No matter if you fly commercial or private, air travel can be a little soulless. Sometimes it’s just a means to an end. Long-distance train travel, however, is the opposite. It’s slow, but it’s got heart and charm. And it’s memorable. You won’t remember a six-hour flight, but you’ll never erase the memories of spending several days aboard a train. Luckily, there are plenty of luxury train journeys on offer, including traveling from Paris to Istanbul on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and from Pretoria to Walvis Bay with Rovos Rail. And for those who want to take their long-distance train travels to the next level, there’s the Grand Silk Road train journey, a 22-day rail adventure that will take you from Beijing, China to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Grand Silk Road Itinerary
The Grand Silk Road train journey covers 2,400 miles across five countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. And because sitting on your gluteus maximus for three weeks straight isn’t exactly exciting, there are multiple stops along the way.
You’ll get off the train nearly every day, so that you can take in the biggest sights in every country you visit. In Xi’an, China, you’ll get to see the Terra Cotta Warriors; in Almaty, you’ll visit the colorful Zenkov Cathedral, made entirely of wood; and in Uzbekistan, you’ll spend time in eye-popping Samarkand. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – the list of excursions is very long.
If you thought the Grand Silk Road was a straight journey from point A to point B, think again. The itinerary is twisted with detours throughout, which explains why it takes 22 days to complete. Also, you’ll travel on board two trains, not one. First you’ll ride the brand-new Golden Eagle Silk Road Express from Beijing to Kashgar, China and then the Golden Eagle from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tashkent. And because there is no train between Kashgar and Almaty, you’ll take a private flight to link the two cities.
The Accommodations
There are two types of accommodations on board the new and shiny Golden Eagle Silk Road Express: The Han Dynasty Suite and the Superior Cabin. Both have great amenities, including Dyson Hairdryers and TOTO toilets, but the Han Dynasty Suite is undeniably more appealing. The decor is much more elaborate, the amenities are better (Hermès toiletries and Dom Pérignon Champagne), and it’s a lot bigger. Each Han Dynasty Suite has a living room separate from the sleeping area and the bathroom has a bathtub, shower, and double sinks.
The Golden Eagle, which will take you from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tashkent, is a little different. For one, it’s not new – it launched in 2007. And the decor is more traditional and colorful. Also, it has three categories of accommodations: Imperial Suites, Gold Class Cabins, and Silver Class Cabins. Imperial Suites are the biggest of all three accommodation options and because you’ll be on board for 12 days during this trip, you won’t want to feel cramped.
When Can I Take the Grand Silk Road Train Journey?
The Grand Silk Road train journey will start again in the fall of 2026 after a five-year hiatus. In 2026, the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express will leave Beijing on September 21 and reach Tashkent on October 12. In 2027, the train will do the reverse journey (Tashkent to Beijing), departing on August 30.
Other Journeys With Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
If a 22-day journey is too long for your taste, there are plenty of other rail adventures you can take with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains. The company owns three trains, the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, the Golden Eagle, and Golden Eagle Silk Danube Express, and they criss-cross Europe, Central Asia, and China between March and December every year. Trips vary between seven and 16 days and there are dozens of exciting destinations on the menu.
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FAQs
Q: Where does the Grand Silk Road train journey start and finish?
A: The Grand Silk Road train journey starts in Beijing, China and ends in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Q: How long is the Grand Silk Road train journey?
A: The journey from Beijing, China to Tashkent, Uzbekistan takes 22 days.
Q: Is the Grand Silk Road train journey operated by one train only?
A: No, travelers ride on board two different trains, the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express for around six nights and twelve nights aboard the Golden Eagle.
