Epic China & Tibet Train Tour

No matter when you land, your guide and the driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in. Since Beijing is 6 hours ahead of Berlin, we recommend resting at the hotel to adjust to the jet lag after settling down. 

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town (5 stars)

In the morning, your guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and accompany you to Tiananmen Square directly. In front of its majestic gate tower, you can see visitors busy capturing photos. Passing through the Tiananmen Tower, we’ll enter the Forbidden City, once the home of emperors some 600 years ago. Though its scale is breathtakingly larger, equivalent to nearly nine Versailles Palaces, the layout follows the same basic structure as that of commoners’ houses. Stepping into the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you’ll enter the emperor’s “reception room”, a vast square dominated by the Three Great Halls, where he conducted state affairs, received foreign envoys, and held important ceremonies. To the north lies the Inner Court, the private living quarters for the emperor and his consorts. You may have heard that Chinese emperors had multiple concubines throughout their lifetimes, so who they will sleep with at night is a troublesome problem. Historical records show that each consort’s name was inscribed on a wooden plaque; the one chosen blindly by the emperor would have the privilege of sharing his evening. 

★ Special Arrangement: A La Carte Lunch

At noon, we’ll arrange a welcome a la carte lunch at a selected restaurant, valued CNY 200 per person (USD 28) and included in our price. You’ll savor Beijing’s most iconic dish, Peking Roast Duck. With crispy, amber-hued skin and tender meat, it is traditionally wrapped in thin pancakes along with spring onions and sweet bean sauce. You can also order other local specialties according to your preference.After lunch, we’ll proceed to the Temple of Heaven, located south of the Forbidden City. In traditional Chinese cosmology, the south represents heaven, so the sacred site was once used to perform rituals to sacrifice to the celestial realm. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its triple-tiered blue roof, crimson walls, and white marble terraces, stands as the complex’s crown jewel, where emperors prayed for harvests. We’ll then stroll along the Vermilion Steps Bridge to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, whose “Echo Wall” can create a fascinating acoustic effect: standing at opposite ends with your friends, you can hear each other’s whispers clearly, even from dozens of meters away.

★ Enjoy a Heart-stopping Acrobatic Show 

After the temple visit, we’ll head to the Red Theatre for an exhilarating acrobatic performance. The performers dressed in vibrant costumes adorned with traditional motifs take the stage to dynamic music, along which they execute breath-stopping feats such as walking tightropes, performing motorcycle stunts, and leaping through fiery rings, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

After the performance, we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town (5 stars)

Your guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby, and convoy you to the Mutianyu Great Wall, renowned as both the most picturesque section and the least crowded part of this ancient marvel. Take the round-trip cable car we’ve arranged for you, and panoramic views of the wall snaking across mountain ridges will unfold as the cabin ascends. After disembarking, you can hike to the Zhengguan Tower, a unique defensive complex where three interconnected watchtowers rise vertically up the mountainside. Commanders once directed battles from the upper level while soldiers defended from the middle floor, with the ground level storing supplies and ammunition. Inside, you can examine original features like crenellations and arrow loops, and admire the wall winding through peaks like a legendary stone dragon.

Later, we’ll return to the city center to explore Beijing’s traditional Hutong alleys by rickshaw. You’ll travel through labyrinthine-like narrow lanes to the sound of ringing bells, observing locals chatting in dialect and catching a whiff of home cooking. You might even be shocked at residents’ remarkable parking skills in these tight spaces. We’ll enter a courtyard residence, where hanging birdcages and thriving plants create a self-contained world. In the past, these courtyards housed multiple families, fostering close-knit communities. Today, well-preserved examples have become valuable urban properties worth tens of millions of dollars. At the end of the day, we’ll escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town (5 stars)

Your Beijing exploration will conclude this morning with a visit to the Summer Palace, accompanied by your guide and the driver. Known as the “Museum of Imperial Gardens,” this UNESCO site was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796 AD) with Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill as its core, showcasing perfect harmony between natural landscapes and classical Chinese architecture. At the eastern foot of the hill lies the Garden of Harmonious Interests. In summer, lotus flowers bloom across its ponds, while autumn sets the trees aglow beside traditional blue-tiled roofs and red pillars, creating a scene straight out of a painting. Strolling across its small bridges, you’ll see fish darting beneath the reflected foliage.

