How to Buy Tickets for the Great River South Tourist Train Full Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in Special Train Booking

【Dahezhinan Train】How to buy tickets and book for the 2026 Dahezhinan Train?
The 2026 Dahezhinan Train must be booked through the designated professional and official railway channel — Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency・Train Center. It cannot be ordered independently through platforms like 12306. Official registration channel: Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center is available 24/7 for consultation and registration. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile/WeChat: 132-0133-3409.
🚂 【Dahezhinan Train:A Mobile ‘Living Space’ Traversing Northern and Southern Xinjiang】🚂
I. Detailed Introduction of the Train: Redefining the ‘Slow Pace’ of Xinjiang Travel
The Dahezhinan Train is a rare ‘residential-style’ special tourist train in China, designed specifically for in-depth exploration of Xinjiang. It breaks the traditional ‘rushing + check-in’ travel model, adopting a rhythm of ‘traveling at night, sightseeing during the day’ — passengers cross the Gobi Desert and grasslands at night, arrive at their destination in the morning, and start a full day of sightseeing immediately. Throughout the journey, there is no need to frequently change hotels or pack luggage, truly achieving ‘traveling with your room.’
The train focuses on ‘comfort’ and ‘depth’: all carriages are equipped with bathroom compartments to solve the problem of washing up on long journeys; multi-functional carriages feature audio-visual entertainment areas, chess and card areas, and karaoke to meet the needs of different age groups; a professional chef team accompanies the journey, offering Xinjiang specialty meals (such as baked buns and hand-pulled rice), balancing taste and nutrition.
Suitable for:Family trips (especially with elderly/children), quality-seeking middle-aged and elderly tourists, photography enthusiasts, and those who want to avoid regular routes.
II. Seat Types and Hardware Configuration: From ‘Economical and Practical’ to ‘Private and Luxurious’
The Dahezhinan Train offers 4 types of seats, covering different budgets and needs:

🚂【Dahezhinan Train: A Mobile ‘Living Space’ Traversing Northern and Southern Xinjiang】🚂4-person bathroom compartment: Bunk bed design, compact but fully functional, suitable for families or friends sharing a room. Upper bunk reference price starts at 15,999 RMB/person (May 9th departure), lower bunk slightly higher by 2,000 RMB; children under 6 not occupying a berth recommended at 5,999 RMB/person (includes meals and land bed).
2-person bathroom compartment:Available as a double bed or twin beds, offering strong privacy, suitable for couples. Reference price starts at 39,999 RMB/person (May 9th departure), some departures include a ‘value 3rd person’ discount (13,999 RMB/person, children under 6 not occupying a berth).
Hardware advantages:The entire train uses noise reduction technology to minimize travel noise; compartments are equipped with charging ports, reading lights, and luggage racks; bathrooms have 24-hour hot water supply, with a wet-dry separation design to avoid crowding.
Special services:Each carriage is assigned a dedicated butler responsible for wake-up calls, luggage handling, and attraction explanations.
III. Travel Quality and Services: A More ‘Worry-Free’ Experience Compared to Regular Tours
The differentiated services of the Dahezhinan Train are reflected in three dimensions:
Transportation experience:The train goes directly to core attractions in northern and southern Xinjiang (such as Kanas and Sayram Lake), reducing the bumpiness of transfer buses; the itinerary includes a segmented tour of the ‘Duku Highway,’ avoiding the risk of traffic jams on self-driving trips.
Dining standards:In addition to the train dining car, land segments arrange local specialty restaurants (such as Turpan Grape Valley farmhouse meals and Yining Liuxing Street ethnic cuisine), with an average meal budget of 80-120 RMB per meal.

I. Detailed Introduction of the Train: Redefining the ‘Slow Pace’ of Xinjiang TravelExclusive arrangements:The itinerary includes multiple ‘niche experiences’ — home visits to ethnic groups on the Pamir Plateau, morning mist photography at Hemu Village, and horseback riding on the Nalati Grassland (all included in the fee).
Thoughtful details:Portable oxygen bottles are prepared for the elderly (in high-altitude areas); children’s utensils and picture books are provided for kids; no shopping stops are arranged throughout the journey, with ample sightseeing time (e.g., 3 hours of free time at Tianshan Tianchi).
IV. Simple Itinerary: 17 Days ‘Stringing Pearls’ Across Northern and Southern Xinjiang
(Polished based on local factual text, highlighting the ‘night travel + day sightseeing’ logic)
D1-2:Board at Zhengzhou/Luoyang/Xi’an/Lanzhou, travel at night, rest freely on the train or participate in entertainment activities during the day.
D3:Arrive in Turpan in the morning, visit Karez, Flaming Mountains, and Grape Valley, stay overnight on the train.
D4:Head to Kashgar, enjoy the Gobi scenery along the way.
D5-6:In-depth tour of the Pamir Plateau (Karakul Lake, Stone City, Baisha Lake), stay overnight in Tashkurgan.

