The Xinjiang ‘Tianshan’ Tourism Special Train will make its debut on May 1st. How to buy tickets for the Tianshan Special Train?
Booking phone number for the Tianshan Special Train: 181-39622229 (same as WeChat)
Exploring Xinjiang by Train: Tianshan Special Tourism Train (Exclusive)
Urumqi – Altay – Ili – Bozhou – Turpan – Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar – Urumqi, 14 days
[Design Concept] Fulfill a dream of traveling across the Tianshan Mountains and spanning southern and northern Xinjiang, 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 driving. It is comfortable and safe, with destinations being representative core scenic spots in Xinjiang, encompassing snow-capped mountains, plateaus, lakes, deserts, Gobi, oases, grasslands, ancient villages, etc.… It fulfills your dream of spanning southern and northern Xinjiang.
[Customized Special Train] A brand-new panoramic train loop tour across southern and northern Xinjiang, featuring a novel route: Urumqi + Altay + Ili + Bozhou + Turpan + Aksu + Aral + 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. It’s a gold route combining trains and cars, using a special train instead of cars 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 to provide you with a comprehensive service experience during your journey;
[Highlight Attractions] A one-time overview of Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay; visit Colorful Beach, Tianshan Heavenly Lake, encounter lavender, meet Jinghai – Sayram Lake; visit Aerial Grassland Nalati, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa Wangfu, Desert Gate, Sleeping Poplar, 359 Brigade Memorial Hall, Karakul Lake, Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Grape Valley, Karez Well, Flaming Mountain, and other top attractions;
[Quality Assurance] Group departure from Urumqi, ground air-conditioned tourist buses with comfortable seats, more attentive service, excellent Chinese-speaking tour guides accompanying throughout the journey;
[Selected Hotels] Throughout the journey, locally selected four-star, five-star, and high-standard comfort hotels provide you with a high-quality and comfortable resting environment;
[Exclusive Cuisine] Complimentary Xinjiang – [Big Tray Chicken], Burqin County – [Coldwater Fish Feast], Heavenly Lake – [Yaochi Feast], Xinjiang – [Roast Meat];
[Super Value Gift] ★Complimentary men’s "Aidilai" ethnic flower hat: Make you stand out during the trip; women’s Aidilai silk scarf
Clause: Make you look younger and prettier as a "Xinjiang Girl" during your trip in Xinjiang;
★Complimentary bag of Xinjiang dried fruits and snacks for each person worth 198 yuan!
★Complimentary Lavender Manor – [Lavender Garden]
[Themed Activity] Kashgar Old Town Opening Ceremony with Songs and Dances
[Attentive Service] All teams are seamlessly connected by a professional scheduling 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 delayed drop-off service.
Station Services!!!
Simplified Itinerary
Days, Itinerary, Meals, Accommodation
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 – 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 – 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 – Karez Well) – 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 Brigade Memorial Hall – 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 the 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 Mansion, Dushanzi Hotel, etc. (same level)
Depart from your origin to the airport or train station to take a flight or train to Urumqi, the city farthest from the ocean in the world. It is the geographic center of Asia and also a must-pass route on 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 accessible. 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 reading "Take the Train to Explore Xinjiang – Tianshan VIP" at the agreed time and wait for your arrival at the airport to take you to the hotel where you will stay for check-in procedures. There will be no tour guide service on the same 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 climate不适应. You can bring relevant medications and some commonly used medications, such as band-aids, cold medicine, or medication for stomach discomfort. Drink plenty of water, maintain a pleasant mood, and embark on a wonderful journey in Xinjiang. 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
Take the car early in the morning (about 1.5-hour drive) to visit the [Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area], which is known as the "Pearl of Tianshan Mountains". Tianchi is a natural alpine ice-eroded lake with a semi-circular lake surface at an altitude of 1980 meters. The natural scenery is beautiful, with a magnificent snowy mountain in the distance and streams and waterfalls scattered throughout the mountains. The profound cultural connotations, such as the ancient myth of the West Queen Mother of the Yao Pool and unique folk customs, integrate forests, grasslands, snowy mountains, and cultural landscapes, creating a unique landscape. After lunch, take the car to visit the [Yema International Ancient Ecological Park] (complimentary). The scenic area covers an area of 200 acres, with distinct seasons and various wonders. Inside the park, there is China’s largest display base for Akhal-Teke horses, the Yema Art Museum that collects oil paintings from famous artists at 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 eco-tourism, cultural tracing, and folk customs experience, gathering rare natural relics of the Western Regions and the essence of ancient and modern Silk Road culture.
Visit a park. Then head to Urumqi Station (High-speed Railway Station) for gathering and take the train to Beitun.
