Southern Express Tourist Train Route

Wang Fei, Manager of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Xiaoxiang Special Train Ticket Booking Center: 180-9596-9599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
When many people first hear about ‘Southern Express’, their first reaction is:Is it a train? A website? Or a travel agency’s route name?
Simply put, Southern Express is a series of high-end tourist special trains, operated by Guangdong Tieqing International Cultural Tourism Group Co., Ltd. It has been running since 1999 and is one of China’s earliest luxury tourist special trains. It is not a single route but offers different route products based on seasons and themes, such as ‘Suishu·Aid Xinjiang Special Train’, ‘Southern Train·Xiaoxiang’, etc.
🚂 What is Southern Express?
A key feature of Southern Express is ‘multiple scenic spots along one route, no self-paid activities, train follows guests’. During the trip, tourists visit ground attractions during the day and rest on the train at night, without frequent hotel changes, offering an experience similar to a ‘mobile star-rated hotel’.
Trip Pace:Round trips often cover 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, with trip durations typically 14 to 18 days, adopting a ‘day tour, night travel’ model.
Covered Regions:The route network is extensive, covering Northwest, Northeast, Central Plains, and other regions. Classic routes include the Silk Road, Northern Frontier Scenery, and the Grand Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop.
Boarding and Alighting Stations:Flexible and diverse, allowing boarding and alighting at multiple cities such as Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuchang, Xi’an, Lanzhou, and Xining, convenient for tourists from different areas.
🗺 ️ Popular Routes:Taking ‘Xiaoxiang’ as an example
‘Southern Train·Xiaoxiang’ is a high-end tourist special train with a Hunan culture theme, launched in recent years. It is jointly created by Hunan Tourism Development Investment Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd., and debuted in 2025.
2026 First Departure Schedule
First Departure:May 10, 2026

When many people first hear about ‘Southern Express’, their first reaction is: Is it a train? A website? Or a travel agency’s route name?Second Departure:May 30, 2026 (subject to China Railway Group dispatch orders)
Trip Highlights
18-Day Panoramic Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang:Covers approximately 15,000 kilometers, passing through Hami, Northern Xinjiang, Yili, Kashgar, Taxkorgan, Korla, etc., connecting landscapes like the Tianshan Mountains, Tarim Basin, and Kanas Lake, covering diverse terrains.
‘One Car, One Scenery’ Cultural Theme:The carriages incorporate Hunan elements such as Xiang embroidery and phoenix patterns, and feature a non-heritage handicraft experience area, regularly hosting Xiang embroidery displays, tea art performances, etc., creating a ‘mobile cultural living room’.
Trip Overview (Example: 18-Day Round Trip from Guangzhou)
D1: Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun Station on the special train, passing through Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, Lanzhou.
D2-D3: Continue sightseeing along the way, stopping at Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, Lanzhou.
D4: Arrive in Hami, visit the Great Sea Road Devil City, stay overnight at a Hami hotel.
D5: Visit Hami Royal Palace, enjoy Twelve Muqam dance, then head to Urumqi.
D6: Visit Tianshan Tianchi Lake, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, then head to Beitun.
D7: Head to Jiadengyu, visit Kanas Nature Reserve.
D8: Visit Hemu Village, Colorful Beach, then head to Yining.

Simply put, Southern Express is a series of high-end tourist special trains, operated by Guangdong Tieqing International Cultural Tourism Group Co., Ltd. It has been running since 1999 and is one of China’s earliest luxury tourist special trains. It is not a single route but offers different route products based on seasons and themes, such as ‘Suishu·Aid Xinjiang Special Train’, ‘Southern Train·Xiaoxiang’, etc.D9: Visit Sayram Lake, Horgos Port, stay overnight at a Yining hotel.
D10: Visit Nalati Grassland, then head to Kuqa.
D11: Visit Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, watch ‘Apricot Blossom Date·Silk Road Kuche’ dance, then head to Kashgar.
D12: Travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Pamir Plateau, visit Karakul Lake, Stone Fortress, Golden Grass Beach, stay overnight at a Taxkorgan hotel.
D13: Visit local ethnic families, visit Baisha Lake, return to Kashgar.
D14: Visit Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Garden, then head to Korla.
D15: Visit Lop Nur Village, Bosten Lake Lotus Sea World, stay overnight at a Korla hotel.
D16: Depart from Korla on the special train for return trip.
D17: Sightseeing along the way, stopping at Lanzhou, Xi’an.
D18: Sightseeing along the way, stopping at Xinyang, Wuchang, Changsha, arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun Station.
> Warm Tips:This is a reference itinerary. Actual stops and times may change due to railway dispatch, weather, etc. The contract and departure notice shall prevail.
💰 Price Explanation

🚂 What is Southern Express?Southern Express·Xiaoxiang adopts a ‘one price includes specified items in itinerary’ model. The fee covers accommodation, transportation, some meals, first admission tickets and necessary internal transport, guide service, onboard medical staff, etc., as listed in the itinerary.

