The ‘Shifang Train’ tourism special train is a high-end tourism train launched by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd., specifically providing tourists with a comfortable and high-quality tourism experience. Since its debut in 2020, the ‘Panda Train’ has quickly earned the reputation of being an ‘ideal train’ among domestic and foreign tourists. It has not only successfully attracted many young adventurers but also provided opportunities for many middle-aged and elderly tourists to revisit their youth. The 2025 schedule for the Shifang Train – Panda Train has been released. Tourists who wish to ride the Shifang Train – Panda Train are welcome to consult the official hotline: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information). 1. Basic Information of Shifang Train
Name: Shifang Train – Tourism Special Train
Marshalling: The entire train consists of 17 carriages with a fixed seating capacity of 466.
2. Exterior and Interior Design
Exterior Design: The body of the train is based on the color of the bronze statues from Sanxingdui, incorporating auxiliary graphics of the source of ancient Shu, the panda train emblem, and the exclusive icon of the Shifang Train, forming a highly recognizable memory point.
Interior Design: The interior decoration features panda patterns as a highlight, with special carriages such as a cigar bar, chess and card room, and observation lounge. It also has shower rooms and specialty dining carriages. 3. Carriage Configuration
Boxing Platinum Compartment: Standard four-person rooms. Each carriage contains 10 four-person compartments, equipped with toilets, washrooms, dressing rooms, showers, tea tables, storage compartments, TVs, call buttons, and charging sockets.
Zijin Yashe Compartment: Deluxe four-person rooms. Each carriage has 6 deluxe compartments, equipped with sofas, round tables, wardrobes, TVs, call buttons, charging sockets, and provides 24/7 hot water supply services and facilities.
Accommodation: Various room types such as deluxe soft sleeper, deluxe hard sleeper, and standard four-person rooms are available, equipped with solid wood beds, TV and audio systems, private bathrooms, reading lights, USB charging sockets, call buttons, and other facilities.
Dining: A restaurant is set up, providing Sichuan-style dishes, afternoon tea, cocktail parties, etc.
Entertainment: Equipped with entertainment facilities such as Panda Playground, Panda Post Office, mini KTV, small mahjong room, providing themed sing-alongs, cocktail parties, meetings, training, and other activities. 4. Special Services
Panda Butler: Each trip is equipped with a professional ‘Panda Butler’ to provide comprehensive and multi-angled services, enhancing tourists’ experiences.
Cultural Experience: A mobile train post office is set up on the train, providing services such as customized postcards, collecting Panda Express Train special commemorative stamps, and posting postcards.
Starry Sky Roof: The Panda Playground is equipped with a starry sky roof that can transform into different scenic effects, providing a unique visual experience. Schedule of the 2025 Shifang Panda Express Train:
May 2025: May 18, 2025
June 2025: June 4, 2025 and June 21, 2025
July 2025: July 8, 2025 and July 25, 2025
August 2025: August 11, 2025 and August 28, 2025
September 2025: Special features of the Shifang Panda Express Train on September 14, 2025:
1. Rich Coverage of Attractions:
The Shifang Express Train connects major attractions in Xinjiang such as Beitun, Kanas, Yining, Nalati, Kuqa, Korla, Kashgar, Turpan, etc., covering famous scenic areas such as Tianchi Lake in Tianshan, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Bosten Lake, and Flaming Mountain. 2. Unique Culinary Experiences:
The itinerary includes special local cuisines such as Burqin cold-water fish, Yining stewed mutton, Yuli roast whole sheep, Kashgar Halal cuisine, and Turpan fruit banquet, allowing tourists to taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine during the journey. 3. High-end Accommodation Arrangements:
Tourists will stay in special folk houses in Jiadenyu, 3/4-diamond rated hotels in Nalati based on online reviews, and 5-diamond rated hotels or the highest local standard hotels in other areas to ensure a comfortable experience throughout the journey.
4. Special Carriage Services:
The entire train includes 3 Zijin Yasha carriages, 10 Platinum Guige carriages, 1 entertainment carriage, and 2 Panda dining cars, meeting the personalized needs of different tourists. 5. Thoughtful Service:
Providing a service mode of ‘train butler service + ground tour guide service + full-time team doctor care’ to ensure tourists’ safety and health.
