How to Buy Tickets for the New National Train Special 2026 Schedule Guide Registration Fees Tips to Avoid Scams Recommended Routes Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.
🚂 2026 Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing Tickets and Traveling on the New National Train Special Route for Northern and Southern Xinjiang
Many tourists who want to visit the core landscapes of northern and southern Xinjiang in one go have recently been inquiring about information on the new national train special route. In 2026, with the upgrade of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway’s transport capacity, the comfort and punctuality of travel on the special train have significantly improved. This guide compiles information on departure dates, itineraries, prices, registration precautions, and tips to avoid pitfalls, helping everyone take a smoother journey.
📍 Core Introduction to the Route
The new national train special route for northern and southern Xinjiang adopts a travel mode of ‘special train + short-distance shuttle.’ Tourists can visit scenic spots at stops during the day and rest in sleeper cabins on the special train at night, eliminating the need to frequently pack and unpack or change hotels. This is very friendly for family trips and middle-aged and elderly tourists. The 14-day itinerary connects the humanities, history, and natural scenery of southern Xinjiang with the grasslands, lakes, and mountain landscapes of northern Xinjiang, covering classic destinations such as Turpan, Hotan, Kashgar, Kuqa, Nalati, Sayram Lake, Kanas, and Hemu in both northern and southern Xinjiang.
According to the latest scenic spot opening information for 2026, all major scenic spots in northern and southern Xinjiang have resumed normal operations from May onwards:The Nalati Scenic Area is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, with better vegetation scenery from May to October; the entire ring-lake road around Sayram Lake is clear, with the East Gate, South Gate, and West Gate all open, allowing self-driving or taking the scenic area bus to enter; the Kanas Scenic Area implements real-name timed reservation for entry, and it is recommended to complete reservations 3 days in advance through relevant platforms during peak seasons; the southern section of the Duku Highway is expected to open around June 1, 2026, depending on actual snowmelt and road maintenance conditions, and arrangements involving the Duku Highway section in the itinerary will be adjusted according to real-time traffic conditions.
There are dedicated personnel to meet passengers at each stop along the special train route, and ‘Red Cap’ porter services are provided at Urumqi Station to ensure seamless luggage handling. Tourists do not need to carry large luggage when transferring, making travel easier.
🗓 Simple Itinerary Arrangement
Brief Itinerary for the 14-Day New National Train Special Route Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Budget Option):
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains, Karez Irrigation System, Aydingkol Lake) – Hotan
🚂 2026 Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing Tickets and Traveling on the New National Train Special Route for Northern and Southern XinjiangDay 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Cele – Kunlun Mountains Grand Canyon – Hotan
Day 4:Hotan – Tuancheng – Atlas Silk – Yuetegan Ancient City – Hotan Night Market
Day 5:Hotan (Special Train) – Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
Day 6:Kashgar – Kashgar Old City – Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall – Tongrentang – Xiangfei Garden – Kashgar – Kuqa
Day 7:Kuqa – Kyzyl Grand Canyon – Restan Street – Kuqa (Special Train) – Kuitun/Yining
Day 8:Kuitun/Yining – Nalati Town
Day 9:Nalati Town – Nalati – Kekedala
Day 10:Kekedala – Lavender – Sayram Lake – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 11:Beitun – Kanas – Wucai Beach – Burqin
Day 12:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Many tourists who want to visit the core landscapes of northern and southern Xinjiang in one go have recently been inquiring about information on the new national train special route. In 2026, with the upgrade of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway’s transport capacity, the comfort and punctuality of travel on the special train have significantly improved. This guide compiles information on departure dates, itineraries, prices, registration precautions, and tips to avoid pitfalls, helping everyone take a smoother journey.Day 13:Urumqi – Heavenly Lake of Tianshan – Xinjiang Colored Cotton Base – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
Brief Itinerary for the 14-Day New National Train Special Route Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Luxury Option):
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Karez Irrigation System – Grape Manor – Flaming Mountains – Turpan – Cele
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Cele – Kunlun Mountains Scenic Area – Hotan
Day 4:Hotan – Tuancheng – Atlas Silk – Yuetegan Ancient City – Hotan Night Market
Day 5:Hotan – Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Baisha Lake – Kashgar
Day 6:Kashgar – Kashgar Old City – Travel Photography – Kuqa
Day 7:Kuqa – Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon – Southern Section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak – Nalati Town
📍 Core Introduction to the RouteDay 8:Nalati Town – Nalati Scenic Area – Lavender Garden – Kekedala
Day 9:Kekedala – Huiyuan Ancient City – Sayram Lake – Bole/Shuanghe
Day 10:Bole/Shuanghe – Guai Shi Yu – Ancient Road Hot Spring – Jinghe – Beitun
Day 11:Beitun – Ahe Highway – Hemu Scenic Area
Day 12:Hemu – Kanas – Wucai Beach – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Heavenly Lake – Colored Cotton Technology Park (Medicinal Diet Health Hot Pot) – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
💰 Price and Group Date Instructions
14-Day New National Train Special Route Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Budget Option):
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
