New Oriental Express Snow Lotus Train Departure Dates Summary, Plan Your North and South Xinjiang Trip
No need to drive yourself or rush around—sit back on the Xinjiang tourist train and slowly take in the scenery north and south of the Tianshan Mountains. Choose freely from multiple classes, from economy to luxury. Specializing in Xinjiang tourism train tours, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency consultation landline: 0991-8866234; Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (add as friend to receive free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
✨ [New Oriental Express Snow Lotus:A mobile viewing platform crossing North and South Xinjiang] ✨
While ordinary trains are still competing over speed, a luxury special train carrying a mobile viewing platform, starry-sky dome carriages, and a Michelin chef is redefining in-depth Xinjiang travel with a “slow travel” approach. This is the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, known as the “five-star hotel on rails”—it uses 14 days to connect the forests and lakes of North Xinjiang with the desert ancient cities of South Xinjiang, letting passengers enjoy five-star service in the carriages and arrive at premium scenery as soon as they step off.
🌄 Route highlights:A visual feast spanning the Tianshan Mountains
[North Xinjiang section:A fairy-tale world inside an oil painting]
The train departs from Urumqi, with the first stop at Koktokay. This place is not only a gathering place of geological wonders, but also the inspiration site of “The Shepherd of Koktokay.” In summer, the Irtysh River winds through golden birch forests, distant snow-capped mountains are reflected in sapphire-blue lakes, and every casual shot looks like a postcard. The train then crosses the Ahe Highway, a scenic avenue newly opened in 2026 that links alpine meadows, primeval forests, and glacial relics; along the way, herds of ibex can be seen leaping among the cliffs.
Hemu Village and Kanas are the soul of North Xinjiang. In Hemu, cooking smoke from wooden houses intertwines with morning mist, as if stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki animated world; Kanas’s color-changing lake shows blue-green gradients in the sunlight, and the lake monster legend adds a mysterious touch. Meanwhile, Chonghur’s Five-Colored Beach is an abstract painting jointly created by nature using Danxia landforms and the Irtysh River—red rock layers and emerald-green river water create a strong visual impact.
[South Xinjiang section:A corridor of civilization spanning thousands of years]
After the train crosses the Tianshan Mountains, it enters the folk customs of South Xinjiang. Sayram Lake’s “last tear of the Atlantic” sparkles in the sunlight, and the sky garden of Nalati Grassland contrasts sharply with the steepness of the Duku Highway. The winding eighteen bends of Bayanbulak are a popular destination for photographers chasing sunset light; the red rock walls of Kuqa Grand Canyon show wavy textures under wind erosion, like the wrinkled skin of the earth.
✨[New Oriental Express Snow Lotus: A mobile viewing platform crossing North and South Xinjiang]✨Kashgar Old City is the soul of South Xinjiang. In maze-like alleys, elderly people of all ethnic groups sit at the doors of century-old houses playing the rawap, while children chase and play among earth-yellow buildings. The water of Baisha Lake coexists with the desert, Muztagh Ata of the Pamir Plateau is snow-capped all year round, and eagle dances of all ethnic groups on the Tashkurgan square express the bold spirit of the plateau peoples.
🚂 Simple itinerary (Summer 2027 edition)
📅 Day01:Arrive in Urumqi from various places and gather
📅 Day02:Urumqi-New Oriental Express-Koktokay-New Oriental Express-Altay
📅 Day03:Altay-Ahe Highway-Hemu Village
📅 Day04:Hemu-Kanas
📅 Day05:Kanas-Chonghur-Five-Colored Beach-New Oriental Express special train
📅 Day06:Jinghe-Sayram Lake-Yining
While ordinary trains are still competing over speed, a luxury special train carrying a mobile viewing platform, starry-sky dome carriages, and a Michelin chef is redefining in-depth Xinjiang travel with a “slow travel” approach. This is the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, known as the “five-star hotel on rails”—it uses 14 days to connect the forests and lakes of North Xinjiang with the desert ancient cities of South Xinjiang, letting passengers enjoy five-star service in the carriages and arrive at premium scenery as soon as they step off.📅 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 special train
📅 Day10:Kashgar-Baisha Lake-Pamir Scenic Area-Tashkurgan
📅 Day11:Tashkurgan-Tajik family visit-Karakul Lake-Kashgar
📅 Day12:Kashgar-Turpan-New Oriental Express special train
📅 Day13:Turpan-Urumqi
📅 Day14:Urumqi-group send-off
🌄 Route highlights: A visual feast spanning the Tianshan Mountains💰 Price description (2027 reference)
💎 Xiyue Golden Diamond:From 58,999 yuan/person
Carriage configuration:1 carriage with 4 compartments, capacity 8 people
Featured services:Bathroom, 24-hour butler, dining at Michelin restaurant
💎 Honorable Golden Diamond:From 65,999 yuan/person
Travel by tourist train through beautiful Xinjiang, choose freely from multiple specifications from economy to luxury. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency consultation landline: 0991-8866234; Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (add as friend to receive free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
Carriage configuration:1 carriage with 3 compartments, capacity 6 people
Featured services:Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, private viewing platform, dedicated photography guide
⚠ ️ Price description:
[North Xinjiang section: A fairy-tale world inside an oil painting]1. The above prices are starting prices; specifics are subject to actual consultation and signing, and may fluctuate by departure date.
