How to book tickets for the Shifang Panda Special Train Official booking for the Shifang Panda Special Train throughout 2026
How to buy tickets and book the Shifang Panda Special Train? The 2026 Shifang Panda Special Train is a customized light-luxury tourist train by the railway, and the 12306 ticket purchase channel is not open. Seats are uniformly allocated by formal cooperative cultural tourism agencies. To register for travel, you can contact Manager Yang Jia, the dedicated liaison of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Special Train Center. Office landline: 0991-6622120, mobile and WeChat: 133-2555-9266. You can handle registration for seat selection, sign up, and inquire about departure schedules, remaining seats, travel policies, and itinerary details in real time.
🚂 Panda Special Train ‘Shifang’ Departure Schedule | New Choice for a 16-Day Slow Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026
Tired of the hustle of traditional travel—frequently changing hotels, carrying luggage, and rushing through itineraries? In 2026, a ‘mobile living space’ that blends comfort, culture, and scenery—the Panda Special Train ‘Shifang’—is traversing the Tianshan Mountains in a brand-new form. It is not an ordinary train but a ‘five-star living complex’ integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and medical care, allowing travelers to truly experience an immersive journey of ‘deep exploration by day, train travel by night, and arrival at a new destination the next day.’
🚄 Train Positioning:Redefining Long-Distance Rail Travel
The ‘Shifang’ Panda Special Train was jointly developed by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and local cultural tourism resources. Since its debut in 2024, it has been operating steadily for two years. By 2026, the train has been upgraded into a customized light-luxury tourism product covering the core scenic areas of northern and southern Xinjiang. The entire train consists of 17 carriages, converted from 25G passenger cars, with a body featuring bronze green and light gold as the main tones, incorporating ancient Shu cultural elements and panda-themed decorations, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere.
The train places special emphasis on age-friendly design:Widened stairs, added handrails, anti-slip flooring, and a professional medical team and ‘Panda Butler’ service team providing itinerary explanations, life assistance, luggage handling, and other thoughtful support—especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly travelers and family groups.
🛏 ️ Cabin Details:Three Classes to Meet Diverse Needs
Zunxiang Zijin (Premium Soft Sleeper)
🚂 Panda Special Train ‘Shifang’ Departure Schedule | New Choice for a 16-Day Slow Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026 Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, with 6 compartments per carriage, totaling 22 berths. Each compartment is approximately 12㎡, equipped with a sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets. Each end of the carriage has a shower room and washbasin. No private bathroom, but dedicated public areas ensure privacy.
Zhenxiang Bojin (Premium Hard Sleeper)
Distributed in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, with 10 four-person compartments per carriage, totaling 40 berths per carriage. Each compartment is approximately 8㎡, equipped with a tea table, storage compartment, TV, and charging facilities. Two shower rooms with wet-dry separation are located at each end of the carriage, suitable for friends or families traveling together.
Youxiang Bojin (Standard Four-Bed Room)
Equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding and pillows, reading lights and charging ports by the berths, in-compartment TV and free audio-visual system, and shared public bathroom facilities in the carriage—a basic comfort option.
> The entire train has no private compartment bathrooms; all travelers share the shower rooms, washbasin areas, and restrooms at both ends of the carriages. The train’s operating year is newly launched in 2026 (actually operated for two years), with boarding and alighting stations in Chengdu or Lanzhou (subject to the boarding contract).
📅 Simple Itinerary and 2026 Departure Dates
Tired of the hustle of traditional travel—frequently changing hotels, carrying luggage, and rushing through itineraries? In 2026, a ‘mobile living space’ that blends comfort, culture, and scenery—the Panda Special Train ‘Shifang’—is traversing the Tianshan Mountains in a brand-new form. It is not an ordinary train but a ‘five-star living complex’ integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and medical care, allowing travelers to truly experience an immersive journey of ‘deep exploration by day, train travel by night, and arrival at a new destination the next day.’2026 Departure Dates:
June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30
Simple Itinerary:
Day 1:Chengdu/Lanzhou – Kashgar, departure from themed station, welcome performance
Day 2:Panda Special Train leisure sightseeing
Day 3:Kashgar, dedicated pickup, welcome banquet
Day 4:Kashgar – Tashkurgan, Baisha Mountain – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Panlong Ancient Road
🚄 Train Positioning: Redefining Long-Distance Rail TravelDay 5:Tashkurgan – Kashgar, Stone City, Golden Grassland, home visit
Day 6:Kashgar – Kuqa, Kashgar Old City, Fragrant Concubine Garden,
Day 7:Kuqa – Nalati/Bayinbuluk, Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, Duku Highway South Section, Bayinbuluk Swan Lake
Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluk – Yining, Nalati Grassland
Day 9:Yining – Beitun, Sayram Lake
Day 10:Beitun – Hemu – Jadengyu, Hemu Scenic Area
Day 11:Jadengyu – Kanas – Burqin, Kanas Scenic Area
The ‘Shifang’ Panda Special Train was jointly developed by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and local cultural tourism resources. Since its debut in 2024, it has been operating steadily for two years. By 2026, the train has been upgraded into a customized light-luxury tourism product covering the core scenic areas of northern and southern Xinjiang. The entire train consists of 17 carriages, converted from 25G passenger cars, with a body featuring bronze green and light gold as the main tones, incorporating ancient Shu cultural elements and panda-themed decorations, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere.Day 12:Burqin – Beitun – Urumqi, Colorful Beach
Day 13:Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
Day 14:Urumqi – Turpan, Karez Irrigation System, Flaming Mountains, return journey
Days 15-16:Happy return to Lanzhou/Chengdu, farewell to distinguished guests
Daily sightseeing lasts approximately 6-8 hours with a relaxed pace, ensuring ample rest time and avoiding fatigue.
