How to Book the Panda Special Train·Shifang for a 16 Day Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang
How to buy tickets for the Shifang Panda Train? In 2026, tickets for the Shifang Panda Train must be booked through the railway’s professional and regular travel agency channel: the Train Center of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Tickets cannot be purchased through other channels like 12306. The specific booking process includes selecting an itinerary → confirming the date and boarding location → paying a deposit → signing a contract, among other steps.
If you want to take the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ for a journey through northern and southern Xinjiang, the booking process is completely different from regular train tickets. This detailed guide will walk you through the entire process from selection to signing.
🚂 About Shifang:A Moving Luxury Hotel
The Shifang Panda Train is a high-end themed tourist train jointly created by China Railway Chengdu Group and the Shifang Municipal People’s Government. Its carriages blend ancient Shu cultural elements with a panda theme, earning it the reputation of a ‘mobile cultural station.’
Itinerary Highlights:Focusing on a 16-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang, it adopts a ‘travel by night, explore by day’ model, connecting key attractions such as Kashgar Old City, the Pamir Plateau, Kanas, and Sayram Lake, balancing natural scenery and cultural experiences.
Target Audience:Especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly travelers who prefer a worry-free trip with comfortable experiences, as well as families seeking ‘no self-paid activities and full companionship.’
🛌 Seat Details:Three Room Types, Three Experiences
The Shifang train consists of 17 carriages, offering a variety of comfortable accommodation options. All berths are equipped with basic amenities like charging sockets and reading lights.
1. Premium Platinum: Standard Quad Room
📍 Location:Standard quad room with practical space.
If you want to take the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ for a journey through northern and southern Xinjiang, the booking process is completely different from regular train tickets. This detailed guide will walk you through the entire process from selection to signing.🛋 ️ Configuration:Equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding, berth charging ports, and reading lights. The compartment includes a TV and free audio-visual system, with public restrooms, washrooms, and showers in the carriage.
👪 Suitable For:Friends or families who value cost-effectiveness.
2. Refined Platinum: High-End Quad Room
📍 Location:Located in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, with 10 compartments per carriage, totaling 40 berths.
🛋 ️ Configuration:Two showers at each end of the carriage, featuring a tea table, storage compartment, TV, call button, and charging sockets, with more complete facilities.
👪 Suitable For:Travelers with higher demands for comfort and privacy.
3. Exclusive Purple Gold: High-End Compartment
📍 Location:Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, with 6 high-end compartments per carriage, totaling 22 berths.
🛋 ️ Configuration:One shower at each end of the carriage, featuring a sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets, with spacious and private space.
👪 Suitable For:Travelers seeking a high-quality experience and a comfortable, worry-free journey.
🚂 About Shifang: A Moving Luxury Hotel🚂 Public Areas of the Train
Multi-functional Entertainment Car:Located in carriage 9, featuring a tea bar, KTV rooms, and entertainment rooms.
Panda Dining Car:Located in carriage 8, offering 2-seat and 4-seat dining areas.
Other Facilities:The train also includes a tea bar, cigar bar, mahjong tables, smoking area, medical room, and tea brewing room, meeting diverse passenger needs.
✨ Train Quality:Comfort and Assurance
🚌 Travel Mode:Adopts a ‘travel by night, explore by day’ model, saving daytime travel time and allowing tourists to explore attractions with full energy.
🛡 ️ Assurance:Equipped with ‘Panda Butler,’ guides, and onboard medical staff, providing 24-hour service and an emergency call system, especially catering to the needs of middle-aged and elderly travelers.
🍽 ️ Dining Service:The dining car offers meals blending Sichuan and Xinjiang flavors, with special meals arranged during the itinerary, balancing taste and regional characteristics.
🗺 ️ 16-Day Simplified Itinerary for Northern and Southern Xinjiang
Day 1:Chengdu/Lanzhou – Kashgar, departure from themed station, welcome performance
The Shifang Panda Train is a high-end themed tourist train jointly created by China Railway Chengdu Group and the Shifang Municipal People’s Government. Its carriages blend ancient Shu cultural elements with a panda theme, earning it the reputation of a ‘mobile cultural station.’Day 2:Panda Train sightseeing and leisure
Day 3:Kashgar, exclusive pick-up, welcome dinner
Day 4:Kashgar – Tashkurgan, Baisha Mountain – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Panlong Ancient Road
Day 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 Grand Canyon, Southern Section of Duku Highway, Bayinbuluk Swan Lake
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center ticket booking, Manager Mai has over 10 years of experience. Contact Manager Mai for itineraries and quotes.
Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluk – Yining, Nalati Grassland
Day 9:Yining – Beitun, Sayram Lake
Day 10:Beitun – Hemu – Jia登峪, Hemu Scenic Area
Day 11:Jia登峪 – Kanas – Burqin, Kanas Scenic Area
Itinerary Highlights: Focusing on a 16-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang, it adopts a ‘travel by night, explore by day’ model, connecting key attractions such as Kashgar Old City, the Pamir Plateau, Kanas, and Sayram Lake, balancing natural scenery and cultural experiences.Day 12:Burqin – Beitun – Urumqi, Colorful Beach
Day 13:Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
Day 14:Urumqi – Turpan, Karez Well, Flaming Mountain, return trip
Days 15-16:Happy return to Lanzhou/Chengdu, farewell to guests
💰 Price Explanation and Schedule
2026 16-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Tour Dates
June 8, 2026
June 24, 2026
July 10, 2026
July 27, 2026
Target Audience: Especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly travelers who prefer a worry-free trip with comfortable experiences, as well as families seeking ‘no self-paid activities and full companionship.’ August 13, 2026
August 30, 2026
Reference Prices for Each Seat Type
Premium Platinum:Standard quad room upper berth 8,480 RMB/person, lower berth 9,280 RMB/person
Refined Platinum:Standard quad room upper berth 15,780 RMB/person, lower berth 16,780 RMB/person
Exclusive Purple Gold:High-end quad room upper berth 27,880 RMB/person, lower berth 28,880 RMB/person
> Warm Tips:The above are reference prices; actual costs may vary due to season, berth type, and specific schedule. Please refer to the final signed travel contract.
📝 How to Book Shifang
Shifang is a customized tourism product and cannot be purchased on regular ticketing platforms like 12306; it must be booked through a travel agency package.
Booking Channels
🛌 Seat Details: Three Room Types, Three Experiences You can book through the Train Center of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, contacting Manager Mai at the Train Center for details and procedures.
Booking Process
1. Inquiry Needs: Contact Manager Mai, inform them of your preferred schedule, number of people, and desired seat type (Premium/Refined/Exclusive).
2. Confirmation and Reservation: After confirming availability and price, pay a deposit to secure your seats.
3. Submit Information: Provide the names, valid ID numbers, and other personal details of all travelers as required for real-name booking and insurance.
4. Sign and Pay: Receive and review the electronic travel contract, then pay the remaining balance after confirmation.
5. Pre-Trip Preparation: Before departure, you will receive a detailed ‘Travel Guide’ and ‘Tour Notice’ with key information like meeting time and location.
Notes
Accurate Information:Please ensure the personal information provided is accurate to avoid affecting travel.
Contract Rights:Carefully read the contract terms, especially regarding itinerary, costs, cancellations, and liability exemptions.
Risk Awareness:It is recommended to assess your health condition for long-distance travel and consult a doctor if additional preparations are needed. In case of force majeure factors like weather or road conditions, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted; please understand.
For inquiries about Xinjiang train bookings, contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center for ticket booking, Manager Mai, to receive detailed itineraries and quotes.
