How to Book Tickets for the Tianshan Tourist Train
Tianshan Train Specialized Train Reservation Phone Number: 181-39622229 (same as WeChat)
Tour Xinjiang by Train · Tianshan Train Tourist Specialized Train
Urumqi – Altay – Ili – Bozhou – Turpan – Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar – Urumqi 14 days
[Design Concept] Fulfill a dream of traveling across the Tianshan Mountains and throughout north and south Xinjiang, making travel simple and joyful; the specialized train departs in the evening and arrives in the morning, saving you from a more than 5,000-kilometer Gobi journey by car, providing comfort and safety. The destinations are all representative core scenic spots in Xinjiang, encompassing snow-capped mountains, plateaus, lakes, deserts, Gobi deserts, oases, grasslands, ancient villages, etc.… Fulfilling your dream of traveling throughout north and south Xinjiang.
[Customized Train] A brand-new train circular route tour throughout the panoramic north and south Xinjiang, with a new route: Urumqi + Altay + Ili + Bozhou + Turpan + Aksu + Aral + Kuqa + Kashgar. The specialized train arrives at the destination in one stop without any transfers, truly realizing a panoramic specialized train journey across Xinjiang from east to west and from north to south. The train follows the passengers, with no need to change berths throughout the journey. A golden route combining train and car, replacing cars with specialized trains for comfort and safety!
[Dedicated Train] In 2023, the Urumqi Railway Bureau invested 3 million yuan to customize and brand newly create a bar car, entertainment car, and dining car for the ‘Tianshan’ tourist train. The dedicated train is equipped with hard sleeper carriages and soft sleeper carriages, providing you with a comprehensive service experience throughout your journey;
[Highlight Attractions] A one-time exploration of Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay; visits to Colorful Beach, Tianshan Heavenly Lake, encountering lavender, meeting Jinghai – Sayram Lake; visits to Aerial Grassland Nalati, the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa王府 (王府 is a palace or mansion, but without specific translation context, it remains as is), Desert Gate, Sleeping Poplar, 359 Travel Memorial Museum, Karakul Lake, Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Grape Valley, Kanerjing, Flaming Mountain, and other essential attractions all covered;
[Quality Assurance] Group formation in Urumqi, comfortable air-conditioned tourist coach seats, more attentive service, excellent Chinese-speaking tour guides accompanying you throughout the journey;
[Selected Hotels] Throughout the journey, we have carefully selected local four-star, five-star, and high-standard comfort hotels to provide you with a high-quality and comfortable resting environment;
[Exclusive Cuisine] Complimentary Xinjiang – [Big Plate Chicken], Burqin County – [Coldwater Fish Banquet], Tianchi – [Yaochi Banquet], Xinjiang – [Grilled Meat];
[Super Value Complimentary] ★Complimentary men’s ‘Aidilai’ ethnic floral hat: Let you shine more brightly during your trip; women’s Aidilai silk scarf
Clause: Let you become a younger and prettier ‘Xinjiang Girl’ during your Xinjiang trip;
★Complimentary bag of Xinjiang dried fruit snacks worth 198 yuan per person!
★Complimentary visit to Lavender Manor – [Lavender Garden]
[Themed Activity] Kashgar Old Town’s Opening Song and Dance Ceremony
[Thoughtful Service] All teams are seamlessly connected by a professional scheduling team to make you feel at home! Professional tour drivers ensure a worry-free itinerary for you!
[Exclusive Travel Service] Whether you arrive early or delay your return, we will provide you with a free 24-hour airport/station pick-up service in advance and delayed airport drop-off service.
Station Service!!!
Simplified Itinerary
Days, Itinerary, Meals, Lodging
Day 1: Departure – Urumqi (airport pick-up and hotel check-in). At your own expense in Urumqi.
Day 2: Urumqi – Tianshan Heavenly Lake – Yema Ecological Park – Beitun. Breakfast and lunch. Train sleeper.
Day 3: Beitun – Koktokay – Beitun – Burqin. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Burqin.
Day 4: Burqin – Hemu – Jiadenyu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Jiadenyu.
Day 5: Jiadenyu – Kanas Lake – Beitun – Jinghe. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Train sleeper.
Day 6: Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Horgos – Yining. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Yining.
Day 7: Yining – Nalati – Yining – Turpan. Breakfast and lunch. Train sleeper.
Day 8: Turpan (Grape Valley – Flaming Mountain – Kanerjing) – Kuqa. Lunch and dinner. Train sleeper.
Day 9: Kuqa – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Alar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Alar.
