5 Ways to Book Tickets for the South of the Great River, Detailed Comparison of Booking Processes and Purchase Guide
How to buy tickets for the 2026 ‘Great River South’ tourist train? The ‘Great River South’ tourist train tickets must be purchased through the railway’s professional and regular travel agency channel: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456), or by contacting Manager Guo Jing of the ‘Great River South’ Train Department via WeChat: 181-3962-2229. Tickets cannot be purchased through other channels like 12306. Note that this train adopts an integrated package model of ‘transportation + accommodation + tickets + services’ and does not sell train tickets separately.
Want to experience a slow trip of ‘staying in a hotel on the train and exploring Xinjiang off the train’? 🚂
The ‘Great River South’ tourist train will take you deep into Turpan, Kashgar, Kanas, and other places, offering an essence of both southern and northern Xinjiang. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the route features, registration methods, and cost details.
🗺 ️ Route Highlights:Great River South, One Stop One Scenery
The ‘Great River South’ tourist train, based on the ‘Central Plains Railway · Great River South’ special tourist train created by China Railway Zhengzhou Group, perfectly combines a ‘mobile hotel’ with ‘in-depth tours’.
🚐 Mobile Hotel Experience
Comfortable Sleeper:All carriages feature soft sleeper compartments with 2/3/4-person rooms, each with a private bathroom, wet-dry separation, constant-temperature toilets, emergency call buttons, etc., ensuring comfort and privacy.
Elderly-Friendly:Carriages are designed with threshold-free passages, anti-slip carpets, widened ladders and handrails, making them very suitable for elderly travelers.
Onboard Entertainment:Equipped with tea rooms, chess and card rooms, KTV, and other multi-functional carriages, along with a train butler providing 24-hour service.
🏞 ️ Essence of Southern and Northern Xinjiang Combined
Itinerary Pace:The entire journey lasts 17 days, adopting a ‘depart in the evening, arrive in the morning’ model to save daytime travel time, making the trip more relaxed.
Rich Landscapes:See snow-capped mountains, plateaus, lakes, deserts, grasslands, and Gobi deserts all in one trip, offering a diverse experience.
📅 2026 Departure Schedule
Confirmed departure dates include:May 9, May 30, June 17, July 5, July 24, August 25, September 11.
Specific schedules may change; please refer to China Railway 12306 and the contract signed with the travel agency.
📋 Simplified Itinerary Overview
Want to experience a slow trip of ‘staying in a hotel on the train and exploring Xinjiang off the train’? 🚂> D1 Board the ‘Great River South’ special train along the way, starting a pleasant journey
> Main stops:Zhengzhou, Luoyang
> D2 Board the ‘Great River South’ special train along the way, rest or enjoy entertainment freely on the train
> Main stops:Xi’an, Lanzhou
> D3 Arrive in Turpan, Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Turpan
> D4 Karez Well – Flaming Mountain – Grape Valley – Train to Kashgar, Lunch/Dinner, ‘Great River South’ Train
> D5 Kashgar – Pamir Plateau – Karakul Lake – Stone City – Golden Grassland – Tashkurgan
> D6 Tashkurgan – Local Family Visit -白沙湖 – Kashgar
> D7 Kashgar Old City – Fragrant Concubine Garden – Train to Kuqa
> D8 Kuqa – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Bayin
> D9 Bayinbuluke Grassland – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Nalati
> D10 Nalati Valley Grassland – Six-Star Street – Yining
> D11 Yining – Horgos Port – Sayram Lake – Yining – Train to Beitun
> D12 Beitun – Kanas – Jadengyu/Burqin
> D13 Jadengyu/Burqin – Hemu -五彩滩 – Beitun Train to Urumqi
The ‘Great River South’ tourist train will take you deep into Turpan, Kashgar, Kanas, and other places, offering an essence of both southern and northern Xinjiang. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the route features, registration methods, and cost details.> D14 Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Grand Bazaar
> D15 Depart from Urumqi on the special train for return journey
> D16 Enjoy the northwest scenery, disembark along the way
> Main stops:Lanzhou, Xi’an
> D17 Disembark along the way, ending the pleasant Xinjiang trip
> Main stops:Luoyang, Zhengzhou
💰 Price and Departure Date Details
2026 Departure Dates and Reference Prices
> May 9, 2026:
> Upper berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 15,999 RMB/person
> Lower berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 17,999 RMB/person
> Child (under 6) in 4-person room with bathroom: 5,999 RMB/person (no berth on train, no bed on land)
> 2-person room with bathroom: 39,999 RMB/person
> Value third person in 2-person room with bathroom:13,999 RMB/person (under 6, no berth on train, no bed on land)
