Panda Special Train Departing from Chengdu How to Book 2026 Southern and Northern Xinjiang 16 Day Tour Guide

No need to drive or travel back and forth, take the Xinjiang tourist train to slowly enjoy the scenery on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains. Various options from economy to luxury are available. Professionally operating Xinjiang tourist train tours, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency consultation landline: 0991-8866234; Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing’s phone: 181-3962-2233 (Add as friend to get free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
🚂 Want to see all the highlights of northern and southern Xinjiang in one slow trip? In 2026, the ‘Panda Train · Splendid Tianfu’ departs from Chengdu for a 16-day in-depth journey—explore nature and culture by day, sleep in a moving oriental aesthetic space by night. No hotel changes, luggage stays with the train, a relaxed pace, suitable for families, friends, or light vacations.
🌄 Detailed Introduction to Routes and Destinations
This 16-day itinerary covers four major scenic areas of Xinjiang: the Altai mountain forests and lakes in northern Xinjiang, the grassland wetlands of the Ili River Valley, the Pamir Plateau scenery in southern Xinjiang, and the Silk Road historical relics in eastern Xinjiang. The total distance is about 8,000 kilometers, with no backtracking, connecting representative destinations such as Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi, Hemu, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Kuqa, Kashgar, and Turpan.
Tianshan Tianchi:Located at the northern foot of Bogda Peak, the lake is clear as a mirror, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and meadows. During the 2026 peak season (April 1 to October 31), the ticket price is 95 yuan/person, allowing multiple entries within two days.
Hemu Village:A primitive village shrouded in morning mist, with wooden houses scattered among the mountains, an ideal place for photography and meditation.
Kanas Scenic Area:Famous for its emerald green lake, the three bays (Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, and Wolong Bay) are misty in the morning, and the Fish Viewing Platform offers a panoramic view. In the 2026 summer season (May 1 to October 15), a real-name reservation system is implemented, with a maximum daily capacity of 55,000 people.
Sayram Lake:A high-altitude cold-water lake with azure waters, surrounded by flower seas and distant mountains. From April 16, 2026, it enters the peak season, open from 10:00 to 20:00, with a combined ticket for entry and self-driving at 145 yuan/person.

🚂 Want to see all the highlights of northern and southern Xinjiang in one slow trip? In 2026, the ‘Panda Train · Splendid Tianfu’ departs from Chengdu for a 16-day in-depth journey—explore nature and culture by day, sleep in a moving oriental aesthetic space by night. No hotel changes, luggage stays with the train, a relaxed pace, suitable for families, friends, or light vacations.Nalati Sky Grassland:With vast, rolling meadows, it adopts peak season policy from April 1, 2026, with a ticket price of 95 yuan/person, allowing a second entry within 48 hours.
Duku Highway:Known as a scenic highway, its middle and southern sections connect Nalati to Kuqa and Kashgar, expected to open around mid-May 2026 depending on weather conditions.
Kashgar Ancient City, Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata, Karakul Lake:Showcasing the unique blend of southern Xinjiang’s oases and highlands.
Turpan:Sites like the Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, and Flaming Mountain carry the historical memories of the eastern Silk Road.
The train adopts a ‘travel by day, sleep by night’ model, with an average daily travel time of no more than 4 hours to avoid long journeys. The carriages feature Chinese aesthetic elements like Shu brocade, celadon, and bamboo weaving, equipped with constant temperature, humidification, and noise reduction systems to adapt to Xinjiang’s dry climate and large temperature differences.
📅 Simplified Itinerary (Based on local route facts)
> Note:The following is an excerpt of the actual itinerary, subject to the signed contract.

