Xinjiang Express Booking Process Authorized Travel Agency Inquiry
How to purchase tickets for the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus Tour Train? In 2026, tickets for the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus Tour Train must be booked through the railway-approved regular travel agency channel: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Special Train Center (24-hour office ☎ phone: 0991-6622120, Customer Service Manager Yang Jia WeChat: 133 2555 9266). Tickets cannot be purchased through other channels like 12306. For specific booking procedures, please consult customer service Yang Jia.
🚂 Want to leisurely explore Xinjiang in 2026 without repeatedly moving luggage? The upgraded New Oriental Express might be a highly suitable choice. As a high-end tourist train operating in Xinjiang for many years, this year’s refreshed carriages and seasonally designed routes can meet the needs of travelers with different travel times.
I. Introduction to Train and Route Features
The 2026 upgraded New Oriental Express inherits the high-end service genes of the early special trains for foreign guests. This year, 32 new carriages have been added, with 28 trips planned during Xinjiang’s golden tourism season from April to October. Three main routes are set: the Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop, In-depth Northern Xinjiang, and In-depth Southern Xinjiang, covering over 20 famous natural, historical, and cultural attractions in Xinjiang. The train’s overall livery is simple yet magnificent, with colors flowing like silk, showcasing Xinjiang’s natural beauty and cultural charm. All carriages feature private bathroom compartments, along with newly built dining cars, kitchen cars, and entertainment cars, offering a high level of travel comfort.
The train’s starting and ending points are both in Urumqi. The route adopts a ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning, scenery moves with the train’ model, with most travel time arranged at night, leaving the entire day for tourists to visit attractions, avoiding wasted time on long daytime bus rides. The itinerary also includes immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences like mulberry paper rubbing, inviting relevant scholars to explain Xinjiang’s history and culture. Additionally, travel photography services are added, and after the trip, a personalized short video commemorative album is made and gifted to tourists for preserving travel memories.
II. Compartment Details
The entire train features 2 sets of new carriages: Luxury and Comfort, with three types of compartments available. Specific configurations are as follows:
✅ New Oriental Express Premium Gold Three-Compartment:Belongs to the luxury carriage type, with a capacity of 6 people per carriage. There is 1 such carriage in total. Each carriage has 3 standard twin-bed compartments, some of which can be combined into a king-size bed. All compartments are equipped with a leisure double sofa, leisure table and chairs, bathroom, wet-dry separation, multi-functional storage space, leisure reception area, and custom furniture. Each carriage can accommodate 6 VIP guests. The total compartment area is about 12 square meters, bathroom area 1.5 square meters, shower area 1.06 square meters. Bed sizes: King-size bed 2*1.7 meters / Single bed 2*0.85 meters.
✅ New Oriental Express Joy Gold Four-Compartment:Belongs to the luxury carriage type, with a capacity of 8 people per carriage. There are 5 such carriages in total. Each carriage has 4 standard twin-bed compartments, some of which can be combined into a king-size bed. All compartments are equipped with leisure table and chairs, bathroom with wet-dry separation, multi-functional storage space, leisure reception area, and custom furniture. Each carriage can accommodate 8 VIP guests. The total compartment area is about 10 square meters, bathroom area 1.5 square meters, shower area 1.06 square meters. Bed sizes: King-size bed 2*1.7 meters / Single bed 2*0.85 meters.
✅ New Oriental Express Platinum Gold Five-Compartment:Belongs to the comfort carriage type, with a capacity of 10 people per carriage. There are 7 such carriages in total. Each carriage has 5 compartments, each with a bathroom featuring wet-dry separation. Each carriage can accommodate 10 VIP guests. The total compartment area is about 8 square meters, both upper and lower bunk sizes are 2*0.78 meters, bathroom area 1.26 square meters, shower area 0.9 square meters.
