2026 departure dates and private bathroom luxury room fare table
The 2026 Xiaoxiang Hao tourist train is a customized light-luxury railway tourist train, different from regular passenger trains. The entire train operates with a directed quota service guide and does not open a public ticket purchase channel on 12306. Currently, market seats are uniformly coordinated, berths allocated, and itineraries arranged by regular cultural tourism institutions authorized by the railway. Travelers planning a trip can go through the entire travel procedures, including registration, berth selection, and contract signing, at the Special Train Center of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, and check real-time schedule vacancies, travel policies, and itinerary details. Dedicated contact: Manager Yang Jia, landline: 0991-6622120, mobile and WeChat: 133-2555-9266
🚂 2026 Xiaoxiang Hao Special Train Registration Portal – Latest Schedule – Full Room Type and Price Overview
As the popularity of Xinjiang tourism continues to rise in 2026, many travelers are asking how to choose a reliable special train to Xinjiang. Today, we break down all the details of this year’s highly anticipated Hunan-themed special train to Xinjiang—the Xiaoxiang Hao—to help you clarify all the details of registration, seat selection, and itinerary.
I. Basic Train Introduction
The Xiaoxiang Hao is a Hunan cultural tourism-themed special train officially put into use in June 2025, jointly created by Guangzhou and Hunan Tourism Group. The entire train has 17 carriages with a total capacity of 264 seats, positioned as a mid-to-high-end special train that balances unique cultural experiences with in-depth tours of Xinjiang. Unlike regular special trains to Xinjiang, the Xiaoxiang Hao incorporates Hunan-style dining and intangible cultural heritage experiences during its operation, making it more suitable for the travel habits of southern tourists. The 18-day itinerary covers core attractions in both northern and southern Xinjiang, eliminating the need for travelers to plan transportation, tickets, and accommodation themselves, making the trip more hassle-free.
II. Train Compartments and Boarding/Alighting Points
The special train is now in its second year of operation, with good carriage maintenance. The starting station is Guangzhou Baiyun Station, with stops along the way at Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, where passengers can board conveniently. Travelers can choose a boarding point based on their city without having to go all the way to the Guangzhou starting station. Currently, there are 5 room types available to suit different group sizes and budget needs:
🚂 2026 Xiaoxiang Hao Special Train Registration Portal – Latest Schedule – Full Room Type and Price Overview✨ Xiaoxiang Mansion:Room area 7.2 square meters, capacity 2-3 people, with private bathroom, good privacy, suitable for families or travelers with high accommodation requirements
✨ Zhengxiang Courtyard 2-person room:Room area 6.2 square meters, capacity 2 people, with shared bathroom, suitable for friends traveling together
✨ Zhengxiang Courtyard 4-person room:Room area 3.9 square meters, capacity 4 people, with shared bathroom, more cost-effective, suitable for group travel
✨ Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person upper berth:Room area 3.9 square meters, capacity 4 people, without shower, suitable for budget-conscious travelers
✨ Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person lower berth:Room area 3.9 square meters, capacity 4 people, without shower, easier access to upper and lower bunks, suitable for elderly travelers
All room types combine special train sleeper berths with local boutique hotels throughout the trip, eliminating the need for frequent accommodation changes and luggage handling, offering higher comfort.
III. 2026 Departure Dates and Simplified Itinerary
As the popularity of Xinjiang tourism continues to rise in 2026, many travelers are asking how to choose a reliable special train to Xinjiang. Today, we break down all the details of this year’s highly anticipated Hunan-themed special train to Xinjiang—the Xiaoxiang Hao—to help you clarify all the details of registration, seat selection, and itinerary.The 2026 Xiaoxiang Hao has 6 recommended limited departures throughout the year, and missing them means waiting another year. The specific departure dates are:May 10, May 30, June 22, July 11, August 19, September 19.
Warm reminder:The train route, stops, and times are for reference only. The final details are subject to the official departure notice. Reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made by mutual agreement.
