2026Great River South Tourism Special Train Slow Tour of Xinjiang North and South 15 Day Panorama

🚂 【Great River South Tourism Train｜2026 Fully Upgraded, Slow Travel Across Northern and Southern Xinjiang by Train】
If you long for the vast Tianshan grasslands, the azure Sayram Lake, the mysterious Kanas forest, and hope for a comfortable, worry-free journey with a relaxed pace, then the newly optimized 2026 Great River South Tourism Train might be perfect for you. This special tourist train, starting from Zhengzhou and delving deep into Xinjiang, is no longer just a means of transport but a moving ‘mobile rest station,’ cleverly connecting Central Plains culture with Western Region scenery.
🌟 Train Name and Design Concept
The ‘Great River South’ tourism train is jointly created by China Railway Zhengzhou Group and cultural tourism resources. Its exterior paint is inspired by the magnificent shape of the Yellow River’s ‘nine bends and eighteen turns,’ complemented by painted pottery patterns and wavy lines, giving it a strong visual flow and regional identity. The interior of the carriages follows the concept of ‘walking Central Plains culture,’ with different compartments incorporating elements like peonies, Along the River During the Qingming Festival, and wooden Zen aesthetics, creating an immersive cultural atmosphere.

🚂【Great River South Tourism Train｜2026 Fully Upgraded, Slow Travel Across Northern and Southern Xinjiang by Train】In 2026, the train has undergone a new round of service upgrades, focusing on enhancing elderly-friendly details and the travel experience, emphasizing ‘slow travel, deep exploration, train follows people,’ allowing tourists to explore safely during the day and rest smoothly at night, without the need to frequently move luggage or change accommodations throughout the trip.
🛏 Seating Configuration and Core Advantages
The train is fully equipped with soft sleeper compartments, consisting of 17 carriages, including 14 sleeper carriages, 1 dining car, 1 multi-functional leisure carriage, and 1 work car. The seats are divided into three room types:
Double Compartment:Can be flexibly converted into a standard room or a double bed room, equipped with a separate wet and dry bathroom, constant temperature toilet, high-rebound latex mattress, offering strong privacy;
Triple Compartment:Spacious with combined storage cabinets, suitable for small families or friends traveling together;

If you long for the vast Tianshan grasslands, the azure Sayram Lake, the mysterious Kanas forest, and hope for a comfortable, worry-free journey with a relaxed pace, then the newly optimized 2026 Great River South Tourism Train might be perfect for you. This special tourist train, starting from Zhengzhou and delving deep into Xinjiang, is no longer just a means of transport but a moving ‘mobile rest station,’ cleverly connecting Central Plains culture with Western Region scenery.Quadruple Compartment:Upper and lower berths are equipped with privacy curtains, economical and practical, offering great value for money.
All compartments are equipped with SOS emergency call devices, anti-slip floors, fluorescent handrails, and multi-light source lighting systems. The carriage aisles are widened for wheelchair access; shock absorption and noise reduction technology effectively reduce travel bumps, enhancing long-distance comfort.
Additionally, the train is staffed with onboard medical personnel, dedicated butlers, and bilingual tour guides, adopting hotel-style management. The dining car is run by professional chefs, offering low-salt, low-oil, soft, and easy-to-digest health meals, blending Central Plains flavors with Xinjiang local cuisine.
🗓 Simplified Itinerary (2026 Xinjiang 15-Day Panoramic Route)
According to currently available itinerary information, the Great River South train’s 2026 Xinjiang 15-day route starts from Zhengzhou, adopting a ‘day tour, night travel’ model, covering Northern Xinjiang’s natural scenery and Southern Xinjiang’s cultural landscapes, with the following arrangement:

🌟 Train Name and Design ConceptDays 1–2:Board the train at Zhengzhou Station, starting the journey. Travel at night, arriving in Urumqi the next morning;
Day 3:Visit Tianshan Tianchi, enjoying the serene view of snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake;
Days 4–5:Head to the Altay region, explore Kanas Lake and Hemu Village, experiencing the primeval forest and Tuwa village scenery;
Days 6–7:Travel along the Ili River Valley, stopping at Sayram Lake, Guozigou Bridge, and Nalati Grassland;
Days 8–9:Cross the southern section of the Duku Highway, explore the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon;

The ‘Great River South’ tourism train is jointly created by China Railway Zhengzhou Group and cultural tourism resources. Its exterior paint is inspired by the magnificent shape of the Yellow River’s ‘nine bends and eighteen turns,’ complemented by painted pottery patterns and wavy lines, giving it a strong visual flow and regional identity. The interior of the carriages follows the concept of ‘walking Central Plains culture,’ with different compartments incorporating elements like peonies, Along the River During the Qingming Festival, and wooden Zen aesthetics, creating an immersive cultural atmosphere.Days 10–12:Arrive in Kashgar, stroll through the Kashgar Old City, visit historical and cultural sites like Id Kah Mosque and Fragrant Concubine Garden;
Days 13–14:Pass by白沙湖 and Karakul Lake, with a distant view of Muztagh Ata;
Day 15:Rest on the return journey, arrive in Zhengzhou at night, ending the trip.
The daily itinerary has a relaxed pace, with ample time for scenic spot visits and reserved afternoon rest periods. In case of sudden changes in weather, road conditions, or scenic spot policies, the itinerary can be reasonably optimized after mutual agreement.
💰 Price Information (2026 Reference)

In 2026, the train has undergone a new round of service upgrades, focusing on enhancing elderly-friendly details and the travel experience, emphasizing ‘slow travel, deep exploration, train follows people,’ allowing tourists to explore safely during the day and rest smoothly at night, without the need to frequently move luggage or change accommodations throughout the trip.Currently, the route’s pricing varies depending on departure date, room type, and seasonal fluctuations. According to public information, the main operating period is from May to September 2026, with price differences for double, triple, and quadruple compartments. The overall cost includes full transportation, accommodation, meals, first admission tickets to scenic spots, and guide services.
It should be noted that specific prices are subject to the contract signed between Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and tourists. For solo travelers, the travel agency will try to arrange room sharing; if not possible, related matters can be negotiated separately.
📝 How to Register?
Tourists interested in the Great River South tourism train’s Xinjiang 15-day itinerary can consult and register with Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s train center. The registration process includes: confirming itinerary preferences, selecting a departure date, paying a deposit, and signing an electronic contract. The entire process supports online processing, and children can also operate on behalf of their parents.
It is recommended to understand the health condition, travel habits, and dietary needs of elderly family members in advance, so the consultant can provide more tailored service suggestions. Seats are tight during the peak season (May–September), so early confirmation helps secure the desired room type.

🛏 Seating Configuration and Core Advantages🌿 Warm Tips
The entire train journey has no mandatory shopping or consumption arrangements; specific services are subject to the contract;
The itinerary involves some high-altitude areas; please assess based on your health condition;
The opening status, ticket policies, and transportation connections of all scenic spots are subject to actual conditions on the day of execution;
In case of force majeure leading to itinerary changes, both parties will negotiate and handle according to the relevant provisions of the Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China.
The Great River South tourism train is not just a trip but a slow-paced exploration blending nature, culture, and comfortable experiences. Whether accompanying parents on a trip or traveling with old friends, this journey starting from Zhengzhou and crossing the Tianshan Mountains is worth including in your 2026 travel plans. For more details, feel free to contact Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s train center to start your Western Region journey.