Panda Special Train Shifang Route Southern and Northern Xinjiang 16 Days Attractions Room Types + Ticket Prices
For more travel consultation (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, An Yi, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Mekong, Gobi Cruise Special Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Special Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahezhinan, Baiyun, Silver Age Xinjiang Tour, Chao Age Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh Ata) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei: 180-9596-9599 (Copy and add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
🐼 If you’re considering a long-distance train to see the classic scenery of both northern and southern Xinjiang ‘all at once,’ the ‘Panda Special Train·Shifang’ 16-day Xinjiang Panorama Tour is a great option to focus on.
This content will use ‘price and service breakdown’ as the main thread to help you clarify:
What is the positioning of this special train?
What are the schedules and room types in 2026?
What exactly does each price tier include?
Registration methods and precautions
🚂 I. Route and Destinations:What is the Panda Special Train·Shifang?
📌 Train Background
The ‘Panda Special Train·Shifang’ is a themed tourist train jointly launched by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and the Shifang Municipal People’s Government, operated by the Chengdu Passenger Transport Depot. The train is modified from the 25G passenger car, with a total of 17 cars, a capacity of 466 seats, and features high-end soft sleepers, hard sleepers, dining cars, and multi-functional entertainment cars, equipped with shower facilities, KTV equipment, and panda-themed decorations. The exterior of the train uses the bronze green and light gold of the Sanxingdui bronze standing figure as the main colors, integrating ancient Shu bird patterns and Shifang regional cultural elements.
📌 Route Positioning
The Shifang initially operated on the Sichuan-Qinghai railway line, connecting attractions such as the Sanxingdui Museum and Jiuzhaigou. Since 2025, the route has expanded to cross-province long-distance lines like Xinjiang and Northeast China, focusing on the theme of ‘healthy lifestyle’ and adding age-friendly facilities, listed as a demonstration project by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In 2026, it continues to operate the 16-day Xinjiang Panorama Tour, using a ‘travel by night, sightsee by day, train follows people’ model, combining transportation and accommodation.
📌 Xinjiang Panorama 16-Day Tour Route Overview
Core Features:Covers the core attractions of southern, northern, and eastern Xinjiang, including the Duku Highway, in one trip, eliminating the need for self-planning and frequent vehicle changes.
Scenery Along the Way:Grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, Gobi, ancient Silk Road cities, etc.
Reference Itinerary Structure:
D1-D3:Board the train from Chengdu/Lanzhou, travel along the Qinghai section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and the Golmud-Korla Railway, enjoy the scenery along Qinghai Lake and Delingha, and arrive in Kashgar on the third day.
D4-D5:Visit the southern Xinjiang area, including the Pamir Plateau,白沙湖 (White Sand Lake), Karakul Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, and Kashgar Old City.
D6-D9:Cross the Duku Highway section, visit the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Bayanbulak, Nalati Grassland, and Sayram Lake.
D10-D12:Visit the northern Xinjiang area, including五彩滩 (Rainbow Beach), Kanas Lake, and Hemu Village.
🐼 If you’re considering a long-distance train to see the classic scenery of both northern and southern Xinjiang ‘all at once,’ the ‘Panda Special Train·Shifang’ 16-day Xinjiang Panorama Tour is a great option to focus on.D13-D14:Visit the eastern Xinjiang area, including Tianchi Lake on Tianshan Mountain, Turpan Karez, and the Flaming Mountains, and enjoy a special fruit feast in Turpan.
D15-D16:Leisurely sightseeing along the way, arriving in Lanzhou and Chengdu respectively, ending the trip.
🗓 ️ II. Simplified Itinerary:16-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop Overview
The following is a reference itinerary; the actual order may change due to weather, road conditions, scenic area openings, etc. The final itinerary is subject to the group notice and contract.
D1:Departure → Chengdu/Lanzhou
Travel from various locations to the assembly city, check into the hotel. Free activities in the evening to experience the local atmosphere.
D2:Chengdu/Lanzhou → Board the Train
Gather at the station (e.g., Chengdu Anjing Station) to complete boarding procedures. The special train uses a ‘travel by night, sightsee by day’ model, departing that evening and staying on the train.
D3:Train Sightseeing → Arrive in Kashgar
Travel along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Golmud-Korla Railway during the day, enjoying plateau, lake, and Gobi scenery. Arrive in the southern Xinjiang city of Kashgar on the third day.
D4:Kashgar Old City Day
Visit Fragrant Concubine Garden, Id Kah Mosque, and Kashgar Old City to experience the ancient Silk Road cityscape. Enjoy the old city night view in the evening.
D5:Pamir Plateau Tour
Head to the Pamir Plateau, visit白沙湖 (White Sand Lake) and Karakul Lake, and view Muztagh Ata from a distance. Some schedules may include a Panlong Ancient Road experience (7-seat car), finally arriving in Tashkurgan for accommodation.
D6:Tashkurgan → Return to Kashgar
Visit Golden Grass Beach and Stone City, experience home visits with various ethnic groups to learn about local customs. Return to Kashgar in the afternoon or evening.
D7:Kashgar → Kuqa
Travel north along the southern Xinjiang railway, enjoying Gobi and oasis scenery along the way. After arriving in Kuqa, visit the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon.
D8:Kuqa → Yining
Cross the Tianshan Mountains and enter the ‘Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall’ Ili Valley. Some schedules may include crossing the southern section of the Duku Highway (7-seat car), and visit Sayram Lake after arriving in Yining.
This content will use ‘price and service breakdown’ as the main thread to help you clarify:D9:Yining → Beitun
Free activities around Yining in the morning, take the special train to Beitun in the afternoon, rest on the train.
D10:Beitun → Hemu
After arriving in Beitun, transfer to a tourist bus and head to the ‘last piece of pure land’ Hemu Village, enjoying wooden houses, river valleys, and starry skies.
D11:Hemu → Kanas → Burqin
Early morning, you can enter Hemu again to photograph the morning mist, then head to the Kanas Scenic Area to visit Kanas Lake and the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay).
D12:Burqin → Beitun → Urumqi
Free activities in Burqin in the morning, then return to Beitun by bus, and take the special train to Urumqi.
D13:Urumqi City Tour
Visit the International Grand Bazaar, taste Xinjiang specialties, and experience the urban atmosphere.
D14:Urumqi → Turpan
Head to Turpan, visit Karez and Grape Valley, experience the heat of the Flaming Mountains, and enjoy a Turpan fruit feast.
D15:Turpan → Return Journey
Free activities around Turpan in the morning, take the special train back in the afternoon.
D16:Arrive at Destination
Enjoy the scenery along the way, arrive at stations such as Lanzhou and Chengdu, ending the 16-day journey.
💰 III. 2026 Latest Prices:Reference for Various Room Types and Schedules
The following are reference prices for the 2026 Xinjiang Panorama 16-Day Tour. Actual prices may fluctuate due to schedule, holidays, booking time, etc. Please refer to the contract.
1. Main Room Types and Prices
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Tourism Booking and Ticketing Consultation Center Manager: Wang Fei 180-9596-9599 (Copy and add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
What is the positioning of this special train?| Room Type | Berth | Reference Price (RMB/person) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Premium Platinum | Upper Berth | 8480 |
| | Lower Berth | 9280 |
| Deluxe Platinum | Upper Berth | 15780 |
| | Lower Berth | 16780 |
| Exclusive Purple Gold | Upper Berth | 27880 |
| | Lower Berth | 28880 |
Children’s Price (under 12 years old, no berth):Premium Platinum 3980 RMB/person, Deluxe Platinum 6980 RMB/person, Exclusive Purple Gold 8980 RMB/person.
Upgrade to Private Room:Some schedules support 2-3 people upgrading to a private room, requiring a supplementary fee. Please consult for details.
2. 2026 Reference Schedules
June:8th, 24th, 25th
July:10th, 12th, 27th, 29th
August:13th, 15th, 29th
September:1st, 18th
Note:Schedules may change. Please confirm with the railway department and travel agency. *
3. Price Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions:Accommodation in the corresponding special train tier, air-conditioned tourist buses for ground itinerary, first entrance tickets to some or all scenic spots and scenic area transportation, full meals (standards vary by room type), service fees for accompanying staff, travel accident insurance, etc.
Exclusions:Round-trip transportation to the boarding city, personal expenses, single room supplement, self-funded items not listed in the itinerary, etc.
📞 IV. Registration Method:Register with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service
What are the schedules and room types in 2026?The Shifang Panda Special Train is a customized high-end tourism product. Tickets are not sold separately and must be booked through the railway’s formal travel agency channels. They are not available for purchase on the 12306 platform.
Registration Process:
1. Consultation: Contact the travel agency to confirm schedules, availability, prices, and itinerary details.
2. Submit Information: Provide traveler names, valid ID/passport numbers, contact information, etc., for real-name authentication.
3. Pay Deposit: Pay a deposit based on the selected room type to secure the seat.
4. Sign Contract: Sign a unified electronic contract on the National Tourism Supervision Platform online, clarifying the rights and obligations of both parties.
5. Settle Balance: Pay the remaining balance according to the contract’s agreed time and receive the group notice.
⚠ ️ Important Notes
Please register through formal channels and be wary of ‘scalper tickets’ and informal intermediaries.
All itinerary details, prices, and cancellation/modification rules are subject to the signed tourism contract.
📋 V. Cost and Service Explanation
1. Reference Inclusions
Transportation:Accommodation in the corresponding Panda Special Train tier (usually 7-8 nights), air-conditioned tourist buses for ground itinerary (some sections use 2+1 model).
Accommodation:Hotels in Urumqi, Yining, Kashgar, etc. (standards vary by room type), characteristic guesthouses or hotels in Tashkurgan, Hemu, etc.
Meals:Full meals (standards vary by room type), some schedules include specialty meals (e.g., Xinjiang Dapanji, Roasted Whole Lamb, etc.).
Tickets and Activities:First entrance tickets to listed scenic spots and necessary scenic area transportation (coverage varies by room type), some schedules include crossing the southern section of the Duku Highway, Panlong Ancient Road experience, etc.
Services:Full-tour guide, Panda Butler, on-board medical staff services, travel accident insurance, etc.
2. Reference Exclusions
Round-trip transportation to the boarding city (airfare, train tickets, etc.).
What exactly does each price tier include? Personal expenses (e.g., consumption, extra drinks, etc.).
Single room supplement (if choosing single occupancy, a supplement is required).
Self-funded items not listed in the itinerary.
3. Service Features and Guarantees
Panda Butler:Each car is equipped with a ‘Panda Butler’ providing 24-hour attentive service.
Age-Friendly Facilities:Anti-slip handrails, emergency call systems are installed in the cars, and shower rooms are equipped with seats and handrails.
Entertainment Facilities:Dining cars, KTV rooms, multi-functional entertainment cars, etc., offering Sichuan cuisine and local specialties.
Medical Support:Equipped with professional medical staff and first aid equipment to handle emergencies.
4. Cancellation and Modification Rules
More than 45 days before departure:Free cancellation or modification (some travel agencies may charge a small fee).
14-45 days before departure:50%-70% fee deduction.
Within 14 days before departure:80% fee deduction; cancellation on the day may result in full loss.
Deposits are usually non-refundable; balance refunds are tiered. Be sure to confirm terms before booking.
Note:Specific cancellation and modification rules are subject to the signed tourism contract. *
💡 VI. Travel Tips and Precautions
1. Book Early: Seats for the Xinjiang route during peak season (June-September) are tight; it is recommended to book 3-6 months in advance.
2. Health Preparation: The itinerary involves plateau areas. Tourists with severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases should register with caution. Tourists over 75 years old need to sign a ‘Senior Declaration.’
3. Luggage Preparation: The special train has requirements for luggage size and weight; it is recommended to travel light. Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; prepare sun protection, windproof, and warm clothing.
4. Insurance Purchase: It is recommended to purchase travel insurance covering altitude sickness and accidental medical expenses.
5. Contract Confirmation: Carefully read the contract terms, especially regarding inclusions, cancellation rules, and disclaimers.
If you’re already tempted, it’s advisable to contact the travel agency early to secure your seat. After all, a 16-day Xinjiang Panorama Tour is worth planning ahead.
For more travel consultation (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, An Yi, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Mekong, Gobi Cruise Special Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Special Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahezhinan, Baiyun, Silver Age Xinjiang Tour, Chao Age Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh Ata) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei: 180-9596-9599 (Copy and add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
