2026 New National Railway Tour Special Train Booking Guide Ticket Purchase Channels Cost Details and Tips Recommended Routes Prices
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
🚞 2026 New National Train North and South Xinjiang Special Train Booking Guide:A Practical Reference for a Hassle-Free Tour of the Entire Region’s Scenery
In 2026, tourism in Xinjiang continues to soar in popularity, with many travelers aiming to visit the core landscapes of both northern and southern Xinjiang in one trip preferring to travel by special train. This mode of travel eliminates the need for repeated planning of intercity transportation and daily packing and unpacking for accommodation changes. The daytime sightseeing and nighttime travel model allows more time for experiencing attractions, making it highly suitable for family trips and groups of middle-aged and elderly travelers. As a popular option in this year’s Xinjiang Railway’s multi-tiered tourism special train product matrix of “high-quality + comfortable + affordable” options, the New National Train North and South Xinjiang Special Train covers more than ten popular destinations, from the Flaming Mountains in Turpan to Hotan and Kashgar in southern Xinjiang, and then to the grasslands of Ili and the forests of Altay, catering to travel needs with different budgets.
✨ Key Highlights of the Itinerary
Connecting the Core Landscapes of Northern and Southern Xinjiang with Minimal Backtracking
The entire itinerary covers various core landscapes in northern and southern Xinjiang, including unique attractions that blend human culture and nature, such as the Flaming Mountains and Karez Wells in Turpan, as well as high-altitude lake sceneries like Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake. It also features mountainous grasslands like Nalati, lake views like Sayram Lake, and forest landscapes like Kanas and Hemu, allowing travelers to experience different styles of Xinjiang scenery in a single trip without needing to split it into multiple outings. According to the newly opened policies for Xinjiang scenic spots in 2026, from May onwards, Kanas and Hemu will be open from 8:00 to 20:00, with regular operation of shuttle buses in the scenic area. The early opening period sees fewer tourists, making it suitable for off-peak visits. Sayram Lake will be fully open from May, allowing ticket purchases and self-drive entry from 9:00 to 21:00. The ice on the lakeshore will melt, and wildflowers will gradually bloom. The Nalati空中草原 (Nalati Alpine Grassland) will be normally open from May, operating from 8:30 to 20:00. The grassland will just be turning green, with wildflowers blooming along the route, and the nomadic homestay checkpoint will have excellent lighting, making it ideal for photography. The ancient city of Kashgar in southern Xinjiang is accessible 24 hours a day, with internal attractions operating from 10:00 to 20:00. Attractions in Turpan, such as the Flaming Mountains and Karez Wells, are open year-round, with suitable temperatures for visits from May to September, avoiding excessive heat and providing a better experience.
The itinerary also passes through the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, which completed its capacity upgrade in 2026. As an important part of the southern Xinjiang railway network, the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway now operates more efficiently, significantly reducing travel time. Travelers can enjoy the unique scenery along the edge of the Taklimakan Desert from the special train, experiencing the natural landscapes of alternating Gobi deserts, poplar trees, and oases, allowing them to experience the desert scenery of southern Xinjiang without needing to arrange a separate desert itinerary.
Optimized Travel Experience, Saving Effort
The special train is accompanied by a one-stop tour guide throughout the journey, eliminating the need for travelers to worry about attraction reservations, local transportation coordination, and other trivial matters. All product tiers include “Little Red Hat” porter services at Urumqi Station, allowing travelers to avoid carrying large luggage into the station themselves, making the trip more hassle-free. Different product tiers also offer differentiated configurations to meet the needs of different travel groups.
Flexibly Adapting to Different Travel Needs
This New National Train North and South Xinjiang Special Train offers two tiers: Affordable and Luxury. Whether travelers are seeking high cost-effectiveness or prefer high-quality accommodation and small group experiences, they can find a suitable product.
