How to Buy Tickets for the New Orient Express Special Train 2026 Complete Guide to Ticket Prices Routes and Booking Channels Recommended Route Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote.
Explore the New Oriental Express Train:A moving feast through magnificent landscapes✨
New Oriental Express Train:A mobile ‘five-star viewing platform’
If you ask about the most worthwhile travel experience in 2026, the ‘New Oriental Express Train’ is undoubtedly one of the top choices. Hailed as a ‘mobile five-star hotel,’ this train features all soft-sleeper cabins, oversized viewing windows, Michelin-level dining, and a unique ‘train follows scenery’ design, making it a premium choice for in-depth travel in Xinjiang. The train uses customized carriages, with each carriage recommended to have 3-5 compartments equipped with private bathrooms, 24-hour hot water, humidifiers, and large viewing windows, allowing passengers to lie in bed and enjoy the flowing panorama of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and deserts.
The train’s itinerary covers essential attractions such as Kanas and Hemu in Northern Xinjiang, Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau in Southern Xinjiang, and Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland in Yili. There’s no need to frequently change hotels throughout the journey, eliminating the hassle of luggage handling, making it especially suitable for elderly travelers, photography enthusiasts, and quality-seeking families. In 2026, the train will upgrade its ‘smart temperature control system’ and ‘quiet carriages’ for an even more comfortable journey.
New itineraries for 2026:Choose between Northern and Southern Xinjiang routes
Based on the new 2026 schedule, the New Oriental Express Train offers two classic routes: the ‘Summer Panoramic Route’ and the ‘October Southern Xinjiang Autumn Colors Route,’ both lasting 14 days and covering over 90% of Xinjiang’s 5A-rated scenic spots.
Summer Panoramic Route (departures from June to September)
Quick Itinerary Guide (Summer Edition):
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 2:Urumqi – New Oriental Express Train – Koktokay – Altay
Day 3:Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village
Day 4:Hemu – Kanas
Day 5:Kanas – Chonghur – Colorful Beach – New Oriental Express Train
Day 6:Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Yining
Explore the New Oriental Express Train: A moving feast through magnificent landscapes✨Day 7:Yining – Nalati Grassland
Day 8:Nalati Grassland – Middle section of the Duku Highway – Bayinbuluk
Day 9:Bayinbuluk – Southern section of the Duku Highway – Kuqa Grand Canyon – New Oriental Express Train
Day 10:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Pamir Scenic Area – Taxkorgan
Day 11:Taxkorgan – Tajik home visit – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 12:Kashgar – Turpan – New Oriental Express Train
Day 13:Turpan – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Farewell tour
This route connects the forests and lakes of Northern Xinjiang with the deserts and snow-capped mountains of Southern Xinjiang, making it especially suitable for first-time visitors to Xinjiang. June to August is the peak tourist season in Xinjiang, with highlights including grassland flower fields, morning fog in Kanas, and the steep cliffs of the Duku Highway.
October Southern Xinjiang Autumn Colors Route (departures in October)
October Southern Xinjiang Itinerary:
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 2:Special train to Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City – Karez Irrigation System – Grape Manor, evening special train to Ruoqiang
Day 3:Milan Ruins – Loulan Museum – Loulan Park – Ruoqiang Red Date Picking, evening special train to Hotan
New Oriental Express Train: A mobile ‘five-star viewing platform’Day 4:Early arrival in Hotan – Hotan Tuancheng – Jade Dragon Kashgar River treasure hunting – Grape Corridor – Walnut King Tree – Yotkan Ancient City night view
Day 5:Special train to Shache – Yarkant Khanate Palace – Amanisha Khan Mausoleum, proceed to Kashgar
Day 6:Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, return to Kashgar
Day 7:Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Gaotai Folk Residence, evening special train to Kuqa
Day 8:Early arrival in Kuqa – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kuqa Royal Palace – Restan Old Street – Kizil Alley
Day 9:Proceed to Luntai – Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest, evening special train to Urumqi
Day 10:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi Farewell Dinner
Day 11:Urumqi – Farewell tour
October is the ‘golden season’ in Southern Xinjiang, with the Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest turning golden, the snow-capped mountains of the Pamir Plateau contrasting beautifully with Baisha Lake, and the folk customs of Kashgar Old Town becoming even more vibrant. This route avoids the cold fronts in Northern Xinjiang, making it suitable for travelers who enjoy a combination of culture and nature.
