The pulse radiating from Lijiang resonates a symphony full of soul, peace and ethnic harmony. To the north of this beautiful city arises the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred sanctuary which has protected the ethnic minorities and their unique cultures since ancient times. Another splendor is the Old Town of Lijiang, regarded as the Venice of the Orient because of the many bridges and canals that lace through the maze of cobbled streets. This historic town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its multi-ethnic charm, historical milieu and architectural landscape.

The majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountains seen
from the Deluxe Garden Villa in Banyan Tree Lijiang Resort

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Amansara’s Khmer Village House constructed in 1999, is inspired by the square, symmetrical monks’ quarters in the grounds of a Cambodian pagoda that are residences for living, studying and sleeping.

the Bayon face contemplates and waits

Designed as a rest house for guests from the provinces, its function also encompassed a place for meditation. In keeping with the elegantly sparse interior, two antique pieces of Cambodian furniture — a cabinet and bed on trestle legs are there for the comfort of guests. The architectural style features open shuttered windows with an exterior veranda terrace. Woods featured in the pavilion include Cambodian timbers such as teak and redwood.

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Losari Coffee Plantation - 3D2N package starts at just SGD $ 799 per person, including Silkair return airfare ex-Singapore

Borobudur Temple Discovery
the world’s largest Buddhist temple

Visit the Borobudur complex, stroll through its six terraces and glance at its magnificent bas-reliefs and statues, buried under layers of volcanic ash for over ten centuries. The excursion also includes a tour to Pawon and Mendut Temples - smaller but very interesting Buddhist temples and a visit to surrounding handicraft villages. Stop over for a traditional tea and snacks in the homes of a charming old couple living in a traditional small village.

Lush Gardens of the Losari Coffee Plantation

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Naadam is the one and only Big Event in Mongolia – a lively national festival, held every year from July 11th - 13th. Naadam means “three manly games”. Known as the world’s second-oldest Olympics, it celebrates what defined civilisation in the Steppes eight centuries ago; archery, wrestling and horse riding. The competitors in the riding events are all children aged between five and twelve, many of whom have been in the saddle since the age of one. As they race along the plains for 20 kilometers, thousands of spectators line the remote track to watch up to 650 children sitting confidently astride their small but sturdy Mongolian steed. It is claimed that such equestrian skills won Genghis Khan an empire that stretched from the Sea of Japan all the way to Europe.

In recent times, women have been allowed to enter and they now compete in two of the three events, horse racing and archery. Once a religious ceremony, the festival now formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

This is a unique opportunity to be among the few non-Mongolians to experience this spectacular but little known festival and soak up the exciting atmosphere of this national holiday. Our tour combines the Naadam Festival with an amazing overland journey to Moscow on board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train.

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Retracing one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, this remarkable tour follows in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo.

Crossing both Russia and China as well as some of the remotest former Soviet republics – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – our journey will take in some of the most magnificent yet little-visited sights from the ancient world. Eastbound trips start in Russia’s capital Moscow (westbound trips end here), where we have plenty of time to explore. We travel on to Volgograd - better known as Stalingrad – where the Soviets turned the course of the Second World War, before heading to far remoter places that owe their importance to a time much further back in history.

The Kara Kum desert is followed by the amazing 2,500 year-old cities of Khiva and Bukhara – considered so important by UNESCO that it supported their restoration – as well as Samarkand, the ‘Rome of the East’. Much admired by Alexander the Great, Samarkand is home to Registan Square, a spectacular open space surrounded by beautiful Islamic buildings and considered one of the most inspirational sights in central Asia. In between Khiva and Bukhara we take a two-day excursion into Turkmenistan and visit the capital city of Ashgabat, a huge modern folly in the desert and a monument to the recently deceased President Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. We also visit the ancient city of Merv before returning to Uzbekistan.

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Modern comfort in an ancient wilderness… The Shangri-La Express guarantees you good living even in the remotest places.
Our twin-berth cabins are the perfect private retreat, comfortably furnished and traditionally decorated with the varnished wood and brass reminiscent of a different age.

Each includes a ‘Pullman’ table and deep armchair alongside a large picture window, a perfect place from which to take in China’s ever-changing scenery. A state of the art shower car complements the washrooms shared between every two cabins.

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Discover the wonders of one of the world’s foremost ancient sites: the culmination of five centuries of Khmer civilisation found in the grand temple ruins of Angkor. Serenely majestic, this 12th century capital is an exquisite blend of history and heritage spreading over 20,000 hectares.

Angkor Wat is perhaps Angkor’s best known image. Its five intricately carved central towers soar skywards representing mythological Mount Meru, the centre of the universe. Its exterior walls are covered in extensive bas-reliefs including the panel depicting the “Churning of the Ocean of Milk”. The centre of Khmer Hindu tradition for much of the 12th century, exploration of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the sprawling remains of Khmer civilisation is an experience as stirring as it is memorable.

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