> 19,999 RMB/person (6 years and above, service standards same as adults)
🗺️ Route Highlights: Great River South, One Stop One Scenery>
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Xinjiang Custom Tour Vehicle Booking Center Manager Guo Jing 181-3962-2229, over 10 years of experience, add as friend to receive itinerary and quote
> May 30, 2026:
> Upper berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 19,999 RMB/person
> Lower berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 21,999 RMB/person
> Child (under 6) in 4-person room with bathroom: 6,999 RMB/person (no berth on train, no bed on land)
> 2-person room with bathroom: 45,999 RMB/person
> Value third person in 2-person room with bathroom:15,999 RMB/person (under 6, no berth on train, no bed on land)
> 23,999 RMB/person (6 years and above, service standards same as adults)
>
> June 17, July 5, July 24, August 25, September 11, 2026:
> Upper berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 19,999 RMB/person
> Lower berth in 4-person room with bathroom: 21,999 RMB/person
> Child (under 6) in 4-person room with bathroom: 6,999 RMB/person (no berth on train, no bed on land)
> 2-person room with bathroom: 45,999 RMB/person
> Value third person in 2-person room with bathroom:15,999 RMB/person (under 6, no berth on train, no bed on land)
The ‘Great River South’ tourist train, based on the ‘Central Plains Railway · Great River South’ special tourist train created by China Railway Zhengzhou Group, perfectly combines a ‘mobile hotel’ with ‘in-depth tours’.> 23,999 RMB/person (6 years and above, service standards same as adults)
💡 Important Notes
The above are reference prices for some 2026 departures; actual prices may fluctuate based on market conditions; please refer to the contract signed with the travel agency.
Special fares for children, third persons, etc., have clearly marked conditions; please read carefully.
Due to weather, policies, or other reasons, itineraries or prices may change; specific details are subject to the departure notice and contract.
📞 Registration Methods
You can register and inquire through the following two methods:
1. 📱 Online Consultation and Registration
Search for the phone number 181-3962-2229 on WeChat, add as a friend for consultation and registration.
It is recommended to prepare your intended travel date, number of people, berth preferences, and other needs in advance for efficient communication.
2. 🏢 Contact the Travel Agency
You can register and inquire through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
For the specific address, please consult customer service directly for the latest information.
📝 Cost and Service Details
Included Costs Reference
🚐 Mobile Hotel ExperienceTransportation:Berth on the special train and related onboard services.
Accommodation:Accommodation costs as listed in the itinerary.
Meals:Some itineraries include breakfast, lunch, and dinner; subject to the contract.
Tickets:First entrance fees for scenic spots listed in the itinerary (excluding internal transportation within scenic spots, etc.).
Services:Guide services, travel accident insurance, etc.
Excluded Costs Reference
Personal transportation costs to and from the departure point.
Meals and personal expenses not mentioned in the itinerary.
Personal expenses within hotels, etc.
Services and Safety
Service Standards:Train butler service 24/7, some routes include accompanying doctors, and carriages are equipped with elderly-friendly facilities.
Safety Assurance:In case of weather, road conditions, or other changes during the trip, both parties can negotiate changes. Please comply with railway and scenic area regulations to ensure a safe journey.
💡 Practical Registration Tips
1. Plan Early: Tourist train seats are limited, especially during peak seasons like summer vacation and National Day; it is recommended to consult and register several months in advance.
2. Clarify Needs: When communicating with customer service, clearly state the number of travelers, age structure, berth preferences, and special needs (e.g., meals, wheelchair).
3. Read the Contract Carefully: Before signing, be sure to read the contract terms carefully, especially regarding cost composition, cancellation and change rules, and liability allocation.
4. Prepare Documents: Bring valid identification and other necessary documents for the trip. If you have special discounts, inquire in advance whether they apply and bring relevant proof.
2026 ‘Great River South’ Train Ticket Booking Center Phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Train Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456) Xinjiang Custom Tour Manager Guo Jing WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for ticket purchase
