Menu shifts with the landscape. 24-hour train manager and vacation ambassador. Laundry and turndown service.

Panoramic Lounge

270-degree panoramic multi-function car with floor-to-ceiling windows, KTV, mahjong space. The social heart of the train.

A Seasonal Route Portfolio

The official portfolio includes Silk Road, Qinghai-Gansu, South Xinjiang and regional seasonal journeys. Route length and inclusions vary by release.

Dunhuang, Done Properly

Dunhuang stops run with a near-50-strong accompanying service team of butlers, vacation ambassadors and photographers. Off-train programming includes dedicated Mogao Caves guiding, exclusive access lanes at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, clay-relief handiwork sessions at the Mingsha Yaji cultural gathering, and a Han-Tang banquet dinner served onboard. The interiors carry artworks by the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, and the "Silk Road Cloud Train" livery draws on Han-dynasty lacquer cloud motifs.

Booking

Star Express website, mini-program, or hotline 400-115-5831. This is a travel holiday package, not a single 12306 ticket. Third-party bookings must verify operator authorisation, travel agency license, full fee inclusions, and cancellation terms.

Destinations of the Railway

Xi'an

Ancient imperial capital. Terracotta Warriors, Ming city wall, Muslim Quarter. Eastern terminus of the original Silk Road. Your journey begins in 2,000 years of history.

Dunhuang

Mogao Caves: 492 painted grottoes. Crescent Lake oasis. Evening walk across singing dunes. Cultural apex of the Hexi Corridor.

Kashgar

Sunday bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, old city alleyways. Standing at the crossroads of Central Asia. Westernmost point reachable by rail.

Qinghai Lake

China's largest salt lake. Snow-capped mountains, summer wildflowers. The train passes close enough to smell the water.

Photo Gallery

Panoramic lounge with full-height windows and desert views

Silk Road Express lounge and bar interior

Silk Road Express exterior at the platform

Observation car lounge with panoramic windows

Private suite seating area with en-suite bathroom

Official room-category display, including Changle rooms

Silk Road Express exterior with official livery

Chinese and Western dining car interiors

Desert railway viaduct near the Silk Road

Additional photography courtesy of cncn.net (Xinjiang China Travel Service blog).

Frequently Asked Questions

The 7-day Silk Road Classic (Xi'an to Dunhuang). Covers the essential Silk Road: ancient capital, Hexi Corridor, Mogao Caves, all in one week. Check the current operator release for available dates.

Older channel reference only: pricing is not live and should not be used as a current quote. Request the current operator-confirmed price, inclusions and cancellation terms for your selected departure.

Newer (2024 vs 1999), larger suites (11-22m² vs smaller), more route variety (5 vs 3), operated by private hospitality group rather than railway bureau. Both cover Xinjiang; Silk Road Express additionally reaches Xi'an, Dunhuang, and East China.

Yes, through Star Express channels. As your English-speaking curator, we handle bookings, provide bilingual support, and integrate the train journey with pre- and post-train arrangements.

The Silk Road Express serves our Silk Road Classic, a 7-day odyssey from Xi'an to Dunhuang through the heart of the ancient Silk Road.

Explore Silk Road Classic →Life onboard →

Rooms & Suites Compared

From the 11 m² deluxe rooms to the 22 m² two-room suite, with published route fares.

Compare the suites →

Attractions & Activities

Every stop on the Golden Autumn and Splendour routes, plus the winter collection.

Browse the sights →

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