In the afternoon, we’ll escort you to Beijing West Railway Station for the 5-hour high-speed train to Xi’an. Travel in ultimate comfort as you settle into the exclusive first-class compartment we’ve specially reserved for you. Unwind in your spacious seats with ample legroom, and enjoy a quiet ride with superior service. Upon arrival, your Xi’an guide and the driver will pick you up and assist with check-in at the handpicked hotel. The rest of the day is on your own arrangement. You can take a 5-minute walk to the Great Tang All-Day Mall, where you can experience the city’s vibrant nightlife. You’ll encounter numerous visitors dressed in Chinese traditional attire. If you are interested, several studios here offer costume rentals for you to capture memorable photos of your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xian South (5 stars)

In the morning, your guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you on a one-hour private car ride to the Terracotta Army Museum. Over 8,000 life-sized clay figures have emerged through five decades of excavation, yet this is only the tip of the iceberg of the complete underground army. Archaeologists estimate it could take over 700 years to uncover the entire site. The unearthed warriors show distinct facial features: broad faces, wide noses, and full lips, closely resembling the people of modern Xi’an. This similarity has inspired local humor: “The terracotta warriors are just locals taking turns on guard duty,” and “Every Xi’an resident must serve a shift here when they come of age.”

Leaving the museum, we’ll sample authentic Xi’an specialties, such as Cold Noodles, a Chinese hamburger, and the regional favorite orange-tasting soft drink, at a local restaurant.

★ Special Arrangement: Handmade Pottery Class

After lunch, join a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own terracotta replica under the guidance of a local artisan. Learn to knead clay, press it into molds, and carve details with a burin. You’re welcome to add your personal touch by engraving unique patterns - a truly special souvenir to take home.In the afternoon, we’ll return to the city to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, where you’ll learn how this ancient structure has survived for centuries and have the opportunity to take photos with this iconic landmark.

★ Enjoy a Dumpling Banquet with Cultural Performance

For an immersive cultural experience, we’ll reserve seats for you at the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. As the curtain rises, performers in Tang-style costumes play replica ancient instruments as dancers move gracefully to traditional music, recreating the artistic splendor of China’s golden age during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). While enjoying the performance, you’ll be served dumplings with different fillings, such as chicken, duck, fish, and shrimp, prepared in both savory and sweet styles that are sure to delight your palate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xian South (5 stars)

Your morning will begin with a pickup from your hotel for a visit to the Xi’an City Wall, one of China’s best-preserved ancient fortifications, originally constructed between 1370 and 1378 AD. Stretching 14 kilometers (8 miles) in length, this defensive marvel once hosted marathon events. Ascending the wall from the South Gate, you may encounter costumed “guards” patrolling in replica armor. For a more flexible exploration, your guide can assist with bicycle rental (at your own expense) to ride along the battlements. As you cycle near the North Gate, you’ll witness the striking contrast scene of Xi’an’s modern railway station nestled at the foot of the ancient wall, offering a perfect photo opportunity when trains pass by.

After descending, we’ll explore the Muslim Quarter. Established as a Muslim community since the 7th century, it’s now a vibrant area filled with food stalls and shops. Your senses will awaken to the aroma of cumin-spiced kebabs and freshly steamed sticky jujube rice cakes. Tucked away from the main streets lies the Great Mosque, founded in 742 AD. This serene complex features a courtyard layout with wooden archways, carved brick screens, quite different from domed Islamic architecture. Please avoid wearing shorts, skirts, tank tops, or slippers when visiting out of respect. 

In the afternoon, we’ll escort you to the railway station for the 4-hour high-speed train journey to Xining (first-class seats), where your guide and the driver will meet you as soon as you arrive and convoy you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sofitel Hotel Xining (5 stars)

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will accompany you on a 40-minute drive to Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Monastery), the largest and most significant Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary in Qinghai. At the entrance, you’ll be greeted by eight white stupas. Explore deeper into the main halls, and you’ll witness worshippers performing full-body prostrations, which are believed to atone for sins and secure blessings in the afterlife after finishing 100,000 repetitions. Don’t miss the renowned yak butter sculptures, considered one of the monastery’s “Three Artistic Wonders.” To prevent the butter from melting, artisans must dip their hands in ice water while sculpting, so many of them have chilblains and sometimes permanent hand injuries.
► Tips:
1. Please refrain from photographing worshippers and Buddha statues, as this is considered disrespectful in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
2. Be sure to keep your entrance ticket, as it will be checked again when entering key halls.

