How to Buy Tickets for the Shifang Panda Special Train Xinjiang Tour Route Schedule Booking Guide
【Shifang Panda Train】How to Buy Tickets and Book for the 2026 Shifang Panda Train?
The 2026 Shifang Panda Train must be booked through the designated professional and official railway channel — Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service · Train Center. It cannot be ordered independently through platforms like 12306. Official registration channel: Manager Mai of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center, available for consultation and registration 24 hours a day. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile phone and WeChat: 132-0133-3409.
🚂 Panda Train · Shifang｜Slow Travel Through Northern and Southern Xinjiang, One Train to See the Vast Western Regions
Tired of the travel pace of rushing between attractions, changing hotels, and dragging luggage? Want to leisurely cross the Tianshan Mountains in 16 days, from Kashgar Old City to Hemu Village, from Sayram Lake to the Flaming Mountains? In 2026, the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ redefines long-distance Xinjiang travel with a residential-style slow travel concept — deep exploration during the day, restful sleep on the train at night, no need for frequent hotel changes throughout the journey, truly achieving ‘a moving home with flowing scenery.’
I. Detailed Introduction to the Panda Train · Shifang
The ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ is a special tourist train in China focused on long-distance leisure slow travel, created by professional tourism organizations in collaboration with railway resources. It is designed for travelers seeking comfort, relaxation, and immersive experiences. It is not an ordinary train but a fully functional tourist train integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing.
The train adopts the classic model of ‘traveling at night, sightseeing during the day’: board after finishing the day’s itinerary in the evening, sleep on the train, arrive at the next stop early in the morning, and start a new day of exploration directly. No need to repeatedly pack luggage, transfer between cities, or adapt to different hotels throughout the journey, making it especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly groups, family trips, and travelers who prefer a relaxed pace.
In the summer of 2026, the ‘Shifang’ will operate a 16-day panoramic route through northern and southern Xinjiang, covering core areas such as Kashgar, Taxkorgan, and Kuqa in southern Xinjiang, and Yining, Nalati, Kanas, and Hemu in northern Xinjiang. It connects various landscapes and cultural attractions like snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, canyons, ancient cities, and Danxia landforms, with a relaxed itinerary allowing ample time for sightseeing, photography, and rest.
II. Seat Types, Hardware Configuration, and Unique Features
The ‘Shifang’ consists of 17 carriages with three seat levels, all equipped with compartments, charging ports, TVs, call service, and shared bathroom facilities in the carriage. Privacy and comfort far exceed those of ordinary trains.
Premium Purple Gold (High-End Soft Sleeper)
Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each with 6 high-end compartments, accommodating 22 people. Compartments feature sofas, round tables, wardrobes, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets. Both ends of the carriage have shower rooms and washbasins, offering spaciousness, suitable for travelers seeking high privacy and quality experience.
Premium Platinum (High-End Hard Sleeper)
🚂 Panda Train · Shifang｜Slow Travel Through Northern and Southern Xinjiang, One Train to See the Vast Western Regions Distributed in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each with 10 four-person compartments, accommodating 40 people. Compartments are equipped with tea tables, storage compartments, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets. Both ends of the carriage have 2 shower rooms, balancing comfort and cost-effectiveness.
Premium Platinum (Standard Four-Person Room)
Equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding and pillows, reading lights at beds, charging ports, compartment TVs, and free audio-visual systems. The public area of the carriage has toilets, washrooms, and shower rooms, meeting basic comfort needs.
Additionally, the train features a multi-functional entertainment carriage (Car 9):Includes a tea bar, KTV rooms, mahjong tables, a cigar bar, and a multi-functional activity area. The Panda Dining Car (Car 8) provides dining environments for 2 or 4 people. There are also a medical room, tea boiler room, and smoking area to ensure a safe and convenient journey.
III. Travel Quality and Service Highlights
The core difference of the ‘Shifang’ from regular group tours lies in its fully closed-loop service experience:
Hassle-Free Accommodation:Stay on the train throughout the journey, eliminating the hassle of daily luggage handling and hotel changes.
Exclusive Shuttle Service:Arranged dedicated pick-up at places like Kashgar to reduce travel fatigue.
Special Dining:The dining car serves meals, incorporating local flavors while balancing nutrition and taste.
Leisure Facilities:Entertainment facilities like KTV, tea bar, and mahjong make the journey full of social and relaxation fun.
Accompanying Service:Professional guides accompany the entire trip, coordinating itineraries, answering questions, and enhancing travel smoothness.
Tired of the travel pace of rushing between attractions, changing hotels, and dragging luggage? Want to leisurely cross the Tianshan Mountains in 16 days, from Kashgar Old City to Hemu Village, from Sayram Lake to the Flaming Mountains? In 2026, the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ redefines long-distance Xinjiang travel with a residential-style slow travel concept — deep exploration during the day, restful sleep on the train at night, no need for frequent hotel changes throughout the journey, truly achieving ‘a moving home with flowing scenery.’Relaxed Pace:Arrange 1-2 core attractions daily to avoid superficial visits, emphasizing immersion and experience.
