How to book tickets for the Tianshan Tourism Train
Reservation phone number for the Tianshan Special Train: 181-39622229 (same as WeChat)
Experience Xinjiang by Train: Tianshan Special Tourism Train
Urumqi – Altay – Yili – Bozhou – Turpan – Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar – Urumqi, 14 days
[Design Concept] Fulfill a dream of traveling across the Tianshan Mountains and through both the northern and southern Xinjiang regions, making travel simple and joyful; the special train departs in the evening and arrives in the morning, saving you from over 5,000 kilometers of Gobi Desert driving. It is comfortable and safe, with destinations being Xinjiang’s most representative core scenic spots, including snowy mountains, plateaus, lakes, deserts, Gobi Deserts, oasis, grasslands, ancient villages… Fulfilling your dream of traveling through both the northern and southern Xinjiang regions.
[Customized Special Train] Xinjiang’s new panoramic train loop tour connecting the north and south of Xinjiang, featuring a brand-new route: Urumqi + Altay + Yili + Bozhou + Turpan + Aksu + Alar + Kuqa + Kashgar. The special train arrives at its destination in one stop without any transfers, truly realizing a panoramic special train journey across all of Xinjiang. The train follows the passengers, with no need to change berths throughout the journey. The train + car gold route replaces cars with a special train for comfort and safety!
[Special Train] In 2023, the Urumqi Railway Bureau invested 3 million yuan to customize and newly build a bar carriage, entertainment carriage, and dining carriage for the ‘Tianshan’ tourist train. The special train is equipped with hard sleeper carriages and soft sleeper carriages, providing a comprehensive service experience for your journey;
[Highlight Attractions] A one-stop visit to Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay; Explore Colorful Beach, Tianshan Heavenly Lake, encounter lavender, meet Jinghai – Sayram Lake; Visit the aerial grassland Nalati, the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa王府, Desert Gate, Sleeping Poplar, 359 Brigade Memorial Hall, Karakul Lake, Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Grape Valley, Kaner Well, Flaming Mountain, and other highlight attractions;
[Quality Assurance] Groups form in Urumqi, with ground air-conditioned tourist buses offering comfortable seating, more attentive service, and excellent Chinese-speaking tour guides accompanying you throughout the journey;
[Selected Hotels] Throughout the journey, locally selected four-star, five-star, and high-standard comfortable hotels provide you with a high-quality and comfortable resting environment;
[Exclusive Cuisine] Complimentary dishes: Xinjiang’s [Big Tray Chicken], Burqin County’s [Coldwater Fish Feast], Tianchi’s [Yaochi Feast], Xinjiang’s [Grilled Meat];
[Super Value Gift] ★Complimentary gift: One ‘Aidilai’ ethnic hat for men: Let you shine more during the trip; One Aidilai silk scarf for women,
Clause: Let you become a younger and prettier ‘Xinjiang Girl’ during your trip to Xinjiang;
★Complimentary gift: 1 bag of Xinjiang dried fruit snacks valued at 198 yuan per person!
★Complimentary visit to Lavender Manor – [Lavender Garden]
[Theme Activity] Kashgar Old Town Opening Ceremony with Songs and Dances
[Attentive Service] All teams are seamlessly connected by a professional planning team to make you feel at home! Professional tour drivers ensure a worry-free trip!
[Exclusive Travel Service] Whether you arrive early or depart late, we will provide you with a free 24-hour airport/station pick-up service in advance and a delayed airport drop-off service.
Station Service!!!
Simplified Itinerary
Days, Itinerary, Meals, Accommodation Location
Day 1: Departure – Urumqi (airport/station pick-up and hotel check-in). At your own expense. 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 – Jadenyu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Jadenyu.
Day 5: Jadenyu – Kanas Lake – Beitun – Jinghe. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Train sleeper.
Day 6: Jinghe – Sayram Lake – Khorgos – 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 – Kaner Well) – Kuqa. Dinner. Train sleeper.
Day 9: Kuqa – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Alar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Alar.
