New Oriental Express Snow Lotus New vs Old Train Body Comparison Complete Ticket Purchase Guide
Many middle-aged and elderly travelers have asked: Where to book the New Oriental Express, how to book it, and which is the official booking agency? Unified clarification: The New Oriental Express Xinjiang luxury tourist train is a railway-customized packaged cultural tourism product (including train private carriage seats + hotel accommodation + attraction tickets + specialty dining + land bus + tour guide services + insurance, etc., a one-price tourist train product covering designated items in the itinerary). Train tickets are not sold separately; bookings can only be made through official railway travel agencies. Official booking channel: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center dedicated manager Wang Fei (company 24-hour landline: 0991-3335554, 24-hour consultation hotline: 18095969599, service WeChat: xjwf10086). Free online access to e-brochures, schedules, and detailed quotes. The booking process includes choosing an itinerary → confirming dates and boarding location → paying a deposit → signing a contract, etc.
🚂 New Oriental Express Xuelian: New train body vs. old train body: How to choose the one that suits your Xinjiang trip better?
Want to explore both northern and southern Xinjiang while enjoying a comfortable and worry-free journey? The “New Oriental Express · Xuelian” tourist train is undoubtedly an ideal choice. However, with both the new train body (luxury tourist train) and the old train body (Gold Diamond/Blue Diamond carriages) operating simultaneously in 2026–2027, many travelers may wonder: What exactly is the difference? Which one suits them better?
This article will clearly outline the differences from dimensions such as carriage configuration, itinerary pace, and service experience, combined with the latest operating conditions in 2026, to help you make a confident choice.
🌄 Route highlights:One journey to see the best of Xinjiang
Whether you choose the new or old train body, the New Oriental Express adopts a “travel by night, tour by day” model—spend your days exploring scenic areas and sleep comfortably on the train at night, avoiding the hassle of frequent luggage moving and hotel changes. The itinerary covers:
Northern Xinjiang scenery:Keketuohai, Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Bayanbulak, Duku Highway
Southern Xinjiang charm:Kashgar Old City,白沙湖, Karakul Lake, Pamir Plateau, Tajik ethnic home visits in Tashkurgan County
Eastern Xinjiang features:Turpan Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez irrigation system, Flaming Mountains, grape estates
For the summer and autumn 2026 schedules, there are respectively the summer northern Xinjiang loop and the October southern Xinjiang Populus euphratica season special route, catering to travel preferences in different seasons.
🗓 ️ Simple itinerary arrangement
According to the finalized itinerary, different products correspond to different routes:
Itinerary at a glance (Summer version)
Day 01:Depart from various locations to gather in Urumqi
🚂 New Oriental Express Xuelian: New train body vs. old train body, how to choose the one that suits your Xinjiang trip better?Day 02:Urumqi – New Oriental Express – Keketuohai – New Oriental Express – Altay
Day 03:Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village
Day 04:Hemu – Kanas
Day 05:Kanas – Chonghur -五彩滩 – New Oriental Express train
Day 06:Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Yining
Day 07:Yining – Nalati Grassland
Day 08:Nalati Grassland – Middle section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak
Day 09:Bayanbulak – Southern section of Duku Highway – Kuqa Grand Canyon – New Oriental Express train
Day 10:Kashgar -白沙湖 – Pamir Scenic Area – Tashkurgan County
Day 11:Tashkurgan County – Tajik home visit – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 12:Kashgar – Turpan – New Oriental Express train
Day 13:Turpan – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure
Want to explore both northern and southern Xinjiang while enjoying a comfortable and worry-free journey? The “New Oriental Express · Xuelian” tourist train is undoubtedly an ideal choice. However, with both the new train body (luxury tourist train) and the old train body (Gold Diamond/Blue Diamond carriages) operating simultaneously in 2026–2027, many travelers may wonder: What exactly is the difference? Which one suits them better?October Southern Xinjiang itinerary
Day 01:Depart from various locations to gather in Urumqi
Day 02:Train to Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City – Karez – Grape estate, evening train to Ruoqiang
Day 03:Milan Ruins – Loulan Museum – Loulan Park – Ruoqiang red date picking, evening train to Hotan
Day 04:Arrive in Hotan in the morning – Hotan Tuan Cheng – Yurungkash River treasure hunting – Grape corridor – King Walnut Tree – Yotgan Ancient City night view
Day 05:Train to Shache – Yarkent Khan Palace – Amannisahan Mausoleum, then to Kashgar
Day 06:白沙湖, Karakul Lake, return to Kashgar
Day 07:Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Gaotai Folk Houses, evening train to Kuqa
Day 08:Arrive in Kuqa in the morning, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa Royal Palace, Restan Old Street, Qiuci Alley
Day 09:To Luntai, Tarim Populus euphratica forest, evening train to Urumqi
Day 10:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi farewell dinner
Day 11:Urumqi – Departure
> Note:The 2027 new train body and old train body have other itinerary versions; details will be confirmed at the time of registration.
