Fabulous Gardens, Terracotta Warriors, The Great Wall Train Travel in China

China has one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world and trains link almost every town and city. Chinese trains are safe, modern and comfortable. It’s a perfect way to see the ’real china’, especially the countryside. Prices and duration are a rough guide.

China has one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world and trains link almost eve

Please click here to view a PDF of our map of China rail network.

Most long-distance trains have a restaurant car, serving full meals at excellent value. For both long and short journeys the seats are very comfortable. If you are spending a night on a train we recommend a Soft Sleeper.

The most important trains are the Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Hong Kong, Beijing-Xian and some other routes also have deluxe first class Soft Sleepers with 2-berth compartments and private toilets as well as the normal 4-berth Soft Sleeper cabins.

The Trans Siberian railway

There are two main routes to take you to China on this popular journey departing from Moscow (or London). The Trans-Manchurian line Direct to Harbin, China (famous for its Ice Festival) or the Trans-Mongolian line via Ulan Bator in Mongolia.

Click here for more information on the Trans Siberian Railway.

For a more detailed itinerary of this tour please send us an email info@sanyachinatravel.com
or phone us on 01256 863030

The Trains to Lhasa leave daily from Beijing main railway station normally late in the evening. These are modern air-conditioned trains, with soft & hard class sleepers & many restaurant facilities. The Journey will take you two days. Because of the lack of oxygen at the high altitude on the Qinghai - Tibet section all passenger coaches have extra oxygen pumped into them. The oxygen is also available to passengers through breathing apparatus if you have problems. It’s a perfectly safe and unforgettable experience.

NB. Permit for Tibet. This will be arranged by our own staff in China and given to you at the railway station before you leave Beijing with your train tickets. Please note you will need a standard tourist visa for china, it's an easy process please click here.

Beijing to Lhasa train tour

Day 1

Depart the UK for China on your direct flight to Beijing.

Day 2

Beijing - Arrive in Beijing and be met by a Sanya China Travel representative. On arrival transfer to the Bamboo Garden Hotel for 2 nights with daily breakfast - Rest of the day at your leisure. The Bamboo Garden is a traditional family fun guesthouse. It’s in the middle of a Hutong district, traditional Ally ways of old Peking. It’s a bonus to stay here as opposed to the huge tourist hotels normally found in Beijing - we have chosen this Hotel very carefully, it’s excellent.

Day 3

Beijing - Today your English-speaking guide will take you for a full days tour including Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Spend the evening at your own leisure. NB. This is not your final nights stay at this Hotel you will return here the night before you fly home, so if you wish to leave and luggage as apposed to taking everything on the train to Tibet you are welcome to do so.

Day 4

Beijing - Today we will make an early start for a Half-day tour to the quieter section of the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section. You have the option of Taking a Cable Car to some of the stages of the wall. Your English-speaking guide will take you for lunch in a typical local restaurant. In the evening we will help you board the train to Lhasa. The train Departs At 2130 in the evening, you will spend two nights on the train in a private first class soft compartment.

Day 5

Spend a full day on the train. There is bottled water available and restaurant facilities.

Day 6

Lhasa, we will meet you at the train station in Lhasa in the evening at 2000 hours (8 pm). We will then transfer you to the Lhasa Hotel for 3 nights.

Day 7

Lhasa, Your English speaking guide will take you for a full days tour including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery and Barkhor Street ( Barkhor street is where you will find all most anything to buy including traditional Tibetan goods). Lunch will be at a typical Tibetan restrauant (with you Guide); in the evening he or she will take you back to the Hotel. If you wish to venture out to dinner yourselves we will steer you in the direction of the best places to eat away from the crowds.

Day 8

Lhasa – This morning you will be taken to visit a Tibetan family, maybe in the city, maybe in the suburb it will depend on the day, after lunch your guide will take to visit Norbulingka the ’Summer Palace’ of Dalai Lama. It has a Tibetan Style Garden with plants and buildings of the typical Tibetan Style. You will have time at your own leisure in the evening.

Day 9

Lhasa to Beijing – Spend the Morning at you own leisure, in the afternoon we will take you to the airport for your flight back to flight to Beijing. We will meet you at Beijing airport and transfer you back to the Bamboo Garden Hotel for your final nights in China.

Day 10

Beijing – In the morning we will transfer you back to the airport for your return journey Back to London.

Red - Plane, Green - Train, Black - Automobile, Blue - Boat

Click here to download our full China Train Travel map