Xinjiang Train Charter How to Book 2026 Xiaoxiang Guangzhou Departure 18 Day South and North Xinjiang Guide
No need to drive or travel back and forth, take the Xinjiang tourist special train to leisurely enjoy the scenery on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains. Various options from economy to luxury are available. Professionally operating Xinjiang tourist train special 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)
🚂 Wanting to start from Guangzhou and see all the classic scenery of northern and southern Xinjiang at once, many people’s first reaction is:Take the train special, go slowly, and see slowly.
“Xiaoxiang Hao” is exactly such a special train departing from Guangzhou for a full panorama of northern and southern Xinjiang, focusing on the slow pace of “sleep on the train, play off the train,” connecting snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, deserts, and ancient cities in 18 days.
This guide will break down for you:
What is Xiaoxiang Hao?
How is the itinerary arranged?
Price range and schedule
How to book and precautions
🗺 ️ What is Xiaoxiang Hao?
“Xiaoxiang Hao” is a tourist special train jointly created by Hunan Tourism Development Investment Group and China Railway Guangzhou Group, positioned as “Southern Train·Xiaoxiang Hao——18-Day Xinjiang Panoramic Grand Loop Tour.”
First departure and route:First departure in 2025, starting from Guangzhou Baiyun Station, connecting the highlights of eastern, northern, western, and southern Xinjiang, hailed by multiple media as “the first elderly-friendly comfortable tourist special train in South China.”
🚂 Wanting to start from Guangzhou and see all the classic scenery of northern and southern Xinjiang at once, many people’s first reaction is: take the train special, go slowly, and see slowly.Itinerary highlights:Nearly 10,000 miles in total, covering most 5A-level scenic spots in Xinjiang, such as Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Kashgar Old City, etc.
Train features:Adopts “hotel-style” soft sleeper design, with carriage interiors incorporating Huxiang cultural elements, and equipped with elderly-friendly facilities such as anti-slip floors, accessible handrails, SOS call buttons, etc., very suitable for middle-aged and elderly friends to travel slowly.
📋 Itinerary overview:18-day northern and southern Xinjiang grand loop
Simplified itinerary
Warm reminder:The train route, stops, and times are for reference only; the final group notice shall prevail.
D1:Itinerary details——Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun Station around 23:40 on the special train, passing through Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, Lanzhou, heading to beautiful Xinjiang, starting the Western Regions panoramic tour; Meal arrangement——None; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D2: Itinerary details——Sightseeing along the special train, reference stops: Changsha (10:00), Wuchang (15:00), Xixia (18:30), Zhengzhou (23:58), enjoying the scenery along the way; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D3:Itinerary details——Sightseeing along the special train, reference stops: Xi’an (10:12), Lanzhou (19:49), gradually approaching the heart of the Western Regions, experiencing the changing regional scenery; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D4:Itinerary details——Arrive at Hami in the afternoon on the special train, visit [Dahai Road Ghost City] to explore the Yadan wonders, experiencing the unique landforms of the Western Regions; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Hami
D5:Itinerary details——Visit [Prince’s Mansion], enjoy the [Twelve Muqam] intangible cultural heritage performance, take the special train to Urumqi in the evening; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Urumqi
D6:Itinerary details——Depart from Urumqi, visit [Tianshan Tianchi] to capture the picturesque lake scenery, explore [Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar] to experience Western Regions folk customs, take the special train to Beitun in the evening; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
“Xiaoxiang Hao” is exactly such a special train departing from Guangzhou for a full panorama of northern and southern Xinjiang, focusing on the slow pace of “sleep on the train, play off the train,” connecting snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, deserts, and ancient cities in 18 days.D7:Itinerary details——Arrive at Beitun City in the morning, visit [Kanas] scenic area for an in-depth tour, exploring the picturesque wonders, stay overnight at Jadengyu; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Jadengyu
D8:Itinerary details——Depart from Jadengyu, visit [Hemu] ancient village, [Colorful Beach] Danxia landform, enjoy the sunset scenery, take the special train from Beitun to Yining in the evening; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D9:Itinerary details——Arrive at Yining in the morning, visit [Sayram Lake] to enjoy the highland blue lake scenery, then visit [Nalati] aerial grassland; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Nalati
D10:Itinerary details——In-depth tour of [Nalati Grassland], then visit [Bayanbulak Grassland], experiencing the grandeur of Swan Lake and the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Bayan Town
D11:Itinerary details——Depart from Bayan, take the essence section of [Duku Highway], visit [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon], arrive at Kuqa, take the special train to Kashgar in the evening; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D12:Itinerary details——Depart from Kashgar, head to [Pamir Plateau], visit [Karakul Lake], [Stone City], [Golden Grassland], stay overnight at Taxian County; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Taxian County
