New National Train Special Route in Xinjiang Complete Cost Breakdown + Sayram Lake + Ili Travel Guide Recommended Itinerary Cost and Price

Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation

[In-Depth Experience on Xinjiang’s New National Train Special: A Moving Scenic Route Through Northern and Southern Xinjiang] 🚂✨
🌄 Route Highlights:An Epic Journey Across the Tianshan Mountains
As the train slowly departs from Urumqi Station, a 4,000-kilometer journey across northern and southern Xinjiang begins. Designed as a ‘moving star-rated hotel,’ the New National Train Special features fully enclosed air-conditioned carriages with scenic windows, charging outlets, and 24-hour hot water supply. Each carriage has 4-person soft sleeper compartments with a thoughtful layout of upper and lower bunks, ensuring both privacy and comfort for a home-like warmth during long journeys.
The uniqueness of this route lies in its dual transportation mode of ‘special train + bus’—parking for 3-4 hours in picturesque areas during the day, allowing tourists to transfer to tour buses for in-depth exploration of scenic spots; and traveling by special train to the next destination at night, maximizing time efficiency. From the Flaming Mountains in Turpan to the lakes and mountains of Kanas, from the folk customs of Kashgar’s ancient city to the grassland pastoral songs of the Ili River Valley, 80% of Xinjiang’s core attractions can be visited within 14 days, truly offering ‘a train ride to see all of beautiful Xinjiang.’
📅 Simple Itinerary:Dual Options: Budget and Luxury Editions
Based on the newly designed route for 2026, the New National Train offers two experience plans:
[Budget Edition Itinerary Highlights]
Day 1:Departure → Urumqi (Acclimate to plateau climate, taste roasted stuffed buns and hand-pulled rice)

[In-Depth Experience on Xinjiang’s New National Train Special: A Moving Scenic Route Through Northern and Southern Xinjiang] 🚂✨Day 2:Urumqi → Turpan (Geological wonders of Huoyan Mountain + Karez irrigation system wisdom project + ‘Lowest Point on Chinese Land’ at Aydingkol Lake)
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway (the world’s first desert loop railway, witnessing the coexistence of the Taklimakan Desert and poplar forests along the way)
Day 5:Kashgar → Baisha Lake (the ‘color-changing lake’ that shifts with the light) → Karakul Lake (reflecting the ‘Father of Ice Mountains,’ Muztagata Peak)
Day 11:Beitun → Kanas (Hike the Three Bays: Fairy Bay, Crescent Bay, and Wolong Bay) → Colorful Beach (a clash of colors between the Yardang landform and the Irtysh River)
Day 13:Urumqi → Heavenly Lake on Tianshan (birthplace of the legend of the Queen Mother of the West, take a boat ride around Maya Mountain)
[Luxury Edition Upgraded Experience]
Day 3:Cele → Kunlun Mountains Scenic Area (Ascend the Kunlun Pass at 5,600 meters above sea level, overlooking the magnificent view of snow-capped peaks and grasslands)
Day 7:Kuqa → Secret Grand Canyon of Tianshan (red-brown cliffs burning like flames in the sunlight) → Southern Section of the Duoku Highway (experience four seasons in one day, traversing glaciers, grasslands, and canyons)

🌄Route Highlights: An Epic Journey Across the Tianshan MountainsDay 8:Nalati Scenic Area (horseback riding on the空中草原 (空中草原 translates to ‘sky grassland,’ kept as is for cultural context), visit yurts of various ethnic groups) → Lavender Garden (a sea of purple flowers framed by snow-capped mountains in June-July)
Day 11:Ahe Highway (a newly opened scenic avenue in 2026, with views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and streams along the way) → Hemu Village (stay in a wooden cabin, watch the ‘fairy tale village’ with wisps of morning smoke)
💰 Price Information:Transparent Tiered Pricing to Meet Diverse Needs
In 2026, the New National Train Special launches two product categories, with prices including transportation, accommodation, tour guide services, and some meals (specifics as per contract):
Budget Edition:Upper bunk: 5,980 yuan/person, Lower bunk: 6,980 yuan/person
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
Product Standards:Selected local comfortable hotels (e.g., Yinxing Hotel in Urumqi, Qiniwak International Hotel in Kashgar), approximately 40 people per group, excluding admission tickets (tour guides can assist in purchasing discounted tickets)
Luxury Edition:Upper bunk: 14,800 yuan/person, Lower bunk: 15,800 yuan/person