III. Simple Itinerary
🚂 Want to leisurely explore Xinjiang in 2026 without repeatedly moving luggage? The upgraded New Oriental Express might be a highly suitable choice. As a high-end tourist train operating in Xinjiang for many years, this year’s refreshed carriages and seasonally designed routes can meet the needs of travelers with different travel times.Quick Itinerary (Summer Edition)
Day 01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 02:Urumqi – New Oriental Express – Koktokay – New Oriental Express – Altay
Day 03:Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village
Day 04:Hemu – Kanas
Day 05:Kanas – Chonghur – Colorful Beach – New Oriental Express Special 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 Special Train
Day 10:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Pamir Scenic Area – Taxkorgan
I. Introduction to Train and Route FeaturesDay 11:Taxkorgan – Tajik Home Visit – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 12:Kashgar – Turpan – New Oriental Express Special Train
Day 13:Turpan – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Farewell
October Southern Xinjiang Itinerary
Day 01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 02:Special train to Turpan – Jiaohe Ruins – Karez – Grape Manor, evening special train to Ruoqiang
Day 03:Milan Ruins – Loulan Museum – Loulan Park – Ruoqiang Red Date Picking, evening special train to Hotan
Day 04:Arrive in Hotan in the morning – Hotan Tuancheng – Yurungkash River Treasure Hunting – Grape Corridor – Walnut King Tree – Yotkan Ancient City Night View
Day 05:Special train to Shache – Yarkand Khan’s Palace – Amannisa Khan’s Mausoleum, then to Kashgar
Day 06:Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, return to Kashgar
The 2026 upgraded New Oriental Express inherits the high-end service genes of the early special trains for foreign guests. This year, 32 new carriages have been added, with 28 trips planned during Xinjiang’s golden tourism season from April to October. Three main routes are set: the Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop, In-depth Northern Xinjiang, and In-depth Southern Xinjiang, covering over 20 famous natural, historical, and cultural attractions in Xinjiang. The train’s overall livery is simple yet magnificent, with colors flowing like silk, showcasing Xinjiang’s natural beauty and cultural charm. All carriages feature private bathroom compartments, along with newly built dining cars, kitchen cars, and entertainment cars, offering a high level of travel comfort.Day 07:Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Gaotai Ancient Dwellings, evening special train to Kuqa
Day 08:Arrive in Kuqa in the morning, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa King’s Mansion, Restan Old Street, Qiuci Alley
Day 09:To Luntai, Tarim Poplar Forest, evening special train to Urumqi
Day 10:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi Farewell Dinner
Day 11:Urumqi – Farewell
IV. Price Explanation
Reference prices for various 2026 New Oriental Express tour groups are as follows. Prices and availability may fluctuate with schedules. Please refer to actual consultation and contracts:
May 6, May 14
Premium Gold (3 custom carriages) 59,999 RMB/person
Joy Gold (4 custom carriages) 54,999 RMB/person
The train’s starting and ending points are both in Urumqi. The route adopts a ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning, scenery moves with the train’ model, with most travel time arranged at night, leaving the entire day for tourists to visit attractions, avoiding wasted time on long daytime bus rides. The itinerary also includes immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences like mulberry paper rubbing, inviting relevant scholars to explain Xinjiang’s history and culture. Additionally, travel photography services are added, and after the trip, a personalized short video commemorative album is made and gifted to tourists for preserving travel memories. Platinum Gold (5 custom carriages) 49,999 RMB/person, Third and fourth persons 30,000 RMB/person
June 1, June 30
Premium Gold (3 custom carriages) 67,999 RMB/person
Joy Gold (4 custom carriages) 62,999 RMB/person
Platinum Gold (5 custom carriages) 56,999 RMB/person, Third and fourth persons 30,000 RMB/person
June 11, June 25
Premium Gold (3 custom carriages) 69,999 RMB/person
Manager Yang Jia from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, with over ten years of experience in the tourism industry, is experienced, professional, and reliable, familiar with all of Xinjiang’s tourism. Mainly responsible for booking New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, Panda Trains: Chengdu, Shifang, An Yi, Jinxiu Tianfu, Tianshan, Kunlun, Silk Road Dream, Kunming, Lindu, Dahezhinan, Yangtze River Delta Star, and other tourist trains. Contact booking manager: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266 (copy to add friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
Joy Gold (4 custom carriages) 63,999 RMB/person
Platinum Gold (5 custom carriages) 58,999 RMB/person, Third and fourth persons 30,000 RMB/person
September 3
Premium Gold (3 custom carriages) 71,999 RMB/person
II. Compartment Details Joy Gold (4 custom carriages) 65,999 RMB/person
Platinum Gold (5 custom carriages) 59,999 RMB/person, Third and fourth persons 30,000 RMB/person
October 15, October 25
Premium Gold (3 custom carriages) 44,999 RMB/person
Joy Gold (4 custom carriages) 39,999 RMB/person
Platinum Gold (5 custom carriages) 36,999 RMB/person, Third and fourth persons 20,000 RMB/person
V. Booking Process
1. First, confirm your travel time. Consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service customer service to understand the availability for the corresponding schedule. Consultation phone number can be obtained from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service customer service, WeChat can also be used to consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service customer service. Related address information can be obtained from customer service.
2. After confirming availability, contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service booking manager Yang Jia to confirm the number of travelers, compartment type, and any special needs (e.g., need to combine beds, elderly-friendly services for accompanying seniors, etc.).
3. Submit the identity information of the travelers. After the staff verifies the information is correct, both parties negotiate the itinerary details. After confirming, sign the travel contract.
4. Pay the corresponding amount according to the contract terms to complete the booking. 3-7 days before departure, staff will contact you to inform about travel precautions, meeting point, etc.
