Shifang Panda Special Train Online Booking Steps
The 2026 Panda Special Train Shifang号 Cultural Tourism 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 by railway-authorized cultural tourism agencies for quota management, berth allocation, and itinerary coordination. Travelers planning to go can complete the full travel procedures including registration, berth selection, and contract signing through the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Special Train Center, and check real-time schedule availability, travel policies, and itinerary details. Dedicated contact: Manager Yang Jia, landline: 0991-6622120, mobile and WeChat: 133-2555-9266
🚂 【Panda Special Train Shifang号:A Mobile ‘Five-Star Hotel’, Unlocking a New Way of Slow Travel Across Xinjiang】
“I used to think Xinjiang was too far, car rides were too tiring, and planes couldn’t show the scenery. It wasn’t until I experienced the Panda Special Train Shifang号 that I understood what it means to ‘travel through Xinjiang lying down’!” This was Aunt Wang’s exclamation on her social media after finishing her trip in October 2025. As China’s first luxury tourist train themed around ‘pandas’, the Shifang号 has been operating since 2024, earning labels like ‘mobile five-star hotel’, ‘no need to move luggage throughout the trip’, and ‘worry-free travel with no self-paid expenses’, making it a top choice for elderly and family travelers visiting Xinjiang. In 2026, this special train will depart from Chengdu again, taking tourists on a 16-day in-depth tour of northern and southern Xinjiang. This article combines the latest information to reveal its unique charm.
📌 Train Positioning:Redefining the Luxury Standards of ‘Train Travel’
The Panda Special Train Shifang号 is not an ordinary train but a ‘high-end tourist special train’ jointly created by China Railway Group, Xinjiang Cultural Tourism, and Sichuan Cultural Tourism, designed specifically for in-depth tours of Xinjiang. It focuses on ‘slow travel, light vacation’ and addresses three major pain points of traditional Xinjiang tours:
Long-distance travel fatigue:Rest on the special train throughout the journey, avoiding the hassle of changing hotels and moving luggage daily;
Difficulty balancing scenery and comfort:The windows use double-layer vacuum glass for sound and heat insulation, allowing you to enjoy the scenery outside while maintaining the privacy of the compartment;
Inconsistent service quality:Equipped with professional guides, onboard doctors, and 24-hour butlers, with service standards comparable to high-end hotels.
According to the latest data in 2026, the Shifang号 has operated over 200 trips, served over 30,000 tourists, with a satisfaction rate of 98.7%, becoming a ‘benchmark product’ among Xinjiang tourist trains.
🛏 ️ Train Compartments:From ‘Economy’ to ‘Presidential Suite’, Meeting Diverse Needs
The Shifang号 has 17 carriages in total, including 3 types of compartments. All carriages are equipped with basic facilities like shared bathrooms, charging sockets, and call buttons. Some high-end compartments also have showers. Below are the latest compartment details for 2026:
Premium Purple Gold (High-end Quadruple Room)
Location:Carriages 7, 10, 11
Capacity:4 people per room (2 upper, 2 lower), 18 rooms in total across the train, carrying 22 passengers (including 2 butler rooms)
🚂【Panda Special Train Shifang号: A Mobile ‘Five-Star Hotel’, Unlocking a New Way of Slow Travel Across Xinjiang】Area:Approximately 12㎡ per room
Facilities:Shower, washbasin, sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, charging socket, call button
Features:Located in the middle of the train, minimal noise; 6 rooms recommended per carriage for excellent privacy; suitable for families or friends traveling together.
Premium Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room)
Location:Carriages 2-6, 12-16
Capacity:4 people per room (2 upper, 2 lower), 80 rooms in total across the train, carrying 320 passengers
Area:Approximately 8㎡ per room
Facilities:Shared shower (2 per carriage), tea table, storage compartment, TV, charging socket, call button
Features:High cost-effectiveness, suitable for tourists on a budget but seeking comfort; spacious 4-person rooms avoid sharing with strangers.