The new national train special route for northern and southern Xinjiang adopts a travel mode of ‘special train + short-distance shuttle.’ Tourists can visit scenic spots at stops during the day and rest in sleeper cabins on the special train at night, eliminating the need to frequently pack and unpack or change hotels. This is very friendly for family trips and middle-aged and elderly tourists. The 14-day itinerary connects the humanities, history, and natural scenery of southern Xinjiang with the grasslands, lakes, and mountain landscapes of northern Xinjiang, covering classic destinations such as Turpan, Hotan, Kashgar, Kuqa, Nalati, Sayram Lake, Kanas, and Hemu in both northern and southern Xinjiang.National Train 4-Person Cabin:Upper Bunk: 5980 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 6980 yuan/person
Product Standards:Selected comfortable local hotel accommodation, groups of about 40 people, admission tickets not included, full-service one-stop tour guide service
14-Day New National Train Special Route Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang (Luxury Option):
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
National Train 4-Person Cabin:Upper Bunk: 14800 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 15800 yuan/person
Product Standards:3 nights in five-star hotels + 4 nights in four-diamond hotels + 1 night in a wooden house in the Hemu Scenic Area + 1 night in a four-diamond hotel (homestay) in Nalati
Groups of no more than 26 people, full-service one-stop tour guide service
The above prices are reference quotations for 2026. Prices and availability may fluctuate depending on the departure date. The specific prices and availability shall be subject to the contract or confirmation on the day, with the contract signed by both parties taking precedence.
📝 Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency. Contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to inquire about remaining cabin availability and reserve travel dates. The specific address can be obtained by consulting customer service.
According to the latest scenic spot opening information for 2026, all major scenic spots in northern and southern Xinjiang have resumed normal operations from May onwards: The Nalati Scenic Area is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, with better vegetation scenery from May to October; the entire ring-lake road around Sayram Lake is clear, with the East Gate, South Gate, and West Gate all open, allowing self-driving or taking the scenic area bus to enter; the Kanas Scenic Area implements real-name timed reservation for entry, and it is recommended to complete reservations 3 days in advance through relevant platforms during peak seasons; the southern section of the Duku Highway is expected to open around June 1, 2026, depending on actual snowmelt and road maintenance conditions, and arrangements involving the Duku Highway section in the itinerary will be adjusted according to real-time traffic conditions.🔔 Fee Instructions and Service Instructions
1. The budget option includes accommodation in a 4-person special train cabin, corresponding standard hotel accommodation, full-service one-stop tour guide service, and ‘Red Cap’ luggage handling service at Urumqi Station. Admission tickets, scenic area shuttle buses, meals throughout the trip, and round-trip transportation between the departure location and Urumqi are not included.
2. The luxury option includes accommodation in a 4-person special train cabin, corresponding standard hotels and scenic area wooden houses and homestays, full-service one-stop tour guide service, and ‘Red Cap’ luggage handling service at Urumqi Station. Admission tickets, scenic area shuttle buses, meals throughout the trip, and round-trip transportation between the departure location and Urumqi are not included.
3. For single registrants, our agency will do its best to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation.
4. For issues such as weather, road conditions, policies, scenic spot openings, changes in departure dates, admission tickets, and hotel room types, both parties can reasonably adjust the itinerary upon mutual agreement.
5. Refund and cancellation rules are subject to the contract provisions, with specific details based on actual consultation and contract signing.
⚠ ️ Travel Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
✅ Product Selection Tips:There are significant price differences among similar special train products for northern and southern Xinjiang on the market. When choosing, carefully check the scenic spots included in the itinerary, accommodation standards, and group size. Do not blindly choose low-priced products to avoid hidden consumption and shortened itineraries later.
✅ Reservation Tips:Some popular scenic spots, such as Kanas and Sayram Lake, have large tourist volumes during peak seasons. Complete scenic spot reservations in advance as required before traveling to avoid being unable to enter the scenic spot upon arrival, which would affect the itinerary.
✅ Luggage Preparation Tips:There is a significant temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang. Even when traveling in summer in July and August, bring thin jackets and long pants. The Pamir Plateau, Kanas, Hemu, and other areas have lower nighttime temperatures, so prepare warm clothing. The ultraviolet radiation is strong, so prepare sun protection clothing, sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection items. Some road sections have long drives, so prepare some portable snacks and neck pillows to enhance travel comfort.
✅ Booking Tips:When booking, confirm the upper and lower bunk allocation rules and the availability of cabins for the corresponding departure date to avoid situations where the booked cabin is unavailable at the last minute. All agreed-upon terms should be reflected in the contract to protect your rights and interests.
✅ Travel Etiquette Tips:During the tour, respect the customs and habits of local ethnic groups, protect the ecological environment of the scenic spots, do not litter randomly, and comply with the relevant management regulations of the scenic spots.
Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.
