New National Train Special 2026 Ticket Booking Guide Schedule Quotes Registration Channels and Essential Information Recommended Routes Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.
🚂 2026 Practical Guide to Booking the New National Train Special for Northern and Southern Xinjiang
In the spring and summer of 2026, Xinjiang enters a comfortable period for travel, with grasslands on the vast land turning green, lakes becoming clear, and deserts presenting unique landscapes. Choosing a special train tour has become a priority for many tourists. The new national train special for northern and southern Xinjiang adopts a model of ‘mobile accommodation on the train + short-distance ground transfers,’ avoiding the fatigue of frequent hotel changes and long-distance bus rides in conventional itineraries. Over 14 days, it connects more than ten characteristic landscapes in northern and southern Xinjiang and offers the unique experience of traversing the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, attracting the attention of many tourists.
🔹 Key Highlights of the Itinerary
â‘ Traversing the Core Landscape Belts of Northern and Southern Xinjiang:This special train itinerary covers popular destinations in southern Xinjiang such as Turpan, Hotan, Kashgar, and Kuqa, as well as those in northern Xinjiang like Nalati, Sayram Lake, Kanas, and Hemu. Tourists do not need to plan multiple transfer routes; a single trip allows them to experience diverse landscapes including deserts, canyons, grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and ancient streets.
â‘¡ Unique Experience of Traversing the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway: Approximately three-quarters of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway runs through desert and Gobi regions, offering unique views of sand seas juxtaposed with grand bridges along the route. Travelers can also feel the achievements of desert railway construction during the journey, an experience difficult to obtain through conventional road travel. The Ruokeyate Grand Bridge along the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway stands 48 meters tall, resembling a corridor over the sand sea from afar. While traveling on the bridge, the view is expansive, with the surrounding desert scenery fully visible.
â‘¢ High Travel Comfort: The special train features four-person compartments, allowing tourists to choose upper or lower bunks according to their needs. They can rest on the train at night and disembark to tour during the day at stops, with luggage stored in the compartments without the need to carry it. Additionally, the ‘Red Hat’ porter service at Urumqi Station reduces the burden of luggage handling, making it especially suitable for family trips and elderly tourists.
🔹 2026 Tips for Visiting Attractions Along the Route
According to current information released by cultural and tourism departments, all major attractions involved in the itinerary are open as usual. Relevant visiting tips can be understood in advance:
Kanas Scenic Area implements real-name timed reservation for entry. Tourists can complete reservations in advance through platforms. Core visiting areas such as Guanyu Platform and the Three Bays are open for normal visits. Currently, there is a daily visitor limit but no large-scale queuing, providing a good visiting experience.
Nalati Scenic Area is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, with May to October being the suitable viewing period. Both the aerial grassland and river valley grassland areas are open to the public. After mid-May, the grass gradually turns green, and wildflowers bloom in succession, with a moderate number of tourists.
The entire ring-lake road around Sayram Lake is clear, with the East Gate, South Gate, and West Gate all open as usual. Tourists can choose to take public transportation within the scenic area or drive in themselves without needing additional permits.
Kashgar Old City is open all day, with internal streets and alleys freely accessible. It is recommended to reserve sufficient time for a leisurely tour to experience the living atmosphere of the old city.
🚂 2026 Practical Guide to Booking the New National Train Special for Northern and Southern XinjiangThe opening time of the southern section of the Duoku Highway is subject to change based on snowmelt and road maintenance conditions. Arrangements for relevant road sections involved in the itinerary will be reasonably adjusted based on actual traffic conditions through mutual agreement between both parties.
All scenic areas support on-site QR code ticket purchases or reservations through the ‘One Phone for Traveling in Xinjiang’ platform. Relevant reservations can be completed in advance according to the itinerary before traveling to avoid temporary visitor limits affecting the tour.