Back in the city around midday, let’s explore Lower Nanguan Street, where you can sample local specialties at your own expense, like bean jelly, traditional Muslim yogurt, and sweet barley wine.

Finally, the guide and the driver will escort you to Xining Railway Station to board the overnight soft-sleeper train to Lhasa. Throughout the journey, the train will carry you through expansive grasslands, turquoise lakes, and traverse snow-capped mountains. 

► Why Train, not Plane?
Lhasa is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,656 meters (nearly 12,000 feet). Traveling by train allows your body to acclimatize gradually to the rising altitude, which can significantly reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Although flying is quicker, the abrupt exposure to high elevation may cause stronger physical reactions, particularly for those visiting the region for the first time.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: soft sleeper train

When you wake to the crackling of the train in the morning, the landscapes of the mystical realm of Tibet will unfold in front of your eyes. Upon disembarking, our Lhasa guide and the driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. 

 ► How to Alleviate Altitude Sickness
To help your body adjust to the high elevation, we strongly recommend resting at the hotel upon arrival and avoiding strenuous activity for the first day. Staying well-hydrated and getting plenty of sleep can significantly ease the transition. You may also consult your doctor and prepare some preventive medication. Additionally, due to the high altitude and strong UV rays in Lhasa, please bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for protection. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (5 stars)

This morning, your guide and driver will accompany you to the Tibet Museum to explore the region’s history and culture. At the ground-floor exhibition, “People Closest to the Sun,” you can admire exquisite traditional costumes and learn about local daily life customs of the past. On the second-floor gallery, photographs, punishment instruments, and religious artifacts made of bone reveal how these “people under the sun” once lived in what was described as “the closest place to hell,” decades ago. Ascending to the third floor, you’ll see the Potala Palace in the distance, resembling a toy-brick structure against the sky.

Later, we’ll proceed to Norbulingka Park, a concentration of iconic Tibetan architecture in yellow and red, adorned with intricate Buddhist murals. Eventually, the day will culminate at Sera Monastery, where you’ll witness the monastic debate, a learning method that helps monks deepen their understanding of Buddhist scriptures. You’ll see the questioners standing and bombarding the responder, accompanied by vigorous gestures, such as clapping, swinging his prayer beads, and stomping his foot, while the responder remains seated, answering questions using what he learned from the scriptures. Please note that professional cameras are not permitted inside the monastery, though smartphone photography is allowed. At the end of the day, the guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (5 stars)

In the morning, the guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and accompany you make a pilgrimage to the Potala Palace, the world’s highest-altitude palace complex, which served for centuries as the residence and administrative heart of successive Dalai Lamas. From the front square, you’ll admire the palace’s iconic white and red facades, colors that represent sacredness and strength in Tibetan Buddhism. Each October, local communities take part in a traditional wall-repainting ritual, considered an act of spiritual merit. Beyond the magnificent facade, you’ll be astonished by the golden artifacts, stupas, murals, and exquisite thangka paintings preserved inside. Or you can climb to the rooftop to catch a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Then, continue to the Jokhang Temple, a mecca for all Tibetan Buddhists. Inside the main hall, the air carries the distinctive scent of burning yak butter lamps, whose lights illuminate a revered golden statue of 12-year-old Buddha.

Afterward, let’s stroll along the Barkhor Street, which is lined with white-walled Tibetan buildings and shops framed by vibrant red doorways and windows. You’ll see locals in traditional dress and may witness pilgrims performing full-body prostrations along this sacred route. We’ll enter Bangdacang Courtyard, a 300-year-old residence of a wealthy merchant, on the street. The two-story corridor encloses a quadrangle yard adorned with red wooden balustrades and yellow walls, with prayer flags fluttering overhead.

★ Special Arrangement: Tibetan Outfit & Incense-making Experience

Inside the compound, we’ll arrange an immersive Tibetan incense-making experience for our distinguished guests of this luxury China tour. In local culture, the Tibetan incense is not only used in rituals but also to purify the air and calm the mind. Using a base of cypress wood paste blended with sandalwood, saffron, and other precious herbs, you’ll knead and shape your own incense stripes under the guidance of a local master. To deepen the cultural immersion, you can also dress in a traditional Tibetan outfit we prepared for you and take a picture to freeze the unforgettable moment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (5 stars)

This morning, your guide and the driver will escort you to the airport for your two-hour flight to Chengdu. If you’re seated on the starboard side of the plane, be sure to look out for breathtaking views of continuous snow-capped mountain ranges during the journey. 