2. Fees include: accommodation throughout the special train journey, attraction tickets, all meals, guide service, insurance.
3. Fees do not include: personal expenses (for single applicants, we will try our best to coordinate room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation).
📝 Registration method
You can register through the customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency customer service manager Zhang Jing to learn about the latest departure dates and remaining seats.
💡 Fee description and service description
1. Transportation: The New Oriental Express Snow Lotus uses customized carriages equipped with large viewing windows, air conditioning, and humidification systems, with no transfers needed throughout the journey.
2. Accommodation: In addition to the luxury compartments on the special train, the land portion stays in local TOP3 hotels, such as the century-old wooden house homestay in Hemu and a boutique hotel in Kashgar Old City.
The train departs from Urumqi, with the first stop at Koktokay. This place is not only a gathering place of geological wonders, but also the inspiration site of “The Shepherd of Koktokay.” In summer, the Irtysh River winds through golden birch forests, distant snow-capped mountains are reflected in sapphire-blue lakes, and every casual shot looks like a postcard. The train then crosses the Ahe Highway, a scenic avenue newly opened in 2026 that links alpine meadows, primeval forests, and glacial relics; along the way, herds of ibex can be seen leaping among the cliffs.3. Dining: Onboard, Chinese and Western breakfasts and Xinjiang specialty main meals (such as roast whole lamb and hand-grabbed rice) are provided; the land portion includes local flavor meals.
4. Guides: Bilingual guides + photography guides are provided throughout, and expert-level interpretation is arranged at core scenic areas such as Kanas and Pamir.
5. Emergency: A medical team and altitude sickness medication are provided on board; oxygen cylinders and warm equipment are provided in the South Xinjiang section.
⚠ ️ Notes
1. There is a large temperature difference between North and South Xinjiang; bring a windbreaker, sunscreen, and moisturizing skincare products.
2. The Pamir Plateau is over 3,000 meters above sea level; it is recommended to take rhodiola in advance.
3. The Duku Highway is recommended to be open from June to September, subject to the notice of the traffic department in the relevant year.
4. Reasonable itinerary changes may be made upon mutual agreement (such as in case of extreme weather or policy changes).
Hemu Village and Kanas are the soul of North Xinjiang. In Hemu, cooking smoke from wooden houses intertwines with morning mist, as if stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki animated world; Kanas’s color-changing lake shows blue-green gradients in the sunlight, and the lake monster legend adds a mysterious touch. Meanwhile, Chonghur’s Five-Colored Beach is an abstract painting jointly created by nature using Danxia landforms and the Irtysh River—red rock layers and emerald-green river water create a strong visual impact.🌈 Why choose the New Oriental Express?
When ordinary tour groups are lining up at scenic area entrances, Snow Lotus passengers are already tasting champagne in the carriages and admiring the morning mist of Koktokay through floor-to-ceiling windows; when independent travelers are worrying about finding restaurants, the Michelin chef on the special train has already prepared roast whole lamb and big plate chicken; when self-driving travelers are wearily crossing mountain passes, Snow Lotus passengers are lying in viewing compartments, listening to the rhythm of the train and rails as they fall asleep…
This train is not only a means of transportation, but also a mobile “Xinjiang Culture Museum”—the carriage corridors display traditional clothing and handicrafts of various ethnic groups, the dining car regularly hosts ethnic song and dance performances, and the train conductor tells passengers historical stories of Xinjiang. A 14-day journey is enough to turn you from a “tourist” into a “Xinjiang expert.”
📅 Latest departure dates (2027)
April 16 | May 7, May 20 | June 2, June 16, June 30
July 14, July 28 | August 11, August 30 | September 13, September 27
(Prices and remaining seats are subject to contract/customer service confirmation and may fluctuate by departure date; the contract signed by both parties shall prevail)
✨ [Conclusion] ✨
As the train slowly leaves Urumqi Station and the desert outside the window is gradually replaced by snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, you will understand: true travel begins when you let go of the obsession with “checking in.” The New Oriental Express Snow Lotus uses 14 days to help you understand the vastness and gentleness of Xinjiang—here there is not only a visual feast, but also a resting place for the soul.
For more details about Xinjiang tourist trains, consult customer service manager Zhang Jing, phone: 181 3962 2233 (add as friend to receive free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
