Gobi Cruise Tourist Train Booking One Stop Guide
For more details about Xinjiang tourism special trains, contact Zhang Jing, customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency: 181-3962-2233 (same as WeChat)
🚂 One-Stop Guide for Booking and Reservation of the Gobi Cruise Special Train
On the vast and expansive land of Xinjiang, the railway runs through snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Gobi deserts, and lakes. The train moves steadily, like a ‘cruise ship’ sailing on land—this is the ‘Gobi Cruise’ special train that has become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years. In the spring and summer of 2026, this route will be upgraded again, covering the essence of northern and southern Xinjiang with three different experience levels (Budget, Premium, and Luxury), balancing comfort and cultural depth, making it an ideal choice for slow-paced in-depth travel.
🌄 Route and Destination Highlights
The ‘Gobi Cruise’ is not an actual voyage on water but a vivid name for Xinjiang’s special tourist trains. The train features double-decker air-conditioned carriages, with railways as the main transportation and short-distance shuttle buses between scenic spots, significantly reducing continuous travel time, making it especially suitable for tourists who value travel comfort.
The itinerary spans the Tianshan Mountains, covering diverse landscapes:
Turpan Basin:Visit the Karez Well, one of the three great ancient projects of China, view the Flaming Mountain from the classic novel ‘Journey to the West,’ and check in at Aydingkol Lake, the lowest point in China’s land area;
Southern Xinjiang Cultural Corridor:Stroll through Kashgar Old City and Restan Street, view the Id Kah Mosque, and learn about the historical context of this key Silk Road town; visit the Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall to experience jade culture;
Yili River Valley Scenic Belt:Pass through the Lavender Sightseeing Garden (peak bloom from June to July), visit Huiyuan Ancient City, the former residence of the Qing Dynasty Yili General, and tour Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean’;
Northern Xinjiang Ecological Wilderness:Take the Ahe Highway to Hemu Scenic Area, explore Kanas Lake and Colorful Beach, and experience the changing colors of the Altai Mountains across seasons;
Tianshan Hinterland:On the return trip, enjoy a one-day tour of Heavenly Lake Tianshan, with snow-capped mountains reflected in the blue lake and pine forests surrounding it, offering magnificent scenery.
The entire journey emphasizes cultural explanations and a balance of rest, with a relaxed daily schedule to avoid intense travel.
🗓 ️ Simplified Itinerary (by product version)
Budget@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panorama Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
🚂 One-Stop Guide for Booking and Reservation of the Gobi Cruise Special TrainDay 1:Departure City – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountain, Karez Well, Aydingkol Lake) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Keziliya Grand Canyon – Restan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Tongrentang – Kashgar – Korla
Day 6:Korla – Daxi Village – Lop Nur Village – Tiemenguan Pass – Korla – Yining
Day 7:Yining – Nalati Scenic Area – Xinyuan County
Day 8:Xinyuan County – Xinjiang Yipahan Lavender Sightseeing Garden – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Shuanghe
Day 9:Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 10:Beitun – Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Day 11:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Heavenly Lake Tianshan – China Colorful Cotton Technology Park – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Departure City
On the vast and expansive land of Xinjiang, the railway runs through snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Gobi deserts, and lakes. The train moves steadily, like a ‘cruise ship’ sailing on land—this is the ‘Gobi Cruise’ special train that has become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years. In the spring and summer of 2026, this route will be upgraded again, covering the essence of northern and southern Xinjiang with three different experience levels (Budget, Premium, and Luxury), balancing comfort and cultural depth, making it an ideal choice for slow-paced in-depth travel.Premium@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panorama Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure City – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountain, Karez Well, Aydingkol Lake) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Keziliya Grand Canyon – Restan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Tongrentang – Kashgar – Korla
Day 6:Korla – Lop Nur Village – Daxi Village – Tiemenguan Pass – Korla – Kuytun
Day 7:Kuytun – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Nalati Scenic Area – Xinyuan County
