Hong Kong - Three Gorges - Lhasa
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. We will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our 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. We then transfer to our 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. Our
entire day is devoted to exploring some of the
finest scenery in the world along the Li River. Our
unforgettable day features a delightful cruise on
the river amongst the strange karst rock formations
that give this area its distinctive appearance. We
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 we 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
our 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
we spend the night in a hotel in Kunming.
Day 5: KUNMING
Today we 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, we commence our 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 we can relax onboard as the Shangri-La
Express continues its journey to Chengdu where we
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 we can see at close quarters at the
Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute.
Day 7: CHONGQING
Chongqing is situated in the upper reaches of
the Yangtze River. We 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 we enter the old part of
this city we will come across street vendors and
restaurants where we can experience these exciting
and spicy delicacies. Late afternoon sees us
transferring to a five-star Victoria Cruises river
boat for our three-night Yangtze River cruise
through the dramatic scenery of the Three Gorges.
Day 8: THREE GORGES CRUISE - FENGDU
This morning we 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, we may
visit Shibaozhai, perched precariously against a
rectangular cliff, where we will see the stunning
twelve-storey Quing Dynasty wooden temple. In the
afternoon we sail through the Three Gorges region
enjoying the stunning natural scenery.
Day 9: THREE GORGES CRUISE
First we 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 we travel through the deep 27 mile
(44km) Wu Xia Gorge from where we make a short trip
to the shallow, clear waters of the Shennong Stream.
We 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 we cruise along the eastern stretch of the
Xiling Gorge and visit the Three Gorges Dam project
before our lunchtime disembarkation in Yichang and
rejoin the waiting Shangri-La Express to continue
our journey towards Lhasa.
Day 11: XIAN - TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
Our fascinating journey of discovery takes us to
Xian, the former Imperial Capital of China. Here we
will explore the ancient city walls and Great
Mosque, one of the oldest and largest in China. If
there is time, we will take a stroll through the
historic Muslim quarter with its quaintly winding
lanes. We 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 we enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner, Music and
Dance Show, a wonderful performance of ancient music
and dance.
Day 12: TIANSHUI & LANZHOU
Today our tour takes us 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. Our
train then takes us 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 we 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 we will
experience some of the distinctive traditions and
beguiling customs of this region. Our exploration of
Xining takes us on to Dongguan Mosque. Built in
1380, its eclectic style combines both traditional
Chinese and Islamic architectural influences.
Tonight is our final night on board the Shangri La
Express.
Day 14: GOLMUD - LHASA (TIBET)
At Golmud we board the new high-altitude train
(on which we have reserved seats) that will take us
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, we 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, our
tour takes us 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 we 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 our itinerary,
where an astounding jamboree of activity greets us
as we weave our way through its streets. A
traditional lunch is served accompanied by
traditional folk music. This afternoon we 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 we say
goodbye to our fellow travelling companions at our
Farewell Dinner.
Day 17: LHASA
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to
Lhasa airport to begin your journey home.
The Shangri-La Express
Modern comfort in an ancient wilderness…the Shangri-La Express guarantees you good living even in the remotest places.
Our twin-berth cabins are the perfect private retreat, comfortably furnished and traditionally decorated with the varnished wood and brass reminiscent of a different age. Each includes a ‘Pullman’ table and deep armchair alongside a large picture window; a perfect place from which to take in China’s ever-changing scenery. A state of the art shower car complements the two washrooms/WC’s in every sleeping carriage.
Meals are served in the train’s spacious restaurant cars, where our dedicated chefs serve a western breakfast followed by a wide range of authentic Chinese specialities at lunch and dinner, using only the finest local ingredients. As well as soft drinks, tea and coffee, meals are accompanied by a selection of wines from around the world.
Equally special is the unique ambience of the piano bar car, where our resident pianist is always happy to take requests. Staying open until the last person leaves, the bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow passengers… or simply wile away some time, reading or taking in the scenery while enjoying your favourite drink.
CABIN DIMENSIONS
Cabin area – 38' 4" sq ft (3.6sqm)
Cabin length – 6' 7" (2m)
Cabin width – 6' 2" (1.9m)
Lower bed width – 2' 5" (0.75m)
Upper bed width – 2' 3" (0.7m)
Bed Length – 6' 2" (1.9m)
Cabins per Car: 8