D3 Beitun – Koktokay – Burqin Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Burqin
Reference Hotels: Burqin County Tourism Hotel, Burqin Youyifeng Grand Hotel, Xiangjiang Grand Hotel, and equivalent
After morning pickup, head to Koktokay Town, the coldest place in Xinjiang, which receives more snowfall than Mohe in Northeast China. Travel to the Koktokay National Geological Park located in the Irtysh Grand Canyon, enjoying scenic spots such as Turtle-shaped Rock, Birch Forest, Couple Tree, and Stone Gate along the way. After arriving at the shuttle bus terminal, visit the landmark attraction of Koktokay – the God’s Bell Mountain, and then follow the Irtysh River (based on your physical condition) for a hike deeper 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 Riverbank Night Market to taste local cuisine, and experience the unique scenery of this 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
After breakfast, head to Hemu, known as the "God’s Backyard". The scenic road winding along the way is picturesque, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, forests, grasslands, blue skies, and white clouds in the near view, forming a harmonious picture with cattle and sheep grazing occasionally. The beautiful scenery along the way is so enchanting that you won’t have time to take it all in, feeling the tranquility and beauty of this idyllic retreat. Upon arrival at the Hemu gate, take the scenic area shuttle bus to enter. When you see a cluster of pointed-roof wooden houses in the distance, that’s Hemu Village. The beauty of Hemu lies in its originality. This is the settlement of the Kanas Tuvas. The pointed-roof wooden houses are unique, with cattle and sheep strolling leisurely in the village, cats and dogs lazily basking in the sun in the yard, and the Hemu River flowing happily beside the village, making everything look peaceful and serene. You can walk to the Chenggizhan Point Overlook by yourself to get a panoramic view of Hemu Village. Along the way, you will be accompanied by rivers, wildflowers, and birch forests, which are breathtakingly beautiful; take a leisurely stroll along the Hemu River in the village. The murmuring river, pointed-roof wooden houses, and dense birch forests can all be great spots for your photo shoots; 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: Sleeping car on the train
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 Geological Park. Take in the sights along the Kanas River, enjoying the primitive Siberian larch forest, birch forest scenery, Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Yaze Lake, as well as a tour of Kanas Lake. Pine forests cover the mountains, and with the breeze blowing, waves of pine rustle through the air. Kanas Lake is a favorite among photographers – the blue sky, white clouds, emerald-green lake water, and leisurely 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, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kanas Lake. In the afternoon, return to Beitun by car. Along the way, you can optionally visit the [Wucaitan Scenic Area] to marvel at the magical colorful riverbank. "A river separates the 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 Beitun and 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, Tumaris Hotel, and equivalent
After breakfast, take an air-conditioned bus to [National AAAA Scenic Area Sayram Lake]. The western side of the lake is covered with grasslands and flowers – yellow, purple, and red, creating a riot of colors. The nearby clear water and blue sky shimmer with waves, while the distant snowy mountains blend with the sky, forming a watercolor painting. Later, pass through the mountain-spanning cable-stayed bridge, the longest of its kind 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], one of China’s three major land trade ports (complimentary), where you can take an electric cart to visit the gateway. Afterward, visit the [Lavender Garden] (complimentary) to learn about the distribution of aromatic plants worldwide and related products. Continue to [Kazangqi Folk Tourism Area], the only large-scale, original ecological and cultural scenic area in northern Xinjiang where Uyghurs and other ethnic groups live together. It includes Uyghur home visits, homemade ice cream, horse-drawn carriage rides, singing and dancing performances, and tastings of dried fruits and fresh fruits. It truly reflects the ethnic customs of Xinjiang, encompassing rich Uyghur culture and unique folk customs. After dinner, check into the hotel.
D7 Yining – Nalati – Yining – Turpan Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: Sleeping car on the train
After breakfast, take an air-conditioned bus to one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands – [National AAAAA Scenic Area Nalati]. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Gongnais River. "Green mountains surround on three sides, while the river winds like a jade belt around its waist." Ancient tombs of the Wusun people are located here, and the scenery of four seasons within one mountain is breathtaking. After lunch, take the scenic area’s valley shuttle bus to enter the Nalati Valley Grassland scenic area for sightseeing. You can optionally take the Nalati sightseeing bus to appreciate the scenic spots. In the evening, take a special train to Turpan!
