Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express was built for these journeys, and it is the newest train in the fleet. Its purpose is simple: to let you see China at the pace of a railway rather than an airport, with the same cabin every night while the country changes outside the window. The Terracotta Army, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City are all on its routes, but so are Kashgar, Hotan and Rouqiang — oasis towns of the old Silk Road that almost no other rail itinerary reaches.

Life aboard centres on four public cars. There are two restaurant cars, one Chinese and one Western, where every meal on the train is served with wines, spirits and soft drinks included; a bar lounge car with a wine and cocktail list and, on some journeys, a resident pianist; and an observation car whose floor-to-ceiling windows are the largest on any train in China, with a view of some 270 degrees. Most journeys include at least one day with nothing scheduled, which is when that car earns its place.

Ashore, guided excursions meet the train at every stop, entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary are included, and Freedom of Choice options let you pick between two ways of seeing a city. Journeys begin and end with nights in five-star hotels, a doctor and medical facilities travel on board, and gratuities are included on and off the train. On the two journeys to Lhasa, the final climb onto the Tibetan plateau is made on the Qinghai-Xizang Railway — the highest railway in the world — or, if you prefer, by direct flight.

Superior Cabin

At 11 square metres (535cm x 205cm), a cabin that changes with the day: two single sofas and a sofa chair for the daylight hours, then twin beds or a double (190cm x 170cm) at night. There is a full-length wardrobe, a personal safe, a minibar and individually controlled air conditioning. The en-suite bathroom, of 2.5 square metres, has a TOTO smart toilet, a full power shower and underfloor heating, with bathrobes, slippers, a Dyson hairdryer and toiletries provided.

Han Dynasty Suite

Twice the size of the Superior Cabin at 22.2 square metres, with one double bed (190cm x 170cm) and a separate closet. The en-suite bathroom, of 5.2 square metres, has a TOTO smart toilet, a deluxe bathtub and a double sink. Laundry service is included, and suite guests have private car and guide options within the excursion programme. There are only a few Han Dynasty Suites on the train, so ask early about availability on your date.

Service

Cabin attendants look after each carriage, including an evening turndown, and luggage porterage is included from the first transfer to the last.

Restaurant cars

Two restaurant cars, one Chinese and one Western, serve all meals on board. Wines, spirits and soft drinks are included with meals, and dinners in selected local restaurants are woven into the itineraries off the train.

Bar lounge car

The social car of the train, with its wine and cocktail list, and on some journeys a resident pianist in the evening.

Observation car

Floor-to-ceiling windows — the largest of any train in China — and a view of some 270 degrees. On the free days on board, this is where most guests end up.