A remarkable 12 day journey aboard the Shangri-La Express private train. The China Orient Express is a comfortable Hotel-On-Wheels with Bar Car, Restaurant Car and Sleeping Cars.

Visit the last remaining Industrial lines still using steam locomotives and travel behind and have wonderful opportunities to photograph steam over the famous Jingpeng Pass in Inner Mongolia.

This tour from and to Beijing includes the spectacular climb over the Jingpeng Pass and the remarkable industrial steam locations of Nanpiao, Tiefa, Jixi, Fuxin and Huanan.

Watch Videos:
JingPeng Orient Express Eastbound through Happy Valley
Night Cab Ride on the JingPeng Orient Express
Climbing to the JingPeng Pass
SiMingYi Bridge
East portal of the summit tunnel just east of ShangDian Station

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Tiefa: The Tiefa Coal Railway has the distinction of still having an intensive steam-worked passenger service. Look over the bridge at Tiefa station where the services converge and you’ll be blown away...steam-hauled passenger trains at every platform! Tiefa is also one of the few remaining places to have a full-blown steam works, which also takes in locomotives from other lines.

You’ll spend a full day at Tiefa. As well as being able to enjoy the regular action you’ll take a private special train over the complex network with a variety of engines including ‘YJ’ 2-6-2 No. 269, ‘JS’ 2-8-2 No. 5029, ‘KD6’ No. 487 (China’s only working ‘S160’ 2-8-0) and ‘SY’ 2-8-2 No. 1772. The ‘SY’ is claimed to be the world’s very last steam locomotive ever built for commercial purposes – it’s still not even ten years old! Tour directors also aim to turn at least one heavy coal train over to steam – which you’ll have the chance to chase for pictures.

Nanpiao: The coal line at Nanpiao still uses the elegant ‘SY’ 2-8-2s on both passenger and goods workings. This 22-mile line is notable for its scenery – a mountainous backdrop, long dramatic bridges and panoramic views of locomotives at work on the line. On the ‘must see’ list for many people, Nanpiao also demonstrates why you can’t afford to delay a visit to China: diesels have started to arrive...how much longer can it carry on? You’ll have a full day here.

Jixi: There are no fewer than five systems here, all serving collieries and using modern ‘SY’ 2-8-2s. You’ll be surrounded by mines, washeries and stabling points. Amid this dramatic industrial landscape steam works to and fro - and very often you’ll have to choose which train to go for as there’ll be more than one in front of you! Jixi is one place where the steam world all still seems in order. As elsewhere though, it is on borrowed time. There’ll be a whole day here to explore this varied area – and as elsewhere your expert guides will make sure you get the best out of your visit.

Huanan: One of the very best of China’s charming narrow gauge rural railways, the Huanan line exists to drag coal out of a remote area near the Russian border. Little ‘C2’ 0-8-0s – sometimes more than one to a train – make a wonderful sight as they work hard through unspoilt scenery. This timeless 2ft 6in gauge line is normally a real effort to reach, but using the ‘hotel on wheels’ you should get there in perfect comfort.

You’ll have a full day here – and for those who prefer to ride rather than photograph, you’ll have a private charter over the railway’s entire 30-mile length.

Jingpeng: More words have been written about Jingpeng, more pictures taken and reels of video shot than of probably any other stretch of railway on the planet. Little wonder: the much-used tag ‘the world’s last great steam show’ wasn’t some empty boast. In its last winter, it’s said the Jingpeng Pass was visited by up to 4,000 enthusiasts from across the globe, eager to get one last fix.

Sadly, the days of double-headed 2-10-2s came to an end in 2005; since then the spectacular mountain tops, tunnels, and the phenomenally horseshoe graceful viaduct at SiMingYi have rumbled to the sound of diesels. This tour plans to recreate Jingpeng’s steam era as closely as possible, just for a couple of days: the JiTong Railway has agreed to haul both the ‘China Orient Express’ and regular freights on the climb to Shangdian with Daban’s two remaining operational ‘QJs’.

By careful utilisation of the timetable and by steam-hauling trains just over this most spectacular stretch, multiple climbs of the pass should be piossible. Your expert guides will ensure you get the very best out of the opportunities available. You’ll spend a little over two days here, with plenty of opportunity lineside - and to ride with steam on one of the world’s most spectacular railways.

Jalainur: If anywhere today can claim to be the planet’s greatest steam spectacle, it surely has to be Jalainur. The huge opencast pit, close to China’s border with Russia, reverberates day and night to the sound of multiple ‘SY’ 2-8-2s hauling trains on its various levels.

Known by visitors as the ‘hole’, Jalainur (or Zhalai Nuer) is currently still 100% steam-worked, although diesels are expected to arrive before too long. This famous location has been described as “far, far bigger than you could ever imagine.” You’ll have a complete day here absorbing Jalainur’s unique action, with plenty of time to take spectacular photographs.

What Else?: You’ll also take in the sights of Beijing (which now has a fine railway museum) and Harbin, known as one of China’s most beautiful cities.

Important Notice: All the railways, other than JiTong, still have regular steam, though it can’t last forever. The programme has been designed to get the very best out of what’s available, but in the event of forced changes – such as by dieselisation - the organisers will do their best to provide a fitting alternative.