D8 Turpan – Kucha. 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 visit the [Karez Wells], known as the "underground canal" among the Three Ancient Projects of China. In the afternoon, we will take a bus to visit the [Grape Vineyard] and the World Heritage Site [Jiaohe Ancient City], which is a well-preserved earthen building city in the world and also a complete urban relic in China that has been preserved for over two thousand years. The Anxi Protectorate, the high-level military and administrative organization in the Western Regions during the Tang Dynasty, was early established in Jiaohe Ancient City. In 1961, it was listed as a key national cultural relic protection unit. At the [Flame Mountain] photography spot, we will take photos. A Uyghur family visit is complimentary, where you can taste fruits and melons for free under the grapevine. After dinner, we will take a train to Kucha, the ancient state of Qiuci.
D9 Kucha – Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Alar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Accommodation: Alar.
Reference Hotels: Alar Tahe Garden, Alar Grand Hotel, Alar Zizyphus Jujube Flower Fragrance Hotel, and equivalents.
After arriving by train in the morning, we will take a bus to visit the [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon], which is praised by Uyghurs as the "Red Cliff" and was also the main shooting location for famous films such as "Hero of Heaven and Earth". The Mysterious Grand Canyon is located in the Kizil scenic area, one of China’s nine major film and television bases today. The huge red mountain range was formed during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era, about 140 million years ago. Over millions of years of wind and rain erosion and flood erosion, it has formed crisscrossing and orderly ridges and grooves. From a distance, it looks picturesque, resembling the "Potala Palace" and celestial palaces; up close, it resembles people and objects, like dreams and fantasies, vivid and charming. Afterwards, we will proceed to Baicheng County to visit the [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 numerous mural relics. The grottoes are mainly relics from the 4th to 8th centuries and are typical representatives of the Qiuci grottoes. After the tour, we will proceed to Alar City, the new city and bright pearl of the Tarim River Corps, 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 Populus euphratica Forest], which is currently the largest, most intact, and uniquely shaped ‘primitive’ Populus euphratica forest in the Tarim River basin. Then, we will proceed to the [Gate of the Desert] scenic area, which is the landmark of the Taklamakan Desert, the starting point of the Tour of Tarim Rally, and a sacred place for off-road enthusiasts. After that, 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 Corps spirit of "born in Nanniwan, grew up on Jinggangshan, fought and transferred thousands of miles, and settled and reclaimed in Tianshan". After that, we will head to the 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 – Karakul Lake – Kashgar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation: Kashgar
Reference Hotels: Qiniwake Hotel, Shenye Radisson Hotel, South Xinjiang Global 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 [Karakul Lake], which means “Black Lake” in Kyrgyz. It is located at an altitude of 3600 meters, with a depth of 30 meters and a total area of over 100,000 square kilometers. It is a glacial lake formed by ice erosion and deposition in the eastern Pamirs, at the foot of Kongur Tagh, known as the “Father of Glaciers”. Surrounded by mountains, the lakeside is abundant in water and grass, and is often inhabited by Kyrgyz herdsmen. On clear days, the clear water reflects the silver peaks, and the lake scenery merges into one, creating a picturesque view. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snowy mountains, especially Kongur, Kongur Tobe, and Kongur Tagh, which add a magical and beautiful color 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, return to Kashgar city by car and check into the hotel to rest.
Friendly Reminder: Kafan Lake is at an altitude of 3700 meters. Pregnant women, the elderly, children, and individuals with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids are not recommended to participate in tours to Kafan Lake!
Note: Apply for the Kafan Lake Frontier 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, Dinner. Accommodation: Train Sleeper
After breakfast, depart for the AAAAA scenic area [Kashi Old Town] to watch the city-opening ceremony. Then visit [Craftsman Street – Handicraft Street], a distinctive cultural attraction in Kashi, Xinjiang. Craftsman Street, also known as Wusitangboyi Handicraft Street, is about one kilometer long and gathers hundreds of handicraft workshops and stalls; it has a complete range of gourmet food and tea drinks, making it an exhibition area for the finest handicrafts from Kashi and even Central Asia. Walking down the street, you can shop, visit, and enjoy gourmet food without missing out on anything, truly killing multiple birds with one stone. Within Craftsman Street, taste local authentic snacks and tea drinks at your own expense, including a local Kashgar-style Uyghur “[Centenary Tea House]”; you can listen to traditional Uyghur musical instrument performances, taste Uyghur black tea, and savor the leisurely atmosphere. Visit the [Id Kah Mosque]. Then enjoy lunch, and after the meal, visit the [Kashi Hetian Jade Exhibition Hall] (AA scenic area). Have dinner in the urban area 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 Mansion, Dushanzi Hotel, etc. (same level)
Arrive in Urumqi in the afternoon, check into the hotel after pick-up, and enjoy free time.
D14 Urumqi – Various Destinations. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Your Warm Home
Tianshan Express Train Reservation Hotline: 181-39622229