Day 10 Alar – Desert Gate – 359 Brigade Memorial Hall – Kashgar Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Train sleeper
Day 11 Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Kashgar
Day 12 Kashgar – Old City – Mosque – Kashgar – Urumqi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Train sleeper
Day 13 After arriving in Urumqi in the afternoon, check in at the hotel. At your own expense. Urumqi
Day 14 Arrive in Urumqi in the morning, and then transfer to the airport or train station according to your return flight or train schedule. Breakfast. Warm home.
D1 Origin – Urumqi Meals: At your own expense Accommodation: Urumqi
Reference hotels: Xiyu Grand Hotel, Daluqiao Hotel, Tuha Petroleum Building, Dushanzi Hotel, etc. (same level)
Depart from your origin to the airport or railway station to take a plane or train to Urumqi, the farthest city from the ocean in the world. It is the geographic center of Asia and also a necessary route on the new northern path 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 make sure your phone is reachable. Local staff will arrange carpooling or pick-up services based on your flight or train arrival time. On the day of pick-up, staff will hold a sign saying "Travel Xinjiang by Train – Tianshan VIP" at the agreed time and wait for you at the airport. They will take you to the hotel where you will stay for the day to check in. There will be no tour guide service on the day, and meals are at your own expense.
[Tips]: When traveling in Xinjiang, due to the long itinerary and significant climatic 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 medication, or medication for stomach discomfort. Drink plenty of water, keep a happy mood, and embark on a wonderful Xinjiang tour. 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 – Tianshan Tianchi – Urumqi – Beitun Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: Train sleeper
Early in the morning, take a car (about 1.5 hours’ drive) to the [Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area], which is known as the "Pearl of Tianshan Mountain". Tianchi is located at an altitude of 1,980 meters and is a natural alpine glacier-eroded lake with a crescent-shaped lake surface. The natural scenery is beautiful, with a majestic snowy mountain in the distance, streams and waterfalls scattered throughout the mountains, and profound cultural connotations such as the ancient Yaochi West Queen Mother mythology and unique folk customs. It integrates forests, grasslands, snowy mountains, and human landscapes, presenting a unique view. After lunch, take a car to the [Yema International Paleo-ecological Park] (complimentary). The scenic area covers an area of 200 mu (about 13 hectares), with distinct seasons and various wonders. Inside the park, there is China’s largest Akhal-Teke horse exhibition base, the Yema Art Museum that collects oil paintings from famous artists at home and abroad, as well as the Jurassic Silicified Wood Protection Base, the Silk Road Science and Technology Museum, the Silk Road Historical Figures Memorial Hall, the Silk Road Art Museum, and more. It integrates eco-tourism, cultural tracing, and folk customs experiences, gathering precious natural relics of the Western Regions and the cultural essence of the ancient and modern Silk Road.
Visit a park. Then head to Urumqi Station (High-speed Railway Station) for assembly and take the 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 equivalents
After morning pickup, take a car to Koktokay Town, the coldest place in Xinjiang, which receives more snowfall than Mohe in Northeast China. Head to the [Koktokay National Geopark] located in the Irtysh Grand Canyon, enjoying scenic spots such as the Turtle-like Rock, Birch Forest, Couple Trees, and Stone Gate along the way. After arriving at the shuttle bus terminal, visit the landmark scenic spot of Koktokay – the Spirit Bell Mountain, and then follow the Irtysh River (based on your physical condition) for a hike deep into the Irtysh Grand Canyon (not too far). In the evening, stay in the beautiful riverside town of Burqin, and you can freely choose to visit the Sino-Russian Old Dock Folk Street, stroll through the Burqin Riverbank Night Market to taste local cuisine, and experience the unique scenery of the border town.
D4 Burqin – Hemu – Jiadengyu Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Jiadengyu
Reference Hotels: Tianxiayou Mountain Resort, Yuyuan Mountain Resort, Chenyi Mountain Resort, Leihai Mountain Resort, Tuwa Residence, and equivalents
After breakfast, head to [Hemu], known as the "Garden of the Gods". The scenic road winding alongside the journey is picturesque, with distant snow-capped mountains, nearby forests, grasslands, blue skies, and white clouds coming into view, forming a harmonious picture with cows and sheep occasionally grazing. The beautiful scenery along the way is too much to take in, and you can 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. When you catch sight of a cluster of pointed-roof wooden cabins in the distance, that’s [Hemu Village]. The beauty of Hemu lies in its primitiveness. This is the settlement of the Tuwa people of Kanas. The pointed-roof wooden cabins are unique, with cows and sheep leisurely pacing around the village, cats and dogs lazily basking in the sun in the yard, and the Hemu River joyfully flowing beside the village. Everything appears quiet and peaceful. You can take a self-guided hike to the Chenggizhan’s Commanding Platform to overlook the entire village of Hemu. Along the way, accompanied by the river, wildflowers, and birch forests, the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful; take a leisurely stroll through the village along the Hemu River. The murmuring river, pointed-roof wooden cabins, and dense birch forests can all be great spots for you to pose and take 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 Jiadengyu and check into the hotel.