IV. Simple Itinerary for the Panda Train
The following is the official itinerary for the 2026 ‘Shifang’ 16-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang, strictly following the logic of ‘traveling at night, sightseeing during the day,’ covering the highlights of both regions:
Day 1:Chengdu/Lanzhou → Kashgar [Departure · Special Welcome]
Depart from Chengdu or Lanzhou, head to the theme station to gather and start the panoramic tour of northern and southern Xinjiang; enjoy a dedicated welcome performance upon arrival, immerse in the southern Xinjiang atmosphere, and begin a wonderful journey.
Day 2:Panda Train [Leisure Sightseeing · Slow Enjoyment]
Spend the whole day on the Panda Train, relaxing in the comfortable carriage, enjoying the flowing scenery outside the window, chatting with fellow travelers, and recharging for the exciting itinerary ahead.
Day 3:Kashgar [Exclusive Pick-Up · Feast Welcome]
Arrive in Kashgar, enjoy exclusive pick-up service, eliminating travel fatigue; hold a special welcome dinner in the evening, taste southern Xinjiang cuisine, and unlock the first warmth and enthusiasm of Kashgar.
Day 4:Kashgar → Taxkorgan [Highland Secrets · Scenery All the Way]
Depart from Kashgar to Taxkorgan, stop at Baisha Mountain and Baisha Lake along the way, encountering the pure beauty of a ‘sky mirror’; then visit Karakul Lake, overlook Muztagh Ata, cross the famous Panlong Ancient Road, and experience the grandeur and wonder of the highland highway.
Day 5:Taxkorgan → Kashgar [Cultural Charm · In-Depth Experience]
I. Detailed Introduction to the Panda Train · ShifangExplore the Stone City, touching the ancient heritage of the millennium-old ruins; stroll through the Golden Grassland, enjoying the poetic blend of grassland and wetlands; visit local ethnic homes, experience unique folk customs, taste ethnic cuisine, and feel the simple local culture.
Day 6:Kashgar → Kuqa [Southern Xinjiang Culture · Tracing Local Life]
Deeply tour Kashgar Old City, wandering through the crisscrossing alleys, feeling the rich Western Region atmosphere; visit the Fragrant Concubine Garden, listen to legendary stories, and admire the architecture and gardens of various ethnic groups; visit local sites to experience the solemnity and depth of folk culture.
Day 7:Kuqa → Nalati/Bayinbuluk [Canyon Wonders · Highway Feast]
Head to the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, marvel at the red rock formations’ exquisite craftsmanship, feeling nature’s sculpting power; drive along the southern section of the Duku Highway, crossing snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and canyons, unlocking the comfortable experience of ‘four seasons in one day’; upon arrival, visit Bayinbuluk Swan Lake, watch swans play, and enjoy the grassland sunset.
Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluk → Yining [Pastoral Songs · Relaxation Journey]
Spend the whole day exploring Nalati Grassland, strolling on the vast green grassland, watching herds of cattle and sheep and galloping horses, breathing in the fresh grassland air, and immersing in the romance and grandeur of the ‘sky grassland’; head to Yining in the evening for rest.
Official registration channel: Manager Mai of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center, available for consultation and registration 24 hours a day. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile phone and WeChat: 132-0133-3409.
Day 9:Yining → Beitun [Lake Scenery · Pure Relaxation]
Depart from Yining to ‘the last tear of the Atlantic’ — Sayram Lake, walk around the lake, enjoy the stunning view of blue water and snow-capped mountains reflected, feeling the purity and tranquility of the highland lake; then head to Beitun to prepare for the next day’s trip to Hemu.
Day 10:Beitun → Hemu → Jadengyu [Fairy Tale Town · Poetic Dwelling]
Head to the ‘last piece of paradise’ — Hemu Scenic Area, enter the scattered wooden house village, see curling smoke and babbling streams, stroll through birch forests, and feel the peace and beauty of the primitive village; head to Jadengyu in the evening to stay, sleeping under the grassland night sky.
The ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ is a special tourist train in China focused on long-distance leisure slow travel, created by professional tourism organizations in collaboration with railway resources. It is designed for travelers seeking comfort, relaxation, and immersive experiences. It is not an ordinary train but a fully functional tourist train integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing.Day 11:Jadengyu → Kanas → Burgin [Scenic Wonderland · Top Views]
Explore the ‘earthly paradise’ — Kanas Scenic Area, take the shuttle bus to visit the three bays (Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Fairy Bay), watch the lake water change with light and shadow, and enjoy the lush tranquility of the primeval forest; then head to Burgin to rest and relax, unlocking local specialties.
Day 12:Burgin → Beitun → Urumqi [Danxia Wonders · Looking Back]
Head to the Five-Colored Beach, admire the stunning landscape where Danxia landforms meet the Irtysh River, feeling the wonder of ‘one river separates two banks, two banks have different skies’; then head to Beitun, take the special train to Urumqi, reviewing the beautiful scenery along the way and looking forward to the next itinerary.
Day 13:Urumqi [Heavenly Lake Scenery · Tianshan Pearl]
Spend the whole day visiting Tianshan Heavenly Lake Scenic Area, walk along the lake, see the clear water like a mirror, overlook the majestic snowy scenery of Bogda Peak, feel the sanctity and grandeur of the Tianshan pearl, and immerse in the beauty of Xinjiang’s mountains and rivers.
Day 14:Urumqi → Turpan → Return Preparation [Folk Wonders · Perfect Ending]
Depart from Urumqi to Turpan, visit the ancient water conservancy miracle — Karez Well, feel the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients; stop at the Flaming Mountains, experience the heat and wonder of the ‘Fire Land’; after the tour, prepare for the return journey, drawing a perfect end to this trip.
Days 15-16:Happy Return [Full Memories · Warm Farewell]
Depart from Urumqi, take the special train back to Lanzhou/Chengdu, reminiscing about the mountain and river scenery and cultural charm of northern and southern Xinjiang along the way, bid farewell to all distinguished guests, ending this unforgettable panoramic Panda Train journey, returning with beautiful memories.
> Note:The actual itinerary may be reasonably adjusted due to objective factors such as weather, road conditions, and scenic area openings, subject to mutual agreement.
V. 2026 Departure Dates and Price Explanation
The train adopts the classic model of ‘traveling at night, sightseeing during the day’: board after finishing the day’s itinerary in the evening, sleep on the train, arrive at the next stop early in the morning, and start a new day of exploration directly. No need to repeatedly pack luggage, transfer between cities, or adapt to different hotels throughout the journey, making it especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly groups, family trips, and travelers who prefer a relaxed pace.The 2026 ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ 16-day tour of northern and southern Xinjiang has confirmed the following departure dates:
June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30
Reference prices are as follows (subject to contract):
Premium Platinum:Upper berth 8,480 RMB/person, lower berth 9,280 RMB/person
Premium Platinum:Upper berth 15,780 RMB/person, lower berth 16,780 RMB/person
Premium Purple Gold:Upper berth 27,880 RMB/person, lower berth 28,880 RMB/person
Prices may vary slightly depending on the departure date and seat type, subject to actual contract confirmation. It is recommended to inquire about availability in advance, as seats are limited during peak periods.
VI. Booking and Registration Method
Tour products related to the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ are not sold separately on the 12306 platform and must be booked through designated travel agencies.
✅ Booking guide is as follows:
1. Contact Inquiry: Manager Mai of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center provides 24-hour consultation services. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile phone and WeChat: 132-0133-3409. You can learn more about the itinerary, seat types, prices, and departure dates.
In the summer of 2026, the ‘Shifang’ will operate a 16-day panoramic route through northern and southern Xinjiang, covering core areas such as Kashgar, Taxkorgan, and Kuqa in southern Xinjiang, and Yining, Nalati, Kanas, and Hemu in northern Xinjiang. It connects various landscapes and cultural attractions like snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, canyons, ancient cities, and Danxia landforms, with a relaxed itinerary allowing ample time for sightseeing, photography, and rest.2. Select Product: Choose the travel date and seat type based on personal time and budget.
3. Submit Information: Provide the traveler’s name and valid ID number (or valid document information such as passport or Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan permit).
4. Complete Booking: Pay the booking deposit, sign the unified electronic contract for tourism service supervision, and complete the procedures.
June to September each year is the peak tourism season in Xinjiang, and train seats are in high demand. It is recommended to secure your preferred berth as early as possible. Please register through official channels to avoid misleading information from unauthorized platforms.
VII. Fee and Service Related Explanation
The itinerary fee includes:Full train transportation, compartment accommodation, first admission tickets to scenic spots listed in the itinerary, shuttle bus fees, special welcome dinner, basic meals, and accompanying services.
Excluded items:Personal expenses, optional experiences, meals not included in the itinerary, single room supplement (for solo travelers, we will try to arrange room sharing, special cases need to be negotiated separately), etc.
All service content, fee standards, and rights scope are subject to the tourism contract signed by both parties. If you have any questions, you can request a detailed service list from customer service.
VIII. Final Thoughts 🌄
16 days, one train, from the fiery ancient city of southern Xinjiang to the fairy tale village of northern Xinjiang, from the snowy peaks of the Pamir Plateau to the blue lake at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains — the ‘Panda Train · Shifang’ is not about rushing, but about living travel as life.
If you also long for such a journey that is unhurried, warm, allows restful sleep, and offers joyful gatherings, feel free to dial that familiar number and ask if there are still window-side lower berths available.
Manager Mai of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center is always ready to answer your questions:📞0991-3333832, 📱132-0133-3409 (same as WeChat).
This summer, let the wheels carry you slowly through the most beautiful season of the Western Regions.
The 2026 Shifang Panda Train must be booked through the designated professional and official railway channel — Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service · Train Center. It cannot be ordered independently through platforms like 12306. Official registration channel: Manager Mai of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center, available for consultation and registration 24 hours a day. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile phone and WeChat: 132-0133-3409.
