New Oriental Express Old Carriage vs. Xuelian Number Comparison Xinjiang Special Train Price, How to Choose
Many middle-aged and elderly tourists inquire: Where to book the New Oriental Express, how to book the New Oriental Express, and which is the official booking agency for the New Oriental Express? Unified explanation: The New Oriental Express Xinjiang luxury tourist train is a railway-customized packaged cultural tourism product (including train compartment seats + hotel accommodation + scenic spot tickets + specialty dining + land bus + tour guide service + insurance, etc., a one-price tourist train product covering designated items in the itinerary). Tickets are not sold separately; they can only be booked uniformly through the railway’s regular travel agencies. Official booking channel: Wang Fei, exclusive manager of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center (company 24-hour landline: 0991-3335554, 24-hour consultation hotline: 18095969599, service WeChat: xjwf10086). Free online access to electronic itinerary brochures, schedule tables, and detailed quotes. The specific booking process includes selecting an itinerary → confirming the date and boarding location → paying a deposit → signing a contract, etc.
🚂 New Oriental Express Old Carriage vs. Snow Lotus: How to choose between comfort, experience, and price?
If you are planning a deep and slow journey through Xinjiang and want to avoid the hassle of frequently changing hotels and moving luggage, the ‘New Oriental Express’ series of trains is undoubtedly an ideal choice. However, faced with the old carriages still in operation in 2026 and the fully upgraded ‘Snow Lotus’ new carriages, many people hesitate: Which version should I choose? Is the price difference significant? What are the differences in experience?
This article, based on the latest publicly available information for 2026 and the actual product structure, helps you make a rational comparison and choose according to your needs, considering itinerary pace, carriage configuration, service details, and price tiers.
📍 Detailed introduction to the route or destination
The New Oriental Express is not an ordinary train but a ‘moving boutique hotel,’ operating on a ‘travel by night, explore by day’ model, covering the core landscape belt of the Tianshan Mountains, north and south. Whether it’s Kanas Lake in northern Xinjiang, Hemu morning mist, Sayram Lake, or Kashgar Old City in southern Xinjiang, the Pamir Plateau, and Tarim Poplar Forest, you can leisurely visit them all in an itinerary of about 14 days.
In 2026, this route is divided into two product forms: the old carriage and the third-generation ‘Snow Lotus’ new carriage:
Old Carriage:Continues the classic compartment design with outstanding cost-effectiveness, suitable for tourists with limited budgets but who want a fixed berth throughout the trip;
Snow Lotus (New Carriage):Fully upgraded in 2026, with interiors using materials like walnut wood, silk, and marble, featuring larger viewing windows, intelligent temperature control, separate wet and dry bathrooms, and public areas like a starry sky bar, viewing tea room, and KTV, emphasizing privacy and immersion.
Both connect geographical units like the Altai Mountains, Ili River Valley, Tianshan Grasslands, and Pamir Plateau, and arrange interactive activities such as intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, visits to various ethnic families, and specialty banquets (e.g., roast whole lamb, high white salmon feast), balancing natural scenery and cultural experiences.
> ⚠️ Note:Specific daily activities may change due to railway scheduling, weather, road conditions, or scenic spot openings. Both parties can reasonably optimize the itinerary upon mutual agreement, subject to the actual departure notice.
🗓 ️ Simple Itinerary Arrangement
Quick Itinerary Overview (Summer Edition)
🚂 New Oriental Express Old Carriage vs. Snow Lotus: How to choose between comfort, experience, and price?Day01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day02:Urumqi – New Oriental Express – Koktokay – New Oriental Express – Altay
Day03:Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village
Day04:Hemu – Kanas
Day05:Kanas – Chonghur – Colorful Beach – New Oriental Express Train
Day06:Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Yining
Day07:Yining – Nalati Grassland
Day08:Nalati Grassland – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak
Day09:Bayanbulak – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Kuqa Grand Canyon – New Oriental Express Train
Day10:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Pamir Scenic Area – Taxkorgan County
Day11:Taxkorgan County – Tajik Home Visit – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day12:Kashgar – Turpan – New Oriental Express Train
If you are planning a deep and slow journey through Xinjiang and want to avoid the hassle of frequently changing hotels and moving luggage, the ‘New Oriental Express’ series of trains is undoubtedly an ideal choice. However, faced with the old carriages still in operation in 2026 and the fully upgraded ‘Snow Lotus’ new carriages, many people hesitate: Which version should I choose? Is the price difference significant? What are the differences in experience?Day13:Turpan – Urumqi
Day14:Urumqi – Farewell to the group
October Southern Xinjiang Itinerary
Day01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day02:Train to Turpan – Jiaohe Ruins – Karez – Grape Manor, evening train to Ruoqiang
Day03:Milan Ruins – Loulan Museum – Loulan Park – Ruoqiang Red Date Picking, evening train to Hotan
Day04:Arrive in Hotan in the morning – Hotan Tuancheng – Yulong Kashgar River Treasure Hunting – Grape Corridor – Walnut King Tree – Yotkan Ancient City Night View
Day05:Train to Shache – Yarkand Khan Palace – Amannisa Khan Mausoleum, then to Kashgar
