Chengdu Start and End Take Panda Train Tour North and South Xinjiang Panoramic Scenery
No need to drive or travel back and forth, take the Xinjiang tourist special train to slowly enjoy the scenery on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains. Various options from economy to luxury are available for you to choose from. 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 receive for free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
🐼 If you are looking for a way to travel in Xinjiang that allows you to ‘stay while moving,’ the ‘Panda Special Train·Chengdu No.’ 16-day panoramic tour of Southern and Northern Xinjiang might be worth your serious consideration. This train departs from Chengdu, heading west, connecting the culture of Southern Xinjiang, the landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, and the fiery land of Eastern Xinjiang, turning ‘rushing’ into part of the journey.
🗺 ️ Route Overview:16-day tour around Xinjiang
Departure point:Chengdu
Trip duration:16 days and 15 nights
Core gameplay:One trip covers the highlights of Southern and Northern Xinjiang, connecting representative landscapes such as Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Tianshan Tianchi, and Turpan.
Travel mode:Adopts a ‘travel by day, rest by night’ mode, exploring scenic spots deeply during the day and returning to the special train to rest at night, saving the hassle of frequently changing hotels.
🚂 Train overview:A mobile ‘star-rated hotel’
Built by:Jointly built by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Cultural Tourism Group, it is the first panda-themed quality tourist train in Southwest China.
Train data:The entire train has 18 carriages, 12 of which are compartment carriages, with a capacity of about 108 people, expandable to a maximum of 132 people.
Exterior design:The body is mainly sapphire blue, decorated with gold lines outlining Shu-Sichuan landscape patterns, with high recognition.
🐼 If you are looking for a way to travel in Xinjiang that allows you to ‘stay while moving,’ the ‘Panda Special Train·Chengdu No.’ 16-day panoramic tour of Southern and Northern Xinjiang might be worth your serious consideration. This train departs from Chengdu, heading west, connecting the culture of Southern Xinjiang, the landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, and the fiery land of Eastern Xinjiang, turning ‘rushing’ into part of the journey.Interior decoration:Extensively uses Tianfu cultural elements like hibiscus, ginkgo, and bamboo, and displays nearly 60 high-quality intangible cultural heritage works such as Shu brocade and Shu embroidery, like a ‘flowing art gallery.’
🛌 Carriage configuration:Comfortable ‘little nest’ during the journey
Room types:The guest rooms are mainly divided into ‘Leisurely Residence’ and ‘Poetic Residence,’ both are compartments equipped with separate wet and dry bathrooms. Beds can be flexibly combined according to the number of travelers, meeting various needs like couples and families.
Smart facilities:Rooms are equipped with smart voice control systems to adjust lighting, air conditioning, etc. Some room types also feature mini bars and smart toilets.
Public areas:
Yuefu Hall/Jinshi Dining Car:Offers a mix of Chinese and Western cuisine, with scenic booth seating.
Liuyun Pavilion/Jinji Observation Carriage:Features large observation windows, ideal for photography and sightseeing.
Entertainment space:Includes a music bar, coffee area, audio-visual theater, KTV, chess and card rooms, etc., for passenger leisure and entertainment.
Special activities:During the journey, activities like Sichuan opera face-changing, ethnic dances, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, travel photography salons, and starry sky KTV are arranged to add fun to the trip.
🏞 ️ Highlights of Southern and Northern Xinjiang Scenic Spots
Southern Xinjiang culture and plateau scenery
🗺️ Route Overview: 16-day tour around XinjiangKashgar Old City:An open ancient city with a history of over 2,000 years, with crisscrossing alleys full of life.
Id Kah Mosque:One of the larger mosques in Xinjiang, with unique architectural style.
Pamir Plateau:Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Baisha Mountain-Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, and overlook ‘Father of Icebergs’ Muztagh Ata.
Plateaus, canyons, and grasslands
Tianshan Grand Canyon:The red rock walls and canyon landscape offer a strong visual impact.
Southern section of Duku Highway:Connects Kuqa and Bayanbulak, allowing you to experience ‘four seasons in one day’ climate changes along the way.
Bayanbulak:The second largest grassland in China, known for its ‘nine bends and eighteen turns’ river bends and wetland scenery.
Nalati Valley Grassland:A national 5A-level scenic area, with valleys, forests, grasslands, and streams intertwined, offering beautiful scenery.
Northern Xinjiang landscapes and villages
Sayram Lake:The highest altitude and largest alpine cold-water lake in Xinjiang, with the lake reflecting the snow-capped mountains.
Kanas Scenic Area:A representative landscape of Northern Xinjiang, including Kanas Lake, Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay.
Departure point: ChengduHemu Village:A village inhabited by the Tuvan people, attracting many photography enthusiasts with its primitive wooden houses, birch forests, and valley scenery.
Eastern Xinjiang fiery land and water conservancy wonders
Tianshan Tianchi:A world-famous alpine lake, known as ‘Jade Pool on Earth.’
Karez Well:One of the three great ancient Chinese projects alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a unique underground water conservancy system.
Flaming Mountains:Famous due to ‘Journey to the West,’ with high surface temperatures, a must-visit to experience the ‘fiery land’ characteristics of Turpan.
