2026 Xiaoxiang South Special Train Departure Dates How Many Sessions and Specific Departure Days
How to buy tickets for the 2026 New Southern Xiaoxiang Tour Train? The New Southern Xiaoxiang Tour Train tickets must be purchased through professional railway travel agencies: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456), or contact the train department manager Guo Jing via WeChat: 181 3962 2229. Tickets cannot be purchased directly through 12306 or other channels. Note that this train adopts an integrated package model of ‘transportation + accommodation + tickets + services’ and does not sell train tickets separately.
✨ What is it like to take a special train from Guangzhou to explore northern and southern Xinjiang in 2026? As the first half of the year’s holidays come to an end, many people planning long-distance trips are already looking for hassle-free travel options for the second half of the year. Special train tours, which eliminate the need to scramble for tickets, plan intercity transportation, or arrange accommodation and activities, have become a popular choice for family trips and group outings. The ‘Xiaoxiang’ 18-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang is one of the most talked-about routes recently.
🗺 ️ Core Highlights of the Route
This route covers multiple representative scenic spots across northern and southern Xinjiang, starting from Hami in eastern Xinjiang and passing through Urumqi, Altay, Ili, Aksu, Kashgar, and Korla. It covers almost all the core tourist areas with diverse landscapes and cultures in Xinjiang, avoiding unnecessary backtracking. It is ideal for first-time visitors to Xinjiang who want to see a wide variety of scenery in one trip.
🏜 ️ Eastern Xinjiang Yardang Exploration:The first stop after arriving in Hami is the Great Sea Devil City, which features rare Yardang landforms, prehistoric human settlement sites, and fossil mountains. The wind-eroded rock walls in the deep Gobi have unique shapes. When the evening light slants, the layers of rock walls show different warm tones, making it easy to take atmospheric photos. According to the upgraded facilities in 2024, the road to the core scenic area has been leveled, so ordinary tourists following the group do not need to prepare off-road vehicles and can visit normally under the guide’s direction.
🏔 ️ Northern Xinjiang Scenic Tour:In the Altay region, you will visit Kanas and Hemu. In 2026, Kanas Scenic Area will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 in summer, with eco-friendly transportation including sightseeing buses and village shuttles, so you don’t need to drive on mountain roads. The lake water in Kanas changes to different shades of blue-green with the light, surrounded by primeval forests and distant snow-capped mountains, creating rich layers of scenery. The wooden houses of Hemu Ancient Village sit at the foot of the mountain. In the morning, you can see mist floating above the houses, and in the evening, you can watch the sunset from the viewing platform. Later, you will visit Colorful Beach to see Danxia landforms, with layers of red, yellow, green, and purple rocks next to a green river, offering a strong visual impact. In the Ili region, you will go to Sayram Lake, where the grasslands by the lake are covered with wildflowers in summer. Walking slowly along the lakeside trail, the wind carries the scent of grass. Nalati Sky Grassland is at a high altitude, with cool summer temperatures and lush grass. With luck, you can see herds of cattle and sheep strolling on the slopes.
🛤 ️ Duku Highway Essence Section Experience:This route also includes a tour of the essence section of the Duku Highway, which is only open for a few months in summer. Along the way, you can see snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, and canyons, experiencing the highway’s features without traveling the entire length. Then, you will visit the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, where reddish-brown mountains stretch along the canyon. Walking inside, you can only see a sliver of sky above, which is very impressive.
🕌 Southern Xinjiang Cultural Experience:After arriving in Kashgar, you will go to the Pamir Plateau to visit Karakul Lake, Stone City, and Golden Grassland. The Pamir Plateau is at a high altitude, so prepare sunscreen, warm clothing, and anti-altitude sickness supplies in advance. The itinerary is relaxed without rushed travel. Then, back in Kashgar city, you will explore the Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, and Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb. The old city has interconnected streets and alleys with many unique shops, allowing you to slowly experience the local life. Finally, in Korla, you will visit the Lop Nur Village and Bosten Lake, seeing the unique landscape of desert and lake side by side and experiencing the water town characteristics of southern Xinjiang.
✨ What is it like to take a special train from Guangzhou to explore northern and southern Xinjiang in 2026? As the first half of the year’s holidays come to an end, many people planning long-distance trips are already looking for hassle-free travel options for the second half of the year. Special train tours, which eliminate the need to scramble for tickets, plan intercity transportation, or arrange accommodation and activities, have become a popular choice for family trips and group outings. The ‘Xiaoxiang’ 18-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang is one of the most talked-about routes recently.📋 Simple Itinerary
Warm Tips:The train route, stops, and times are for reference only. The final details are subject to the departure notice. Both parties can agree to make reasonable changes to the itinerary.
