Beijing - Hong Kong - Lhasa - Moscow - Shanghai - Ulaan Baatar
From its areas of grand wilderness, to the ancient wonders of the Orient, to its bustling modern cities, China is a land like no other. Ancient and modern collide here, luring visitors to this mysterious, vibrant, and fascinating country.
Now home to over 1.3 billion people - more than anywhere else on earth - China stretches from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north across deserts and wide plains to the lush tropical scenery of the south.
Splashed across this broad canvas lie the remarkable results of thousands of years of history: China gave us printing, gunpowder, paper and early mathematics.
Landmarks of this ancient civilization are abundant: the Forbidden City, Terracotta Army – and of course the Great Wall - are each testament to a magnificent and culturally rich past.
Yet, China is also a great emerging nation, with fast-developing cities like Beijing increasingly competing with the former British ruled Hong Kong in their modernity.
Criss-crossing this remarkable and vast landscape is China’s great rivers – the Yangtse, Yellow River and Mekong. However, these days the waterways are less important than they once were. The best way to see this extraordinary country is by rail, and in particular, our private train, the “Shangri-la Express.”
Beijing - Hong Kong - Lhasa - Moscow - Shanghai - Ulaan Baatar
For centuries, people have been captivated by the Tibetan legend of “Shambhala'” - or “Shangri-La” - a mystical earthly paradise hidden beyond the Himalayan mountains.
Today, Tibet is still one of the world's least-explored places, and one with a rich tradition of unique culture and mythology. Known as the “roof of the world” due to its breathtaking average height of 13,200 ft (4,060m) above sea level, Tibet is home to more Himalayan peaks than anywhere else; Mount Everest lies on its border with Nepal.
As befits such a remarkable land, Tibet's capital Lhasa is home to an amazing UNESCO registered collection of spectacular palaces and temples. These include the Potala Palace, once the residence of the Dalai Lama, a unique building that includes among other things, chapels, a library of scripture, and 10,000 shrines. Lhasa's temples and monasteries are key centers of Buddhist teaching.
Until now, Tibet has been virtually inaccessible. The awesome Golmud to Lhasa railway, which opened in 2006, opened Tibet to rail tourism. More than 600 miles (960 km), over 80% of the railway is at an altitude of more than 13,000 ft (4,000 m) and much of this magnificent line runs over permafrost. With the summit, the Tangula Pass, at 16,640 ft, (5,072 m) it is also the world's highest railway. To travel on these lines is a true pioneering adventure, an experience as unique as the places to which it takes us.
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