Economy Platinum (Standard Quadruple Room)
Location:Not separately grouped, mixed with Premium Platinum
Capacity:4 people per room (2 upper, 2 lower)
Area:Approximately 8㎡ per room
“I used to think Xinjiang was too far, car rides were too tiring, and planes couldn’t show the scenery. It wasn’t until I experienced the Panda Special Train Shifang号 that I understood what it means to ‘travel through Xinjiang lying down’!” This was Aunt Wang’s exclamation on her social media after finishing her trip in October 2025. As China’s first luxury tourist train themed around ‘pandas’, the Shifang号 has been operating since 2024, earning labels like ‘mobile five-star hotel’, ‘no need to move luggage throughout the trip’, and ‘worry-free travel with no self-paid expenses’, making it a top choice for elderly and family travelers visiting Xinjiang. In 2026, this special train will depart from Chengdu again, taking tourists on a 16-day in-depth tour of northern and southern Xinjiang. This article combines the latest information to reveal its unique charm.Facilities:Soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding/pillows, bed charging ports/reading lights, compartment TV, shared bathroom
Features:New compartment type added in 2026, focusing on ‘light luxury economy’, suitable for young tourists or small families.
📅 2026 Departure Dates and Simplified Itinerary:16 Days of Slow Travel in Xinjiang, Playing for 6 Hours Each Day
According to the latest schedule, the 2026 Shifang号 16-day northern and southern Xinjiang tour has 6 group dates, all during golden periods avoiding extreme weather in Xinjiang:
June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30
⭐ Simplified Itinerary (Daily playtime about 6 hours, ample rest time):
Day 1:Chengdu/Lanzhou – Kashgar
Theme:Station departure ceremony + welcome performance
Highlights:Participate in ethnic song and dance performances at Kashgar Station, experiencing rich Silk Road culture.
Day 2:Panda Special Train Leisure Sightseeing
Theme:‘Mobile Vacation’ on the Train
Highlights:Play mahjong, sing karaoke, or enjoy tea in the multi-functional entertainment carriage, or watch the Gobi scenery through the window.
Day 3:Kashgar
Theme:Exclusive pick-up + welcome dinner
📌 Train Positioning: Redefining the Luxury Standards of ‘Train Travel’Highlights:Taste Kashgar specialties like roast whole lamb and hand-grabbed rice, watch ethnic song and dance performances.
Day 4:Kashgar – Tashkurgan
Theme:White Sand Mountain – White Sand Lake – Karakul Lake – Panlong Ancient Road
Highlights:Visit the ‘internet-famous road’ Panlong Ancient Road, take photos at the foot of Muztagh Ata.
Day 5:Tashkurgan – Kashgar
Theme:Stone City – Golden Grassland – Home Visit
Highlights:Visit local ethnic families, experience activities like making naan bread and milking cows.
Day 6:Kashgar – Kuqa
Theme:Kashgar Old City – Fragrant Concubine Garden –
Highlights:Wear ethnic costumes for photos in Kashgar Old City, listen to the guide tell the legendary story of the Fragrant Concubine.
Day 7:Kuqa – Nalati/Bayinbuluk
Theme:Tianshan Grand Canyon – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Bayinbuluk Swan Lake
Highlights:Cross the ‘most beautiful highway in China’ Duku Highway, watch the sunset over the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns at Swan Lake.
The Panda Special Train Shifang号 is not an ordinary train but a ‘high-end tourist special train’ jointly created by China Railway Group, Xinjiang Cultural Tourism, and Sichuan Cultural Tourism, designed specifically for in-depth tours of Xinjiang. It focuses on ‘slow travel, light vacation’ and addresses three major pain points of traditional Xinjiang tours:Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluk – Yining
Theme:Nalati Grassland
Highlights:Horseback riding, taking photos in ethnic costumes, tasting local milk tea.