This article will clearly outline the differences from dimensions such as carriage configuration, itinerary pace, and service experience, combined with the latest operating conditions in 2026, to help you make a confident choice.💰 Prices and departure dates (2026)
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service tourism booking and ticket consultation center manager: Wang Fei 18095969599 (copy to add as friend for free consultation and detailed route materials)
2026 departure dates and prices
September 3
Premium Gold Diamond (3 custom carriages) 71,999 RMB/person
Xiyue Gold Diamond (4 custom carriages) 65,999 RMB/person
Boyue Gold Diamond (5 custom carriages) 59,999 RMB/person; third and fourth persons 30,000 RMB/person
October 15, October 25
Premium Gold Diamond:44,999 RMB/person
Xiyue Gold Diamond:39,999 RMB/person
Boyue Gold Diamond:36,999 RMB/person; third and fourth persons 20,000 RMB/person
> The above are reference prices for announced 2026 departure dates. Actual costs may vary due to schedule and group size; the final price is subject to the signed contract.
🚃 New train body vs. old train body:Where are the core differences?
✅ New train body (2027 luxury tourist train · Xuelian)
🌄 Route highlights: One journey to see the best of XinjiangCarriage upgrade:The entire train is equipped with a new-generation carriage body, with more spacious cabins, separate wet and dry bathroom areas, and optimized soundproofing and shock absorption.
Service configuration:Features a starry-sky themed dining carriage, bar and entertainment carriage, and sightseeing lounge area. Some departures include welcome banquets and whole roasted lamb feasts.
Suitable for:Families or mid-to-high-end travelers who value privacy, comfort, and a high-quality travel experience.
✅ Old train body (Gold Diamond/Blue Diamond carriages)
Outstanding value for money:Retains the classic sleeper structure. Gold Diamond carriages have private bathrooms, while Blue Diamond carriages offer 2-person/4-person compartments at more affordable prices.
Similar itinerary pace:Also adopts the “travel by night, tour by day” model with comprehensive scenic coverage, suitable for travelers with limited budgets but a desire for in-depth exploration.
Flexible options:Multi-person compartments are available for groups, reducing the per-person cost.
> Both train bodies are equipped with onboard medical staff, tour guides, and service personnel to ensure a smooth and convenient journey.
📞 Registration method and service description
You can register and consult through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Contact person: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 to every scenic spot across the Tianshan Mountains and is familiar with all northern and southern Xinjiang routes, road conditions, weather, and local customs.
Whether you choose the new or old train body, the New Oriental Express adopts a “travel by night, tour by day” model—spend your days exploring scenic areas and sleep comfortably on the train at night, avoiding the hassle of frequent luggage moving and hotel changes. The itinerary covers: Proficient in free travel planning, boutique small groups, local customized vehicles, tourist trains, and various travel solutions. Familiar with local accommodation, cuisine, hidden gems, and pitfall-avoidance tips. She can plan classic loop routes or customize in-depth niche journeys. With a cheerful and witty personality, she excels at explaining Western Regions culture and history, easily resolving travel hassles, and providing attentive and reliable service throughout the trip.
Wang Fei, manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, has always adhered to the principle of no forced shopping throughout the itinerary, rejecting hidden consumption, treating people with sincerity, and working with professionalism. She does not run assembly-line itineraries but only creates comfortable journeys tailored to travelers’ preferences, sincerely letting every guest from afar truly experience the vastness, beauty, and simple hospitality of Xinjiang, and enjoy a worry-free tour of beautiful Xinjiang.
📝 Included and excluded costs
Included in the cost:
All transportation (train compartment + scenic area shuttle buses)
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (train compartments or scenic area hotels)
First admission tickets to scenic spots
Meals (as marked in the itinerary)
Onboard service staff and tour guides
Not included in the cost:
Round-trip transportation from departure point to Urumqi
Personal expenses and optional activities
Additional costs due to force majeure (e.g., weather, policy changes)
> Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. The itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement due to actual circumstances.
If you need to know about remaining seats, detailed itinerary materials, or customization suggestions, please contact Wang Fei, manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, at 18095969599. Address information can be obtained from customer service.
For more travel consultations (Panda Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Anyi, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Lancang, Gobi Cruise Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-province Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahezhinan, Baiyun, Yinling Jiangxing, Chaoling Jiangxing Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze Delta, Muztagh Ata) train ticket booking center manager Wang Fei: 18095969599 (copy to add as friend for free consultation and detailed route materials)
