Day 1 / Chengdu – Lanzhou – Turpan

• The train departs from Anjing Station in Chengdu, where VIPs board and embark on their journey at the Panda-themed station.
• The train stops at Lanzhou Railway Station, where VIPs board and continue their journey to the beautiful Xinjiang.

Day 2 / Chengdu Sightseeing

• The train travels along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, the first railway line to enter Xinjiang. Along the way, one can see the vast Gobi Desert, the majestic snow-capped mountains and other unique, desolate, and magnificent scenery of Northwest China.

Day 3 / Turpan – Kashgar

• Arrive in Turpan in the morning and be greeted at the station.
• Visit the Karez irrigation system, duration approx. 60 minutes.

  This is Xinjiang’s unique irrigation system, which, together with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, is known as one of the three great ancient engineering projects in China.

• Visit the Flaming Mountains, duration approx. 60 minutes.

  Here you can see China’s largest thermometer, feel the ground temperature of the Flaming Mountains, and experience the rich Journey to the West culture.

Day 4 / Arrive in Kashgar

• After the welcome dinner, guests check into the hotel in Kashgar.

Day 5 / Kashgar – Pamir Plateau

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then travel along the Karakoram Highway to the Pamir Plateau, the roof of the world, journey approx. 3 hours.
• Visit Baisha Mountain & Baisha Lake, altitude approx. 3300 meters, duration approx. 40 minutes.

  This pristine landscape features blue skies, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and sand dunes, with the Kongur Tagh peaks rising majestically on either side of the lake. The Flowing Sand River described in Journey to the West is located here.

• Proceed to Karakol Lake, journey approx. 1 hour, altitude approx. 3600 meters, duration approx. 40 minutes.

  Karakol means “Black Sea”. It is a 30-meter-deep lake with a total area of 10 square kilometers. It is a rare high-altitude lake in the world, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Visitors can see world-famous peaks over 7000 meters: Kongur Tagh (7719m), Kongur Jiubie (7530m), Muztagh Ata (7546m).

Day 6 / Kashgar – Kuqa

• Visit the Kashgar Old City, drive approx. 20 minutes, duration approx. 90 minutes.

  Known as a living fossil for studying ancient Western Region cities, it is a cultural city with over 2000 years of history. This open-air scenic area is also the living area of Uyghur residents, showcasing family life, ethnic characteristics, traditional handicrafts, and delicious cuisine.

• Visit the Id Kah Mosque, duration approx. 60 minutes.

  A famous Islamic mosque in China, built in 1442, a model of Uyghur architectural art.

• Visit the Gaotai Residences, duration approx. 60 minutes.

  A 600-year-old Uyghur settlement on a loess cliff. Here you can try making pottery or printing techniques.

Day 7 / Kuqa – Bayinbuluke

• Visit Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, drive approx. 1.5 hours, duration approx. 60 minutes.
• Transfer to a private vehicle to traverse the Southern Section of the Duku Highway, approx. 190 km, sightseeing drive approx. 3.5 hours.
• Visit Bayinbuluke Swan Lake Scenic Area, duration approx. 180 minutes.

  China’s second largest grassland and the only swan nature reserve. Enjoy the famous sunset over the Nine Bends.

Day 8 / Bayinbuluke – Nalati

• Continue along the Middle Section of the Duku Highway, drive approx. 2 hours.
• Visit Nalati Grassland, national 5A scenic area, duration approx. 300 minutes.

  Known as “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall”. Experience Kazakh culture.

Day 9 / Nalati – Yining

• Visit Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area, duration approx. 120 minutes.

  World’s largest single lavender plantation (24,000 mu).

• Drive to Yining City, visit Liuxing Street, a famous multicultural neighborhood.

Day 10 / Yining – Beitun

• Visit Sayram Lake (“Last Tear of the Atlantic”), drive approx. 2.5 hours, duration approx. 180 minutes.

  Xinjiang’s highest and largest alpine cold-water lake, national 5A scenic spot.

Day 11 / Beitun – Hemu

• Visit Hemu Scenic Area, duration approx. 300 minutes.

  Visit the birch forest, Hemu River, Hemu Valley, Tuva village, wooden houses.

Day 12 / Hemu – Kanas

• Optional: Early morning sunrise at Haden Viewpoint.
• Drive to Kanas approx. 2.5 hours.
• Visit Kanas Scenic Area, duration approx. 300 minutes.

  Stroll the wooden plank roads: Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay.

• Experience Kanas boat tour.

Day 13 / Kanas – Urumqi

• Visit Fish Viewing Platform, duration approx. 60 minutes.

  Panoramic view of Kanas Lake.

• Lunch at Kanas scenic area.
• Proceed to Burqin for a cold-water fish feast.
• Go to Beitun Station, board the Chengdu train to Urumqi.

Day 14 / Urumqi

• Visit Tianchi Scenic Area (“Jade Pool of the World”), drive approx. 1 hour, duration approx. 180 minutes.

  View Shimen Line, Xishan Pine, Dragon Pool Moon, Dinghai Shenzhen, and Bogda Peak.

Day 15 / Urumqi – Lanzhou – Chengdu

Day 16 / Arrive Lanzhou / Chengdu

• Stop at Lanzhou Station: some guests disembark, journey completed.
• Arrive at final destination Chengdu: see you next time!