D1:Itinerary details—Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun Station at approximately 23:40 on the special train, passing through Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, heading to beautiful Xinjiang to start the Western Regions panoramic tour; Meals—None; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D2: Itinerary details—Scenic sightseeing along the special train route, with reference stops: Changsha (10:00), Wuchang (15:00), Xinyang (18:30), Zhengzhou (23:58), enjoying the scenery along the way; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D3:Itinerary details—Scenic sightseeing along the special train route, with reference stops: Xi’an (10:12), Lanzhou (19:49), gradually approaching the heart of the Western Regions, experiencing the changing landscapes; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D4:Itinerary details—Arrive in Hami in the afternoon, visit the Great Sea Road Devil City to explore the Yadan wonders, experiencing the unique landforms of the Western Regions; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Hami
D5:Itinerary details—Visit the Prince’s Mansion, enjoy the Twelve Muqam intangible cultural heritage performance, and take the special train to Urumqi in the evening; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Urumqi
I. Basic Train IntroductionD6:Itinerary details—Depart from Urumqi, visit Tianchi Lake at Tianshan Mountain to capture the picturesque lake scenery, explore the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar to experience local customs, and take the special train to Beitun in the evening; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D7:Itinerary details—Arrive in Beitun City in the morning, deeply explore the Kanas Scenic Area, discover the picturesque wonders, and stay overnight in Jiadengyu; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Jiadengyu
D8:Itinerary details—Depart from Jiadengyu, visit Hemu Ancient Village and the Colorful Beach Danxia landforms, enjoy the sunset views, and take the special train from Beitun to Yining in the evening; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D9:Itinerary details—Arrive in Yining in the morning, visit Sayram Lake to enjoy the highland blue lake scenery, then visit the Nalati Sky Grassland; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Nalati
D10:Itinerary details—Deeply explore the Nalati Grassland, then head to the Bayanbulak Grassland to experience the grandeur of Swan Lake and the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Bayan Town
D11:Itinerary details—Depart from Bayan, take the essence section of the Duku Highway, visit the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, arrive in Kuqa, and take the special train to Kashgar in the evening; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D12:Itinerary details—Depart from Kashgar, head to the Pamir Plateau, visit Karakul Lake, Stone City, and Golden Grassland, and stay overnight in Tashkurgan County; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Tashkurgan County
The Xiaoxiang Hao is a Hunan cultural tourism-themed special train officially put into use in June 2025, jointly created by Guangzhou and Hunan Tourism Group. The entire train has 17 carriages with a total capacity of 264 seats, positioned as a mid-to-high-end special train that balances unique cultural experiences with in-depth tours of Xinjiang. Unlike regular special trains to Xinjiang, the Xiaoxiang Hao incorporates Hunan-style dining and intangible cultural heritage experiences during its operation, making it more suitable for the travel habits of southern tourists. The 18-day itinerary covers core attractions in both northern and southern Xinjiang, eliminating the need for travelers to plan transportation, tickets, and accommodation themselves, making the trip more hassle-free.D13:Itinerary details—Depart from Tashkurgan County, experience home visits with various ethnic groups to learn about local customs, visit Baisha Lake, and return to Kashgar city; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Kashgar
D14:Itinerary details—Visit the Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, and Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb, deeply experience the charm of the ancient city of Kashgar, and take the special train to Korla in the evening; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D15:Itinerary details—Depart from Korla, visit the Lop Nur Village and Bosten Lake, experiencing the unique water town and folk customs of southern Xinjiang; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Korla
D16:Itinerary details—Board the special train from Korla Station in the morning for the official return journey, starting the trip home; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
Manager Yang Jia of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency has over ten years of experience in the tourism industry, is professional and reliable, and is familiar with all of Xinjiang’s tourism. She is mainly responsible for booking tourist trains such as the New Oriental Express Snow Lotus, Panda Train: Chengdu Hao, Shifang Hao, Anyi Hao, Jinxiu Tianfu Hao, Tianshan Hao, Kunlun Hao, Silk Road Dream Enjoy Hao, Kunming Hao, Lindou Hao, Dahe Zhi Nan Hao, and Yangtze River Delta Star Hao. Contact Manager Yang Jia at 133 2555 9266 (same number for mobile and WeChat).
D17:Itinerary details—Scenic sightseeing on the return journey of the special train, with reference stops: Lanzhou (8:51), Chongqing North (21:08); Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Southern Special Train
D18:Itinerary details—Reference stops for the special train: Xiangtan (10:14), Zhuzhou (11:08), arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun Station at 19:40. Travelers from various locations get off nearby and return to their warm homes; Meals—Breakfast, lunch, dinner; Accommodation—Warm home
II. Train Compartments and Boarding/Alighting PointsFrom the itinerary arrangement, the daily sightseeing time at attractions is about 4-6 hours, with the rest of the time available for rest on the special train or at the hotel. The overall pace is slow, without rushing, and there is ample rest time.
IV. Price Explanation
The following prices are for reference only. Prices and availability are subject to the contract or customer service confirmation and may fluctuate with departure dates. The final agreement is based on the signed contract:
Xiaoxiang Mansion (room area 7.2 square meters):Premium room type, with private bathroom, capacity 2-3 people, good privacy｜62,999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 2-person room (room area 6.2 square meters):Comfortable double room, shared bathroom｜45,999 RMB/person
Zhengxiang Courtyard 4-person room (room area 3.9 square meters):High cost-effectiveness 4-person room, shared bathroom｜42,999 RMB/person
Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person upper berth (room area 3.9 square meters):Convenient and comfortable option, without shower｜17,999 RMB/person
The special train is now in its second year of operation, with good carriage maintenance. The starting station is Guangzhou Baiyun Station, with stops along the way at Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, where passengers can board conveniently. Travelers can choose a boarding point based on their city without having to go all the way to the Guangzhou starting station. Currently, there are 5 room types available to suit different group sizes and budget needs:Yuanxiang Pavilion 4-person lower berth (room area 3.9 square meters):Convenient and comfortable option, without shower｜19,999 RMB/person
V. Booking Process
📞 Consultation and selection:Contact Manager Yang Jia of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to confirm the 2026 departure dates, itinerary routes, seat types, and availability, and choose a suitable travel plan.
