Top 4 Scenic China Train Routes Starting from Guangzhou
Of all the means of traveling, taking a train is the best way to experience grand China’s sheer splendor and unbeatable landscape. Below are our picks of top 4 scenic train routes starting from Guangzhou, one of China’s most vibrant city favored by all foreigners. Head for one of these routes by rail, and we promised you will be in for a treat, with sparkling lakes, magnificent waterfalls, thrilling mountain views, picture-perfect desert, and excellent Chinese food!
1. Guangzhou – Lhasa Train: to the Roof of the World
The train ride from Guangzhou to Lhasa is hands-down the China’s most beautiful route and running all the way to holy Lhasa, Tibet. Sit back and enjoy the unparalleled wilderness scenery when the train traverses the world’s highest plateau, through snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes, great prairies and the Tibetan villages.
- Highland train experience, with transfer in Xining and oxygen inhalation.
- Along the way, you can see wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes and yaks.
2. Guangzhou – Urumqi Train: Jouney to the Ancient Silk Road
This route connects modern world’s metropolis and the old Silk Road, and features the most exotic scenery in this nation. Passengers will pass by the cradles of Chinese civilization like Tianshui and Xian, the unique Danxie landform in Zhangye, the exotic land of Xinjiang, as well as the awesome desert…
- One of the longest railway routes in China, it spans seven provinces and regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang.
- The dining car offers signature Xinjiang dishes such as large chicken dishes and grilled mutton skewers.
- The scenery changes from the water towns of the Pearl River Delta to the Loess Plateau, the Hexi Corridor, the Tianshan Desert and the Gobi desert.
3. Guangzhou – Lijiang Train (Transfer in Kunming)
From Guangzhou to Lijiang, the China high speed train glides through the most appealing minority area in China of photogenic scenery – Guangxi of woodlands, Luoping famed for stretches of rape flowers, and the famous Stone Forest en route to Kunming, Dali and Lijiang. Most people are fascinated with this place’s old towns, and romantic and laid-back vibe.
- One of the most beautiful railway lines in China, stretching from the water towns of the south to the high mountains and snow-capped peaks of the plateau.
- After arriving in Lijiang, you can take the world's first full-view mountain train from the Lijiang Ancient Town to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (35 minutes).
4. Guangzhou – Anshun Train for a Scenic Summer Retreat
The train ride from Guangzhou to Anshun offers a romantic approach to lesser-visited Guizhou province, a mysterious mountainous area that is worth a insight vacation. It snakes through green hills with waterfalls (Huangguoshu waterfall is the most famous one), crisscrossed rivers and canyons, and peaceful villages of various ethnic minority groups.
