A new 22-day rail journey linking China and Central Asia is set to launch in 2026, offering passengers a route inspired by the historic Silk Road trade network.
The Grand Silk Road by Train will travel across five countries from Beijing to Tashkent, covering approximately 2,400 miles (3,862 km), passing through desert landscapes, ancient cities, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The itinerary is operated by Golden Eagle Luxury Trains in partnership with adventure travel company GeoEx.
The journey begins in Beijing, where travellers can visit the Forbidden City and walk sections of the Great Wall. The journey continues to Xi’an, home to the Terracotta Warriors, and then to Dunhuang, known for its cliffside grottoes. In the Gobi Desert, passengers can take a camel ride across the dunes. As there is no direct rail link between China and Kyrgyzstan, travellers take a short flight to Kazakhstan, then continue by train through Almaty, Bishkek, Lake Issyk-Kul, and Dushanbe, before reaching Uzbekistan. Key stops in Uzbekistan include Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kokand, and Nukus, each accompanied by guided excursions highlighting the region’s cultural and architectural heritage.
The Silk Road was an extensive network of trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. For centuries, merchants, pilgrims, and explorers travelled these paths, exchanging goods, ideas, and culture. The new train route allows travellers to follow this historic corridor while reaching sites that were previously difficult to access in a single journey.
Golden Eagle’s trains offer several cabin categories, ranging from 60-square-foot Silver Class with two-berth compartments to 77-square-foot Gold Class with upper and lower berths. The top-tier Imperial Suites measure 120 square feet and include private lounge space and upgraded amenities. Additional options include Superior cabins and Han Dynasty Suites. The train also features observation cars that provide panoramic views of mountains, deserts, and city streets, and dining cars serving a mix of local and continental cuisine.
Prices start at $50,700 (€43,000) per person based on double occupancy. The inaugural departure is scheduled from September 21 to October 12, 2026, with a second journey planned from August 30 to September 22, 2027. The package includes accommodations, most meals, transfers and insurance coverage.
The launch comes as Uzbekistan intensifies efforts to expand its tourism sector. The government has set a target of attracting 20 million international travellers by 2030. Official figures indicate that more than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2025, reflecting rapid growth in recent years.
Investments in infrastructure, transport connectivity, and accommodation aim to support higher visitor volumes and longer stays, while diversifying tourism beyond traditional heritage sites. The Grand Silk Road by Train aligns with this strategy, offering high-end international visitors access to the country’s historic cities and lesser-known destinations, contributing to Uzbekistan’s broader tourism and economic ambitions.
Rail tourism in Central Asia is also expanding, with cross-border services linking China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan currently being under construction. These developments are expected to improve access to historic Silk Road destinations and support regional connectivity for both tourism and trade.