• Accommodation on board the Shangri La Express.
• Hotel accommodation in Beijing for 1 night.
• All meals including a generous allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with meals on and off the train.
• The services of an experienced Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water around the clock from your car attendant.
• All gratuities to local guides, drivers, tour management and train staff.
• An English Speaking Doctor.

Tour does not include:

• International airfares or surface transport to the point of joining / leaving the tour (except where stated otherwise)
• Charges of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at certain museums, souvenirs etc)
• Any optional trips, such as pre and post-tour extensions*
• Alcoholic and soft drinks in the bar outside of meal times
• Airport departure taxes and excess baggage charges
• Vaccination or Medical Costs
• Chinese Visa Costs
• Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance)

Day 1 Beijing
Arrival in Beijing. Time permitting, you take a brief city tour and visit Beijing Railway museum before transfer to Beijing railway station to board our private train, the China Orient Express. There is plenty of time to settle into your cabins and have a sociable drink in the bar car (breakfast at own arrangement).

Day 2 Nanpiao
The coal line at Nanpiao still uses the elegant ‘SY’ 2-8-2s on both passenger and goods workings. This 22-mile line is notable for its scenery – a mountainous backdrop, long dramatic bridges and panoramic views of locomotives at work on the line. On the ‘must see’ list for many people, Nanpiao also demonstrates why you can’t afford to delay a visit to China: diesels have started to arrive...how much longer can it carry on? We’ll have a full day here.

Day 3 Fuxin
Today is devoted to visiting the Fuxin coal mine railway. Before 1998 this area was out of bounds to foreigners but since then it has become very popular with visiting enthusiasts due to the intensity of steam operations to be found here.

Day 4 Tiefa
The Tiefa Coal Railway has the distinction of still having an intensive steam-worked passenger service. Look over the bridge at Tiefa station where the services converge and you’ll be blown away...steam-hauled passenger trains at every platform! Tiefa is also one of the few remaining places to have a full-blown steam works, which also takes in locomotives from other lines.

You’ll spend a full day at Tiefa. As well as being able to enjoy the regular action you’ll take a private special train over the complex network with a variety of engines including ‘YJ’ 2-6-2 No. 269, ‘JS’ 2-8-2 No. 5029, ‘KD6’ No. 487 (China’s only working ‘S160’ 2-8-0) and ‘SY’ 2-8-2 No. 1772. The ‘SY’ is claimed to be the world’s very last steam locomotive ever built for commercial purposes – it’s still not even ten years old! This tour also aims to turn at least one heavy coal train over to steam – which you’ll have the chance to chase for pictures.

Day 5 Huanan
One of the very best of China’s charming narrow gauge rural railways, the Huanan line exists to drag coal out of a remote area near the Russian border. Little ‘C2’ 0-8-0s – sometimes more than one to a train – make a wonderful sight as they work hard through unspoilt scenery. This timeless 2ft 6in gauge line is normally a real effort to reach, but using our ‘hotel on wheels’ you should get there in perfect comfort. You’ll have a full day here – and for those who prefer to ride rather than photograph, you’ll have a private charter over the railway’s entire 30-mile length.

Day 6 Jixi
There are no fewer than five systems here, all serving collieries and using modern ‘SY’ 2-8-2s. You’ll be surrounded by mines, washeries and stabling points. Amid this dramatic industrial landscape steam works to and fro - and very often you’ll have to choose which train to go for as there’ll be more than one in front of you! Jixi is one place where the steam world all still seems in order. As elsewhere though, it is on borrowed time. There’ll be a whole day here to explore this varied area – and as elsewhere your expert guides will make sure you get the best out of your visit.

Day 7 Harbin
Today you arrive in Harbin. Called the Oriental St. Petersburg the city is well known for its unique, Russian and European-influenced architecture. You will enjoy a city tour including Central Street (Zhong Yang Street) - a veritable museum of European architectural styles, Jewish architectural wonders, little Russian bakeries, French fashion houses and American snack food outlets. You will also visit St. Sophia Cathedral, the Russian Orthodox church located in this central district which has now been made into a museum as a showcase of the multi-cultural architecture of Harbin.

Days 8 - 10 Jingpeng
More words have been written about Jingpeng, more pictures taken and reels of video shot than of probably any other stretch of railway on the planet. Little wonder: the much-used tag ‘the world’s last great steam show’ wasn’t some empty boast. In its last winter, it’s said the Jingpeng Pass was visited by up to 4,000 enthusiasts from across the globe, eager to get one last fix.

Sadly, the days of double-headed 2-10-2s came to an end in 2005; since then the spectacular mountain tops, tunnels, and the phenomenally horseshoe graceful viaduct at SimingYi have rumbled to the sound of diesels. Tour directors plan to recreate Jingpeng’s steam era as closely as they can, just for a couple of days: the JiTong Railway has agreed to haul both the ‘China Orient Express’ and regular freights on the climb to Shangdian with Daban’s two remaining operational ‘QJs’. By careful utilisation of the timetable and by steam-hauling trains just over this most spectacular stretch, multiple climbs of the pass should be possible. Your expert guides will ensure you get the very best out of the opportunities we’ve been able to create. You’ll spend a little over two days here, with plenty of opportunity to lineside - and to ride with steam on one of the world’s most spectacular railways.

Day 11 Beijing
Arrival to Beijing. Sightseeing at Forbidden City and Tiananmen square. Overnight at the Paragon Hotel.

Day 12 Beijing Departure
Transfer to the airport for flights home (lunch and dinner at own arrangement).