2025 Inaugural Operation of the First Tourist Train Around the Taklamakan Desert
Xinjiang Middle-aged and Elderly Sunset Red Tourist Train Center provides you with quality services. Welcome to inquire by phone: 180 95969599; Inquiry: xjwf10086 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
The ‘Journey Around the Tarim Basin’ tourist train departed from Urumqi Station with a whistle, kicking off an 11-day journey around the Taklamakan Desert. This is the first tourist train to operate since the opening of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway and the formation of the world’s first desert railway loop.
2025【Spring in Southern Xinjiang】—11-day Panoramic Tour around the Tarim Basin
The Panoramic Tourist Train around the Taklamakan Desert passes through multiple golden tourist attractions and scenic spots such as Kuqa, Kashgar, Hotan, Ruoqiang, and Korla. It facilitates connectivity among tourist attractions with the mobile train, saving travelers’ time. The loop train does not take the same route back, allowing travelers to enjoy a panoramic view of southern Xinjiang in one trip. The train offers full sleeper carriages, providing a more comfortable and safe riding environment, allowing tourists to enjoy the beautiful process of slow train travel and creating a "mobile home" for tourists.
1. In-depth Slow Travel: Circumnavigating the Taklamakan Desert, experiencing the world’s first desert loop railway, visiting the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway;
2. Comfortable and Safe: Round-trip special train, departing in the evening and arriving in the morning, saving over 30 hours and more than 3,000 kilometers of travel fatigue, enjoying Xinjiang while lying down;
3. Customized Special Train: Exclusive berth, train follows the passengers, no need to handle large luggage
Note: Xinjiang residents need to apply for a border pass to visit Karakul Lake in Taxkorgan County. (Please apply at your household registration place)
2025【Spring in Southern Xinjiang】—11-day Panoramic Tour around the Tarim Basin Ticket Prices
Hard Sleeper: 6-person upper bunk: 2980 yuan/person, middle bunk 3280 yuan/person, lower bunk 3580 yuan/person; 4-person upper bunk: 3280 yuan/person, lower bunk 3580 yuan/person
Soft Sleeper/National Train: 3980 yuan/person (National Train offers 4-person hard compartment, priced the same as soft sleeper); Double Soft Sleeper: 5580 yuan/person
2025【Spring in Southern Xinjiang】—11-day Panoramic Tour around the Tarim Basin Route:
First day Departure place – Urumqi On your own Urumqi
Next day Urumqi – Turpan (Karez Wells, Flaming Mountain, Grape Valley) – Kuqa Breakfast and Lunch Sleeper train
Day 3: Kuqa – Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kizilgaha Beacon Tower – Kuqa王府 – Kuqa/Xinhe – Lunch – Kuqa/Xinhe
Day 4: Kuqa/Xinhe – Xayar胡杨林 – Desert Flower Sea Scenic Area – Kashgar – Breakfast and Lunch – Train Sleeper
Day 5: Kashgar – China-Pakistan Highway – Karakul Lake – White Sand Lake – Kashgar – Dinner – Kashgar
Day 6: Kashgar – Old Town – Id Kah Mosque – Xiangfei Garden – Hotan – Breakfast and Lunch – Train Sleeper
Day 7: Hotan – Rewak – Desert Viewing Platform – 47th Regiment – Moyu – Hotan Night Market – Lunch – Hotan
Day 8: Hotan – Grape Corridor – Fig King – Yotgan Ancient City – Ruoqiang – Breakfast and Lunch – Train Sleeper
Day 9: Ruoqiang – Loulan Museum – Milan Ancient City – Korla – Lunch – Korla
Day 10: Korla – Lop Nor Village – Tietumen Pass – Urumqi – Breakfast and Lunch – Train Sleeper
Day 11: Morning Arrival in Urumqi – Departure Place – Self-care – Warm Home
This is since the opening and operation of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway
After the formation of the world’s first desert railway loop
The first tourist train to be operated
A powerful new member has been added to the ‘Tour Xinjiang by Train’
Xinjiang Middle-aged and Elderly Sunset Red Tourism Train Center provides you with quality services. Welcome to inquire by phone: 1809 5969599; Inquiry: xjwf10086 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation, and request detailed route information)
The 825-kilometer Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway has been fully opened and operated, and has successfully connected with the Southern Xinjiang Railway and the Geermu-Korla Railway (Xinjiang section). Since then, the world’s first desert railway loop, with a total length of 2,712 kilometers, has been fully completed.
The Tarim Circuit Train covers nearly 4,000 kilometers
Passing through Kuqa, Kashgar, Hotan, Ruoqiang, Korla, etc.
