Kunlun Tourism Special Train Itinerary + Departure Dates

For more travel information (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Anyi, 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, Chaoling Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh Ata) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei
🚂 If you’ve already seen many conventional introductions to the ‘Kunlun’, this article takes a different angle, discussing ‘how a special train connects the rhythm of Xinjiang’ to help you decide if it’s right for you.
🗺 ️ Routes and Destinations:Full North and South Xinjiang Grand Loop
The Kunlun tourist special train is a full north-south Xinjiang grand loop, departing from Urumqi and traveling along the route ‘Turpan—Kuqa—Kashgar—Korla—Yining—Altay—Beitun—Urumqi’, connecting several major geographical regions of Xinjiang.
Southern Xinjiang Cultural Route:Passing through Turpan, Kuqa, Kashgar, and Korla, you can experience the Flaming Mountains, Karez, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Qiuci music and dance, Kashgar Old City, Dawakun Desert, etc., feeling the blend of ancient Silk Road cities and desert oases.
Northern Xinjiang Scenic Route:Covering Nalati, Kuerdening, Sayram Lake, Kanas, Hemu, Tianchi, etc., it concentrates landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, forests, and river valleys.
Scenic Highway Experience:The itinerary includes sections like Ahe Highway, Panlong Ancient Road, and the northern section of Duku Highway, offering an experience of ‘traveling on the road while immersed in a painting’ under safety guarantees.
🏨 Special Train Experience:A mobile ‘star-rated hotel’
The Kunlun is positioned as a high-end tourist special train, with full-train air-conditioned soft sleepers, adopting a ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning’ mode, traveling at night and sightseeing during the day, effectively reducing long-distance bus travel.
🛏 ️ Multiple Cabin Options
4-person soft sleeper cabin (shared bathroom):Upper and lower berths, cost-effective, suitable for groups of friends or family.
2-person soft sleeper cabin (shared bathroom):Better privacy, suitable for couples or close friends.
2-person soft sleeper cabin (private bathroom):Includes shower facilities, suitable for passengers with high comfort requirements or prone to motion sickness.
2-person flat berth cabin (mostly with private bathroom):No upper and lower berths, more spacious, friendly for seniors and those with limited mobility.
🛋 ️ Onboard Facilities and Services

🚂 If you’ve already seen many conventional introductions to the ‘Kunlun’, this article takes a different angle, discussing ‘how a special train connects the rhythm of Xinjiang’ to help you decide if it’s right for you.Berths:Lower berth approx. 85cm×200cm, upper berth approx. 75cm×190cm, equipped with reading lights, power sockets, and luggage space.
Common Areas:Includes dining car and multi-functional carriage, offering simple meals, tea, and fruit during certain periods.
Services:Equipped with dedicated attendants, providing night checks, inquiries, and emergency medications.
🗓 ️ Itinerary Overview:14/15-Day Highlights Version
The itinerary mainly features a 14-day full north-south Xinjiang tour, with some schedules being 15 days, the main difference being whether the first day includes a Urumqi city tour. Below are the key points of the 14-day version:
Day 1:Arrive in Urumqi
Upon arrival, transfer by private car to the hotel, free time to acclimate to the climate, and optionally visit the International Grand Bazaar.
Day 2:Turpan Day Trip
Visit the Flaming Mountains, Karez, Grape Valley, etc., enjoy a special fruit feast, and take the special train to Kuqa in the evening.
Day 3:Kuqa—Tianshan Grand Canyon
Explore the canyon landscape, stroll through Kuqa Old City, enjoy Qiuci music and dance, and take the special train to Kashgar in the evening.
Day 4:Kashgar—Pamir Plateau
Travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to Tashkurgan, admire the snow mountain reflections at Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, with increasing altitude along the way—keep warm.
Day 5:In-depth Tashkurgan Tour
Visit Golden Grassland and Stone City, experience local ethnic home visits, challenge the Panlong Ancient Road, and return to Kashgar in the evening.

🗺️ Routes and Destinations: Full North and South Xinjiang Grand LoopDay 6:Kashgar Old City Slow Life
Visit Id Kah Mosque, freely stroll through the old city, experience local life, and take the special train to the next stop in the evening.
Day 7:Southern Xinjiang Scenery and Lakes
Depending on the schedule, may visit Korla to see Bosten Lake or continue touring southern Xinjiang, then take the special train north in the evening.
Day 8:Duku Highway Section
Enter the northern section of the Duku Highway, cross the Tianshan Mountains, enjoy landscapes of canyons, grasslands, and snow-capped mountains, arriving at Nalati/Xinyuan in the evening.
Day 9:Nalati—Kuerdening
Visit the ‘Sky Meadow’ Nalati, then head to Kuerdening to experience primeval spruce forests, and stay overnight in Yining/Kekedala.
Day 10:Yili Charm
Experience Liuxing Street and Huiyuan Ancient City, visit lavender gardens if the season is right, and take the special train to Altay in the evening.
Day 11:Sayram Lake—Ahe Highway
Circumnavigate Sayram Lake, the ‘last tear of the Atlantic’, enjoy sailing, then traverse the Ahe Highway, arriving at Hemu in the evening.
Day 12:Kanas—Hemu
Visit the three bays of Kanas (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay), explore Tuvan homes, experience Hemu morning mist, and take the special train back to Urumqi in the evening.
Day 13:Urumqi—Tianshan Tianchi