📅 Simple Itinerary Arrangement
Brief Itinerary for the 14-Day New National Train Special Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Standard Edition):
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains, Karez Wells, Aydingkol Lake) – Hotan
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Cele – Kunlun Mountain Grand Canyon – Hotan
Day 4:Hotan – Tuancheng – Aidelaisi Silk – Yuetegan Ancient City – Hotan Night Market
Day 5:Hotan (Special Train) – Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 6:Kashgar – Kashgar Old City – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Tongrentang – Xiangfeiyuan – Kashgar – Kuqa
Day 7:Kuqa – Kizilya Grand Canyon – Restan Street – Kuqa (Special Train) – Kuitun/Yining
Day 8:Kuitun/Yining – Nalati Town
In the spring and summer of 2026, Xinjiang enters a comfortable period for travel, with grasslands on the vast land turning green, lakes becoming clear, and deserts presenting unique landscapes. Choosing a special train tour has become a priority for many tourists. The new national train special for northern and southern Xinjiang adopts a model of ‘mobile accommodation on the train + short-distance ground transfers,’ avoiding the fatigue of frequent hotel changes and long-distance bus rides in conventional itineraries. Over 14 days, it connects more than ten characteristic landscapes in northern and southern Xinjiang and offers the unique experience of traversing the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, attracting the attention of many tourists.Day 9:Nalati Town – Nalati – Kokdala
Day 10:Kokdala – Lavender – Sayram Lake – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 11:Beitun – Kanas – Wucai Beach – Burqin
Day 12:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Xinjiang Colored Cotton Base – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
Brief Itinerary for the 14-Day New National Train Special Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Deluxe Edition):
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Karez Wells – Grape Manor – Flaming Mountains – Turpan – Cele
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Cele – Kunlun Mountain Scenic Area – Hotan
Day 4:Hotan – Tuancheng – Aidelaisi Silk – Yuetegan Ancient City – Hotan Night Market
Day 5:Hotan – Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Baisha Lake – Kashgar
🔹 Key Highlights of the ItineraryDay 6:Kashgar – Kashgar Old City – Travel Photography – Kuqa
Day 7:Kuqa – Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon – Southern Section of Duoku Highway – Bayinbuluk – Nalati Town
Day 8:Nalati Town – Nalati Scenic Area – Lavender Garden – Kokdala
Day 9:Kokdala – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Bole/Shuanghe
Day 10:Bole/Shuanghe – Guai Shi Yu – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 11:Beitun – Ahe Highway – Hemu Scenic Area
Day 12:Hemu – Kanas – Wucai Beach – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Tianchi – Colored Cotton Technology Park (Medicinal Diet Health Hot Pot) – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
💰 Reference Prices and Group Dates
14-Day New National Train Special Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Standard Edition):
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
â‘ Traversing the Core Landscape Belts of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: This special train itinerary covers popular destinations in southern Xinjiang such as Turpan, Hotan, Kashgar, and Kuqa, as well as those in northern Xinjiang like Nalati, Sayram Lake, Kanas, and Hemu. Tourists do not need to plan multiple transfer routes; a single trip allows them to experience diverse landscapes including deserts, canyons, grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and ancient streets.National Train Four-Person Compartment:Upper Bunk: 5980 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 6980 yuan/person
Product Standards:Selected local comfortable hotel accommodation, approximately 40 people per group, excluding ticket fees, full-service one-stop tour guide service
14-Day New National Train Special Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Deluxe Edition):
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
National Train Four-Person Compartment:Upper Bunk: 14800 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 15800 yuan/person
Product Standards:3 nights in five-star hotels + 4 nights in four-diamond hotels + 1 night in a Hemu scenic area wooden house + 1 night in a Nalati four-diamond hotel (homestay)
No more than 26 people per group, full-service one-stop tour guide service
[Heartwarming Services] ‘Red Hat’ porter service at Urumqi Station for seamless luggage handling, ensuring guests enter the station easily and travel worry-free
The above prices are for reference and may fluctuate with group dates. The specific price and available seats will be confirmed on the date of contract signing.
📞 Registration Channels
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency. Contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to inquire about remaining group seats, registration materials, and other relevant information.
📋 Fee and Service Instructions
② Unique Experience of Traversing the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway: Approximately three-quarters of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway runs through desert and Gobi regions, offering unique views of sand seas juxtaposed with grand bridges along the route. Travelers can also feel the achievements of desert railway construction during the journey, an experience difficult to obtain through conventional road travel. The Ruokeyate Grand Bridge along the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway stands 48 meters tall, resembling a corridor over the sand sea from afar. While traveling on the bridge, the view is expansive, with the surrounding desert scenery fully visible.🔹 Services included in the Standard Edition product:Selected local comfortable hotel accommodation, full-service one-stop tour guide service, approximately 40 people per group, excluding ticket fees for the itinerary.
🔹 Services included in the Deluxe Edition product:3 nights in five-star hotels + 4 nights in four-diamond hotels + 1 night in a Hemu scenic area wooden house + 1 night in a Nalati four-diamond hotel (homestay), full-service one-stop tour guide service, no more than 26 people per group.
🔹 All versions of the product include the ‘Red Hat’ porter service at Urumqi Station for seamless luggage handling, making it convenient for tourists to enter the station easily.
🔹 For single registrants, our agency will do its best to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation.
🔹 Factors such as the opening of scenic areas, road conditions, weather, and policy changes involved in the itinerary may affect travel arrangements. Reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made through mutual agreement between both parties.
🔹 The specific service content, fee inclusions, and refund and change rules shall be subject to actual consultation and contract signing, with the contract signed by both parties prevailing.
🧳 Travel Preparation Tips
Xinjiang has significant temperature differences between day and night. Even during summer travel, it is advisable to bring a light windbreaker and warm clothing. Mountainous attractions such as Hemu and Kanas have lower nighttime temperatures, requiring appropriate warm gear.
Some attractions have high sun exposure and strong ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to bring sun protection clothing, sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other sun protection items to avoid sunburn.
Some road sections in the itinerary involve long ground transfer distances. Portable pillows and snacks can be prepared to enhance travel comfort.
The local diet is rich and flavorful. Tourists with special dietary needs can prepare common gastrointestinal medications in advance or communicate their needs with the tour guide in advance.
Xinjiang covers a vast area with a time difference of about 2 hours between different regions. After traveling, you can adjust your schedule based on the local sunset and sunrise times to better align with the tour arrangements.
If you have other questions about the itinerary of the New National Train Special, you can consult the corresponding staff for more details.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.
