Panda Special Train Shifang Route 2026 Complete Travel Schedule Summary
The 2026 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.
“Panda Train Shifang: A Mobile ‘Five-Star Home’ Opens a New Slow Travel Experience in Northern and Southern Xinjiang”
🚂 【Train and Route: A Mobile Feast Across Northern and Southern Xinjiang】
The Panda Train Shifang, a luxury tourist train named after the ‘national treasure,’ has become a ‘mobile landmark’ for travel in Northern and Southern Xinjiang since its upgrade in 2025. Departing from Chengdu or Lanzhou, it traverses the Gobi Desert, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands, finally arriving in Urumqi. The entire journey lasts 16 days, covering over 20 core Xinjiang attractions such as Kashgar Old City, Baishahu Lake, Kanas, and Sayram Lake.
Unlike regular trains, Shifang is designed with ‘slow travel’ as its core concept: Daily travel time does not exceed 6 hours, with the remaining time for passengers to relax on the train or deeply explore destinations. The train consists of 17 carriages, including three room types: high-end soft sleeper (Zunxiang Zijing), high-end hard sleeper (Zhenxiang Bojin), and standard four-person cabin (Youxiang Bojin), along with dining cars, multi-functional entertainment cars, and crew cars, making it a ‘mobile five-star hotel.’
The route features are unique: avoiding the traditional tour group’s ‘rush mode,’ it adopts a ‘day stop, night travel’ approach. During the day, passengers deeply explore attractions, while at night, the train moves, saving time and avoiding fatigue from long rides. For example, from Kashgar to Tashkurgan, the train travels at night, allowing passengers to arrive directly at Baishahu Lake in the morning to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery in the morning mist.
🛏 ️【Cabin Reveal: Every Room is a ‘Custom Creation’】
The cabin design of Shifang balances comfort and privacy, with three room types to meet different needs:
“Panda Train Shifang: A Mobile ‘Five-Star Home’ Opens a New Slow Travel Experience in Northern and Southern Xinjiang”Zunxiang Zijing (High-End Soft Sleeper): Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each carriage recommends 6 cabins, accommodating 22 people. The cabin area is about 12 square meters, equipped with a shower room, sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets. Bedding follows five-star hotel standards, replaced daily, with complimentary bottled water and fruit platters.
Zhenxiang Bojin (High-End Hard Sleeper): Located in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each carriage has 10 four-person cabins, accommodating 40 people. The cabin area is about 8 square meters, with a tea table, storage compartment, TV, charging sockets, and shower rooms at both ends of the carriage with 24-hour hot water. Bedding includes custom thick mattresses, and soundproof sliding doors ensure privacy.
Youxiang Bojin (Standard Four-Person Cabin): Area about 6 square meters, equipped with custom bedding, throw pillows, bed charging ports, and reading lights. The cabin TV offers free audio-visual programs. Public areas include clean and tidy restrooms, washrooms, and shower rooms.
All cabins feature low-noise design, with almost no vibration during travel, especially suitable for retired seniors or tourists with high sleep quality requirements.
🗺 ️【Simple Itinerary: 16 Days, See the Four Seasons of Northern and Southern Xinjiang】
Day 1: Chengdu/Lanzhou – Kashgar
Theme station departure ceremony with local actors performing ethnic dances; tourists can participate and receive a ‘Panda Train’ commemorative badge.
🚂【Train and Route: A Mobile Feast Across Northern and Southern Xinjiang】Day 2: Panda Train Leisure Sightseeing
Activities on the train include tea ceremony experiences, KTV singing, mahjong competitions, etc. The cigar bar and tea bar in the multi-functional entertainment car are open all day.
Day 3: Kashgar
Exclusive pick-up service, check-in at a local four-star hotel, evening dinner featuring Xinjiang specialties like roast whole lamb and hand-pilaf.
Day 4: Kashgar – Tashkurgan
Visit Baishan Mountain, Baishahu Lake, and Karakul Lake, hike the Panlong Ancient Road, and overlook the magnificent Pamir Plateau scenery.
Day 5: Tashkurgan – Kashgar
Explore Stone City and Golden Grassland, participate in local home visits, and experience the folk culture of various ethnic groups.