D5 Jiadenyu – 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 gate, transfer to a shuttle bus to enter Kanas National Geopark. 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. Visit Kanas Lake. Pine forests cover the mountains, and with the breeze blowing, the sound of rustling pine needles fills the air. Kanas Lake is a favorite among photographers – the blue sky, white clouds, emerald-green lake, and serene 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. Along the way, optionally visit the [Colorful Beach Scenic Area] to marvel at the magical colorful riverbank. "One river separates two banks, like two different worlds." Nature has ingeniously combined two completely different landscapes here, creating a naturally formed and unique scenery. Arrive in Beitun in the evening.
Depart from [unspecified location], take a special train to Jinghe County.
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]. The western side of the lake is covered with grass and flowers – yellow, purple, and red, creating a vibrant landscape. The nearby clear water and blue sky shimmer with light, while the distant snowy mountains blend with the sky, forming a watercolor painting. Later, pass through the Asia’s longest cable-stayed bridge across the mountain 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 aromatic culture-related products. Then, head to [Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area], the only large-scale, original ecological, and culturally diverse tourist area dominated by Uyghurs in northern Xinjiang. It includes Uyghur home visits, homemade ice cream, horse-drawn carriage rides, singing and dancing 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 four major alpine valley grasslands in the world – [Nalati, a national AAAAA scenic area]. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Gongnais River. The view of "green mountains surrounding on three sides, with the river flowing like a jade belt around its waist" is breathtaking. Ancient Tombs of the Wusun people are located here, and the scenery of four different landscapes in one mountain is too much to take in. After lunch, take the scenic area’s valley shuttle bus to enter the Nalati Valley Grassland scenic area for sightseeing. Optionally, you can take the Nalati sightseeing bus to enjoy the scenic viewpoints. In the evening, take a special train to Turpan!
D8 Turpan – Kuqa Meals: Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, we will take a bus to Turpan, the Fire City, and gather in front of the Unified Marketing Company to purchase tickets. First, we will head to the [Karez Wells], known as the ‘underground canal’ and one of the three great ancient engineering projects of China. In the afternoon, we will take a bus to visit the [Grape Vineyard]. The World Heritage Site [Jiaohe Ancient City] is a well-preserved earthen building city in the world and also a complete urban relic that has been preserved for more than two thousand years in China. The Anxi Protectorate, the high military and administrative organization of the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions, was established early in Jiaohe Ancient City. It was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 1961. At the [Flaming Mountain] photo spot, take photos. A Uyghur family visit is complimentary, where you can taste fruits and melons for free under the grape trellis. After dinner, take a train to Kuqa, the ancient state 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 Fragrance Hotel, and equivalents
After picking up from the train in the morning, we will take a bus to visit the [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon], which the Uyghurs praise as the ‘Red Cliff’ and was also the main shooting location for famous films such as ‘Hero of the Heaven and Earth’. The Mysterious Grand Canyon is located in the Kiziliya scenic area, one of China’s nine major film bases today. The huge red mountain range was formed during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era, about 140 million years ago. After hundreds of millions of years of wind and rain erosion and flood erosion, it has formed crisscrossed and orderly ridges and grooves. From a distance, it looks picturesque, resembling the ‘Potala Palace’ and fairyland. Up close, it resembles people and objects, like a dream, lifelike and charming. Afterward, we will head to Baicheng County to visit the [Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves], one of the four major grottoes in China. Kizil is a transliteration from Uyghur, meaning ‘red’. There are 236 existing caves, about one-third of which have relatively intact cave formations and many mural remnants. The grottoes are mainly relics from the 4th to 8th centuries and are typical representatives of the Qiuci grottoes. After the tour, we will head 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, we will take a bus to visit the [Sleeping Diversifolium Populus], which is currently the largest, most intact, and uniquely shaped ‘primitive’ Diversifolium Populus forest in the Tarim River basin. Then, we will head to the [Gate of the Desert] scenic area, which is a landmark of the Taklimakan Desert and the starting point of the Tarim Rally, a圣地 for off-road enthusiasts. Afterward, we will visit the [359th Brigade Memorial Hall] in Alar City. If it is closed, we will instead visit the [Western Regions Cultural Expo Park] at Tarim University. The 359th Brigade is the troop sung in the folk song ‘Nanniwan’, where you can feel the spirit of the Corps: ‘Born in Nanniwan, grown in Jinggangshan, fighting across tens of thousands of miles, settling and reclaiming in Tianshan’. Afterward, we will head to Aksu Ethnic Night Market to taste local specialty foods at your own expense. In the evening, we will take a train to Kashgar, the living fossil of the Silk Road.
