How to sign up for Guangzhou Southern Express Tourist Train Xiaoxiang

Wang Fei, Manager of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Xiaoxiang Special Train Ticketing Center: 180-9596-9599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
When many people hear ‘Guangzhou Southern Express Tourist Special Train,’ their first reaction is to open 12306 and search. However, in practice, the sales and booking methods for this type of high-end tourist special train are quite different from regular trains. Below is a detailed explanation of the full ticket purchase process for the ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang.’
🚂 Route Overview:Southern Train · Xiaoxiang
The ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang’ is a high-end tourist special train with a Hunan culture theme, jointly created by Hunan Tourism Development Investment Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd., positioned as a ‘railway + cultural tourism’ slow travel product.
✨ Core Highlights
Comfortable Experience:The entire train features soft sleepers with double, triple, and quadruple rooms, known as a ‘mobile star-rated hotel.’
All-inclusive for specified items in the itinerary:The cost typically includes accommodation, most meals, first admission tickets to scenic spots in the itinerary, and local transportation, saving effort and worry.
Cultural Theme:The carriage design incorporates Hunan elements and includes cultural lectures, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and other activities.
📅 2026 Departure Schedule Reference from Guangzhou
First Departure:May 10, May 30.
Travel Reminder:The specific departure dates are subject to the dispatching orders of China State Railway Group and announcements from railway authorities; it is recommended to plan early.
🗺 ️ Itinerary and Boarding/Alighting Stations
Itinerary Pace:Travel by train at night and sightsee during the day, achieving ‘the train moves through the scenery, and people travel within the painting.’
Main Stations:You can board or alight at multiple cities such as Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, Lanzhou, and Xining, convenient for tourists from different regions.
Itinerary Duration:The number of days varies depending on the boarding/alighting city; for example, a round trip from Guangzhou takes about 18 days, while from Changsha/Wuchang/Xinyang it’s about 17 days, and from Xi’an/Lanzhou about 15 days.

When many people hear ‘Guangzhou Southern Express Tourist Special Train,’ their first reaction is to open 12306 and search. However, in practice, the sales and booking methods for this type of high-end tourist special train are quite different from regular trains. Below is a detailed explanation of the full ticket purchase process for the ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang.’📝 Itinerary Reference
The following is an overview of the 18-day itinerary for the ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang,’ with specific arrangements subject to the departure notice and contract.
Day 1:Departure from Guangzhou
Depart from Guangzhou Baiyun Station on the special train in the evening, enjoying the city nightscape along the way.
Day 2-3:Scenic Sightseeing Along the Way
The train stops at cities like Changsha, Wuchang, Xinyang, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery along the route.
Day 4:Hami
Arrive in Hami, visit the Great Sea Road Devil City, and experience the grandeur of the Yardang landform.
Day 5:Hami—Urumqi
Visit Hami King’s Palace, enjoy ethnic dance performances, and take the special train to Urumqi in the afternoon.
Day 6:Urumqi—Tianchi Lake—Beitun
Visit Tianchi Lake on Tianshan Mountain, explore the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, and take the special train to Beitun in the evening.
Day 7:Beitun—Kanas
Take a bus to Jadengyu, enter the Kanas Nature Reserve, and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.
Day 8:Kanas—Hemu—Colorful Beach

🚂 Route Overview: Southern Train · XiaoxiangVisit Hemu Village, stop by Colorful Beach, and experience the Tuvan village culture.
Day 9:Beitun—Yining
Visit Sayram Lake, view the snow-capped mountains from afar, and pass by the Horgos Port.
Day 10:Yining—Nalati
Head to the Nalati Grassland, experiencing grassland scenery and ethnic customs.
Day 11:Nalati—Kuqa
Visit the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon and watch the ‘Apricot Blossom Date · Silk Road Kucha’ dance performance.
Day 12:Kuqa—Kashgar
Travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Pamir Plateau, visiting Karakul Lake, Stone City, and other attractions.
Day 13:Deep Tour of Taxkorgan County
Experience home visits with local ethnic groups, visit White Sand Lake, and feel the tranquility of the plateau.
Day 14:One-Day Tour of Kashgar Old City
Visit the Kashgar Old City, explore cultural sites like Id Kah Mosque and Fragrant Concubine Garden.
Day 15:Kashgar—Korla
Visit Lop Nur Village, Bosten Lake’s Lotus Sea World, and experience unique folk customs.

