Arrive at Lhasa Airport where you will be transferred to the luxurious five-star Brahmaputra Grand Hotel (or similar) for a four-night stay. We will enjoy a welcome reception dinner at our hotel, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.

Situated at the foot of Mount Gephel in a small basin surrounded by mountains, Lhasa is also known as ‘place of the gods’.  At an altitude of 11,975ft (3,650m), it is one of the highest cities in the world.  This extraordinary capital is the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama and is the holiest centre of Tibet. Today we are at liberty to explore this mesmerising city or spend time in our hotel acclimatising.

This morning, 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.  This afternoon we wander through the vibrant streets of Lhasa, absorbing its unique atmosphere.  Or you may wish to join an optional tour to Sera Monastery, dedicated to Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism.   

At Lhasa we board the new high-altitude train (where 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 Golmud, 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 Golmud, we transfer to our private train, the Shangri-La Express and continue our journey to 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 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.

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 Qin 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.

Our morning arrival in Luoyang, situated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Valley, gives us a full day to explore this former ancient capital established in 4,000BC.  We travel out to Longmen Caves, one of China’s most significant artistic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This amazing network of 1,350 caves contains over 110,000 Buddhist statues.  We will also visit the local museum which contains many relics from Luoyang’s glory days, including sculpted horses and camels recovered from its ancient tombs. Tonight, we enjoy our last evening onboard the Shangri-La Express.

Today we arrive in Beijing and visit the Temple of Heaven, the grandest of the four great temples situated in Beijing. The remainder of your day can be spent bartering for souvenirs before transferring to the centrally located five-star Regent Hotel (or similar) for a two-night stay.

Our second day in Beijing takes us to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. As we explore the magnificently restored Forbidden City, it is easy to imagine the lives of the privileged Emperors that lived here with their numerous concubines. Our afternoon sightseeing is devoted to The Great Wall of China - one of the few man-made structures visible from outer space and perhaps the most evocative symbol of Chinese skill and precision. Our farewell banquet is hosted in an authentic Peking Duck restaurant, where we say our goodbyes to our fellow travelling companions.

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Beijing airport to begin your journey home.