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the local guide and the driver will greet you at the airport and escort you on a smooth ride to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration. You are welcome to visit Taikoo Li, just a 10-minute walk from your hotel. This vibrant commercial area represents Chengdu’s most fashionable district, where you’ll find stylish young locals, luxury boutiques, and impressive immersive naked-eye 3D screen displays. Adjacent to it lies the equally popular Chengdu IFS, famous for the giant panda sculpture that appears to be climbing the building’s facade. Please arrange your own way back to the hotel after visiting.

Meals: Breakfast    
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

★ Star-Struck: An Up-Close Look at Adorable Pandas

With a hotel pick-up of your guide and the driver, today’s first stop will be the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to come face to face with the cute black-and-white bears and belly laugh at their human-like behaviors. They may prop their chins on their paws, splash playfully in the water, or sit together in small groups “sharing a meal.” With a unique adapted wrist bone that acts like a pseudo-thumb, they can even grip bamboo with surprising dexterity, like we do. You might also wonder why pandas wear this distinctive black-and-white coat. The answer lies in camouflage: the dark patches help them blend into forest shadows during summer, while the white fur provides cover in the snow during winter. Their dark eye circles serve as natural sunglasses, which can reduce glare from snow and enhance their night vision capacity.

Then, we’ll head into the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu to admire China’s traditional garden. In the 8th century, Du Fu, one of China’s most revered poets, settled here as a refugee and built a humble thatched home beside a stream. Over the following millennium, the site underwent dozens of renovations and expansions, gradually evolving into the complex we see today. Here, you can not only learn about the poet’s life story and appreciate the calligraphy inscriptions of his works, but also delve into the history of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) through preserved archaeological remains. As you examine the foundations of ancient structures, wells, and storage pits, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the daily life of a bygone era.We’ll then wander through People’s Park, where you can relax at a traditional teahouse and sample Chengdu’s signature tea served in a lidded bowl. Feel free to explore the park’s famous matchmaking corner, where parents post personal ads for their unmarried children, offering a fascinating glimpse into Chinese blind date customs. 

We’ll conclude today’s itinerary at Wide and Narrow Alley, where you can admire well-preserved architecture from the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912 AD) while sampling local snacks and soaking up Chengdu’s slow-paced lifestyle. At the end of the day, the guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

After checking out, your guide and the driver will see you off at the railway station, where you’ll board a 5-hour high-speed train to Guilin, a city reputed for its karst landscapes. Your Guilin guide and the driver will offer you a station-hotel transfer as soon as you arrive, and assist with check-in.

To spend the free time, you can head to Zhengyang Pedestrian Street by yourself, a dynamic gathering place for locals and tourists, which is about a 10-minute car ride away from your hotel. You can hunt for various local specialties here, such as beer fish, oil tea, and horseshoe cake. For a quieter atmosphere, explore the adjacent East West Street, where the antique buildings will be illuminated in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast    
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin (5 stars)

★ 4-hour Boat Cruise to Discover Karst Landscapes

In the morning, your guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel to the wharf for a 4-hour cruise along the jade-green Li River. As the shooting location of the film “The Painted Veil”, you can only understand how its beauty inspires romance by viewing its dream-like vistas personally. As the vessel glides downstream, a stunning procession of karst peaks rises before you. Unlike gigantic mountains, these limestone formations dot the landscape like bamboo shoots sprouting from the earth, some standing alone, others clustered together, taking the shapes of camels, horses, and human silhouettes. Among them, watch for a slender rock resembling a Chinese calligraphy brush. Legend says a deity used it to paint Guilin’s enchanting scenery, then accidentally left it by the river, where it turned to stone.