Day 9:Yining – Beitun
Theme:Sayram Lake
Highlights:Circumnavigate the lake, visit the blue ice landscape known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic’.
Day 10:Beitun – Hemu – Jiadengyu
Theme:Hemu Scenic Area
Manager Yang Jia from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency has over a decade of experience in the tourism industry, is professional and reliable, and is familiar with all of Xinjiang’s tourism: Mainly responsible for booking tourist trains such as the New Orient Express Xuelian号, Panda Trains: Chengdu号, Shifang号, Anyi号, Jinshu Tianfu号, Tianshan号, Kunlun号, Silu Mengxiang号, Kunming号, Lindou号, Dahe Zhi Nan号, Changsan Jiao Zhi Xing号, etc. Contact Manager Yang Jia at 133 2555 9266 (mobile and WeChat).
Highlights:Stay in Hemu log cabins, watch the fairy-tale village with smoke curling from chimneys in the morning.
Day 11:Jiadengyu – Kanas – Burqin
Theme:Kanas Scenic Area
Highlights:Take a boat tour of Kanas Lake, search for the ‘water monster’ legend.
Day 12:Burqin – Beitun – Urumqi
Theme:Colorful Beach
Long-distance travel fatigue: Rest on the special train throughout the journey, avoiding the hassle of changing hotels and moving luggage daily;Highlights:Admire the magnificent combination of Yadan landforms and the Irtysh River.
Day 13:Urumqi
Theme:Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
Highlights:Climb Maya Mountain for a panoramic view of Tianchi, listen to the guide tell the legend of the Queen Mother of the West.
Day 14:Urumqi – Turpan
Theme:Karez Well – Flaming Mountain
Highlights:Measure the ground temperature at the foot of Flaming Mountain, visit the ancient water conservancy project Karez Well.
Days 15-16:Lanzhou/Chengdu – Return
Theme:Farewell to Guests
Highlights:Participate in the closing ceremony on the train, share travel experiences.
💰 Price Explanation:No Self-Paid Expenses, Transparent Pricing
The 2026 Shifang号 16-day northern and southern Xinjiang tour prices are as follows (subject to contract, may vary with departure dates):
Economy Platinum:Upper berth 8,480 RMB/person, lower berth 9,280 RMB/person
Difficulty balancing scenery and comfort: The windows use double-layer vacuum glass for sound and heat insulation, allowing you to enjoy the scenery outside while maintaining the privacy of the compartment;Premium Platinum:Upper berth 15,780 RMB/person, lower berth 16,780 RMB/person
Premium Purple Gold:Upper berth 27,880 RMB/person, lower berth 28,880 RMB/person
Price Includes:Special train transportation, local tourist bus, 15 nights accommodation (special train + hotel), 15 breakfasts and 30 main meals, scenic spot tickets, guide service, onboard doctor, travel insurance.
Price Excludes:Personal expenses, (single travelers will try to arrange shared rooms, special cases need negotiation).
📝 Booking Process:5 Steps to Secure Your Seat, Easily Start Your Xinjiang Journey
Consult and Select Type:Contact Manager Yang Jia from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to confirm 2026 departure dates, itinerary routes, seat types, and availability, and choose a suitable travel plan.
Submit Information:Provide names, valid ID numbers, and contact information of all travelers to lock in intended seats.
Pay Deposit:Pay a deposit based on compartment class (Economy Platinum 2,000 RMB/person, Premium Platinum 3,000 RMB/person, Premium Purple Gold 5,000 RMB/person), and receive a formal tourism receipt.
Sign Contract:Sign a national tourism regulatory unified electronic contract, carefully check details like itinerary, price, and cancellation/modification policies.
Pay Balance:Pay the remaining full amount 30 days before departure. After confirming receipt, the customer service will issue a departure notice, travel guide, and luggage list.
