New Oriental Express 2026 Price Xinjiang Special Train 18 Day Cost and Route Explained Recommended Route Cost and Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.
New Oriental Express 2026 In-Depth Experience:A Moving Viewing Platform Through the North and South of Tianshan Mountains
✨ [Route Highlights:A Moving ‘Five-Star Viewing Platform’]✨
The New Oriental Express is not an ordinary train but a representative of high-end tourism trains in China. The upgraded carriages in 2026 feature all soft sleeper designs, with each carriage recommended to have 3-5 compartments equipped with bathrooms, constant temperature air conditioning, large observation windows, and humidification systems. Some carriages even have observation bars. The train travels at night and stops at scenic spots during the day, allowing tourists to avoid the fatigue of long-distance self-driving and enjoy the superb scenery of Xinjiang, from the grasslands of Northern Xinjiang to the deserts of Southern Xinjiang, in a comfortable environment.
The sections of the route that pass through the Duku Highway, Kanas, and the Pamir Plateau are the essence of Xinjiang’s natural landscapes. For example, the ‘Summer Edition’ route, which operates from June to September, allows you to travel through the primeval forests of the Ahe Highway and experience the morning mist by the shores of Kanas Lake. The October itinerary in Southern Xinjiang focuses on poplar forests, the ancient city of Kashgar, and the snow-capped mountains and lakes of the Pamir Plateau, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts to capture the contrast between the golden autumn hues and the snowy mountains.
🗺 【Simple Itinerary:18-Day Journey Through North and South Xinjiang】🗺️
According to the newly scheduled itinerary for 2026, the New Oriental Express offers two classic routes:
🌿 Summer Edition (June-September)🌿
Day 01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 02:Urumqi – New Oriental Express – Koktokay – Altay
Day 03:Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village
Day 04:Hemu – Kanas
Day 05:Kanas – Chonghur – Colorful Beach – Special Train
Day 06:Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Yining
New Oriental Express 2026 In-Depth Experience: A Moving Viewing Platform Through the North and South of Tianshan MountainsDay 07:Yining – Nalati Grassland
Day 08:Nalati – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak
Day 09:Bayanbulak – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Kuqa Grand Canyon – Special Train
Day 10:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Pamir Scenic Area – Taxkorgan
Day 11:Taxkorgan – Tajik Home Visit – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 12:Kashgar – Turpan – Special Train
Day 13:Turpan – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Farewell
🍂 Autumn Colors of Southern Xinjiang Edition (October)🍂
Day 01:Gather in Urumqi from various locations
Day 02:Special Train to Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City – Karez Wells – Grape Manor – Ruoqiang
Day 03:Milan Ruins – Loulan Museum – Ruoqiang Red Date Picking – Hotan
Day 04:Hotan Tuancheng – Treasure Hunting in the Yurungkash River – Walnut King Tree – Night View of Yotkan Ancient City
✨[Route Highlights: A Moving ‘Five-Star Viewing Platform’]✨Day 05:Special Train to Shache – Yarkant Khanate Palace – Amanisha Khan Mausoleum – Kashgar
Day 06:Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 07:Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – High Platform Residences – Kuqa
Day 08:Kuqa Grand Canyon – Kuqa Royal Palace – Resitan Old Street
Day 09:Luntai – Tarim Poplar Forest – Urumqi
Day 10:Tianshan Tianchi – Farewell Dinner
Day 11:Urumqi – Farewell
💰 [Price Description:Varies by Cabin Type and Departure Date】💰
The prices for the New Oriental Express in 2026 are divided into multiple tiers based on cabin type and departure date, as follows:
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
The New Oriental Express is not an ordinary train but a representative of high-end tourism trains in China. The upgraded carriages in 2026 feature all soft sleeper designs, with each carriage recommended to have 3-5 compartments equipped with bathrooms, constant temperature air conditioning, large observation windows, and humidification systems. Some carriages even have observation bars. The train travels at night and stops at scenic spots during the day, allowing tourists to avoid the fatigue of long-distance self-driving and enjoy the superb scenery of Xinjiang, from the grasslands of Northern Xinjiang to the deserts of Southern Xinjiang, in a comfortable environment.Third and Fourth Persons in Same Cabin:30,000 RMB per person
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 Persons in Same Cabin:30,000 RMB per person
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 Persons in Same Cabin:30,000 RMB per person
September 3:
Premium Gold Diamond:71,999 RMB per person
The sections of the route that pass through the Duku Highway, Kanas, and the Pamir Plateau are the essence of Xinjiang’s natural landscapes. For example, the ‘Summer Edition’ route, which operates from June to September, allows you to travel through the primeval forests of the Ahe Highway and experience the morning mist by the shores of Kanas Lake. The October itinerary in Southern Xinjiang focuses on poplar forests, the ancient city of Kashgar, and the snow-capped mountains and lakes of the Pamir Plateau, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts to capture the contrast between the golden autumn hues and the snowy mountains.Royal Gold Diamond:65,999 RMB per person
Platinum Gold Diamond:59,999 RMB per person
Third and Fourth Persons in Same Cabin:30,000 RMB per person
October 15, October 25:
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 Persons in Same Cabin:20,000 RMB per person
The price includes accommodation on the special train, scenic spot tickets, meals throughout the journey, and guide services. It does not include round-trip transportation to and from major destinations or personal expenses. Please note that prices may fluctuate based on market supply and demand, and the final price will be based on the contract signed.