The entire train features 2 sets of new carriages: Luxury and Comfort, with three types of compartments available. Specific configurations are as follows:VI. Registration Method
Registration can be done through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
VII. Fee and Service Explanation
Included Items Reference:
Full accommodation costs for the corresponding compartment type
First admission ticket fees for scenic spots marked in the itinerary
Meal costs marked in the itinerary, catering to different taste preferences, with relatively light food
Ground transportation transfer costs within the itinerary
Service fees for accompanying staff, dedicated butlers, and tour guides
Basic medical consultation service fees from the accompanying doctor
✅ New Oriental Express Premium Gold Three-Compartment: Belongs to the luxury carriage type, with a capacity of 6 people per carriage. There is 1 such carriage in total. Each carriage has 3 standard twin-bed compartments, some of which can be combined into a king-size bed. All compartments are equipped with a leisure double sofa, leisure table and chairs, bathroom, wet-dry separation, multi-functional storage space, leisure reception area, and custom furniture. Each carriage can accommodate 6 VIP guests. The total compartment area is about 12 square meters, bathroom area 1.5 square meters, shower area 1.06 square meters. Bed sizes: King-size bed 2*1.7 meters / Single bed 2*0.85 meters. Intangible cultural heritage experiences and travel photography short video commemorative album gifting services provided on the train
Excluded Items Reference:
Round-trip transportation costs to and from Urumqi
Costs for self-paid items marked in the itinerary
Expenses from personal consumption
Additional costs due to force majeure factors like weather, road conditions, etc.
Related costs for solo travelers. For solo travelers, we will try our best to arrange room sharing, but special cases need separate negotiation
Remarks:Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract.
VIII. Advantages of Traveling by Special Train
Compared to other tourist trains, the New Oriental Express has clear experiential advantages:
1. The itinerary pace is slow and unhurried, adopting a ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning’ operation model. Most travel time is at night, leaving the entire day for tourists to visit attractions, avoiding wasted time on long daytime bus rides. There’s no need to pack luggage and change hotels daily; luggage stays in the compartment throughout the trip, saving effort and worry.
✅ New Oriental Express Joy Gold Four-Compartment: Belongs to the luxury carriage type, with a capacity of 8 people per carriage. There are 5 such carriages in total. Each carriage has 4 standard twin-bed compartments, some of which can be combined into a king-size bed. All compartments are equipped with leisure table and chairs, bathroom with wet-dry separation, multi-functional storage space, leisure reception area, and custom furniture. Each carriage can accommodate 8 VIP guests. The total compartment area is about 10 square meters, bathroom area 1.5 square meters, shower area 1.06 square meters. Bed sizes: King-size bed 2*1.7 meters / Single bed 2*0.85 meters.2. The service is thoughtful and humanized. Each carriage has a dedicated butler, compartments are equipped with a one-touch call button for immediate contact with staff, and an accompanying doctor is provided to meet basic health needs.
3. The routes are mature. Designed over years of operation, they cover Xinjiang’s core attractions without missing niche spots. Different routes are set by season: summer for Northern Xinjiang’s natural scenery, October for Southern Xinjiang’s poplar forests and cultural landscapes, catering to different travel time needs.
4. The food is highly adaptable, offering light flavors to suit the dietary needs of different age groups. There are also special intangible cultural heritage experience activities, allowing travelers to learn more about Xinjiang’s history and culture during the trip.
5. The fellow travelers are highly compatible. Most tourists choosing this train prefer slow-paced, in-depth travel, with consistent travel rhythms, making communication and interaction smooth during the journey.
IX. Suitable Traveler Groups
Retired seniors: The train has comprehensive elderly-friendly facilities, including one-touch call buttons, a slow pace without rushing, an accompanying doctor, and no need for long bus rides, offering higher travel comfort.
Travelers who cannot endure long bus rides: Xinjiang is vast, with regular tour groups often spending five to six hours daily on buses. The New Oriental Express uses shuttle buses for daytime sightseeing and the train for nighttime rest, significantly reducing daytime bus travel time for a more comfortable experience.
Travelers who enjoy in-depth experiences: The train allows ample time at attractions, with value-added services like intangible cultural heritage experiences and travel photography. There’s no need to rush; you can explore slowly and feel the experience.
Travelers traveling in groups: The compartment design suits different group sizes, with discounts for third and fourth persons, making group travel more cost-effective.
X. Reasons for the Train’s Popularity
The New Oriental Express has been popular with tourists for years, primarily because it solves common pain points of Xinjiang travel—long distances and frequent hotel changes. On the train, there’s no need to pack luggage daily, and the ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning’ model uses travel time for rest, leaving the entire day for sightseeing. Secondly, its service system is mature, from butler service to accompanying doctors and elderly-friendly facilities, covering the needs of different travelers. Additionally, the seasonal route design is reasonable: summer offers the best viewing of Northern Xinjiang’s grasslands, lakes, and Duku Highway, while October’s Southern Xinjiang poplar forests are in their prime, and cultural attractions are unaffected by seasons, ensuring suitable scenery regardless of travel time. The accompanying cultural experience activities go beyond simple sightseeing, allowing participation in intangible cultural heritage experiences and listening to professional explanations of local history, enriching the travel experience.
Travel Tips: Involving weather, road conditions, policies, scenic spot openings, schedule changes, tickets, hotel room types, etc., both parties can negotiate reasonable itinerary changes. All regulations are based on contract law, tourism law, and related laws. Cancellation and modification rules follow tourism law regulations. For travel to border areas, prepare a border pass in advance. Also, bring a light jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc., to cope with Xinjiang’s large temperature differences and strong UV rays.