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Tourism Booking and Ticketing Center Manager: Wang Fei

The Kunlun tourist special train is a full north-south Xinjiang grand loop, departing from Urumqi and traveling along the route ‘Turpan—Kuqa—Kashgar—Korla—Yining—Altay—Beitun—Urumqi’, connecting several major geographical regions of Xinjiang.Visit Tianshan Tianchi, explore Xinjiang specialty exhibition halls, shop at the International Grand Bazaar, and buy dried fruits and other local products.
Day 14:Departure
Arrange airport/train station transfer according to flight/train schedule, ending the trip.
💰 2026 Reference Prices
Below are the reference price ranges for the 2026 Kunlun 14-day full north-south Xinjiang tour. Actual prices may vary due to schedule, berth type, policies, etc.
| Cabin Type | Reference Price/Person |
| :— | :— |
| 4-person soft sleeper cabin (shared bathroom) | Approx. ¥14,800 – ¥17,800 |
| 2-person soft sleeper cabin (shared bathroom) | Approx. ¥17,800 – ¥20,800 |
| 2-person soft sleeper cabin (private bathroom) | Approx. ¥22,800 – ¥25,800 |
| 2-person flat berth cabin (mostly private bathroom) | Approx. ¥23,800 – ¥24,800 |
💡 Friendly Reminder
The above are reference ranges; the final price is subject to the contract signed with the travel agency.
The price typically includes special train seats, ground transportation, hotel accommodation, some meals, attraction tickets, and travel accident insurance.

Southern Xinjiang Cultural Route: Passing through Turpan, Kuqa, Kashgar, and Korla, you can experience the Flaming Mountains, Karez, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Qiuci music and dance, Kashgar Old City, Dawakun Desert, etc., feeling the blend of ancient Silk Road cities and desert oases. Solo travelers or those wanting a private room can inquire about ‘one person, one cabin’ group products, which will be priced higher.
📞 Registration Method
Register uniformly with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. The process is as follows:
1. Consultation and Confirmation: Contact the travel agency to confirm the travel schedule, berth type, and price.
2. Submit Information: Provide the names, valid ID numbers, and contact numbers of all travelers.
3. Pay Deposit: Pay a deposit as agreed to secure seats (deposit amount per contract).
4. Sign Contract: After reviewing itinerary details, sign a unified electronic contract under national tourism supervision.
5. Pay Balance: Pay the remaining balance as per the contract timeline.
6. Pre-Trip Preparation: Receive the ‘Travel Guide’ and ‘Tour Notice’ before departure, and prepare luggage as required.
> Consultation Channels
> * Phone:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Manager Wang Fei
> * WeChat:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Manager Wang Fei
> * Address:Specific meeting point and hotel information, please consult customer service after registration.
📋 Cost and Service Description
✅ Costs Typically Include

Northern Xinjiang Scenic Route: Covering Nalati, Kuerdening, Sayram Lake, Kanas, Hemu, Tianchi, etc., it concentrates landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, forests, and river valleys.Transportation:Kunlun special train seats, destination air-conditioned tourist buses.
Accommodation:Full hotel accommodation (including some high-end hotels) and special train sleeper berths.
Meals:Breakfast and some main meals included in the itinerary, including specialty meals.
Tickets:First admission tickets and shuttle bus fees for listed attractions in the itinerary.
Services:Chinese-speaking guide, special train attendants, Urumqi airport/train station transfer service.
Complimentary:Some experience activities (e.g., Sayram Lake sailing), ethnic gifts, travel accident insurance, etc.
⚠ ️ Special Notes
Meals not included in the itinerary, personal expenses, and items not listed in ‘Costs Include’ are at your own expense.
Complimentary items may be changed or canceled due to weather, policies, etc., subject to the day’s arrangements.
All services and price details are subject to the formal contract signed with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
🤔 Who is this special train suitable for?
Travelers who want to see the best of Xinjiang in one trip without planning their own transportation and accommodation.
Those with relatively ample time who can accept a long trip of 10 days or more.
Travelers who prefer a ‘slow travel’ pace and want to rest comfortably on the road.
Families or groups traveling together who want a ‘one-berth-all-the-way’ experience to avoid moving luggage.
If you want to know about seasonal scenery differences or need help choosing berths based on budget and physical condition, feel free to contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Manager Wang Fei for more tailored advice.
For more travel information (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Anyi, 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, Chaoling Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh Ata) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei