Here are the recommended Xinjiang train tour routes for 2025:
1. New Oriental Express Luxury Tourist Train for Northern and Southern Xinjiang – 13-15 Day Tour
• Route: Departing from Urumqi, passing through Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Tianshan Tianchi, Nalati Grassland, Sayram Lake, Bayanbulak Grassland, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Duku Highway, Lop Nur Village, Taklamakan Desert, Grape Valley, Kizil Grottoes, Pamir Plateau, Karakul Lake, Stone City, Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Garden, Karez, Jiaohe Ancient City, etc.
More tourism consultations (Panda Special Train, Chengdu Train, Anyi Train, Shifang Train, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream Train, Lindu Train, Yichun Train, Gobi Cruise Ship, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan Train, Tianshan Train) Special Train Reservation Center: 180-9596-9599 (Copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
• Characteristics: The train is equipped with high-end hardware, including large glass viewing windows, carriages with showers, shared refrigerators and kitchens, bar entertainment carriages, and Chinese-style dining carriages. Each carriage is served by a dedicated butler.
2. Tianshan Tourist Train – 15-day Tour
• Route: Urumqi – Beitun – Yining – Turpan – Aksu – Kashgar – Hami – Urumqi.
• Characteristics: It covers the panoramic view of both northern and southern Xinjiang, with the train moving according to passengers’ itinerary. No need to change berths throughout the journey. Equipped with hard sleeper carriages, soft sleeper carriages, bar carriages, entertainment carriages, and dining carriages, it provides an ‘all-inclusive’ service.
3. New Western China Tourist Train – 12-day In-depth Round Trip of Northern and Southern Xinjiang
• Route: Departing from Urumqi, passing through Tianshan Tianchi, Kanas Scenic Area, Colorful Beach, Hemu Village, Nalati Grassland, Sayram Lake, Bayanbulak Grassland, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Sleeping Hu Yang (a dead胡杨 forest), Gate of the Desert, Pamir Plateau, Karakul Lake, Stone City, Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Garden, Karez (an ancient irrigation system), Jiaohe Ancient City, etc.
• Characteristics: Suitable for middle-aged and senior tourists, providing 4 nights of high-end boutique hotels, 1 night of resort hotel, and an upgrade to 1 night in a five-star hotel throughout the journey.
4. Beautiful Xinjiang Tourism Special Train: 6-day Tour of Kanas and Ili in Northern Xinjiang
• Route: Departing from Urumqi, it passes through famous attractions in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas, Nalati, and Sayram Lake.
• Characteristics: Shorter duration, suitable for tourists with limited time, offering an in-depth exploration of the essence of attractions in northern Xinjiang.
5. Sunset Red Middle-aged and Senior Tourism Special Train
• Route: Departing from Urumqi, it passes through major tourist cities in northern and southern Xinjiang, such as Altay, Ili, Turpan, Hotan, and Kashgar.
• Characteristics: The special train covers important tourist attractions in northern and southern Xinjiang, featuring an itinerary of “night travel and day sightseeing”. The train cars are equipped with soft sleeper and hard sleeper configurations, as well as a multi-functional leisure car.
In 2025, there are multiple Xinjiang train routes that can meet the needs of different travelers:
Northern Xinjiang Classic Route: Starting from Urumqi, take the train to Beitun to begin a journey of natural scenery in northern Xinjiang. First, head to Kanas, where the lake and mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, and the mysterious legend of the Kanas Lake Monster adds to its mystique; then proceed to Hemu Village, where the unique Tuva village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests, serene and peaceful; next, visit Colorful Beach, where the river divides the shore into two distinct landscapes—lush greenery on the south bank and colorful rocks in the Yadan landform on the north bank, creating a striking contrast. Afterwards, head south to Sayram Lake, where the clear blue lake water is crystal-clear, and the surrounding grasslands are ablaze with flowers, before returning to Urumqi.
Southern Xinjiang Style Route: Starting from Kashgar, the Aitiqa Mosque in Kashgar Old Town is solemn and respectful, and the streets within the old town are full of exotic charm, where you can also taste authentic southern Xinjiang cuisine. Subsequently, take the train along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert to appreciate its vastness and majesty. Upon arrival in Hotan, visit the Yotgan Ancient City to experience the prosperity of trade on the ancient Silk Road. Then head to Kuqa to explore the Kuqa王府 (王府 refers to a nobleman’s mansion) and learn about the historical culture of local nobles.
Xinjiang Grand Circle Route: It integrates the essence of attractions in northern and southern Xinjiang, starting from Urumqi, first visiting the natural scenery of Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, and other places in northern Xinjiang, then heading south to Kashgar to experience the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang, before proceeding to Aksu, Kuqa, and other places to cross the desert and admire the poplar forest, finally returning to Urumqi. Throughout the journey, you can not only appreciate the magnificent natural scenery but also gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural customs of multiple ethnic groups such as Uyghurs and Kazakhs.
The “Traveling Xinjiang by Train • Tianshan” high-quality special tourism train will continue to operate in 2025
The “Traveling Xinjiang by Train • Tianshan” high-quality special tourism train adopts the “special train + car” mode, which not only meets passengers’ needs for comfortable travel by train but also allows them to experience “the train moves with people, people play while the train stops”, truly realizing a worry-free trip throughout the journey.
Traveling Xinjiang by Train
The entire train is equipped with sleeper seats, including three configurations: high-class compartments, soft sleeper compartments, and hard sleeper compartments. The carriages are decorated with a theme of one scene per carriage, featuring landscapes from six major regions: Altay, Aksu, Ili, Turpan, Hami, and Kashgar. Through hanging paintings, prints, and other methods, the natural scenery and cultural folklore of Xinjiang are deeply integrated, allowing passengers to feel the rich ethnic flavor as soon as they board the train.
Tianshan Train schedule
••Advance bookings are being accepted••
May 9th – May 21st, May 22nd – June 3rd
June 4th – June 16th, June 17th – June 28th
June 30th – July 12th
July 13th – July 25th, July 26th – August 7th
August 8th – August 20th, August 21st – September 2nd
September 3rd – September 15th, September 16th – September 28th
September 29th – October 11th
13 days: Urumqi/Kanas/Yining/Kuqa/Kashgar/Korla
October 15th – October 22nd, 8 days
Urumqi/Kashgar/Kuqa/Luntai/Hotan
Brief itinerary of the Tianshan Train in Xinjiang
Day 1: Arrival from all over the country – Urumqi (airport pick-up and hotel check-in). At your own expense in Urumqi.
Day 2: Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Beitun. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the Tianshan Train.
Day 3: Beitun – Kanas – Jiadenyu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Jiadenyu.
Day 4: Jiadenyu – Hemu – Colorful Beach – Beitun – Yining. Breakfast, no lunch, dinner on the Tianshan Train.
Day 5: Yining – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Yining.
Day 6: Yining – Nalati Grassland (River Valley Grassland) – Nalati Town. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Nalati Town.
Day 7: Nalati Town – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Kuqa. Breakfast and lunch, X dinner on the Tianshan Train.
Day 8: Kuqa – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kashgar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the Tianshan Train.
Day 9: Kashgar – N39 Desert Tourist Area – Kashgar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Kashgar.
Day 10: Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Baisha Lake – Kashgar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Kashgar.
Day 11: Kashgar Old Town – Craftsman Street – Century-old Tea House – Id Kah Mosque – Turpan. Breakfast and lunch, X dinner on the Tianshan Train.
Day 12: Turpan – Kanerjing – Flaming Mountain – Urumqi. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Urumqi.
Day 13: Transfer according to the return flight or train schedule in the morning. No lunch.
More tourism consultations (Panda Special Train, Chengdu Train, Anyi Train, Shifang Train, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream Train, Lindu Train, Yichun Train, Gobi Cruise Ship, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan Train, Tianshan Train) Special Train Reservation Center: 180-9596-9599 (Copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
"Travel Xinjiang by Train·Tianshan Train"
High-quality special tourism train
Setting off again in 2025
Are you tempted?
Quickly invite your friends and set off together~