6. Cultural Experience Activities:
Special cultural activities such as face-changing and guzheng performances are arranged on the train to enrich tourists’ travel experiences.
7. Convenient Transportation Mode:
Adopting the relay transportation mode of ‘dedicated train + bus’ to reduce fatigue from long-distance travel and enhance travel comfort. Itinerary of the 2025 Shifang Panda Express Train:
Itinerary Coverage: Connecting major attractions in Xinjiang such as Beitun, Kanas, Yining, Nalati, Kuqa, Korla, Kashgar, Turpan, etc., with a total itinerary of 16 days.
Slow-paced Travel: The dedicated train saves over 5,000 kilometers of bus travel. By choosing a luxurious tourist train, you can depart in the morning and arrive in the evening, alleviating fatigue from long-distance travel.
Day 1: Chengdu/Lanzhou – Urumqi (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 2: Arrival in Urumqi (Overnight in Urumqi)
Day 3: Urumqi – Tianshan Heavenly Lake – Kashgar (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 4: Kashgar – Xiangfei Garden – Kashgar (Overnight in Kashgar City)
Day 5: Kashgar – White Sand Lake – Karakul Lake – Taxkorgan (Overnight in Taxkorgan)
Day 6: Taxkorgan – Golden Grassland – Stone City – Tajik Family Visit – Kashgar (Overnight in Kashgar City)
Day 7: Kashgar – Kashgar Old City – Id Kah Mosque – Kuche (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 8: Kuche – Tianshan Mysterious Gorge – South Section of Duku Highway – Bayanbulak Grassland – Nalati (Overnight in Nalati Town)
Day 9: Nalati Grassland – Tianshan Flower Sea – Yining (Overnight in Yining City)
Day 10: Yining – Sayram Lake – Yining – Beitun (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 11: Beitun – Colorful Beach – Jaden Pass (Overnight in Jaden Pass)
Day 12: Jaden Pass – Kanas – Bomu (Overnight in Hemu Scenic Area)
Day 13: Bomu – Beitun – Urumqi (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 14: Urumqi – Turpan – Flaming Mountain – Kaner Well – Fruit Feast – Turpan (Overnight in Turpan)
Day 15: Turpan – Return (Overnight on Panda Train)
Day 16: Arrival in Lanzhou/Chengdu and解散of Shifanghao. Panda Special Train. The booking and registration process for the tourist train is as follows:
Shifanghao. Panda Special Train Dedicated Customer Service Hotline: 133 2555 9266 (Copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
First: Shifanghao. Panda Special Train is a tourism + special train product, and is not sold on the official 12306 railway bureau website. You need to purchase it through the official travel agency channels designated by the railway bureau. Second: How far in advance should I book the Shifanghao. Panda Special Train? Generally, specific departure plans, schedules, and fees will be announced between January and March each year. Once announced, you can book in advance. Since the special train does not operate every day, please be sure to book in advance. If you plan to participate temporarily, there may not be available seats. Third: The Shifanghao. Panda Special Train mainly offers a 17-day panoramic itinerary of northern and southern Xinjiang, with Chengdu as both the starting and ending points. The departure dates are usually from May to November, with different departure dates and itinerary arrangements each month.
Fourth: After selecting the travel date and itinerary, you can confirm your ticket booking and registration. First, you need to provide accurate ID information (name, ID number, contact phone number), then pay the deposit for the special train tour group, and pay the balance according to the departure time. Fifth: After booking, you will sign a unified electronic contract on the national tourism supervision platform. When you arrive in Urumqi on the departure date, our company will provide round-the-clock pick-up services at the station/airport. Usually, the first day is arranged for you to check in at the hotel to rest or engage in free activities, and the second day you can board the special train to start your beautiful journey in Xinjiang.
Please note that the above process is for reference only, and specific operations may vary among different travel agencies. It is recommended that you consult and book through officially designated travel agencies, and gain a detailed understanding of their ticket booking and registration process.