🗓 ️ 16-day simplified itinerary reference
Take the tourist special train to enjoy 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 receive for free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
D1:Gather in Chengdu, board the Panda Special Train·Chengdu No., hold a welcome event, and enjoy the scenery of Western Sichuan and Southern Gansu along the way.
D2:Arrive in Lanzhou, free time to taste local cuisine, return to the special train in the afternoon to continue westward.
D3:Stop in Xining during the day (arranged for some schedules), experience the urban landscape of a northwestern city, arrive in Urumqi in the evening, and check into the hotel.
D4:Visit Tianshan Tianchi, enjoy the scenery of the alpine lake and snow-capped mountains, take the special train to Kashgar in the afternoon.
Trip duration: 16 days and 15 nightsD5:Spend the whole day exploring Kashgar Old City, visit Gaotai Folk Houses, Id Kah Mosque, etc., experience local handicrafts, and taste specialty foods.
D6:Travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Pamir Plateau, visit Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, and overlook Muztagh Ata.
D7:Visit the Stone City and Golden Grassland, learn about the history of the ancient Silk Road, return to Kashgar in the afternoon, free time to shop for specialty products.
D8:Take the special train to Kuqa, enjoy the Gobi and canyon scenery along the way, visit Kuqa Grand Canyon after arriving in the afternoon.
D9:Cross the southern section of the Tianshan Mountains, enjoy the mountain scenery of the southern section of the Duku Highway along the way, arrive in Nalati in the afternoon, and visit the grassland landscape.
D10:Free time at Nalati Grassland (hiking, horseback riding, etc.), head to Yining in the afternoon to experience the border city atmosphere.
D11:Visit Sayram Lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, take the special train to Beitun in the afternoon.
D12:Head to Hemu Village, enjoy the sunset and starry sky over the birch forest and Hemu Bridge, stay overnight in a Hemu log cabin.
D13:Go to the Hemu viewing platform early in the morning to enjoy the morning mist, then head to Kanas Scenic Area, visit Kanas Lake, Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay, etc.
D14:Free time at Kanas Scenic Area (optional climb to Fish Viewing Platform), take the special train back to Urumqi in the afternoon.
D15:Take the special train to Turpan, enjoy the Gobi desert scenery along the way, visit Karez Well and Flaming Mountains in the afternoon.
Core gameplay: One trip covers the highlights of Southern and Northern Xinjiang, connecting representative landscapes such as Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Tianshan Tianchi, and Turpan.D16:Free time in Turpan in the morning, can purchase specialty products like raisins, take the special train back in the afternoon, ending the 16-day trip.
💰 2026 Price Reference
Basic cabin:Reference price approximately 60,000-68,000 RMB/person
Luxury cabin:Reference price approximately 65,000-73,000 RMB/person
Children under 6 years old not occupying a berth:Reference price approximately 9,000 RMB/person, including seat, half meals, and guide service fees
Warm reminder:The above prices are reference ranges for April 2026. Prices for the July-August summer period and September-October autumn scenery period may fluctuate. Specific prices and availability are subject to actual consultation. It is recommended to consult 3-6 months in advance to secure your preferred cabin.
📞 Registration method
This Panda Special Train·Chengdu No. 16-day Southern and Northern Xinjiang itinerary can be registered through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Individual ticket purchases on ticketing platforms are not supported.
Consultation phone:181-3962-2233
WeChat consultation:181-3962-2233
Registration process reference:
Travel mode: Adopts a ‘travel by day, rest by night’ mode, exploring scenic spots deeply during the day and returning to the special train to rest at night, saving the hassle of frequently changing hotels.1. Call or add the above contact information to inquire about schedules, prices, cabin availability, and confirm itinerary details.
2. After confirming travel intention, submit traveler identity information, and staff will verify available spots.
3. After confirming the spot, sign a travel contract and pay the relevant fees as per the contract.
4. Receive the departure notice before departure and prepare for the trip as required.
📋 Cost and service description
Included items: Panda Special Train 16-day 15-night corresponding cabin travel fee; hotel accommodation fees listed in the itinerary; meal fees listed in the itinerary; first entrance ticket fees for scenic spots listed in the itinerary; full tour guide and scenic spot explanation service fees; travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance fees.
Excluded items:Personal consumption outside the itinerary (such as consumption, beverages, communication fees, etc.); meal and scenic spot ticket fees not mentioned in the itinerary; additional costs due to force majeure factors (such as weather, policies, railway scheduling, etc.).
Service description:
1. Scenic spot opening hours, ticket policies, and train operation schedules mentioned in the itinerary may change. The travel agency will make reasonable changes to the itinerary based on actual conditions, subject to the arrangements on the day.
2. Cancellation and modification rules follow the relevant provisions of the ‘Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China,’ subject to the travel contract signed by both parties.
3. Before departure, it is recommended to bring valid identification documents, sunscreen, warm clothing, comfortable hiking shoes, etc. When visiting plateau areas, please rest adequately and avoid strenuous exercise.
4. During the tour, please comply with relevant scenic spot regulations and travel civilly.
For more details on Xinjiang tourist special trains, contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at phone: 181 3962 2233 (Add as friend to receive for free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