Day 8:Xinyuan County – Lavender Garden – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Shuanghe
Day 9:Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 10:Beitun – Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Day 11:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Heavenly Lake Tianshan – China Colorful Cotton Technology Park – Urumqi
🌄 Route and Destination HighlightsDay 13:Urumqi – Departure City
Our agency offers various travel options, including special train tours, carpool tours, group tours, and customized car services. For detailed inquiries, call: 181-3962-2233 (copy to add as friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices)
Luxury@Gobi Cruise Southern and Northern Xinjiang Panorama Air-Conditioned Special Train 13-Day Tour Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure City – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountain – Karez Well – Grape Valley) – Kuqa
Day 3:Kuqa – Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon – Restan Street – (Special Train) – Kashgar
Day 4:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 5:Kashgar – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Kashgar – Kuqa
Day 6:Kuqa – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak – Nalati Town
(If the southern section of Duku Highway is not open by late May, upgrade to a flight from Kuqa to Yining or Nalati)
Day 7:Nalati Town – Nalati Scenic Area – Kokdala/Yining City
(Late May: Yining or Nalati – Nalati Grassland – Kokdala City/Yining City)
Day 8:Kokdala/Yining – Sayram Lake – Bole/Shuanghe
Day 9:Bole/Shuanghe – Strange Stone Valley – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
The ‘Gobi Cruise’ is not an actual voyage on water but a vivid name for Xinjiang’s special tourist trains. The train features double-decker air-conditioned carriages, with railways as the main transportation and short-distance shuttle buses between scenic spots, significantly reducing continuous travel time, making it especially suitable for tourists who value travel comfort.Day 10:Beitun – Ahe Highway – Hemu Scenic Area
Day 11:Hemu – Kanas Scenic Area – Colorful Beach – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 12:Urumqi – Heavenly Lake Tianshan – Colorful Cotton Technology Park (Medicinal Diet Health Hotpot)
Day 13:Urumqi – Departure City
> Note:The specific itinerary may be reasonably adjusted due to force majeure factors such as weather, road conditions, or policies, after mutual agreement between both parties.
💰 Price Information (2026 Latest Departure Dates and Quotes)
Departure dates are unified as:
May 20, June 13, July 7, July 31, August 24, September 17
Budget Version:
Hard Sleeper 6-Bed Compartment:Upper berth 2980 RMB/person, Middle berth 3980 RMB/person, Lower berth 4580 RMB/person
Double-Deck Hard Sleeper 4-Bed Cabin:Middle berth 3980 RMB/person, Lower berth 4580 RMB/person
Premium Version:
Double-Deck 4-Bed Soft Sleeper Cabin:Upper berth 7980 RMB/person, Lower berth 8980 RMB/person
The itinerary spans the Tianshan Mountains, covering diverse landscapes:(If Duku Highway is closed in May, switch to alternative itinerary)
Luxury Version:
Double-Deck 2-Bed Soft Sleeper Cabin:19800 RMB/person
(If Duku Highway is closed in May, switch to flight from Kuqa to Nalati/Yining)
> The above prices are reference ranges; actual costs may vary with departure dates, and the final price is subject to the signed contract.
📞 How to Book
You can inquire and book this ‘Gobi Cruise’ special train through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
📞 Contact Number:181-3962-2233
💬 Same as WeChat:181-3962-2233
📍 For specific departure cities, transfer arrangements, and seat availability, please contact customer service directly for the latest information.
🧾 Cost and Service Description
Costs typically include:Round-trip train tickets (from provincial capitals to Urumqi), accommodation during the trip, first admission tickets to scenic spots, shuttle bus tickets, guide service, insurance, and some specialty meals (such as Nine Bowl Three Row, Big Plate Chicken, Cold Water Fish Feast, etc.).
For solo travelers, our agency will try to arrange shared rooms; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
> All service content, cancellation and modification rules, and responsibilities are in accordance with the ‘Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China’ and relevant laws and regulations. The specifics are subject to actual consultation and signed contract.
Board the ‘Gobi Cruise’ and enjoy a slow journey ‘sleeping in the scenery, lying down to tour Xinjiang’ in a moving observation carriage, watching snow-capped mountain sunrises, grassland cloud seas, and lake reflections. Spring and summer 2026 departures are set, with limited seats, so it is recommended to contact early to confirm.
For more details about Xinjiang tourism special trains, contact customer service Zhang Jing ☎️: 181 3962 2233 (Add as friend to receive free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)