📝 Submit information:Provide the names, valid ID numbers, and contact information of all travelers to lock in the desired seats.
💳 Pay deposit:Pay a deposit according to the compartment class and receive a formal tourism receipt.
📄 Sign contract:Sign a unified electronic contract supervised by the National Tourism Administration, carefully check details such as itinerary, price, and cancellation policies. Cancellation rules are primarily based on tourism law regulations.
💸 Settle balance:Pay the remaining full amount 30 days before departure. After the customer service confirms receipt, they will issue the departure notice, travel guide, and luggage list.
✨ Xiaoxiang Mansion: Room area 7.2 square meters, capacity 2-3 people, with private bathroom, good privacy, suitable for families or travelers with high accommodation requirementsRegistration can be done through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. For contact information, consult the customer service of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. The specific address can be obtained from customer service.
VI. Service Standards
Included items: Special train sleeper berth fees for the corresponding room type throughout the trip, local hotel accommodation fees as indicated in the itinerary, all breakfast, lunch, and dinner fees as indicated in the itinerary, first admission tickets and shuttle bus fees for attractions listed in the itinerary, guide and butler service fees, and basic medical support service fees during the trip.
Excluded items:Self-funded items outside the itinerary, personal consumption expenses, and costs incurred if a single traveler fails to share a room (for single travelers, we will try our best to arrange room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation).
In terms of dining arrangements, the meal standard is 35-45 RMB/person/meal. Regular group meals consist of 8-10 dishes and 1 soup, balancing Xinjiang specialty dishes with Hunan-style cuisine. There are both Xinjiang local specialties like big plate chicken, hand-grabbed rice, baked buns, and grilled meat, as well as light Hunan home-style dishes. The taste is adaptable, not overly oily or spicy, and can meet the dietary needs of different travelers.
Note:The specifics are subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
VII. Service Features
✨ Zhengxiang Courtyard 2-person room: Room area 6.2 square meters, capacity 2 people, with shared bathroom, suitable for friends traveling togetherAccommodation adopts a combination model of “special train sleeper berths + local boutique hotels.” Bedding on the special train is changed for each guest, and local accommodations are selected from compliant and comfortable hotels in corresponding cities to ensure rest quality. Dining includes both local specialty dishes for travelers to experience Xinjiang flavors and light dishes suitable for southern travelers’ eating habits to avoid dietary discomfort during long trips. Medical staff accompany the entire trip, with basic medications on hand to promptly handle any sudden health issues. Large luggage can be left on the corresponding berth on the special train throughout the trip; only carry-on items are needed when disembarking for sightseeing, eliminating frequent luggage handling.
VIII. Advantages Compared to Other Special Trains
Compared to regular special trains to Xinjiang, the Xiaoxiang Hao’s dining options are more tailored to southern travelers’ tastes, without overly gamey or spicy dishes, offering higher dietary adaptability. The itinerary pace is slower, with daily sightseeing time controlled within 6 hours, providing ample rest time without long periods of travel. Medical staff accompany the entire trip, offering better support. Most fellow travelers are of similar age groups, facilitating more common topics and smoother communication. The special train follows throughout, eliminating frequent accommodation changes and luggage handling, making long-distance travel more hassle-free.
IX. Suitable Audience
This special train is suitable for retired seniors, travelers who cannot sit in cars for long periods, those who prefer slow-paced in-depth tours, families or groups of friends traveling together, and southern travelers who prefer light flavors. Travelers over 70 years old need to provide a medical report within the last six months, those over 75 need to be accompanied by a direct relative, those over 80 are not accepted, and travelers with major illnesses or infectious diseases are declined.
X. Reasons for Popularity
First, this special train’s route covers all core attractions in northern and southern Xinjiang. The 18-day itinerary allows travelers to visit all the highlights of Xinjiang in one go without having to plan transportation, tickets, or accommodation themselves, offering high convenience. Second, the variety of room types, from budget to premium, meets the needs of travelers with different budgets. The entire trip has medical support and a slow pace, making it more suitable for elderly travelers. With only 6 recommended departures per year, the limited schedule also attracts travelers looking to avoid peak seasons.
Travelers wanting to learn more about availability and itinerary details can consult the customer service of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