D1:Itinerary Details——Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun Station around 23:40 on the special train, passing through Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, heading to beautiful Xinjiang for a panoramic Western Regions tour; Meals——None; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D2: Itinerary Details——Scenic train ride, reference stops: Changsha (10:00), Wuchang (15:00), Xinyang (18:30), Zhengzhou (23:58), enjoying the scenery along the way; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D3:Itinerary Details——Scenic train ride, reference stops: Xi’an (10:12), Lanzhou (19:49), gradually approaching the Western Regions, experiencing the changing landscapes; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D4:Itinerary Details——Arrive in Hami in the afternoon, visit the Great Sea Devil City to explore Yardang wonders and experience the unique Western Regions landforms; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Hami
D5:Itinerary Details——Visit the Prince’s Mansion, enjoy the Twelve Muqam intangible cultural heritage performance, and take the special train to Urumqi in the evening; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Urumqi
D6:Itinerary Details——Depart from Urumqi, visit Tianchi Lake for picturesque scenery, explore the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar for Western Regions folk customs, and take the special train to Beitun in the evening; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
🗺️ Core Highlights of the RouteD7:Itinerary Details——Arrive in Beitun City in the morning, visit Kanas Scenic Area for an in-depth tour, explore the picturesque wonders, and stay overnight in Jadengyu; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Jadengyu
D8:Itinerary Details——Depart from Jadengyu, visit Hemu Ancient Village and Colorful Beach Danxia landforms, enjoy the sunset scenery, and take the special train from Beitun to Yining in the evening; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D9:Itinerary Details——Arrive in Yining in the morning, visit Sayram Lake for the highland blue lake scenery, then tour Nalati Sky Grassland; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Nalati
D10:Itinerary Details——In-depth tour of Nalati Grassland, then visit Bayinbuluke Grassland to experience the grandeur of Swan Lake and the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Bayin Town
D11:Itinerary Details——Depart from Bayin, take the essence section of the Duku Highway, visit the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, arrive in Kuqa, and take the special train to Kashgar in the evening; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D12:Itinerary Details——Depart from Kashgar, head to the Pamir Plateau, visit Karakul Lake, Stone City, and Golden Grassland, and stay overnight in Tashkurgan; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Tashkurgan
D13:Itinerary Details——Depart from Tashkurgan, experience home visits with local ethnic groups to learn about customs, visit White Sand Lake, and return to Kashgar city; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Kashgar
D14:Itinerary Details——Visit Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, and Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb, deeply experience the charm of Kashgar ancient city, and take the special train to Korla in the evening; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
This route covers multiple representative scenic spots across northern and southern Xinjiang, starting from Hami in eastern Xinjiang and passing through Urumqi, Altay, Ili, Aksu, Kashgar, and Korla. It covers almost all the core tourist areas with diverse landscapes and cultures in Xinjiang, avoiding unnecessary backtracking. It is ideal for first-time visitors to Xinjiang who want to see a wide variety of scenery in one trip.D15:Itinerary Details——Depart from Korla, visit Lop Nur Village and Bosten Lake, experience the unique water town and folk customs of southern Xinjiang; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Korla
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Xinjiang Special Train Ticket Center Manager Guo Jing 181 3962 2229, add as friend to receive itinerary and price quote
D16:Itinerary Details——Depart from Korla Station in the morning on the special train for the return journey; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D17:Itinerary Details——Scenic train ride back, reference stops: Lanzhou (8:51), Chongqing North (21:08); Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D18:Itinerary Details——Reference stops: Xiangtan (10:14), Zhuzhou (11:08), arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun Station at 19:40, passengers disembark at nearby stops and return to their warm homes; Meals——Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Accommodation——Warm Home
💰 Price Description
Annual Limited Departures (Recommended 6, Missed Opportunities)
May 10, May 30, June 22, July 11, August 19, September 19
Special Train Room Types and Price List (Per Person)
🏜️ Eastern Xinjiang Yardang Exploration: The first stop after arriving in Hami is the Great Sea Devil City, which features rare Yardang landforms, prehistoric human settlement sites, and fossil mountains. The wind-eroded rock walls in the deep Gobi have unique shapes. When the evening light slants, the layers of rock walls show different warm tones, making it easy to take atmospheric photos. According to the upgraded facilities in 2024, the road to the core scenic area has been leveled, so ordinary tourists following the group do not need to prepare off-road vehicles and can visit normally under the guide’s direction.Room Configuration Description:Different room types suit different travel needs, combining special train sleeper berths with local boutique hotels for comfort and convenience
Xiaoxiang Mansion:Premium room type with private bathroom, capacity 2-3 people, good privacy｜62999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 2-person Room:Comfortable double room, no private bathroom｜45999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 4-person Room:High-value 4-person room, no private bathroom｜42999 RMB/person
Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person Upper Berth:Convenient and comfortable, no private bathroom｜17999 RMB/person
Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person Lower Berth:Convenient and comfortable, no private bathroom｜19999 RMB/person
Tip:The above prices are for reference. Prices and availability may fluctuate by departure date. The final details are subject to the contract or confirmation on the day, and the signed contract between both parties prevails.