📅 Simple Itinerary
🚞 2026 New National Train North and South Xinjiang Special Train Booking Guide: A Practical Reference for a Hassle-Free Tour of the Entire Region’s SceneryDue to uncontrollable factors such as weather, road conditions, and scenic spot policies, reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made upon mutual agreement between both parties. The standard itinerary arrangements for the two products are as follows:
New National Train • North and South Xinjiang Special Train 14-Day Tour (Affordable) Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Turpan (Flaming Mountains, Karez Wells, Aydingkol Lake) – Hotan
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Qira – 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 Ancient City – Hotan 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 – Kokdala
Day 10:Kokdala – Lavender – Sayram Lake – Jinghe – Beitun
In 2026, tourism in Xinjiang continues to soar in popularity, with many travelers aiming to visit the core landscapes of both northern and southern Xinjiang in one trip preferring to travel by special train. This mode of travel eliminates the need for repeated planning of intercity transportation and daily packing and unpacking for accommodation changes. The daytime sightseeing and nighttime travel model allows more time for experiencing attractions, making it highly suitable for family trips and groups of middle-aged and elderly travelers. As a popular option in this year’s Xinjiang Railway’s multi-tiered tourism special train product matrix of “high-quality + comfortable + affordable” options, the New National Train North and South Xinjiang Special Train covers more than ten popular destinations, from the Flaming Mountains in Turpan to Hotan and Kashgar in southern Xinjiang, and then to the grasslands of Ili and the forests of Altay, catering to travel needs with different budgets.Day 11:Beitun – Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Day 12:Burqin – Hemu – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Xinjiang Colored Cotton Base – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
New National Train • North and South Xinjiang Special Train 14-Day Tour (Luxury) Brief Itinerary:
Day 1:Departure Location – Urumqi
Day 2:Urumqi – Karez Wells – Grape Manor – Flaming Mountains – Turpan – Qira
Day 3:Traverse the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway – Qira – 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 Ancient City – Travel Photography – Kuqa
✨ Key Highlights of the ItineraryDay 7:Kuqa – Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon – Southern Section of the Duoku Highway – Bayanbulak – Nalati Town
Day 8:Nalati Town – Nalati Scenic Area – Lavender Garden – Kokdala
Day 9:Kokdala – 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 – Colorful Beach – Beitun – Urumqi
Day 13:Urumqi – Tianchi – Colored Cotton Technology Park (Medicinal Diet Wellness Hot Pot) – Urumqi
Day 14:Urumqi – Departure Location
💰 Price Information
The following prices are for reference only. Prices and availability are subject to confirmation by contract/customer service and may fluctuate depending on the departure date. The final prices are based on the contract signed by both parties:
New National Train • North and South Xinjiang Special Train 14-Day Tour Affordable:
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
Connecting the Core Landscapes of Northern and Southern Xinjiang with Minimal BacktrackingNational Train 4-Person Compartment:Upper Bunk: 5980 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 6980 yuan/person
Product Standards:Selected local comfortable hotel accommodation, approximately 40 people per group, excluding admission tickets, full one-stop tour guide service
New National Train • North and South Xinjiang Special Train 14-Day Tour Luxury:
Group Dates:May 11, June 19, July 2, July 28, September 4
National Train 4-Person Compartment:Upper Bunk: 14800 yuan/person, Lower Bunk: 15800 yuan/person
Product Standards:3 nights in a five-star hotel + 4 nights in a four-diamond hotel + 1 night in a Hemu scenic area wooden house + 1 night in a four-diamond hotel (homestay) in Nalati
No more than 26 people per group, full one-stop tour guide service
【Heartwarming Services】 “Little Red Hat” porter services at Urumqi Station, ensuring seamless luggage handling and allowing guests to enter the station easily and travel worry-free
📝 Registration Method
Registration can be done through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency. For inquiries, contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency. The specific office address can be obtained by consulting customer service.