D13:Itinerary details——Depart from Taxian County, experience [Home visits with various ethnic groups] to feel the folk customs, visit [White Sand Lake], return to Kashgar city; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Kashgar
D14:Itinerary details——Visit [Kashgar Old City], [Id Kah Mosque], [Fragrant Concubine Garden], deeply experience the charm of Kashgar ancient city, take the special train to Korla in the evening; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D15:Itinerary details——Depart from Korla, visit [Lop Nur Village], [Bosten Lake], experiencing the unique water town and folk customs of southern Xinjiang; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Korla
D16:Itinerary details——Take the special train from Korla Station in the morning for the official return journey, starting the trip home; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
This guide will break down for you:D17:Itinerary details——Sightseeing along the special train on the return trip, reference stops: Lanzhou (8:51), Chongqing North (21:08); Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Southern Special Train
D18:Itinerary details——Reference stops for the special train: Xiangtan (10:14), Zhuzhou (11:08), arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun Station at 19:40, passengers from various places get off nearby, returning to their warm homes; Meal arrangement——Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation——Warm home
💰 Price and Schedule
Price and Schedule (include as per original text):
Annual limited schedules (recommended 6 sessions, miss out if not booked)
May 10, May 30, June 22, July 11, August 19, September 19
Special train room types and price list (per person pricing)
Travel on a tourist special train to beautiful Xinjiang, various options from economy to luxury are available. 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)
Room type configuration description:Different room types suit different travel needs, combining full-journey special train sleeper with local boutique hotels for comfort and convenience
Xiaoxiang Mansion:Premium room type, with bathroom, capacity 2-3 people, maximum privacy｜62,999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 2-person room:Comfortable double room, without bathroom｜45,999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 4-person room:High cost-performance four-person room, without bathroom｜42,999 RMB/person
What is Xiaoxiang Hao?Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person room upper berth:Convenient and comfortable option, without bathroom｜17,999 RMB/person
Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person room lower berth:Convenient and comfortable option, without bathroom｜19,999 RMB/person
📞 How to book Xiaoxiang Hao?
Registration method
Can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. It is recommended to inquire 2-3 months in advance, as special train seats are limited and popular schedules tend to fill up quickly.
Booking process
1. Inquire about schedule and room type: Contact the travel agency to confirm travel dates, boarding location, and room type.
2. Submit information and pay deposit: Provide name, valid ID number, and other information, and pay a deposit to lock in the seat.
3. Sign contract and obtain voucher: The travel agency will provide a formal travel contract and detailed itinerary.
Important notes
How is the itinerary arranged?Official channels:Xiaoxiang Hao is a railway-exclusive customized tourist special train, not sold through public platforms like 12306; please be sure to book through a formal travel agency.
Information confirmation:All prices, schedules, and itinerary details are subject to the final signed contract.
💡 Fee and service description
Fees include
Transportation:Special train sleeper seats and local tourist buses.
Accommodation:Special train sleeper and listed local hotels in the itinerary.
Meals:Group meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Tickets:First admission tickets to listed scenic spots and necessary internal transportation.
Services:Guide commentary, travel agency liability insurance.
Fees do not include
Major transportation:Round-trip airfare or high-speed rail tickets to/from Guangzhou/Changsha.
Price range and schedulePersonal expenses:Laundry, phone calls, beverages, etc. in hotels.
Optional items:Entertainment activities not included in the itinerary.
Travel accident insurance:Recommended to purchase on your own.
Service features
Elderly-friendly design:The special train optimizes space layout and facilities for middle-aged and elderly friends, such as anti-slip floors, accessible handrails, SOS call buttons, etc.
Onboard facilities:Some carriages have bathrooms and are equipped with multi-functional entertainment carriages, offering KTV, chess and cards, reading areas, etc.
Professional team:Equipped with “hotel butler + quality guide,” onboard medical staff, and professional travel photography services, making the trip more worry-free.
📌 Pre-trip preparation and precautions
1. Clothing preparation: Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; even in summer, a thick jacket is needed. It is recommended to bring sunscreen clothing, hats, sunglasses, etc.
2. Health and: Tourists with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are advised to consult a doctor before traveling. Although the special train has elderly-friendly facilities, personal health should still be a priority.
3. Luggage packing: The special train allows large luggage; it is recommended to carry commonly used medicines and valuables with you.
4. Respect local customs: In ethnic minority areas, please respect local customs and folk culture.
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)