Multiple southern Xinjiang characteristic cities and famous scenic areas
The train consists entirely of sleeper cars
Adopting a model of operating at night and sightseeing during the day
Depart in the evening and arrive in the morning to accompany you on your tour
The ancient and mysterious Taklamakan Desert
Located in the center of the Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang
It is a large desert in China
It is also the world’s second-largest mobile desert
Covering an area of 330,000 square kilometers
Recommended Xinjiang Travel Routes
7-Day In-depth Kanas Tour
Day 1: All Parts of China – Urumqi
Day 2: Urumqi – Burqin
Day 3: Burqin – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu)
Day 4: Hemu – Kanas (Attraction: Kanas)
Day 5: Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin (Attractions: Kanas, Colorful Beach, Burqin Night Market)
Day 6: Burqin – Urumqi (Recommended Attractions: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
Day 7: Urumqi – Hometown
Kayi: Northern Xinjiang Panorama Circuit 13 Days 12 Nights
D1: Urumqi Airport Pickup – Hotel Check-in – Free Activities
D2: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Ulungur Lake – Colorful Beach Sunset
D3: Burqin – Kanas (Three Bays, Kanas Lake, Fish Viewing Platform, etc.)
D4: Kanas / Jaden Pass – Hemu Village (Birch Forest, Sunset Viewing Platform)
D5: Hemu – Burqin
D6: Burqin – Urho World Devil City
D7: Kuitun – Sayram Lake (self-drive lake circuit) – Guozigou Bridge
D8: Qingshuihe – Huocheng Lavender Fields (mid-June to mid-July) – Qiongkushitai
D9: Tekes – Karajun Grassland
D10: Nalati Town – Nalati Aerial Grassland
D11: Nalati – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Bayinbrook
D12: Bayin – Mengkete Ancient Road – Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery (scenic drive) – Duku Highway (northern highlight section)
D13: Dushanzi – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Urumqi
Eight Days in Northern Xinjiang
Day 1: Departure – Urumqi (airport pickup)
Day 2: Urumqi – S101 Internet-famous Highway – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Kuitun
Day 3: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Lavender Field – Afternoon Tea in the Flower Sea – Kazhanqi – Yining
Day 4: Yining – Yizhao Highway – Xiata Forest Park – Bagua City – Tekes
Day 5: Tekes – Qiaxi Forest Park – Nalati Town
Day 6: Nalati Town – Nalati Aerial Grassland – Bayinbrook Grassland – Bayin Town
Day 7: Bayinbrook – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Urumqi
Day 8: Urumqi – Departure (airport transfer)
The midsummer of July and August is the most beautiful time for the Ili grasslands, with clouds rolling and lush green grass, allowing you to run or lie down on the grass freely.
The vast sky and boundless wilderness, with grass waving in the wind and livestock visible beneath, fulfill everyone’s longing and fantasies about the grasslands.
The last tear of the Atlantic Ocean – [Sayram Lake];
The dividing point between myth and reality – [Tianshan Heavenly Lake];
China’s second-largest grassland and beautiful wetland – [Bayinbrook Grassland];
One of the four major grasslands in the world – [Nalati Grassland];
The spectacular sight of ten thousand horses galloping – [Zhaosu Heavenly Horse Culture Park];
The national wisdom project – [Karez Well System];
The ‘Burning Mountain’ – [Flaming Mountain];
The western gate of the motherland – [Horgos Port]
Is it more fun to travel to Southern Xinjiang or Northern Xinjiang?
Xinjiang is divided by the magical Tianshan Mountains, with the north being Northern Xinjiang and the south being Southern Xinjiang. The landscapes of the two regions are completely different!
Northern Xinjiang focuses on natural scenery. Some of the more famous attractions include Kanas, Koktokay, Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Hemu Village, Colorful Beach, the northern section of the Duku Highway, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Kazhanqi Folk Culture Park, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Flaming Mountain, Bayinbrook Grassland, Sea Devil City, S21 Desert Highway, etc., all belonging to Northern Xinjiang.
Southern Xinjiang focuses on historical and cultural attractions, covering Kashgar, Hotan, Aksu, Bayingolin, Kizilsu Kirgiz, and other regions, which also include Turpan and the Tarim Basin, as well as the Xinjiang section of the Kunlun Mountains.
Five Days in Ili
Day 1: Urumqi – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Bole
Day 2: Bole – Sayram Lake – Tekes
Day 3: Tekes – Karajun – Nalati
Day 4: Nalati – Nalati Aerial Grassland – Bayinbrook
Day 5: Bayinbrook – Duku Highway – Urumqi
Xinjiang Middle-aged and Elderly Sunset Red Tourism Train Center provides you with quality services. Welcome to inquire by phone: 1809 5969599; Inquiry: xjwf10086 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation, and request detailed route information)