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Train and Sakura or Cherry Blossom trees in Beijing, China
Rail Tours

China Rail

China Rail Tours with Travelmarvel

Experience the sheer scale and history of China on a rail tour with Travelmarvel. For a country so large, China is remarkably well connected. With a world-leading high-speed-rail network that stitches together major cities at record speeds, travelling through China by rail offers a seamless and immersive way to explore this vast country. And with Travelmarvel, every detail planned — from exclusive Insider Experiences, great local cuisine and carefully chosen accommodation, delivering outstanding value without compromising on quality.

Visit Beijing, where ancient dynasties have shaped the city’s grand avenues and landmarks, and step into the heart of Chinese history in Xi’an, home of the extraordinary Terracotta Army. In Chengdu, a slower pace of life unfolds, and the chance to encounter the rare giant panda. Travel by high-speed train to Yichang, your gateway to the mighty Yangtze River. Here, your China railway tours extend beyond the tracks, with a scenic cruise revealing forest-clad karst peaks and engineering marvels such as the Three Gorges Dam. In Shanghai, once dubbed the “Paris of the East” for its colourful nightlife and Art Deco architecture, discover a dynamic metropolis.

In a group of no more than 24, experience the efficiency and comfort of China’s high-speed rail network, travelling between destinations with ease while watching the landscape shift from bustling cities to rural countryside. These China train holidays are designed to showcase both the iconic highlights and the lesser-seen moments that bring each destination to life, all with the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Great Wall of China

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is an extraordinary feat of engineering and a lasting symbol of an ancient civilisation. In Beijing, ride a scenic cable car with sweeping mountain views to visit the Mutianyu section of the wall, celebrated for its excellent preservation and quieter atmosphere.

Flavourful Dumpling Feast

Be welcomed into a traditional hutong family home for a culinary experience centred around one of China’s most beloved dishes. Under the guidance of your hosts, learn the art of making dumplings from scratch, perfecting time-honoured techniques using fresh seasonal ingredients. Then sit down to enjoy your handmade dumplings together.

Learn Chinese Painting at Gao Family Mansion

Visit the Gao Family Mansion, a well-preserved Ming dynasty residence in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, and gain insight into traditional Chinese life. Among antique furnishings and intricate woodwork, join a local artist to practise simple calligraphy and painting techniques rooted in centuries of artistic tradition.

Great Wall of China
Flavourful Dumpling Feast
Traditional Chinese painting.

China Rail Tours with Travelmarvel

Discover China by rail with Travelmarvel, where every journey is seamlessly arranged so you can focus on the experience unfolding outside your window. From Beijing’s imperial grandeur to Shanghai’s striking skyline, our China rail tours balance iconic highlights with time to explore at your own pace. Travel on high-speed rail between major cities, watching the landscape shift from vast urban centres to rural plains, where daily life unfolds in vivid contrast. Along the way, walk through atmospheric hutongs, stand before the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and experience Chengdu’s relaxed teahouse culture, before a cruise along the dramatic Yangtze River reveals towering gorges and riverside life shaped by centuries of tradition.

At Travelmarvel, we know that the best kind of travel is easy. That’s why everything is planned for you — from seamless rail connections and handpicked accommodation to Insider Experiences that bring each destination to life. Share an authentic Peking duck Welcome Dinner in Beijing, learn the art of dumpling making with a local hutong family, and try your hand at traditional Chinese painting at the Gao Family Mansion in Xi’an. In Chengdu, sip freshly brewed tea at a lakeside teahouse and be captivated by a Sichuan Opera performance, before concluding in Shanghai with an evening cruise along the Huangpu River, taking in the city’s illuminated skyline.

Travelmarvel’s China railway tours are designed for small groups of no more than 24 guests, ensuring a more personal and unhurried experience throughout. With an expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides accompanying you, every detail is taken care of — from rail connections and transfers to curated sightseeing and cultural encounters.

With Travelmarvel, China train holidays offer more choice, exceptional value, and a relaxed pace of travel, allowing you to experience this vast and fascinating country with ease, comfort and confidence. For those inspired to explore further, rail journeys in India and Japan offer equally compelling ways to experience Asia by rail.

China Train Tours - Frequently Asked Questions

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