The Panda Train Shifang, a luxury tourist train named after the ‘national treasure,’ has become a ‘mobile landmark’ for travel in Northern and Southern Xinjiang since its upgrade in 2025. Departing from Chengdu or Lanzhou, it traverses the Gobi Desert, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands, finally arriving in Urumqi. The entire journey lasts 16 days, covering over 20 core Xinjiang attractions such as Kashgar Old City, Baishahu Lake, Kanas, and Sayram Lake.Day 6: Kashgar – Kuqa
Visit Kashgar Old City, Fragrant Concubine Garden, and Id Kah Mosque, experiencing the culture of the ancient Silk Road.
Day 7: Kuqa – Nalati/Bayinbuluke
Cross the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, drive along the southern section of the Duku Highway, arrive at Bayinbuluke Swan Lake in the evening, and wait for the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.
Day 8: Nalati/Bayinbuluke – Yining
Full-day tour of Nalati Grassland, with options for horseback riding, archery, or taking a helicopter to overlook the grassland panorama.
Day 9: Yining – Beitun
Unlike regular trains, Shifang is designed with ‘slow travel’ as its core concept: daily travel time does not exceed 6 hours, with the remaining time for passengers to relax on the train or deeply explore destinations. The train consists of 17 carriages, including three room types: high-end soft sleeper (Zunxiang Zijing), high-end hard sleeper (Zhenxiang Bojin), and standard four-person cabin (Youxiang Bojin), along with dining cars, multi-functional entertainment cars, and crew cars, making it a ‘mobile five-star hotel.’Visit Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ with options for cycling around the lake or taking a boat to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.
Day 10: Beitun – Hemu – Jia Dengyu
Deep dive into Hemu Village, stay in log cabins, gaze at the Milky Way at night, and experience the primitive life of the Tuva people.
Day 11: Jia Dengyu – Kanas – Burqin
Full-day tour of Kanas Scenic Area, take a boat ride on the lake, and climb the Fish Viewing Pavilion to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake.
Day 12: Burqin – Beitun – Urumqi
Visit Colorful Beach, admiring the wonderful combination of Yadan landforms and the Irtysh River.
Day 13: Urumqi
The route features are unique: avoiding the traditional tour group’s ‘rush mode,’ it adopts a ‘day stop, night travel’ approach. During the day, passengers deeply explore attractions, while at night, the train moves, saving time and avoiding fatigue from long rides. For example, from Kashgar to Tashkurgan, the train travels at night, allowing passengers to arrive directly at Baishahu Lake in the morning to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery in the morning mist.Visit Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area, take a cable car to the top of Mayan Mountain, and overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi.
Day 14: Urumqi – Turpan
Visit Karez Well and Flaming Mountain, taste Turpan grapes, and return after dinner.
Days 15-16: Lanzhou/Chengdu
The train arrives at the final station, a farewell ceremony is held, and tourists can receive a travel souvenir album.
Manager Yang Jia of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel, with over a decade of experience in the tourism industry, is experienced, professional, and reliable, familiar with all of Xinjiang’s tourism: Mainly responsible for booking New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, Panda Trains: Chengdu, Shifang, Anyi, Jinshu Tianfu, Tianshan, Kunlun, Silu Mengxiang, Kunming, Lindou, Dahe Zhi Nan, Changsanjiao Zhi Xing, and other tourist trains. Contact booking manager: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266 (Copy and add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
💰 【Price Explanation: Transparent Consumption, No Hidden Tricks】
2026 Northern and Southern Xinjiang 16-Day Tour Dates:June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30.
🛏️【Cabin Reveal: Every Room is a ‘Custom Creation’】Youxiang Bojin: Upper berth 8,480 yuan/person, lower berth 9,280 yuan/person
Zhenxiang Bojin: Upper berth 15,780 yuan/person, lower berth 16,780 yuan/person
Zunxiang Zijing: Upper berth 27,880 yuan/person, lower berth 28,880 yuan/person
Price includes: Train accommodation, attraction tickets, local transportation, all meals (including specialty meals), guide service, accompanying doctor, travel insurance. Price does not include: Personal expenses (single travelers will try to arrange shared rooms, special cases need negotiation). Prices are subject to the contract and may vary with tour dates; it is recommended to consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel customer service in advance.