Tenth day Alar–Gate of the Desert–359 Travel Memorial Museum–Kashgar Breakfast and Lunch Train sleeper
Eleventh day Kashgar–Karakul Lake–Kashgar Breakfast and Lunch Kashgar
Twelfth day Kashgar–Old Town–Mosque–Kashgar–Urumqi Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Train sleeper
Thirteenth day After arriving in Urumqi in the afternoon, check into the hotel At your own expense Urumqi
Fourteenth day Arrive in Urumqi in the morning and then transfer to the airport/train station according to your return flight/train schedule Breakfast Warm home
D1 Origin–Urumqi Meals: At your own expense Accommodation: Urumqi
Reference hotels: Xiyu Grand Hotel, Daluqiao Hotel, Tuha Petroleum Hotel, Dushanzi Hotel, and equivalents
Depart from your origin to the airport or railway station to take a flight or train to Urumqi, the city farthest from the ocean in the world. It is the geographical center of Asia and also a necessary route for the new northern route of the world-famous Silk Road. According to your flight/train/hotel information, we will contact you before 20:00 the day before your scheduled departure date (via text message/phone call). Please ensure your phone is reachable. Local staff will arrange carpooling or pickup services based on your flight or train arrival time. On the day of pickup, staff will hold a sign reading "Traveling Xinjiang by Train – Tianshan VIP" at the agreed time and await your arrival at the airport. They will take you to the hotel where you will stay that day to check in. There will be no tour guide service on that day, and meals are at your own expense.
[Tips]: When traveling in Xinjiang, due to the long itinerary and significant climate differences, you may find it difficult to adapt at first and may experience symptoms of water and soil incompatibility. You can bring relevant medications and some commonly used medications, such as band-aids, cold medicine, or medications for stomach discomfort. Drink plenty of water, keep a happy mood, and embark on a wonderful Xinjiang journey. There is a 2-hour time difference between Xinjiang and the mainland. In Xinjiang, people go to work at 9:30 or 10:00, have lunch at 2:00, and dinner at 8:00. The nightlife in Xinjiang is also very rich, and group members need to adapt.
D2 Urumqi–Tian Chi Scenic Area of Mount Tianshan–Urumqi–Beitun Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: Train sleeper
Take a car early in the morning (about 1.5 hours’ drive) to visit the [Tian Chi Scenic Area of Mount Tianshan], which is known as the "Pearl of Mount Tianshan". Tian Chi is situated at an altitude of 1,980 meters and is a natural alpine glacial lake with a crescent-shaped lake surface. The natural scenery is beautiful, with towering snow-capped mountains in the distance and streams and waterfalls scattered throughout the mountains. It boasts profound cultural connotations, such as the ancient Yaochi West Queen Mother mythology and unique folk customs, integrating forests, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and cultural landscapes into one, presenting a distinctive scenery. After lunch, take a car to the [Yema International Ancient Ecology Park] (complimentary). The scenic area covers an area of 200 acres, with four distinct seasons and various wonders. Inside the park are China’s largest Akhal-Teke horse exhibition base, the Yema Art Museum that collects oil paintings by famous artists from home and abroad, as well as the Jurassic Silicified Wood Protection Base, Silk Road Science and Technology Museum, Silk Road Historical Figures Memorial Hall, Silk Road Art Boutique Museum, etc. It integrates ecological tourism, cultural tracing, and folklore experience, gathering rare natural relics of the Western Regions and the essence of ancient and modern Silk Road culture.
Visit a garden. Then head to Urumqi Railway Station (High-speed Railway Station) for gathering and take a train to Beitun.
D3 Beitun – Koktokay – Burqin. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Accommodation: Burqin.
Reference Hotels: Burqin County Tourism Hotel, Burqin Friendship Peak Grand Hotel, Xiangjiang Grand Hotel, and equivalent hotels.
After picking up guests in the morning, take a bus to Koktokay Town, the coldest place in Xinjiang, which has more snowfall than Mohe in Northeast China. Head to [Koktokay National Geological Park] located in the Irtysh Grand Canyon, enjoying scenic spots such as Turtle Stone, Birch Forest, Couple Tree, and Stone Gate along the way. After arriving at the terminal of the shuttle bus, visit the landmark scenic spot of Koktokay – the God’s Bell Mountain, and then walk along the Irtysh River (depending on your physical condition) deep into the Irtysh Grand Canyon (not too far). In the evening, stay in the beautiful riverside town of Burqin. You can freely choose to visit the Sino-Russian Old Dock Folk Street, stroll through the Burqin River Embankment Night Market, taste local cuisine, and experience the unique scenery of the border town.
D4 Burqin – Hemu – Jiadenyu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Accommodation: Jiadenyu.
Reference Hotels: Tianxiayou Mountain Villa, Yuyuan Mountain Villa, Chenyi Mountain Villa, Leihai Mountain Villa, Tuwa Residence, and equivalent hotels.