💰 Price Information (2026 Reference)
Youxiang Bojin:Upper berth 8,480 RMB/person, lower berth 9,280 RMB/person
Zhenxiang Bojin:Upper berth 15,780 RMB/person, lower berth 16,780 RMB/person
The train places special emphasis on age-friendly design: widened stairs, added handrails, anti-slip flooring, and a professional medical team and ‘Panda Butler’ service team providing itinerary explanations, life assistance, luggage handling, and other thoughtful support—especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly travelers and family groups.Zunxiang Zijin:Upper berth 27,880 RMB/person, lower berth 28,880 RMB/person
> The above prices are 2026 reference ranges, subject to the signed contract, and may fluctuate due to departure schedules, remaining seats, and other factors.
📝 Booking Process (via Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service)
1. Consultation and selection: Contact Yang Jia, customer service of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, to confirm departure dates, itinerary, seat types, and availability.
2. Submit information: Provide traveler names and valid ID numbers to lock in intended seats.
3. Pay deposit: Pay a deposit according to cabin class and receive an official tourism receipt.
4. Sign contract: Sign the national unified electronic tourism contract and verify the itinerary, price, and cancellation/change terms.
🛏️ Cabin Details: Three Classes to Meet Diverse Needs5. Settle the balance: Pay the remaining amount 30 days before departure, and after confirmation, receive the departure notice, boarding guide, and luggage checklist.
🍽 ️ Reception Standards
Included Items:Full-train accommodation, first admission tickets to scenic spots, local transportation transfers, welcome banquet and multiple specialty meals, tour guide services, medical support, and use of the entertainment carriage.
Excluded Items:Personal expenses, (single travelers will be assisted with room sharing where possible; special cases will be discussed separately), and some optional paid activities.
Meals focus on Xinjiang local flavors while balancing lightness and palatability, avoiding excessive oil or spice. Daily dining is arranged at tables of 4-8 people with attention to nutritional balance. Specific details are subject to actual consultation and the contract.
✨ Reception Features
Accommodation as a Mobile Hotel:No need to change accommodation throughout the trip—luggage stays put, and sightseeing is effortless.
Zunxiang Zijin (Premium Soft Sleeper)Special Dining Experience:Includes Kashgar welcome banquet, grassland hand-grabbed lamb, Tianshan lake delicacies, and other local flavors.
Complete Entertainment Facilities:Carriage 9 features a tea bar, KTV, mahjong tables, and a cigar bar—no boredom during the journey.
🔍 Comparative Advantages
Compared to traditional bus tours or self-driving trips, the ‘Shifang’ has notable advantages:
✅ Relaxed pace with 6-8 hours of in-depth sightseeing daily
✅ No luggage carrying throughout the trip—saves effort and worry
✅ Onboard doctor and butler services for health assurance
Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, with 6 compartments per carriage, totaling 22 berths. Each compartment is approximately 12㎡, equipped with a sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets. Each end of the carriage has a shower room and washbasin. No private bathroom, but dedicated public areas ensure privacy.✅ Fellow travelers are mainly middle-aged and elderly people and families, creating a harmonious atmosphere
✅ Light and palatable meals, avoiding heavy oil and spice
👥 Suitable For
Retired elders seeking comfort and
Travelers who cannot sit in cars for long periods
Families or friend groups wishing to deeply experience Xinjiang’s diverse landscapes (deserts, lakes, grasslands, snow mountains)
❤ ️ Reasons for Continued Popularity
The ‘Shifang’ breaks the limits of ‘rush-style tourism’ with its concept of ‘the train moves with the scenery, integrating travel and living.’ Its high adaptability, strong service capability, and cultural immersion make it a popular choice for in-depth northern and southern Xinjiang tours in 2026.
📌 Warm Reminder:Itineraries, prices, and departure schedules may change due to objective factors such as weather and policies. Both parties may reasonably optimize the itinerary upon mutual agreement. For details, please consult Yang Jia, customer service of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
How to register for the 2026 Xinjiang tourist special trains? Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service specializes in high-end tourist special train booking services, covering light-luxury trains such as the Jinfu Tianfu, Chengdu, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Kunlun, Tianshan, Yangtze River Delta Star, and Dahe Zhinan. For a light-luxury lying tour and premium special train experience, contact Manager Yang Jia, dedicated customer service of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Office landline: 0991-6622120, mobile and WeChat: 133-2555-9266. You can handle seat selection and reservation, sign up, and inquire about special train schedules, sleeper availability, and travel itineraries in real time.