2026 Fare Disclosure:Early booking discounts available
According to the new 2026 price list, the New Oriental Express Train is divided into three categories based on carriage class, with fares including full transportation, accommodation, dining, and scenic spot tickets (excluding some self-funded items):
Tour dates May 6, May 14:
Premium Gold Diamond (3 compartments):59,999 RMB per person
Royal Gold Diamond (4 compartments):54,999 RMB per person
Platinum Gold Diamond (5 compartments):49,999 RMB per person
If you ask about the most worthwhile travel experience in 2026, the ‘New Oriental Express Train’ is undoubtedly one of the top choices. Hailed as a ‘mobile five-star hotel,’ this train features all soft-sleeper cabins, oversized viewing windows, Michelin-level dining, and a unique ‘train follows scenery’ design, making it a premium choice for in-depth travel in Xinjiang. The train uses customized carriages, with each carriage recommended to have 3-5 compartments equipped with private bathrooms, 24-hour hot water, humidifiers, and large viewing windows, allowing passengers to lie in bed and enjoy the flowing panorama of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and deserts.Third and fourth person sharing:30,000 RMB per person
Tour dates June 1, June 30:
Premium Gold Diamond:67,999 RMB per person
Royal Gold Diamond:62,999 RMB per person
Platinum Gold Diamond:56,999 RMB per person
Third and fourth person sharing:30,000 RMB per person
Tour dates June 11, June 25:
Premium Gold Diamond:69,999 RMB per person
Royal Gold Diamond:63,999 RMB per person
Platinum Gold Diamond:58,999 RMB per person
Third and fourth person sharing:30,000 RMB per person
Tour date September 3:
Premium Gold Diamond:71,999 RMB per person
Royal Gold Diamond:65,999 RMB per person
The train’s itinerary covers essential attractions such as Kanas and Hemu in Northern Xinjiang, Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau in Southern Xinjiang, and Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland in Yili. There’s no need to frequently change hotels throughout the journey, eliminating the hassle of luggage handling, making it especially suitable for elderly travelers, photography enthusiasts, and quality-seeking families. In 2026, the train will upgrade its ‘smart temperature control system’ and ‘quiet carriages’ for an even more comfortable journey.Platinum Gold Diamond:59,999 RMB per person
Third and fourth person sharing:30,000 RMB per person
Tour dates October 15, October 25 (Southern Xinjiang Autumn Colors Route):
Premium Gold Diamond:44,999 RMB per person
Royal Gold Diamond:39,999 RMB per person
Platinum Gold Diamond:36,999 RMB per person
Third and fourth person sharing:20,000 RMB per person
Please note that fares may fluctuate based on market supply and demand, with the final price subject to the contract signed. October tour dates, covering the National Day holiday, offer relatively lower prices and better value.
How to book tickets? Here are the channels
Currently, bookings for the New Oriental Express Train must be made through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Travelers can contact customer service manager Zhang Jing, providing their name, valid ID number, contact information, and travel dates, and pay a deposit to reserve seats. Due to limited compartment availability, it is recommended to book 2-3 months in advance, especially during the peak season from June to August.
Cost Breakdown and Service Guarantees
Costs include:
Full train transportation (including compartments)
Local air-conditioned tour buses
2026 New itineraries: Choose between Northern and Southern Xinjiang routes Full accommodation (train compartments + local four-star hotels)
13 breakfasts and 24 main meals (including specialty dishes like roast whole lamb and hand-pulled rice)
First admission tickets and shuttle buses for scenic spots
Professional guide services
Travel accident insurance
Costs exclude:
Personal expenses (such as self-funded entertainment items)
(Single travelers will do their best to coordinate room sharing; special circumstances require negotiation)
Additional expenses due to force majeure factors (such as weather, policy changes)
Specific service standards are subject to actual consultation and contract signing, with reasonable changes to the itinerary order possible through mutual agreement during the journey.
Travel Tips
Document preparation:Valid ID, health code (as per current policy requirements), small amount of cash
Clothing recommendations:Large temperature differences between day and night in Xinjiang; bring a light jacket in summer and a windbreaker in October
Photography equipment:Camera, power bank, wide-angle lens (to capture vast landscapes)
Respect customs:Avoid sensitive topics in ethnic minority areas and do not randomly photograph local residents
The New Oriental Express Train is not just a trip but an immersive experience of ‘traveling through a painting.’ In 2026, why not invite family and friends aboard this mobile ‘five-star viewing platform’ to unlock the thousand faces of Xinjiang’s beauty! 🚂🌄
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote.