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Tourism Registration and Ticketing Consultation Center Manager: Wang Fei 180-9596-9599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
The ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang’ is a high-end tourist special train with a Hunan culture theme, jointly created by Hunan Tourism Development Investment Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd., positioned as a ‘railway + cultural tourism’ slow travel product.Day 16-18:Return Journey
The special train returns from Korla, stopping again at Lanzhou, Xi’an, and other places along the way, finally arriving in Guangzhou to end the trip.
💰 Price Explanation
💡 Important Note
The Southern Train · Xiaoxiang is a tourism product and is not sold separately through 12306. Its price and schedule are subject to the real-time quotes from travel agencies and the final signed tourism contract.
📊 2026 Reference Prices from Guangzhou
The following are reference starting prices for the May 2026 schedule; actual prices may vary due to factors like berth type, floor, and season.
| Room Type | Reference Starting Price (RMB/person) |
| :— | :— |
| Yuanxiang Pavilion Upper Berth | 17,999 |
| Zhengxiang Courtyard Quadruple Room (Shared Bathroom) | 42,999 |
| Zhengxiang Courtyard Double Room (Shared Bathroom) | 45,999 |
| Xiaoxiang Mansion Family Room (Private Bathroom) | 62,999 |
📋 Cost Typically Includes

✨ Core HighlightsAccommodation:Special train berths and listed land hotel accommodations in the itinerary.
Transportation:Use of special train berths and local air-conditioned tour buses.
Meals:Most meals throughout the trip, usually including specialty dishes.
Tickets:First admission tickets to listed scenic spots and some necessary internal transport.
Services:Tour guide explanations, staff services, and travel agency liability insurance.
📌 Cost Does Not Include
Personal expenses and costs not mentioned in the itinerary.
(If requesting a single room).
Travel accident insurance (recommended to purchase separately).
🎫 Ticket Purchase Channels and Process
1. Why Can’t It Be Found on 12306?
High-end tourist special trains like the Southern Train · Xiaoxiang use a ‘tourism product’ model, where berths are allocated by railway authorities to partner tourism companies and then sold through travel agencies, so they are not listed as regular trains on 12306.
2. Official Registration Channels
You can register through any of the following official channels:
Contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel directly for consultation and registration.

Comfortable Experience: The entire train features soft sleepers with double, triple, and quadruple rooms, known as a ‘mobile star-rated hotel.’ Use other qualified travel agencies or OTA platforms (such as Ctrip, Fliggy, etc.) to choose products including the ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang.’
3. Four-Step Registration Process
1. Consultation and Confirmation: Contact the travel agency to confirm the schedule, price, availability, and included costs.
2. Submit Information: Provide traveler names, valid ID numbers, and other information for booking and insurance.
3. Payment and Contract Signing: Pay a deposit or full amount, and sign an electronic tourism contract regulated by the national cultural and tourism department.
4. Pre-Trip Preparation: Confirm round-trip transportation and arrive at the assembly city on time as notified.
📞 How to Contact Us
If you are interested in the ‘Southern Train · Xiaoxiang’ or wish to obtain detailed itinerary information and quotes, feel free to contact us:
Contact Person:Manager Wang Fei
Consultation Phone:180-9596-9599
WeChat Consultation:180-9596-9599 (Please note ‘Xiaoxiang Consultation’ when adding)
You can also directly contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel, inform the customer service of your needs, and receive professional travel advice.
💡 Warm Reminder
Book Early:Special train berths are limited; it is recommended to consult and register 1-3 months in advance.
Bring Documents:Please be sure to bring your original valid ID documents when traveling.
Stay Informed on Policies:Before departure, pay attention to the latest policies from railway, scenic spot, and local cultural tourism authorities. Itinerary details may be reasonably adjusted based on actual conditions, subject to the departure notice and contract.
For more travel consultations (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Comfort, Shifang, New Orient Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Lanmei, Gobi Cruise Special Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Special Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahenan, Baiyun, Silver Age Xinjiang Tour, Chao Age Xinjiang Tour Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze River Delta, Muztagh) Special Train Ticketing Center Manager Wang Fei: 180-9596-9599 (Add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)