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Travel across the vast Middle Kingdom aboard the exclusive China Orient Express. Starting in cosmopolitan Hong Kong, board the train in Shenzhen and ride through the sugarloaf mountains into the foothills of the Himalaya. Travel through the Yellow River Valley, the birthplace of Chinese civilization, and the steppes of Inner Mongolia before passing the Great Wall en route to Beijing.
October 30 and 31 Los Angeles/Hong Kong, China
Depart on your flight from Los Angeles. The next day, arrive in Hong Kong late in the evening and transfer to your hotel.
Kowloon Shangri-La
November 1 Hong Kong
This morning, take a walking tour from your hotel through the Central District, finishing up at Victoria Peak. The afternoon is free to explore this vibrant city. Tonight, enjoy a festive welcome dinner at the hotel.
(B,L,D)
November 2 Hong Kong/Shenzhen/Guangzhou
Travel to Shenzhen, just over the border in China, where the China Orient Express is waiting. As lunch is served on board, ride through China’s most economically developed region to Guangzhou. This afternoon, take a walking tour of Shamian Island, the former concession granted to British and French traders at the end of the Second Opium War.
China Orient Express
(B,L,D)
November 3 Guilin
Arrive early in the morning for a cruise down the picturesque Li River. Here, emerald green mountains rise steeply from the riverbanks and surrounding countryside, and bamboo groves bend gracefully over the water, providing inspiration for countless artists and poets throughout the centuries. Return to the train in the afternoon.
(B,L,D)
November 4 Yunnan Province
Relax on board today as the China Orient Express crosses into China’s beautiful Yunnan Province, home to the foothills of the Himalaya.
(B,L,D)
November 5 Kunming
Arrive in Kunming and drive to the Stone Forest. Like the mountains of Guilin, the Stone Forest is made of eroded limestone. Here, however, the towering rocks squeeze close together, forming an intricate maze of stone and water. Return to the train for lunch, and enjoy one of the most spectacular lengths of track on Earth, including more than 500 tunnels and bridges.
(B,L,D)
November 6 Chengdu
Emerge from the mountains onto the Sichuan Plateau and arrive in Chengdu. Visit the Panda Breeding Center with a panda specialist to learn about China’s most famous animal. Stop by one of Chengdu’s many teahouses before reboarding this afternoon.
(B,L,D)
November 7 Xi’an
Arrive in Xi’an, and after a private briefing with an archaeologist, stand face-to-face with terra-cotta warriors. From a special VIP platform, observe one of China’s most important archaeological discoveries. After a quick stop at the city wall, continue on toward Inner Mongolia.
(B,L,D)
November 8 Hohhot
Travel through flat grasslands dotted with gers, the traditional felt-lined round tents of the Mongolian people. Visit a local family in a ger outside of the city, then enjoy a traditional Mongolian dinner before returning to the train.
(B,L,D)
November 9 Badaling/Beijing
The train stops near Badaling for a morning at the Great Wall of China. Lunch is on board as the train slowly descends in front of the wall and down to the plains for the final run into Beijing, arriving late in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a festive dinner of Peking duck.
Peninsula Palace Hotel
(B,L,D)
November 10 Beijing
Begin the day with a tour of the imposing Forbidden City, the home of China’s emperors for two dynasties. After lunch at the famous Fangshan Imperial Restaurant, explore one of Beijing’s remaining hutong neighborhoods and visit a local school. This evening is free to try one of Beijing’s many fine restaurants on your own.
(B,L)
November 11 Beijing
Discover the avant-garde side of China on an excursion to the Dashanzi Art District, a collection of contemporary art galleries set up in an old Bauhaus-style factory built by the East Germans in the 1950s. This afternoon, explore more of the city on your own with an optional visit to the Summer Palace. Gather for a gala farewell banquet this evening.
(B,L,D)
November 12 Beijing/Los Angeles
Depart Beijing this morning on the return flight to Los Angeles.
(B)
| ABOUT THE CHINA ORIENT EXPRESS |
The China Orient Express offers the best amenities available in rail travel in China. It is a comfortable, well-appointed train, ideal for our adventure through China. Accommodations on the train are in modern, air-conditioned first-class sleeping cars, two people per compartment with upper and lower berths. A suite option is available (for those interested in two lower berths), with two connecting compartments. A sink is shared between two compartments, restroom facilities are located at the end of each car, and there is a separate shower car. Public areas include the restaurant cars and a well-appointed lounge car.
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