After breakfast, head to [Hemu], known as the "God’s Back Garden". The scenic road winding along the way is picturesque, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, forests, grasslands, blue skies, and white clouds close at hand, forming a harmonious picture with cows and sheep grazing occasionally. The beautiful scenery along the way is too much to take in, allowing you to feel the tranquility and beauty of being in a secluded paradise. Upon arrival at the Hemu gate, take the scenic area shuttle bus to enter and explore. When you catch sight of a cluster of spire-roofed wooden houses in the distance, that’s [Hemucun Village]. The beauty of Hemu lies in its primitiveness. This is where the Kanas Tuvas live in clusters. The spire-roofed wooden houses are unique, with cows and sheep leisurely pacing through the village, cats and dogs lazily basking in the sun in the yard, and the Hemu River joyfully flowing past the village, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. You can hike to Genghis Khan’s Commanding Platform to overlook the entire village of Hemucun. Along the way, you’ll be accompanied by rivers, wildflowers, and birch forests, creating a breathtaking view. Stroll freely through the village along the Hemu River. The murmuring river, spire-roofed wooden houses, and dense birch forests can all be great spots for taking photos. The village is not big, so you can wander around freely and experience the primitive lifestyle of the locals. After the tour, head to Jiadenyu and check into the hotel.
D5 Jiadengyu – Kanas – Beitun – Jinghe Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, head to the Kanas scenic area. Upon arrival at the [Kanas Scenic Area] ticket booth, transfer to a shuttle bus to enter Kanas National Geological Park. Along the Kanas River, enjoy the sights of the primitive Siberian larch forest and birch forest, as well as Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Yaze Lake. Pine forests cover the mountains, and with the breeze blowing, the rustling of the pine trees can be heard. Kanas Lake is a favorite among photographers – the blue sky, white clouds, emerald-green lake, and tranquil birch forest… It is truly a painter’s first choice and a photographer’s paradise. Take a boat tour of Kanas Lake. Enter the "wooden house world" of Kanas Village and wander through the unique wooden houses while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kanas Lake. In the afternoon, return to Beitun by car. Optionally, visit the [Colorful Beach Scenic Area] along the way to marvel at the magical colorful riverbank. "A river separates the two banks, yet they resemble two different worlds." Nature has ingeniously combined two distinct landscapes here, creating a naturally formed and unique scenery. Arrive in Beitun in the evening.
Depart for Jinghe County by special train.
D6 Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Yining Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Accommodation: Yining City
Reference Hotels: Longxin International Hotel, Zhongya International Hotel, Tumaries Hotel, or equivalent
After breakfast, take an air-conditioned bus to [Sayram Lake, a national AAAA scenic area], where the western shore of the lake is adorned with grasslands and flowers of every color – yellow, purple, and red, creating a riot of colors. The nearby clear blue water and the distant snowy peaks blend seamlessly into the sky, forming a picturesque watercolor painting. Later, pass through the longest cable-stayed bridge across a mountain in Asia and take in the scenic views of [Guozigou, the First Pass of Yili] along the way (no stopping due to traffic reasons). After lunch, head to [Horgos Port] (complimentary), one of China’s three major land trade ports, and optionally take an electric cart to visit the gateway. Afterwards, visit the [Lavender Garden] (complimentary) to learn about the distribution of aromatic plants worldwide and related products. Then, proceed to [Kazangqi Folk Tourism Area], the only large-scale, original ecological, and culturally diverse tourist area dominated by Uyghurs in northern Xinjiang. Activities include a Uyghur home visit, homemade ice cream, a horse-drawn carriage ride, dance performances, and tastings of dried fruits and fresh fruits. This is a true portrayal of Xinjiang’s ethnic customs, encompassing the rich Uyghur culture and unique folk customs. After dinner, check into the hotel.
D7 Yining – Nalati – Yining – Turpan Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, take an air-conditioned bus to one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands – [Nalati, a national AAAAA scenic area]. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Gongnais River. The scenery of "green mountains surrounding on three sides, and a river winding like a jade belt around its waist" is breathtaking, with ancient tombs of the Wusun people scattered among the mountains. The four different landscapes within a single mountain are a feast for the eyes. After lunch, take the scenic area’s valley shuttle bus to enter the Nalati Valley Grassland scenic area for sightseeing. Optionally, take the Nalati sightseeing bus to admire the scenic viewpoints. In the evening, take a special train to Turpan!
D8 Turpan – Kuqa. Meals: Lunch and Dinner. Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, take a bus to Turpan, the Hot City, and gather in front of the Unified Marketing Company to purchase tickets. First, visit the [Karez Well System], known as the ‘underground canal’ of China’s three ancient projects. In the afternoon, take a bus to visit the [Grape Vineyard]. The World Heritage Site [Jiaohe Ancient City] is a well-preserved earthen architecture city in the world and a complete urban relic that has been preserved for more than two thousand years in China. The Anxi Protectorate, the high-level military and administrative organization in the western regions during the Tang Dynasty, was already established in Jiaohe Ancient City. It was listed as a key national cultural relic protection unit in 1961. Take photos at the [Flaming Mountains] photography spot. A Uyghur family visit is complimentary, where you can taste fruits and melons for free under the grapevine. After dinner, take a train to Kuqa, the ancient country of Qiuci.