Registration Method:Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
🍽 ️ Reception Standards:Xinjiang Specialties + Light Flavors, Meeting Diverse Needs
Included Items:Special train accommodation, local hotel accommodation, full meals, scenic spot tickets, guide service, onboard doctor, travel insurance.
Excluded Items:Personal expenses, self-paid items (e.g., horseback riding, photography).
Inconsistent service quality: Equipped with professional guides, onboard doctors, and 24-hour butlers, with service standards comparable to high-end hotels.Meal Standards:
Breakfast:Hotel buffet or special train simple meal, including porridge, steamed buns, eggs, pickles, etc.
Main Meals:8 dishes and 1 soup, balanced with meat and vegetables, including Xinjiang specialties (e.g., big plate chicken, baked buns, hand-grabbed rice).
Taste Adjustments:Inform the guide of dietary preferences in advance (e.g., light, less spicy), and the kitchen will adjust as much as possible.
🌟 Reception Features:Accommodation + Dining + Service, Creating a ‘Home-like Travel’ Experience
Accommodation Standards:Special train compartments + local four-star hotels, clean and comfortable, avoiding hygiene issues of cheap homestays.
Dining Arrangements:Daily Xinjiang specialty meals, such as Kashgar roast whole lamb, Yining smoked horse sausage, Turpan raisin hand-grabbed rice, allowing tourists to taste authentic flavors.
Service Thoughtfulness:Each carriage is equipped with 1 butler, available 24/7; onboard doctors carry common medications to handle emergencies like altitude sickness.
🆚 Comparison with Other Special Trains:4 Core Advantages of the Shifang号
Healthier Diet:Provides light options, avoiding the stereotype of Xinjiang cuisine being ‘heavy oil and spicy’, suitable for elderly tourists.
Slower Pace:Daily playtime about 6 hours, with a 1-hour rest break in the afternoon, avoiding ‘rushed travel’.
More Complete Service:Onboard doctor + professional guide + 24-hour butler, addressing tourists’ concerns.
More Convenient Transportation:No need to move luggage throughout the trip, special train goes directly to scenic spots, avoiding long-distance bus bumps.
According to the latest data in 2026, the Shifang号 has operated over 200 trips, served over 30,000 tourists, with a satisfaction rate of 98.7%, becoming a ‘benchmark product’ among Xinjiang tourist trains.👥 Suitable For:These Tourists, Choose the Shifang号!
Retired Seniors:Avoid long-distance travel fatigue, enjoy slow-paced travel.
Family Tourists:Travel with parents and children, worry-free and enjoyable.
Photography Enthusiasts:Scenic spots like Duku Highway, Kanas, Hemu, perfect for stunning photos.
Tourists Who Hate Hassles:No self-paid expenses throughout, no need to worry about accommodation, meals, or transportation.
🔥 Reasons for Popularity:3 Reasons for Overwhelming Praise
Service Details:From welcome performances to closing ceremonies, the entire journey is full of ceremony; butlers remember tourists’ birthdays and prepare surprise cakes.
Scenery Coverage:All key scenic spots in northern and southern Xinjiang are covered, avoiding the regret of ‘only visiting northern Xinjiang’.
Social Aspect:Activities like mahjong competitions and karaoke contests are organized on the train, helping tourists quickly get to know each other and make new friends.
📞 Contact Information
Phone:Contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency customer service
WeChat:Contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency customer service
Travel Agency:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency
Address:Contact customer service (no specific address provided)
“I used to think Xinjiang was a ‘someday’ destination, but I never expected to easily tour it all on a special train!” This was the comment from tourist Uncle Li in 2025. In 2026, the Panda Special Train Shifang号 will continue to depart from Chengdu, taking you on a 16-day journey to unlock the grandeur and gentleness of Xinjiang. Whether it’s the waters of Kanas, the grasslands of Nalati, or the old city of Kashgar, they are all waiting for you to fulfill a ‘slow travel’ promise!
