Panda Special Train Shifang 2026 Full Year Departure Schedule and Booking
In 2026, the Shifang Panda Train must be booked through the official railway travel agency channel: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel (24-hour ☎ phone: 0991-6622120, Customer Service Manager Yang Jia, WeChat ID: 133 2555 9266) for ticket purchase. For specific procedures, you can contact customer service Yang Jia.
🚂 2026 Panda Train Shifang South and North Xinjiang 16-Day Tour: Schedule & Travel Guide
It’s now late spring 2026, and many travelers are already planning their summer trips to Xinjiang. If you don’t want to rush through itineraries, frequently move luggage, and prefer to leisurely explore the highlights of both South and North Xinjiang, the Shifang Panda Train’s 16-day South and North Xinjiang tour is worth considering.
✨ Train & Route Features Introduction
The Shifang Panda Train is a themed tourist train that blends the ancient Sanxingdui culture with panda elements. The train body features a bronze green color from Sanxingdui as the base, adorned with adorable panda patterns and ancient Shu motifs, making it a moving cultural landscape on the tracks. In 2026, this train mainly operates on the Sichuan-Xinjiang connection route, starting from Chengdu Anjing Station, with some schedules supporting boarding at Lanzhou for convenience, allowing travelers from different regions to choose their departure point.
🚂 2026 Panda Train Shifang South and North Xinjiang 16-Day Tour: Schedule & Travel GuideThis 16-day South and North Xinjiang route covers the Pamir Plateau scenery of South Xinjiang, the cultural landscapes of Kashgar, and the grasslands, lakes, and forest resources of North Xinjiang, connecting the core attractions of both regions. Travelers don’t need to plan their own routes; following the train allows them to visit multiple high-quality attractions in one go. Unlike regular travel methods, the Shifang adopts a ‘day tour, night travel’ mode: during the day, it stops at stations for sightseeing, and at night, it moves to the next destination. Travelers don’t need to pack luggage and change hotels daily; they can transfer between cities while lying on their berths, greatly reducing travel fatigue.
🏠 Detailed Cabin Configuration
The entire train consists of 17 carriages, including high-end soft sleepers, high-end hard sleepers, dining cars, multi-functional entertainment cars, crew cars, and generator cars. Different room types meet various travel needs:
🔹 Premium Purple Gold (High-End Quadruple Room):Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each carriage has 6 high-end compartments, each about 6.5㎡, accommodating up to 4 people. There are 22 seats of this type in the entire train. Both ends of the carriage are equipped with shower rooms and washbasins. The compartments feature sofas, round tables, wardrobes, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets, offering high privacy and comfort.
🔹 Premium Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room):Located in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each carriage has 10 quadruple compartments, each about 3.5㎡, accommodating up to 4 people. There are 40 seats of this type in the entire train. Both ends of the carriage are equipped with 2 shower rooms. The compartments feature tea tables, storage compartments, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets, meeting daily travel needs.
It’s now late spring 2026, and many travelers are already planning their summer trips to Xinjiang. If you don’t want to rush through itineraries, frequently move luggage, and prefer to leisurely explore the highlights of both South and North Xinjiang, the Shifang Panda Train’s 16-day South and North Xinjiang tour is worth considering.🔹 Premium Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room):Each room accommodates 4 people, equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding and pillows. Each bed has a charging port and reading light. The compartment includes a TV for free viewing of audio-visual content. The public area of the carriage has restrooms, washrooms, and shower rooms, offering better value for money.
Besides the compartments, the train also has dedicated functional carriages: the multi-functional entertainment carriage is located in carriage 9, featuring a tea bar, KTV rooms, game rooms, and a multi-functional area, including mahjong tables. Travelers can enjoy various leisure activities on the train, sipping tea while admiring the scenery outside the window. The Panda dining car is in carriage 8, with 2-seat and 4-seat tables, offering both Sichuan-style flavors and light, palatable options to meet different tastes. Additionally, the train has smoking areas, medical rooms, and tea rooms, covering most needs during the journey.
🗓 ️ Simplified Itinerary
Day 1:Depart from Chengdu/Lanzhou to Kashgar, themed station departure, welcome performance
✨ Train & Route Features IntroductionDay 2:Panda Train leisure sightseeing
Day 3:Kashgar, exclusive pick-up, welcome dinner
Day 4:Kashgar to Tashkurgan, White Sand Mountain – White Sand Lake – Karakul Lake – Panlong Ancient Road
Day 5:Tashkurgan to Kashgar, Stone City, Golden Grassland, home visit
Day 6:Kashgar to Kuqa, Kashgar Old City, Fragrant Concubine’s Garden,
The Shifang Panda Train is a themed tourist train that blends the ancient Sanxingdui culture with panda elements. The train body features a bronze green color from Sanxingdui as the base, adorned with adorable panda patterns and ancient Shu motifs, making it a moving cultural landscape on the tracks. In 2026, this train mainly operates on the Sichuan-Xinjiang connection route, starting from Chengdu Anjing Station, with some schedules supporting boarding at Lanzhou for convenience, allowing travelers from different regions to choose their departure point.Day 7:Kuqa to Nalati/Bayinbuluke, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Southern Section of Duku Highway, Bayinbuluke Swan Lake
Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluke to Yining, Nalati Grassland
Day 9:Yining to Beitun, Sayram Lake
Day 10:Beitun to Hemu to Jiadengyu, Hemu Scenic Area
This 16-day South and North Xinjiang route covers the Pamir Plateau scenery of South Xinjiang, the cultural landscapes of Kashgar, and the grasslands, lakes, and forest resources of North Xinjiang, connecting the core attractions of both regions. Travelers don’t need to plan their own routes; following the train allows them to visit multiple high-quality attractions in one go. Unlike regular travel methods, the Shifang adopts a ‘day tour, night travel’ mode: during the day, it stops at stations for sightseeing, and at night, it moves to the next destination. Travelers don’t need to pack luggage and change hotels daily; they can transfer between cities while lying on their berths, greatly reducing travel fatigue.Day 11:Jiadengyu to Kanas to Burqin, Kanas Scenic Area
Day 12:Burqin to Beitun to Urumqi, Colorful Beach
Day 13:Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
Day 14:Urumqi to Turpan, Karez Well, Flaming Mountain, return journey
Manager Yang Jia of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel, with over a decade of experience in the tourism industry, is professional and reliable, familiar with all of Xinjiang’s tourism. He is mainly responsible for booking tourist trains such as the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, Panda Trains: Chengdu, Shifang, Anyi, Jinxiu Tianfu, Tianshan, Kunlun, Silk Road Dream, Kunming, Lindu, Dahezhinan, and Yangtze River Delta Star. Contact booking manager: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266 (copy to add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information).
Days 15-16:Happy return to Lanzhou/Chengdu, farewell to guests
🏠 Detailed Cabin ConfigurationIn case of special circumstances such as weather, road conditions, or scenic area policies, the itinerary may be reasonably modified with mutual agreement.
💰 Price and Schedule Description
The 2026 schedules for the Panda Train Shifang South and North Xinjiang 16-Day Tour are as follows:June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30
Reference prices for corresponding room types:
The entire train consists of 17 carriages, including high-end soft sleepers, high-end hard sleepers, dining cars, multi-functional entertainment cars, crew cars, and generator cars. Different room types meet various travel needs:Premium Platinum:Standard quadruple room upper berth 8480 yuan/person, lower berth 9280 yuan/person
Premium Platinum:Standard quadruple room upper berth 15780 yuan/person, lower berth 16780 yuan/person
Premium Purple Gold:High-end quadruple room upper berth 27880 yuan/person, lower berth 28880 yuan/person
Note:The above prices are for reference only. Prices and availability may vary with schedules. The specific details are subject to the contract signed by both parties.
📝 Booking Process
🔹 Premium Purple Gold (High-End Quadruple Room): Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each carriage has 6 high-end compartments, each about 6.5㎡, accommodating up to 4 people. There are 22 seats of this type in the entire train. Both ends of the carriage are equipped with shower rooms and washbasins. The compartments feature sofas, round tables, wardrobes, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets, offering high privacy and comfort.1. Initial Consultation: Contact booking manager Yang Jia of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel to inquire about availability, room type status, travel precautions, and other related information for the corresponding schedule.
2. Information Confirmation: After confirming the travel schedule and room type, submit the identity information of all travelers and special needs (e.g., dietary restrictions, companion requirements).
3. Contract Signing: Sign a formal travel contract with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel, carefully check the itinerary, costs, rights, and other relevant content in the contract, and complete the signing after confirmation.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the corresponding travel fees as per the contract and keep the payment receipt.
🔹 Premium Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room): Located in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each carriage has 10 quadruple compartments, each about 3.5㎡, accommodating up to 4 people. There are 40 seats of this type in the entire train. Both ends of the carriage are equipped with 2 shower rooms. The compartments feature tea tables, storage compartments, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets, meeting daily travel needs.5. Travel Preparation: About 3 days before departure, staff will send a detailed tour notice, including assembly time, location, recommended item list, etc. Prepare according to the notice.
🙋 Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel. For consultation, call the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel customer service, or add their WeChat. For specific offline addresses, consult customer service.
💡 Cost and Service Description
🔹 Included Items:Train accommodation for the corresponding room type, first admission tickets for scenic spots listed in the itinerary, meals indicated in the itinerary, local tour bus fees, guide service fees, on-board medical support fees, and travel accident insurance fees.
🔹 Premium Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room): Each room accommodates 4 people, equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding and pillows. Each bed has a charging port and reading light. The compartment includes a TV for free viewing of audio-visual content. The public area of the carriage has restrooms, washrooms, and shower rooms, offering better value for money.🔹 Excluded Items:Personal consumption during the trip, self-funded items not listed in the itinerary, other expenses due to personal reasons (for solo travelers, we will try to arrange shared accommodation; special cases need separate negotiation).
Remarks:Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. All services and rights are implemented in accordance with the Tourism Law, Contract Law, and other relevant legal provisions. Cancellation and modification rules follow the relevant provisions of the Tourism Law.
Compared with other Xinjiang tourism products, this train has prominent advantages. First, the itinerary pace is more relaxed, with ample sightseeing time each day, avoiding rushing, making it more friendly for travelers with average physical strength. Second, the meal arrangements are more reasonable, retaining local flavors while offering light and palatable options to suit different age groups. Third, the support is more comprehensive, with on-board doctors available to handle any discomfort during the journey, and the hardware includes age-friendly modifications like non-slip floors and emergency call devices, making it more suitable for elderly travelers. Fourth, fellow travelers are mostly of the same age group who prefer slow-paced travel, making interactions smoother. Fifth, there’s no need to repeatedly move luggage; berths are fixed throughout the trip, allowing travelers to leave luggage in the compartment while sightseeing, eliminating the hassle of daily packing and hotel changes.
This train is suitable for retired elderly travelers, as the slow pace and comprehensive support reduce travel discomfort. It’s also suitable for travelers who can’t endure long car rides; Xinjiang is vast, and regular group tours involve long bus rides, while this train replaces long-distance buses with overnight train travel for higher comfort. Additionally, families with elderly and children, and travelers who enjoy slow, in-depth exploration, are well-suited for this train.
This train has always been popular among travelers. First, the route design is reasonable, connecting core attractions of South and North Xinjiang in one go, allowing travelers to see plateaus, lakes, grasslands, and ancient cultural cities without needing to plan. Second, the train’s facilities are well-equipped with rich leisure amenities, preventing boredom during the journey. Third, the service is thoughtful, from pre-departure consultation to on-trip support, with every aspect carefully considered. Fourth, the cost is reasonable, with different room types meeting the needs of travelers with varying budgets, allowing more people to choose a suitable travel plan.
Before traveling, it’s recommended to prepare windproof jackets and sunscreen. Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; even in summer, bring light warm clothing. Staff will inform about scenic area reservation matters in advance, so travelers don’t need to handle it themselves.