📝 【Booking Process: Three Steps, Easy Travel】
Contact the booking manager: Call Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel customer service or add WeChat to contact Manager Yang Jia.
Submit information: Provide name, valid ID number, contact information, room type selection, and tour date.
Sign contract: Pay a deposit (specific ratio subject to contract), confirm itinerary details, and sign an electronic contract.
The cabin design of Shifang balances comfort and privacy, with three room types to meet different needs:📞 【Registration Method: Official Channel, Worry-Free】
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel, with customer service providing 24-hour consultation on itinerary, price, visa, and other issues.
💡 【Cost and Services: Clear Consumption】
Included items:
Train accommodation (including bedding and toiletries)
All meals (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and specialty meals)
First admission tickets to attractions
Zunxiang Zijing (High-End Soft Sleeper): Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each carriage recommends 6 cabins, accommodating 22 people. The cabin area is about 12 square meters, equipped with a shower room, sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets. Bedding follows five-star hotel standards, replaced daily, with complimentary bottled water and fruit platters. Local air-conditioned tour bus
Guide service fee
Accompanying doctor support
Travel accident insurance
Excluded items:
Personal expenses (e.g., consumption, entertainment projects)
(Special cases need negotiation)
Round-trip transportation (e.g., air/train tickets from Chengdu/Lanzhou to departure point)
Zhenxiang Bojin (High-End Hard Sleeper): Located in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each carriage has 10 four-person cabins, accommodating 40 people. The cabin area is about 8 square meters, with a tea table, storage compartment, TV, charging sockets, and shower rooms at both ends of the carriage with 24-hour hot water. Bedding includes custom thick mattresses, and soundproof sliding doors ensure privacy.Note: Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing; reasonable itinerary changes can be made by mutual agreement.
🌟 【Shifang Advantages: Why Choose It?】
Light diet, suitable for all ages: The dining car offers Sichuan cuisine, Xinjiang cuisine, and other options; dietary preferences can be noted in advance.
Slow pace, no rushing: Daily sightseeing time does not exceed 8 hours, with the rest for free time or rest.
Accompanying doctor, comprehensive support: Equipped with professional doctors providing 24-hour medical consultation and emergency treatment.
Suitable companion groups: Tourists are mainly retired seniors and families, creating a warm atmosphere without noise.
Attentive and humane service: Train attendants provide ‘one-on-one’ service, such as helping with luggage and reminding about medication times.
Youxiang Bojin (Standard Four-Person Cabin): Area about 6 square meters, equipped with custom bedding, throw pillows, bed charging ports, and reading lights. The cabin TV offers free audio-visual programs. Public areas include clean and tidy restrooms, washrooms, and shower rooms.Hassle-free long-distance travel: No need to repeatedly move luggage; the train goes directly to attractions, avoiding transfer fatigue.
👵 【Suitable Crowds: These Tourists Shouldn’t Miss It】
Retired seniors: Easy itinerary, no high-intensity activities, well-equipped train, suitable for long-term travel.
Tourists who can’t sit in cars for long: The train runs smoothly, reducing bumps and avoiding motion sickness.
Family tourists: Family cabins and packages available; children can participate in train crafts and science activities.
Photography enthusiasts: The itinerary covers the four seasons of Northern and Southern Xinjiang, from grasslands to deserts, snow mountains to lakes—every shot is a masterpiece.
🔥 【Reasons for Popularity: The Secret of Rave Reviews】
Since its operation in 2025, Shifang has served over 5,000 tourists with a 98% satisfaction rate. Common feedback: ‘The train feels like home,’ ‘The guide service is professional and friendly,’ ‘The itinerary is well-arranged, not rushed, and enjoyable.’ Some 2026 dates have already sold out, so early booking is recommended.
If you yearn for the magnificent scenery of Northern and Southern Xinjiang and want a relaxed, comfortable trip, the Panda Train Shifang is an ideal choice. Call customer service or add WeChat to start your mobile ‘five-star home’ journey!