🌄 Detailed Introduction to Routes and DestinationsDay 1:Chengdu / Lanzhou → Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi (Welcome event, cocktail party, sightseeing)
Day 3:Urumqi → Beitun (Welcome banquet, Tianshan Tianchi)
Day 4:Beitun → Hemu (Hemu Scenic Area, Haden Viewing Platform, afternoon tea)
Day 5:Hemu → Kanas (Kanas Scenic Area, Fish Viewing Platform, boat ride)
Day 6:Kanas → Beitun (Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay)
Day 7:Beitun → Sayram Lake (Lakeside afternoon tea)

This 16-day itinerary covers four major scenic areas of Xinjiang: the Altai mountain forests and lakes in northern Xinjiang, the grassland wetlands of the Ili River Valley, the Pamir Plateau scenery in southern Xinjiang, and the Silk Road historical relics in eastern Xinjiang. The total distance is about 8,000 kilometers, with no backtracking, connecting representative destinations such as Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi, Hemu, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Kuqa, Kashgar, and Turpan.Day 8:Sayram Lake → Nalati (Nalati Sky Grassland)
Day 9:Nalati → Kuqa (Middle section of Duku Highway)
Day 10:Kuqa → Kashgar (Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, Southern section of Duku Highway)
Day 11:Kashgar (Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata, Karakul Lake, aerial photography experience, home visit)
Subsequent itinerary includes Kashgar Ancient City, Turpan, etc., eventually returning to Chengdu in a loop.

Take the tourist train to explore beautiful Xinjiang, with various options from economy to luxury. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency consultation landline: 0991-8866234; Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing’s phone: 181-3962-2233 (Add as friend to get free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
The itinerary also includes cultural experience activities such as intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, special home visits, and the Jiaohe Ruins concert, enriching the journey.
💰 Price Explanation

Tianshan Tianchi: Located at the northern foot of Bogda Peak, the lake is clear as a mirror, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, and meadows. During the 2026 peak season (April 1 to October 31), the ticket price is 95 yuan/person, allowing multiple entries within two days.The 2026 ‘Splendid Tianfu’ Panda Train 16-day northern and southern Xinjiang tour adopts an integrated package model of ‘transportation + accommodation + tickets + services’, and train tickets are not sold separately. The price varies depending on the carriage room type (e.g., luxury double room, quality double room) and departure date.
Currently, public information shows a wide reference price range, with the specific amount determined by the selected schedule, berth type, and number of people. All fees are subject to the signed tourism contract, and prices may fluctuate based on availability, so it is recommended to inquire in advance.
For solo travelers, the travel agency will try to arrange room sharing; if not possible, alternative arrangements can be discussed.
📞 Registration Method
If you plan to participate in the 2026 Panda Train 16-day northern and southern Xinjiang tour starting from Chengdu, you can inquire and register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
Phone:181-3962-2233 (24-hour consultation)
WeChat:181-3962-2233 (Add with note ‘Panda Train Inquiry’)

Hemu Village: A primitive village shrouded in morning mist, with wooden houses scattered among the mountains, an ideal place for photography and meditation.The registration process typically includes:
🔹 Consulting itinerary details and available tour dates
🔹 Confirming departure date, boarding point (Chengdu Station or Lanzhou Station), and room type preference
🔹 Paying a deposit to secure a spot
🔹 Signing an electronic tourism contract online
The entire process supports mobile operation, with customer service providing one-on-one assistance to ensure clear information and smooth procedures.
ℹ️ Fee and Service Explanation

Kanas Scenic Area: Famous for its emerald green lake, the three bays (Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, and Wolong Bay) are misty in the morning, and the Fish Viewing Platform offers a panoramic view. In the 2026 summer season (May 1 to October 15), a real-name reservation system is implemented, with a maximum daily capacity of 55,000 people.The itinerary fee generally includes:
Full-trip train accommodation (including bedding and bathroom)
First admission tickets to scenic spots and shuttle buses
Meals (including welcome banquet, specialty meals, afternoon tea, etc.)
Onboard dual guides, train butler, 24-hour luggage service, and accompanying medical staff
Cultural experience activities (such as intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, home visits, etc.)
Exclusions may include personal expenses, some optional activities, (if applicable), etc. For specific service scope, fee details, and itinerary arrangements, please refer to the actual consultation results and the formally signed tourism contract.
Due to uncontrollable factors such as weather, road conditions, and scenic area policies, the itinerary may be reasonably modified after mutual agreement to ensure travel and experience quality.
If you long for a slow-paced, content-rich deep journey to the Western Regions, the 2026 Panda Train 16-day northern and southern Xinjiang tour starting from Chengdu might be the travel method you are looking for. For more details, feel free to call or WeChat Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency: 181-3962-2233.
For more details on Xinjiang tourist trains, contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at phone: 181 3962 2233 (Add as friend to get free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)