Upon docking in Yangshuo, we’ll start an exciting bicycle exploration of its idyllic countryside. Pedaling along paths flanked by endless rice fields, you might spot newlyweds taking wedding photos or locals chatting by the roadside. In addition to standard bicycles, tandem scooters are available for a more relaxed ride. After today’s exploration, the guide and the driver will convoy you back to the hotel in Guilin.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin (5 stars)

On the final morning in Guilin, your guide and the driver will accompany you to the Reed Flute Cave, an underground gallery featuring striking stalactites. Once you step inside, you’ll hear the sound of the water droplets that have echoed for over 700,000 years. The “Crystal Palace” is its most outstanding masterpiece, where countless limestone formations shimmer under soft blue lights, with reflections in the water evoking a miniature icy mountain range reminiscent of Tibet’s snowy peaks. 

We’ll then conclude Guilin exploration at Elephant Trunk Hill, where natural forces carved a magnificent arch through the limestone, creating the form of an elephant drinking from the river. From the viewing deck, keen-eyed visitors may notice a natural circular opening in the rock resembling the elephant’s eye.

According to the train schedule, your guide and the driver will offer you a train station see-off, and our private guided and transportation service will conclude here. After an included 3-hour high-speed train ride to Hong Kong, you’ll arrive at West Kowloon Station. Upon disembarking, please make your own way to the reserved hotel. You can take the Tuen Ma Line from Austin Station to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit P2), and a 10-minute walk will lead you to the hotel. Alternatively, a taxi ride costs approximately HKD 100 (USD 13).► Tips:
1. Metro Card: To ensure a smooth travel, we recommend purchasing a tourist Octopus card (HKD 39 / USD 5) from station vending machines. It is accepted on the MTR, buses, trams, and at convenience stores, and in some restaurants. iPhone X (or later) users can download the Octopus App for online payment and link a credit card for digital top-ups.
2. Cash: Please carry around HKD 1,000 (USD 130) in cash, as some small eateries and market stalls do not accept digital payments.

► Hong Kong Travel Note:
To help manage your costs in light of high guide fees, the final two days are reserved for independent exploration. English is widely spoken, and Hong Kong’s efficient MTR system makes it easy to navigate on your own. We’ll pre-book the hotel and offer a well-planned itinerary as a suggestion for you to ensure a smooth experience. Should you prefer a guide or an airport transfer, we would be happy to arrange for you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong (5 stars)

We recommend starting your day with a trip to Victoria Peak. Walk 15 minutes from the hotel to Tsim Sha Tsui Station, where you can take the Tsuen Wan Line to Admiralty Station, and another 15-minute walk will lead you to the Peak Tram Terminal. Board the tram, and as it ascends, watch skyscrapers tilt gradually outside the window, giving way to lush green hillsides. At the summit, visit the Sky Terrace for a panoramic view of Victoria Harbor, set against Hong Kong’s iconic skyline of skyscrapers.

Next, head to Aberdeen to experience Hong Kong’s traditional fishing culture. In contrast to the urban vistas from the Victoria Peak, this area is characterized by low-rise buildings and a harbor filled with wooden sampans and fishing vessels. Here, you can observe fishermen drying clothes and seafood on their boats, smell the mild salt air, and hear the gentle lapping of waves mingled with chatter from the docks. Then, continue to Repulse Bay, known as one of Hong Kong’s most scenic beach retreats. Feel the soft white sand underfoot, take in the views of clear blue waters, and see visitors and locals relax in the sunshine.

Conclude your day at the Stanley Market. Its colorful stalls offer a Southeast Asian vibe, and your eyes will be drawn to shops selling hand-painted Hong Kong-style postcards, batik dresses, Chinese crafts, and more. At the end of the day, you can take bus 260 to Admiralty Station, transfer to the Tung Chung Line to Hung Hom Station, and walk 15 minutes to your hotel. A taxi costs around HKD 300 (USD 39).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong (5 stars)

Today is the last day of your China tours from Berlin Germany. Please make your own way to Hong Kong International Airport for your return flight to Berlin. From your hotel, board the Tuen Ma Line, transfer at Nam Cheong Station to the Tung Chung Line, then change at Tsing Yi Station for the Airport Express, and finally alight at the Airport Station. The total fare is approximately HKD 73 (USD 9). A taxi would cost around HKD 330 (USD 38).

As there are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Berlin, we recommend taking flight LH7015 (00:25/07:05) with a layover in Frankfurt, then connecting to LH176 (08:45/09:50). The total travel time is approximately 16 hours and 25 minutes, including a layover of 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Should you wish to extend your journey to other Asian destinations such as Japan or Thailand, we would be delighted to tailor the itinerary for you.

Meals: Breakfast