D9 Kuqa – Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Alar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Accommodation: Alar.
Reference Hotels: Alar Tahe Garden Hotel, Alar Grand Hotel, Alar Zizyphus Jujube Flower Hotel, and equivalents.
After picking up the train in the morning, take a bus to visit the [Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan], which is praised by Uyghurs as the ‘Red Cliff’ and was also the main filming location for the famous movie ‘Warriors of Heaven and Earth’ and other blockbusters. The Mysterious Grand Canyon is located in the Kizil scenic area, one of China’s nine major film bases today. The massive red mountain range formed during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era, about 140 million years ago. After billions of years of wind erosion, rain erosion, and flood erosion, it has formed a crisscross and orderly pattern of ridges and grooves. From afar, it looks picturesque and resembles the ‘Potala Palace’, a celestial palace; up close, it resembles people and objects, dreamlike and realistic, vivid and charming. Afterwards, proceed to Baicheng County to visit [Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves], one of the four major grottoes in China. Kizil is the transliteration of Uyghur for ‘red’. There are 236 existing caves, about one-third of which have relatively intact cave formations and more mural relics. The grottoes are mainly relics from the 4th to 8th centuries and are typical representatives of Kizil grottoes. After the tour, proceed to Alar City, the new city of the Corps and the Pearl of the Tarim River, to check into the hotel.
D10 Alar – Aksu – Kashgar. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Accommodation: Train sleeper.
After breakfast, take a bus to visit the [Sleeping Diverse-leaved Poplar Forest], which is currently the largest, most intact, and uniquely shaped ‘primitive’ poplar forest in the Tarim River basin. Afterwards, proceed to the [Gate of the Desert] scenic area, which is the landmark of the Taklamakan Desert and the starting point of the China Rally, a sacred place for off-road enthusiasts. Then, visit the [359th Brigade Memorial Hall] in Alar City. If it is closed, visit the [Western Regions Cultural Exposition Park] at Tarim University instead. The 359th Brigade is the unit sung in the folk song ‘Nanniwan’, and you can feel the Corps spirit of ‘born in Nanniwan, grew up in Jinggangshan, fought battles across tens of thousands of miles, and settled down in Tianshan’. Afterwards, head to the ethnic night market in Aksu City to taste local specialty foods at your own expense. In the evening, take a train to Kashgar, the living fossil of the Silk Road.
D11 Kashi – Karakoram Lake – Kashi. Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Accommodation: Kashi
After arriving by special train in the morning, proceed to apply for the Frontier Pass. Then depart to visit the plateau lake [Karakoram Lake], which means
Friendly reminder: Karakoram Lake is at an altitude of 3700 meters. Pregnant women, the elderly, children, and people with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol are not recommended to participate in tours to Karakoram Lake!
Note: Apply for the Karakoram Lake Frontier Pass in advance: Guests from within Xinjiang need to apply with their ID at their household registration location, while out-of-state tourists can entrust the travel agency to handle it.
D12 Kashi – Urumqi. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, depart for the AAAAA scenic area [Kashi Old Town] to watch the opening ceremony. Then visit [Craftsmen Street – Handicraft Street], a distinctive cultural attraction in Kashi, Xinjiang. Craftsmen Street, also known as Wusitangboyi Handicraft Street, is about one kilometer long and hosts hundreds of workshops and stalls. It has all kinds of food and beverages and has become an exhibition area for the best handicrafts from Kashi and even Central Asia. Shopping, visiting, and enjoying food can all be done on this street, truly killing two birds with one stone. Taste local authentic snacks and beverages at your own expense in Craftsmen Street, including a local Kashgar Uyghur-style [Century-Old Teahouse]. Enjoy traditional Uyghur musical instrument performances while sipping Uyghur black tea, and savor the leisurely atmosphere. Visit [Id Kah Mosque]. After lunch, visit the [Kashi Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall] (AA scenic area). Have dinner in the city and return to Urumqi by special train with a full harvest.
D13 Urumqi. Meals: On your own. Accommodation: Urumqi
Reference hotels: Xiyu Grand Hotel, Daluqiao Hotel, Tuha Petroleum Hotel, Dushanzi Hotel, and equivalents
Arrive in Urumqi in the afternoon, check into the hotel after pickup, and have free activities.
D14 Urumqi – Various destinations. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Warm home
Tianshan tourist train reservation phone number: 181-39622229