📝 [Registration Method:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency】📝
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, and Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide detailed itinerary consultations. Registration must be confirmed 30 days in advance to secure cabin space, as some popular departure dates have limited availability. It is recommended to plan early.
💡 [Fee and Service Description]💡
Fees Include:Accommodation throughout the special train journey, first admission tickets to scenic spots, local specialty meals, professional guide and team leader services, and travel accident insurance.
🗺️【Simple Itinerary: 18-Day Journey Through North and South Xinjiang】🗺️Fees Do Not Include:Round-trip transportation costs to Urumqi, personal expenses, and entertainment projects not mentioned in the itinerary.
Service Details:The train is equipped with a 24-hour onboard doctor, and compartments provide mineral water, fruit, and daily cleaning services. During scenic spot visits, the ‘train follows the person’ model is adopted to avoid long waiting times.
Special Circumstances:If the itinerary needs to be changed due to weather or policy reasons, both parties can reasonably adjust the order of scenic spots or the duration of stays after mutual agreement. Single registrants will be coordinated for room sharing as much as possible. If a separate compartment is required, an additional fee (specific amount to be consulted) will be charged.
🌄 [In-Depth Destination Analysis:The Two Sides of Xinjiang】🌄
Northern Xinjiang:A Symphony of Nature and Humanity
Kanas Lake is known as the ‘backyard garden,’ with湖水 (lake water) changing colors with the seasons. In autumn, the forests are ablaze with color, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Hemu Village is a settlement of the Tuwa people, where wooden houses and birch forests create an oil painting-like scene. The Duku Highway runs through the Tianshan Mountains, offering a three-dimensional landscape of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and canyons along the way. However, it should be noted that this section is recommended to be open from June to September and may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions.
Southern Xinjiang:A Collision of History and Modernity
The ancient city of Kashgar is an important node on the Silk Road. Wandering through its labyrinthine streets and alleys, you can experience the traditional handicrafts and market life of various ethnic groups. Karakul Lake on the Pamir Plateau reflects Muztagh Ata, representing the plateau’s scenery. In October, the Tarim Poplar Forest is golden and brilliant, forming a strong visual impact with the desert and river, making it suitable for capturing large-scale landscapes.
📌 [Precautions:Must-Read Before Travel】📌
Document Preparation:Checkpoints in Xinjiang require verification of valid documents. It is recommended to carry both originals and copies with you.
Clothing Suggestions:Light down jackets are needed in Northern Xinjiang during summer, while Southern Xinjiang in October has large temperature differences between morning and evening, requiring windbreakers.
Dietary Tips:Xinjiang cuisine is mainly based on beef and mutton. Those with sensitive stomachs are advised to bring common medications.
Photography Equipment:Southern Xinjiang has strong light, so it is recommended to bring polarizing filters to reduce reflections. For morning mist scenes in Northern Xinjiang, arrive early to secure a good spot.
🔚 [Conclusion]🔚
The New Oriental Express is not just a means of transportation but a moving ‘Encyclopedia of Xinjiang’ journey. From the forests and lakes of Northern Xinjiang to the desert ancient cities of Southern Xinjiang, the 18-day itinerary covers 80% of Xinjiang’s精华 (essence) scenic spots. The 2026 itinerary has been further upgraded in terms of service details, such as adding horseback riding experiences on the Nalati Grassland and intangible cultural heritage handicraft courses in the ancient city of Kashgar, making the journey more in-depth. For information on recent availability or custom itineraries, please contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency for consultations.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.