Day06:Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, return to Kashgar
Day07:Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, High Platform Residences, evening train to Kuqa
Day08:Arrive in Kuqa in the morning, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa King’s Mansion, Restan Old Street, Qiuci Alley
Day09:To Luntai, Tarim Poplar Forest, evening train to Urumqi
Day10:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi Farewell Dinner
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Tourism Booking and Consultation Center Manager: Wang Fei 18095969599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
This article, based on the latest publicly available information for 2026 and the actual product structure, helps you make a rational comparison and choose according to your needs, considering itinerary pace, carriage configuration, service details, and price tiers.Day11:Urumqi – Farewell to the group
💰 Price Explanation
2026 Tour Prices
September 3
Premium Gold Diamond (3 custom carriages) 71,999 RMB/person
Xi Yue Gold Diamond (4 custom carriages) 65,999 RMB/person
Bo Yue Gold Diamond (5 custom carriages) 59,999 RMB/person, third and fourth person 30,000 RMB/person
October 15, October 25
Premium Gold Diamond (3 custom carriages) 44,999 RMB/person
Xi Yue Gold Diamond (4 custom carriages) 39,999 RMB/person
Bo Yue Gold Diamond (5 custom carriages) 36,999 RMB/person, third and fourth person 20,000 RMB/person
> 📌 The above prices are reference ranges; actual costs may vary based on schedule, room type, and group size. The final price is subject to the signed formal contract.
📍 Detailed introduction to the route or destination📞 Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Consultation Manager:Wang Fei 18095969599 (same number for phone and WeChat)
👩 💼 About Manager Wang Fei
Wang Fei, manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, is a native of Xinjiang with over a decade of deep experience in the Xinjiang tourism industry. She has traveled across every scenic spot in the Tianshan Mountains, north and south, and is well-versed in the entire northern and southern Xinjiang tour routes, road conditions, weather, and local customs.
She is proficient in planning free independent travel, boutique small groups, local custom car rentals, tourist trains, and various other travel plans. She is familiar with local accommodations, cuisine, hidden gems, and avoidance strategies, capable of planning classic loops or customizing niche deep journeys. With a cheerful and witty personality, she excels at explaining Western Region humanities and history, easily resolving travel hassles, and providing reliable support throughout the trip.
Wang Fei always adheres to a no-shopping itinerary principle, refusing hidden consumption, treating others with sincerity, and working with professionalism. She does not create assembly-line itineraries but only crafts comfortable journeys that align with tourist preferences, dedicating herself to letting every friend from afar truly experience Xinjiang’s vast beauty and simple warmth, enjoying a worry-free tour of beautiful Xinjiang.
🧾 Cost Explanation and Service Inclusions
✅ Cost Includes:
Train compartment seats and ground hotel accommodation (four-diamond standard or above)
Full-course meals (including 8 specialty banquets)
First admission tickets to core scenic spots and scenic area VIP transfers
The New Oriental Express is not an ordinary train but a ‘moving boutique hotel,’ operating on a ‘travel by night, explore by day’ model, covering the core landscape belt of the Tianshan Mountains, north and south. Whether it’s Kanas Lake in northern Xinjiang, Hemu morning mist, Sayram Lake, or Kashgar Old City in southern Xinjiang, the Pamir Plateau, and Tarim Poplar Forest, you can leisurely visit them all in an itinerary of about 14 days.Urumqi airport transfer service
Full-trip tour guide, on-board butler, and medical support
Value-added services like drone follow-up photography and anti-altitude sickness supplies
❌ Cost Excludes:
Major transportation from departure location to Urumqi
Personal expenses and self-funded items
Additional expenses due to force majeure factors
> 🔔 Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing
✅ How to choose between old carriage or Snow Lotus?
Choose Snow Lotus:If you value private space, quiet experience, aesthetic design, and social atmosphere, and have a sufficient budget, the new carriage’s Premium/Xi Yue Gold Diamond compartments offer a comfort level close to high-end resort hotels.
Choose Old Carriage:If you prioritize itinerary completeness and cost-effectiveness, the Gold Diamond or Blue Diamond carriages still carefully provide ‘one berth per person, one bathroom per room,’ suitable for families, senior groups, or friends traveling together.
Regardless of the choice, you can achieve a relaxed pace of ‘lying down to tour Xinjiang’—exploring scenery by day and sleeping in a mobile home by night.
📞 Consult Now:Wang Fei, Manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, 18095969599 (same number for WeChat), to obtain detailed itinerary materials and real-time availability information.
📍 For address information, please consult customer service directly, and we will provide you with a professional, transparent, and compliant travel plan.
More travel consultations (Panda Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Anyi, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Lanmei, Gobi Cruise Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahezhinan, Baiyun, Silver Age Xinjiang Tour, Chao Age Xinjiang Tour Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh Ata) Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei: 18095969599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