📞 Registration Method
🏔️ Northern Xinjiang Scenic Tour: In the Altay region, you will visit Kanas and Hemu. In 2026, Kanas Scenic Area will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 in summer, with eco-friendly transportation including sightseeing buses and village shuttles, so you don’t need to drive on mountain roads. The lake water in Kanas changes to different shades of blue-green with the light, surrounded by primeval forests and distant snow-capped mountains, creating rich layers of scenery. The wooden houses of Hemu Ancient Village sit at the foot of the mountain. In the morning, you can see mist floating above the houses, and in the evening, you can watch the sunset from the viewing platform. Later, you will visit Colorful Beach to see Danxia landforms, with layers of red, yellow, green, and purple rocks next to a green river, offering a strong visual impact. In the Ili region, you will go to Sayram Lake, where the grasslands by the lake are covered with wildflowers in summer. Walking slowly along the lakeside trail, the wind carries the scent of grass. Nalati Sky Grassland is at a high altitude, with cool summer temperatures and lush grass. With luck, you can see herds of cattle and sheep strolling on the slopes.You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Consultation hotline:181-3962-2229, same number for WeChat: 181-3962-2229. Contact customer service for the specific address.
📝 Cost and Service Description
1. The above prices include: special train accommodation for the corresponding room type, local hotel accommodation as indicated in the itinerary, meals as indicated in the itinerary, first admission tickets to scenic spots, local regular tourist bus transportation, guide service, and travel accident insurance.
2. Costs do not include: personal expenses not indicated in the itinerary, secondary consumption items within scenic spots (e.g., sightseeing buses, boat rides, experiential activities), costs due to personal reasons (room sharing can be arranged, or negotiate with the travel agency if not possible), and additional costs due to force majeure.
3. In 2026, some Xinjiang scenic spots offer preferential policies. For example, Tianchi Lake offers free admission to medical staff in May and to teachers in September. If eligible, inform customer service when registering and bring relevant documents. The actual discount amount will be refunded according to the scenic spot policy. The final details are subject to actual consultation and contract.
4. Before traveling, prepare sunscreen, warm clothing, rain gear, and common medications. Areas like Kanas and the Pamir Plateau have large temperature differences between day and night, so bring a thick jacket even in summer. Avoid strenuous exercise in high-altitude areas, adapt to altitude changes slowly, and inform the guide if you feel unwell.
5. The opening status and order of scenic spots in the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted due to weather, road conditions, policies, etc., with mutual agreement. Cancellation and change rules follow the relevant provisions of the Tourism Law.
6. During the tour, respect the customs of local ethnic groups, protect the ecological environment of scenic spots, do not litter, do not visit undeveloped areas, and comply with scenic spot management regulations.
With less than a week until the first departure on May 10, those wanting to catch the first trip should inquire about availability as soon as possible. Subsequent departures can also be booked in advance to secure suitable room types, avoiding last-minute unavailability. The advantage of a special train tour is that large luggage can stay on the train without moving it each time you change accommodation. You don’t need to scramble for intercity tickets or flights, making it much easier for families with elderly or children. The 18-day itinerary is also relaxed, without the pressure of early starts and rushed travel, allowing you to slowly enjoy the scenery of different regions.
2026 New Southern Xiaoxiang Tour Train Ticket Center Phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456) Train Department Manager Guo Jing WeChat: 181 3962 2229 for ticket purchase