As the train slowly departs from Urumqi Station, a 4,000-kilometer journey across northern and southern Xinjiang begins. Designed as a ‘moving star-rated hotel,’ the New National Train Special features fully enclosed air-conditioned carriages with scenic windows, charging outlets, and 24-hour hot water supply. Each carriage has 4-person soft sleeper compartments with a thoughtful layout of upper and lower bunks, ensuring both privacy and comfort for a home-like warmth during long journeys.Group Dates:Same as Budget Edition
Product Standards:3 nights at a five-star hotel (e.g., Hilton Hotel in Urumqi) + 4 nights at a four-diamond hotel + 1 night in a wooden cabin at Kanas Scenic Area + 1 night in a four-diamond homestay in Nalati, with no more than 26 people per group, including all admission tickets and shuttle bus fees
⚠️Prices may fluctuate based on market supply and demand, with the final price subject to the signed contract. Seats are currently limited; it is recommended to consult with Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, 30 days in advance.
📝 Registration Method:Convenient Channels, Professional Services
Registration can be done through Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, with a customer service team providing 7×12-hour online services, supporting phone consultations and online contract signing. Valid identification information and health certificates are required upon registration (some scenic spots in Xinjiang have restrictions on visitors with hypertension or heart disease), and minors must be accompanied by a guardian.
💡 Fee Explanation and Service Guarantees
Fees Include:Special train transportation, local tour buses, hotel accommodation, breakfast, and 5 main meals (Luxury Edition includes 8 special meals), tour guide services, and travel agency liability insurance.
Fees Exclude:Personal consumption, self-funded projects (e.g., boat rides in Kanas, horseback riding in Nalati), (single registrants will do their best to coordinate room-sharing; special circumstances require negotiation for additional fees).

The uniqueness of this route lies in its dual transportation mode of ‘special train + bus’—parking for 3-4 hours in picturesque areas during the day, allowing tourists to transfer to tour buses for in-depth exploration of scenic spots; and traveling by special train to the next destination at night, maximizing time efficiency. From the Flaming Mountains in Turpan to the lakes and mountains of Kanas, from the folk customs of Kashgar’s ancient city to the grassland pastoral songs of the Ili River Valley, 80% of Xinjiang’s core attractions can be visited within 14 days, truly offering ‘a train ride to see all of beautiful Xinjiang.’Service Highlights:‘Red Hat’ luggage handling services at Urumqi Station, equipped with medical kits and emergency medications for altitude sickness throughout the journey; all tour guides are certified and familiar with the cultures and historical anecdotes of various ethnic groups.
🌿 In-Depth Guide to Sayram Lake and Ili (New for 2026)
As the ‘jewel attractions’ of the route, the玩法 (玩法 translates to ‘ways to play’ or ‘experiences,’ kept as is for cultural context) of Sayram Lake and the Ili River Valley deserve separate planning:
Sayram Lake:
Optimal Seasons:June-August (wildflowers everywhere) or October (picturesque autumn colors)
Recommended Experiences:Cycling around the lake (approximately 70 kilometers, electric bicycles available for rent), boat rides on the lake (close-up observation of swans and waterfowl), starry sky camping (tent rentals available in designated areas of the scenic spot).
Hidden Gems:The newly opened ‘Songshu Tou Hiking Trail’ in 2026 offers a summit view overlooking the lake and the Guozigou Bridge in the same frame.
Ili River Valley:

📅Simple Itinerary: Dual Options of Budget and Luxury EditionsMust-Experiences:The ‘hanging garden’ of Nalati Grassland (golden lotuses blooming in June), Huocheng Lavender Manor (a sea of purple flowers in July), the ‘human body grassland’ of Kalajun Grassland (optimal light and shadows in May-June).
Food Map:Gulandam Ice Cream on Yining’s Six-Star Street (a century-old shop), lamb rib noodles in Tekes Bagua City (local specialty noodle dish).
⚠ ⚠️Precautions:Balancing Experience with Preparedness
Document Preparation:Valid identification, senior citizen/student ID (discounts available at some scenic spots), permits (if traveling to border areas such as Baihaba, can be handled by the travel agency).
Clothing Recommendations:Large temperature differences between day and night in Xinjiang; bring a windbreaker in summer and a down jacket in winter; comfortable sports shoes are recommended for the amount of walking within scenic spots.
Policy Reminders:Scenic spot opening hours may change due to weather (e.g., some sections of the road to Kanas are closed in winter); reasonable itinerary changes can be made by mutual agreement.
🌈 Conclusion:A Double Feast of Scenery and Culture
The New National Train Special is not just a means of transportation but a moving cultural museum. As the train traverses deserts, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands, the scenery outside the window shifts like a movie, while the tour guide inside tells stories of various ethnic groups—the Twelve Mukams of the Uyghur people, the dombras of the Kazakhs, the eagle dances of the Kyrgyz… After 14 days, what you bring home is not just photos but a profound understanding of Xinjiang’s diverse cultures.
Consult Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, to embark on your journey across northern and southern Xinjiang! 🚂💨

Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation