Gobi Cruise Xinjiang Sunset Red Special Train Departure and Booking, Core Highlights of the Itinerary 13 Day Schedule and Cost Details
Wang Fei, Manager of the Gobi Cruise Sunset Red Special Train Ticket Booking Center, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service
🚢 Gobi Cruise Special Train｜Slow travel in 2–4 person cabins, a moving scenic line across the Tianshan Mountains
On the vast and expansive land of Xinjiang, the railway runs through snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Gobi deserts, and lakes. The train moves steadily, like a ‘cruise ship’ sailing on land—this is the highly popular ‘Gobi Cruise’ tourist special train in recent years. In the spring and summer of 2026, this route has been upgraded again, covering the essence of northern and southern Xinjiang with three different experience levels (Value, Premium, Luxury), balancing comfort and cultural depth, making it an ideal choice for slow-paced in-depth travel.
🌄 Route and Destination Highlights
The ‘Gobi Cruise’ is not a real cruise ship sailing on water, but a figurative name for a high-quality double-decker air-conditioned tourist special train. The train starts and ends in Urumqi, traversing the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, connecting the heat of the Flaming Mountains, the richness of Kashgar Old City, the vastness of Nalati Grassland, the clarity of Sayram Lake, and the mystery of Kanas Lake.
The itinerary covers diverse landforms and cultural landscapes:
Turpan Basin:Visit Karez, one of China’s three ancient engineering projects, view the Flaming Mountains from the movie ‘Journey to the West,’ and stop at Aydingkol Lake, the lowest point in China’s land area;
Southern Xinjiang Cultural Corridor:Stroll through Kashgar Old City and Reistan Street, view the exterior of Id Kah Mosque, learn about the historical context of this important Silk Road town; visit the Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall to experience jade culture;
Yili River Valley Scenic Belt:Pass through the Lavender Sightseeing Garden (peak bloom in June–July), visit Huiyuan Ancient City, the former residence of the Qing Dynasty Yili General, and tour Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean’;
Northern Xinjiang Ecological Wonderland:Enter the Hemu Scenic Area via the Ahe Highway, visit Kanas Lake and Colorful Beach, and experience the changing colors of the Altai Mountains across seasons;
Tianshan Hinterland:On the return trip, enjoy a one-day tour of Tianshan Tianchi Lake, with snow-capped mountains reflecting in the blue lake and pine forests surrounding the magnificent scenery.
The entire journey emphasizes a balance of cultural commentary and rest, with a relaxed daily schedule to avoid intense rushing. The train is equipped with medical staff, dedicated butlers, and a dining car offering nutritious meals tailored to local tastes, balancing comfort and cultural immersion.
📅 Simplified Itinerary (Presented as per the original product version)
Value@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
🚢 Gobi Cruise Special Train｜Slow travel in 2–4 person cabins, a moving scenic line across the Tianshan MountainsDay 1:Departure – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains, Karez, Aydingkol Lake) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Kizilya Grand Canyon – Reistan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Tongrentang – Kashgar – Korla
Day 6:Korla – Daxi Village – Lop Nur Village – Tiemen Pass – Korla – Yining
Day 7:Yining – Nalati Scenic Area – Xinyuan County
Day 8:Xinyuan County – Xinjiang Yiparhan Lavender Sightseeing Garden – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Shuanghe
Day 9:Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 10:Beitun – Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Day 11:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – China Color Cotton Technology Park – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Departure
On the vast and expansive land of Xinjiang, the railway runs through snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Gobi deserts, and lakes. The train moves steadily, like a ‘cruise ship’ sailing on land—this is the highly popular ‘Gobi Cruise’ tourist special train in recent years. In the spring and summer of 2026, this route has been upgraded again, covering the essence of northern and southern Xinjiang with three different experience levels (Value, Premium, Luxury), balancing comfort and cultural depth, making it an ideal choice for slow-paced in-depth travel.Premium@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains, Karez, Aydingkol Lake) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Kizilya Grand Canyon – Reistan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Tongrentang – Kashgar – Korla
Day 6:Korla – Lop Nur Village – Daxi Village – Tiemen Pass – Korla – Kuytun
Day 7:Kuytun – Duku North Section – Nalati Scenic Area – Xinyuan County
Day 8:Xinyuan County – Lavender Garden – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Shuanghe
Day 9:Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 10:Beitun – Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Day 11:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – China Color Cotton Technology Park – Urumqi
🌄 Route and Destination HighlightsDay 13:Urumqi – Departure
Manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Travel Booking and Consultation Center: Wang Fei
Luxury@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains – Karez – Grape Valley) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon – Reistan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Kashgar – Kuqa
Day 6:Kuqa – Duku South Section – Bayanbulak – Nalati Town
(If the Duku South Section is not open in late May, upgrade to a flight from Kuqa to Yining or Nalati)
Day 7:Nalati Town – Nalati Scenic Area – Kekedala/Yining City
(In late May, Yining or Nalati – Nalati Grassland – Kekedala City/Yining City)
Day 8:Kekedala/Yining – Sayram Lake – Bole/Shuanghe
Day 9:Bole/Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
The ‘Gobi Cruise’ is not a real cruise ship sailing on water, but a figurative name for a high-quality double-decker air-conditioned tourist special train. The train starts and ends in Urumqi, traversing the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, connecting the heat of the Flaming Mountains, the richness of Kashgar Old City, the vastness of Nalati Grassland, the clarity of Sayram Lake, and the mystery of Kanas Lake.Day 10:Beitun – Ahe Highway – Hemu Scenic Area
Day 11:Hemu – Kanas Scenic Area – Colorful Beach – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Color Cotton Technology Park (Medicinal Diet and Health Hotpot)
Day 13:Urumqi – Departure
💰 Price Explanation (Based on the original local finalized text)
Value@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour
May 20, June 13, July 7, July 31, August 24, September 17
Hard Sleeper 6-Bed Room:Upper berth 2980 RMB/person, Middle berth 3980 RMB/person, Lower berth 4580 RMB/person
Double-decker Hard Sleeper 4-Person Cabin:Middle berth 3980 RMB/person, Lower berth 4580 RMB/person
Premium@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour
May 20, June 13, July 7, July 31, August 24, September 17
(In May, Duku Highway is closed, alternative itinerary applies)
Double-decker 4-Person Soft Sleeper Cabin:Upper berth 7980 RMB/person, Lower berth 8980 RMB/person
The itinerary covers diverse landforms and cultural landscapes:Luxury@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour
May 20, June 13, July 7, July 31, August 24, September 17
(In May, Duku Highway is closed, upgrade to flight from Kuqa to Nalati/Yining)
Double-decker 2-Person Soft Sleeper Cabin:19800 RMB/person
> Note:The above prices are reference ranges. Actual costs may vary due to factors such as departure dates and room types. Please refer to the signed contract for specifics.
📞 How to Book
You can inquire and book through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Contact:Manager Wang Fei
#☎️/#Wang Fei:Consult Manager Wang Fei of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service
Please contact customer service directly for address information.
ℹ️ Cost and Service Description
The cost includes round-trip transportation connections, special train accommodation, first admission tickets to scenic spots, local specialty meals (such as Nine Bowls and Three Rows, Dapanji, Burqin Cold Water Fish Feast, etc.), guide services, and basic on-board support.
It does not include personal expenses, (if a private cabin is needed), some optional activities, and additional costs due to force majeure.
The itinerary involves seasonal sections like the Duku Highway, which are heavily affected by weather and traffic controls. For example, in May, since the Duku South Section is not open, some departures will implement an air connection plan (e.g., a flight from Kuqa to Nalati or Yining) to ensure the overall travel experience is not compromised. Specific arrangements are subject to the final tour notice. The travel agency will communicate fully with tourists before departure and make reasonable changes to the itinerary based on mutual agreement.
All service content and cancellation/modification rules are implemented in accordance with the ‘Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China’ and relevant laws and regulations. Please refer to the actual consultation and signed contract for specific details.
For more travel inquiries (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Comfort, Shifang, New Orient Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Lancang, Gobi Cruise Special Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Special Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahenan, Baiyun, Silver Age Xinjiang Tour, Trendy Age Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei
