The Silk Road Express, China’s first-ever luxury tourist train built to international standards, set off on its maiden voyage on July 6th.
The project is the brainchild of Train of Glamour, a cultural railway tourism brand under Fosun Infrastructure Industry Development Group, which focuses on developing high-end international tourist trains.
The train “perfectly integrates oriental aesthetics with Silk Road culture,” and takes passengers on a journey along the Qinghai-Gansu Loop, a renowned scenic route. “Stepping on this train is like embarking on a fascinating journey through thousands of years of history,” the company says.
Designed by the world-renowned HBA design firm and adorned with artwork by Tsinghua University’s Academy of Arts & Design, the Silk Road Express exudes elegance and sophistication. Its carriages resemble five-star hotel rooms, complete with large panoramic windows, exquisite artwork curated from both domestic and international sources, and antique treasures.
The train consists of 15 carriages, including fully private cabins, lounge and dining cars, and multifunctional carriages for sightseeing, tea tasting, and other entertainment activities. A team of professional stewards will provide passengers with around-the-clock service, while two photographers will be on hand to capture the unforgettable journey.
Over the course of 5 days and 4 nights, passengers will embark on an immersive exploration of the Gobi Desert, serene salt lakes, the captivating Dunhuang cultural center, and the Tibetan Buddhist holy site of Kumbum Monastery in Xining. A longer “train plus car” option is also available, covering the entire Qinghai-Gansu Loop in 9 days and 8 nights.
The Silk Road Express’s maiden voyage has been hailed in China as the dawn of a “new era for the railway tourism industry.”