D11 Kashgar – Karakuli Lake – Kashgar. Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Accommodation: Kashgar
Reference hotels: Qiniwake Hotel, Shenye Radisson Hotel, Nanjiang Universal Port International Hotel, etc. (same level)
After arriving by the special train in the morning, proceed to apply for the border pass. Then depart to visit the plateau lake [Karakuli Lake], which means "Black Lake" in Uyghur. With an altitude of 3600 meters and a depth of 30 meters, it covers an area of over 100,000 square kilometers. It is a high-mountain glacier-eroded and glacier-deposited lake located at the foot of Mount Mushtagh, the "Father of Glaciers", in the eastern Pamirs. Surrounded by mountains, the lakeside is rich in water and grass, and often inhabited by Kyrgyz herdsmen. On a clear day, the clear water reflects the silver peaks, blending the lake scenery with the mountains into a picturesque view. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snowy mountains, especially Kongur, Kongur Tobe, and Mushtagh, which add a magical and beautiful touch to the lake. Along the way, enjoy the scenery of the Gez Valley (also known as the Red River Valley) and布伦口 Sand Lake (also known as White Sand Lake). After 90 minutes of free activities by the lake, take the bus back to Kashgar city and check into the hotel to rest.
Friendly reminder: The altitude of Kahu Lake is 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 Kahu Lake tours!
Note: Apply for the Kahu Border Pass in advance: Guests from within Xinjiang should apply with their ID cards at their household registration location, while out-of-Xinjiang tourists can entrust the travel agency to handle it.
D12 Kashgar – Urumqi. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Train sleeper
After breakfast, depart for the AAAAA scenic area [Kashgar Old Town] to watch the opening ceremony. Then visit [Craftsmen Street – Handicraft Street], a unique cultural attraction in Kashgar, Xinjiang. Craftsmen Street, officially known as Wusitangboyi Handicraft Street, is about one kilometer long and gathers hundreds of handicraft workshops and stalls; food and tea drinks are available. It has become an exhibition area for the best handicrafts from Kashgar and even Central Asia. Shopping, visiting, and enjoying food can all be done on this street, which is indeed a multifaceted experience. Taste local authentic snacks and tea drinks at your own expense in Craftsmen Street, including a local Kashgar Uyghur-style "[Century-old Tea House]"; enjoy Uyghur traditional musical instrument performances while tasting Uyghur black tea; savor the leisurely atmosphere. Visit the [Id Kah Mosque]. After lunch, visit the [Kashgar Nephrite Exhibition Hall] (AA scenic area). Have dinner in the urban area and return to Urumqi by special train with a full harvest.
D13 Urumqi. Meal: On your own. Accommodation: Urumqi
Reference hotels: Xiyu Grand Hotel, Daluqiao Hotel, Tuha Petroleum Building, Dushanzi Hotel, etc. (same level)
Arrive in Urumqi in the afternoon, check into the hotel after pick-up, and have free time.
D14 Urumqi – Various destinations. Meal: Breakfast. Accommodation: Warm home
Tianshan tourist train reservation number: 181-39622229