🛎 Fee and Service Information
The entire itinerary covers various core landscapes in northern and southern Xinjiang, including unique attractions that blend human culture and nature, such as the Flaming Mountains and Karez Wells in Turpan, as well as high-altitude lake sceneries like Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake. It also features mountainous grasslands like Nalati, lake views like Sayram Lake, and forest landscapes like Kanas and Hemu, allowing travelers to experience different styles of Xinjiang scenery in a single trip without needing to split it into multiple outings. According to the newly opened policies for Xinjiang scenic spots in 2026, from May onwards, Kanas and Hemu will be open from 8:00 to 20:00, with regular operation of shuttle buses in the scenic area. The early opening period sees fewer tourists, making it suitable for off-peak visits. Sayram Lake will be fully open from May, allowing ticket purchases and self-drive entry from 9:00 to 21:00. The ice on the lakeshore will melt, and wildflowers will gradually bloom. The Nalati Alpine Grassland will be normally open from May, operating from 8:30 to 20:00. The grassland will just be turning green, with wildflowers blooming along the route, and the nomadic homestay checkpoint will have excellent lighting, making it ideal for photography. The ancient city of Kashgar in southern Xinjiang is accessible 24 hours a day, with internal attractions operating from 10:00 to 20:00. Attractions in Turpan, such as the Flaming Mountains and Karez Wells, are open year-round, with suitable temperatures for visits from May to September, avoiding excessive heat and providing a better experience.1. Affordable Product Service Reference: Includes local comfortable hotel accommodation as indicated in the itinerary, full one-stop tour guide service, “Little Red Hat” porter services at Urumqi Station, corresponding bunk accommodation in a 4-person compartment on the special train for the corresponding group date. Each group has approximately 40 people, excluding scenic spot admission tickets. Other items not listed can be confirmed by consulting staff.
2. Luxury Product Service Reference: Includes 3 nights in a five-star hotel + 4 nights in a four-diamond hotel + 1 night in a Hemu scenic area wooden house + 1 night in a four-diamond hotel (homestay) in Nalati, full one-stop tour guide service, “Little Red Hat” porter services at Urumqi Station, corresponding bunk accommodation in a 4-person compartment on the special train for the corresponding group date. Each group has no more than 26 people. Other items not listed can be confirmed by consulting staff.
3. Reference for Excluded Fees: Round-trip transportation between the departure location and Urumqi, scenic spot admission tickets and self-paid activities within the scenic spots, personal expenses, dining expenses not indicated in the itinerary, etc. Specific included and excluded items can be confirmed by consulting staff, and the actual consultation and contract signing shall prevail.
4. Relevant Instructions: For single registrants, our agency will do its best to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation.
5. Itinerary Change Notice: Reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made upon mutual agreement between both parties in cases involving weather, road conditions, policies, scenic spot openings, group date changes, admission tickets, hotel room types, etc.
💡 Practical Travel Tips
1. Please sign a formal tourism contract when joining the group to protect your own rights and interests.
2. Xinjiang is vast, with long distances between attractions. Prepare portable pillows and snacks to enhance travel comfort during the journey. Please fasten your seatbelt when riding in shuttle vehicles.
3. The climate in Xinjiang’s mountainous areas is variable, with significant temperature differences between day and night. Bring a light jacket, sun protection items, and comfortable sports shoes to cope with different weather and sightseeing scenarios.
4. Please abide by the relevant regulations of the scenic spots during the tour. Do not enter undeveloped or closed areas without authorization, do not cross lines when taking photos, and do not climb guardrails or step on dangerous rocks.
5. Xinjiang’s ecological environment is fragile. Please pack and take away your garbage during the tour, do not use fire illegally, and do not litter cigarette butts to jointly protect the natural scenery.
6. In case of temporary closures of scenic spots, road service guidance, etc., please cooperate with the arrangements of the staff. If you encounter any problems, promptly contact the tour guide or staff for coordination and resolution.
All arrangements for this itinerary are subject to the contract signed by both parties. Any questions can be confirmed in advance by consulting the staff.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