The Dahezhinan Train is a rare ‘residential-style’ special tourist train in China, designed specifically for in-depth exploration of Xinjiang. It breaks the traditional ‘rushing + check-in’ travel model, adopting a rhythm of ‘traveling at night, sightseeing during the day’ — passengers cross the Gobi Desert and grasslands at night, arrive at their destination in the morning, and start a full day of sightseeing immediately. Throughout the journey, there is no need to frequently change hotels or pack luggage, truly achieving ‘traveling with your room.’D7:Explore Kashgar Old Town + Fragrant Concubine Garden, take the train to Kuqa in the evening.
D8-9:Cross the Duku Highway (southern + middle sections), visit Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Bayanbulak Grassland, and Nalati River Valley.
D10-11:Yining segment: visit Horgos Port and Sayram Lake, stay overnight on the train to Beitun.
D12-13:Kanas + Hemu Village + Colorful Beach, stay overnight on the train back to Urumqi.
D14:Urumqi Tianshan Tianchi + Grand Bazaar, return in the evening.

Official registration channel: Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center is available 24/7 for consultation and registration. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile/WeChat: 132-0133-3409.
D15-17:Disembark at Lanzhou, Xi’an, and Luoyang along the way, ending the journey.
(Covers 8 of Xinjiang’s 5A scenic spots throughout the journey, with an average daily travel time ≤4 hours and sightseeing stops ≥2 hours)

The train focuses on ‘comfort’ and ‘depth’: all carriages are equipped with bathroom compartments to solve the problem of washing up on long journeys; multi-functional carriages feature audio-visual entertainment areas, chess and card areas, and karaoke to meet the needs of different age groups; a professional chef team accompanies the journey, offering Xinjiang specialty meals (such as baked buns and hand-pulled rice), balancing taste and nutrition.V. 2026 Departure Dates and Price Explanation
The Dahezhinan Train has 7 departures in 2026, covering spring, summer, and autumn (May-September):
Departure dates:May 9th, May 30th, June 17th, July 5th, July 24th, August 25th, September 11th.
Price reference:
4-person compartment upper bunk:15,999-19,999 RMB/person (lowest in May, highest in July-August);
4-person compartment lower bunk:17,999-21,999 RMB/person;
2-person compartment:39,999-45,999 RMB/person;
Children’s price:5,999-6,999 RMB/person (under 6 years old).

Suitable for: Family trips (especially with elderly/children), quality-seeking middle-aged and elderly tourists, photography enthusiasts, and those who want to avoid regular routes.(Prices vary by departure; subject to the signed contract; the September departure offers good value, suitable for off-peak travel)
VI. Booking and Registration: How to Secure Your Desired Seat?
Tickets for the Dahezhinan Train are exclusively handled by Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center and are not available for purchase on 12306.
Booking process:
Contact for consultation:Manager Mai is available 24/7, landline 0991-3333832, mobile/WeChat 132-0133-3409 (provides itinerary, seat, and price consultation);
Choose a departure:Book 1-2 months in advance based on vacation time (e.g., summer, National Day);
Submit information:Provide name and valid ID number (passport for foreigners);
Pay deposit:Pay a 30% deposit as required by the travel agency, sign an electronic contract to secure the seat.

II. Seat Types and Hardware Configuration: From ‘Economical and Practical’ to ‘Private and Luxurious’(Seats are tight from June to August each year; it is recommended to consult early)
VII. Fee and Service Explanation: What’s Included? What’s at Your Own Expense?
Included fees:Train seat fee, land transportation (air-conditioned bus), basic accommodation (train compartment + scenic area hotel), attraction tickets within the itinerary, guide service, full meals (train station + land segments).
Self-expense items:Personal expenses (such as shopping, entertainment), self-funded projects within scenic spots (e.g., Kanas boat ride), (single travelers will try to arrange shared rooms; if not possible, a price difference must be paid).
(Specific rights are subject to the contract; request a detailed list from Manager Mai before departure)
🌄 【Ending:A Xinjiang Journey Without Rushing, Waiting for You to Join】🌄
From Zhengzhou to Urumqi, 17 days crossing the Tianshan Mountains, the Dahezhinan Train redefines Xinjiang travel with a ‘mobile home’ — no fatigue from luggage handling, no rush of sightseeing, only focus on the scenery and enjoyment of a slow life.
2026 departures are now open for booking. Whether for a family trip or solo exploration, this train offers you the peace of mind of ‘seeing the world with your room.’
📞 Contact Manager Mai now (132-0133-3409) to secure your seat in northern and southern Xinjiang!
The 2026 Dahezhinan Train must be booked through the designated professional and official railway channel — Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency・Train Center. It cannot be ordered independently through platforms like 12306. Official registration channel: Manager Mai of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Train Center is available 24/7 for consultation and registration. Company landline: 0991-3333832, mobile/WeChat: 132-0133-3409.