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Before You Book

How to Book

Six steps from enquiry to boarding. Transparent about pricing, payment and the official channels that guarantee your booking.

How to Book a Luxury Train Journey

These trains do not sell individual tickets on 12306. Each journey is a complete travel package combining train suites, hotels, meals, excursions, guides, permits and transfers. As your English-speaking curator, we handle the entire process for you.

6-Step Booking Process

1. Choose Your Route

Browse our journeys. Your designer will help match the right route to your preferences and travel window.

2. Submit Your Enquiry

Fill in the contact form or email us: route, number of travellers, suite preference, travel dates, special requirements.

3. Receive Your Proposal

Within 24 hours, we send a personalised proposal with suite type, pricing, itinerary, and inclusions. Valid 14 days.

4. Confirm & Pay Deposit

Accept the proposal. Pay deposit (25-30% or RMB 20,000/person) to lock your suite. Receive formal receipt and contract.

5. Pay Balance

Balance due 45-60 days before departure. Pay the balance to confirm your booking.

6. Prepare & Travel

Send passport and visa scans. We arrange permits. Receive pre-departure pack with packing list and arrival instructions.

Payment Information

  • Currency: All prices in Chinese Renminbi (RMB). We provide USD estimates at current exchange rates.
  • Payment method: Bank transfer to the operator's corporate account. Never cash, personal WeChat or Alipay transfers. Every payment is documented.
  • Receipt: Official invoice (fapiao) from the licensed travel agency handling your booking.
  • Contract: Standard tourism contract governed by China's tourism regulations. All services, prices, and cancellation terms specified.

How to Verify a Legitimate Booking

Scam warning: Unauthorised agents, fake websites, and social media groups advertise these trains at artificially low prices to collect deposits. They have no actual inventory.
  • Official channels: Each train has specific booking channels. New Orient Express & Panda Express Chengdu: 12306 App "Railway Tourism". Silk Road Dream & Hulunbuir Express: Star Express official website.
  • Corporate account only: All payments to registered company bank accounts, never personal accounts.
  • Licence verification: Chinese travel agencies have publicly searchable licence numbers.
  • Red flags: Prices significantly below official rates, urgency pressure ("only 2 rooms left"), WeChat/Alipay personal account requests, no formal contract.

As your English-speaking curator, we only work through verified official channels. Every booking is transparent, documented, and legally protected.

Start Your Booking Enquiry →