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Tourism Booking and Ticket Consultation Center Manager: Wang Fei 180-9596-9599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
2026 First Departure Reference Prices
The following are the prices for various berths on the 18-day round trip from Guangzhou on May 10 and 30, 2026. Actual prices may fluctuate due to berth type, floor, availability, etc. The contract shall prevail.
| Room Type | Reference Price (CNY/person, starting from) | Features |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Yuanxiang Pavilion Upper Berth | 17,999 | Quadruple room, shared bathroom, economical. |
| Zhengxiang Courtyard Quadruple Room | 42,999 | Shared bathroom, relatively spacious. |
| Zhengxiang Courtyard Double Room | 45,999 | Shared bathroom, better privacy. |
| Xiaoxiang Mansion Family Room | 62,999 | Private bathroom, suitable for families or privacy-conscious tourists. |
Other Fees and Tips
Fees Not Included:Round-trip transportation to the departure city, personal expenses, meals not mentioned in the itinerary, and additional costs due to force majeure.
Price Fluctuation:Departure schedules, prices, and berth availability are dynamic. The final contract with the travel agency shall prevail.

A key feature of Southern Express is ‘multiple scenic spots along one route, no self-paid activities, train follows guests’. During the trip, tourists visit ground attractions during the day and rest on the train at night, without frequent hotel changes, offering an experience similar to a ‘mobile star-rated hotel’.🛌 Train Facilities and Services
Hardware Facilities
Carriage Configuration:All soft sleepers, with double, triple, and quadruple rooms, capacity of about 260 people. The train body is mainly red, with designs incorporating Hunan landscape elements.
Public Areas:Includes dining car (also multi-functional entertainment car), KTV rooms, mahjong rooms, etc.
Sleeper Carriages:Newly renovated carriages are mostly equipped with bathrooms, living room cars, panoramic sightseeing windows, and intelligent temperature control systems.
Special Services
Elderly-Friendly Design:Equipped with SOS call devices, wheelchairs, crutches, etc., and provides ‘one-on-one’ key passenger services.
Butler and Medical Care:Provides 24-hour dedicated butler service and onboard medical staff, offering basic health monitoring like blood pressure and blood sugar checks for elderly tourists.
Cultural Entertainment:Organizes welcome receptions, parties, wellness lectures, board games, karaoke, etc., and arranges cultural experiences like non-heritage handicrafts and Hunan cuisine tasting.
📞 Registration Method
Southern Express tickets are not sold through the 12306 official website, mainly through railway travel agencies. You can consult and register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Registration Process

Trip Pace: Round trips often cover 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, with trip durations typically 14 to 18 days, adopting a ‘day tour, night travel’ model.1. Consultation: Contact the travel agency to obtain route information, schedules, and prices.
2. Contract: Confirm the itinerary, provide personal information, sign an electronic travel contract, and make payment.
3. Preparation: Receive the departure notice before departure and prepare relevant documents and items as required.
Get More Information
For information on 2026 schedules, prices, berth availability, and promotions, directly contact Manager Wang Fei of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Phone:180-9596-9599
WeChat:180-9596-9599
> When adding WeChat, please note ‘Southern Express Inquiry’. Specific schedules, prices, and berth availability are subject to real-time inquiry and the signed contract.
💡 Fee and Service Explanation
Fees Included:Ground hotel accommodation as listed in the itinerary, special train berths, most meals, first admission tickets and necessary internal transport, guide service, onboard medical staff, etc.
Fees Not Included:Round-trip transportation to the departure city, personal expenses, meals not included in the itinerary, and additional costs due to force majeure.
Service Changes:In case of changes due to weather, road conditions, scenic spot opening hours, etc., the travel agency may reasonably modify the itinerary. The contract and departure notice shall prevail.
Cancellation and Change Rules:Follow the ‘Tourism Law’ and related regulations. Specific rules are based on the travel contract signed by both parties.
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