The Tianshan Special Tourist Train is a high-quality tourism train product launched by the Xinjiang railway department, aiming to allow tourists to deeply experience the natural scenery and diverse culture of Xinjiang in a comfortable and convenient way. This special train was carefully crafted by the Urumqi Railway Bureau and China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd., and officially opened on May 1, 2023, quickly becoming a new tourist attraction in Xinjiang. The schedule for the operation of the Tianshan Special Tourist Train in 2025 has been announced. Tourists who wish to ride the Tianshan Special Tourist Train are welcome to consult the official train manager: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information). I. Special features of the train
1. High-quality carriage facilities:
Carriage types: The special train is equipped with hard sleeper and soft sleeper carriages, and some carriages offer premium soft sleepers to meet the needs of different tourists.
Interior decoration: The interior of the carriages is decorated with high-quality materials, with excellent sound insulation. Bed linens are changed for each guest to ensure a comfortable experience for tourists.
Entertainment facilities: The special train also has a bar car and a multi-functional leisure car, providing a leisure area, a children’s entertainment area, a wellness and massage area, and private boxes, allowing tourists to enjoy a variety of entertainment activities during the journey. 2. Full-journey tourist service:
Itinerary arrangement: The Tianshan Special Tourist Train mainly adopts the mode of "the train moves when passengers are resting, and stops when passengers are playing", running at night and sightseeing during the day, covering major tourist cities and attractions in northern, southern, and eastern Xinjiang.
3. All-inclusive service: After purchasing the special train ticket, tourists will not only receive the railway ticket but also enjoy full-journey meals, luxury hotel accommodation, air-conditioned tourist buses at the destination, excellent tour guide services, travel agency liability insurance, entrance tickets to tourist attractions and interval car fees, achieving a worry-free journey from start to finish. Selected tourist routes:
4. Classic Attractions: The special train passes through the essence of Xinjiang attractions such as Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Hemu, Wucaitan, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, and Kashgar Old Town, allowing tourists to appreciate the magnificent scenery of Xinjiang at one time.
5. Unique Experiences: Tourists can also travel through the northern section of the Duku Highway to experience the magnificent scenery of the Hero Highway; explore the Kuqa王府 to appreciate the exquisite beauty of Qing Dynasty architecture; and leave unforgettable memories in front of the Flame Mountain in Turpan. II. Itinerary Arrangement
The Tianshan Tourist Train usually has a 13-day itinerary. Below is a typical 13-day itinerary example:
Day 1: Depart from all parts of the country, arrive in Urumqi, and check in to the hotel after pickup.
Day 2: Urumqi-Tianshan Heavenly Lake-Beitun, visit Tianshan Heavenly Lake and take the special train to Beitun at night.
Day 3: Beitun-Kanas-Jiadenyu, visit Kanas Lake and stay at a hotel in Jiadenyu.
Day 4: Jiadenyu-Hemu-Wucaitan-Beitun-Yining, visit Hemu Village and Wucaitan, and take the special train to Yining at night.
Day 5: Yining-Sayram Lake-Horgos Port-Yining, visit Sayram Lake and visit the Horgos Port.
Day 6: Yining-Nalati Grassland-Yining-Turpan, visit the Nalati Grassland, and take the special train to Turpan at night.
Day 7: Turpan-Grape Manor-Flame Mountain-Karez Well-Kuqa, visit Turpan’s Grape Manor, Flame Mountain, and Karez Well, and take the special train to Kuqa at night.
Day 8: Kuqa-Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon-Kuqa王府-Aksu, visit the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon and Kuqa王府, and stay at a hotel in Aksu.
Day 9: Aksu-Kashgar, visit Kashgar Old City, and stay at a hotel in Kashgar.
Day 10: Kashgar-Karakul Lake-Kashgar, visit Karakul Lake and experience the magnificent beauty of the Pamir Plateau.
Day 11: Kashgar-Old Town-Id Kah Mosque-Xiangfei Garden-Turpan, visit Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, and Xiangfei Garden, and take the special train to Turpan at night.
Day 12: Turpan-Urumqi, visit attractions such as Grape Valley in Turpan, and return to Urumqi.
Day 13: Urumqi, transfer the group according to the return flight or train schedule. III. Booking Method
Since the Tianshan Tourist Train is a combined product including railway tickets and tourism products, it does not sell railway tickets separately. Tourists need to book through the designated travel agency channel, and the specific process is as follows:
Choose a travel agency: It is recommended to choose a formal and qualified travel agency for booking, such as Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
Provide information: According to customer service requirements, provide personal name, ID number, and other booking information.
Pay the deposit: After successful booking, pay the railway ticket deposit and transfer the deposit to the designated account of the travel agency.
Sign the contract: Sign the unified electronic contract for national tourism service supervision to complete the registration process.
Pay the balance: About 30 days before departure, pay the remaining tour fee. IV. Price Information
The prices of the Tianshan tourist train vary depending on the carriage type, travel dates, and tourism product versions (such as standard, premium, and business versions). The following is an approximate price range for reference:
1. Tianshan Joyful Version 13-day Tour of North and South Xinjiang (without Duku)
May tour schedule: (May 9, May 22)
4-person sleeper upper berth: 12,580 yuan/person
4-person sleeper lower berth: 13,580 yuan/person
2. Tianshan Joyful Version 13-day Tour of North and South Xinjiang (Duku North Section)
June tour schedule: (June 4, June 17, June 30)
4-person sleeper upper berth: 12,980 yuan/person
4-person sleeper lower berth: 13,980 yuan/person
July-September tour schedule:
(July 13, July 26, August 8, August 21, September 3, September 16, September 29)
4-person sleeper upper berth: 13,580 yuan/person
4-person sleeper lower berth: 14,580 yuan/person II. Tianshan Premium Version 13-day Tour of North and South Xinjiang
1. May tour schedule (without Duku): (May 9, May 22)
Business single room: 23,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with private bathroom): 22,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (bunk beds with shared bathroom): 20,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with shared bathroom): 18,400 yuan/person
2. June tour schedule (Duku North Section): (June 4, June 17, June 30)
Business single room: 23,800 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with private bathroom): 22,800 yuan/person
Business standard room (bunk beds with shared bathroom): 20,800 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with shared bathroom): 18,800 yuan/person 3. July-September tour schedule (Duku North Section):
(July 13, July 26, August 8, August 21, September 3, September 16, September 29)
Business single room: 24,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with private bathroom): 23,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (bunk beds with shared bathroom): 21,400 yuan/person
Business standard room (1 upper and 1 lower bed with shared bathroom): 19,400 yuan/person
Please note that the above prices are for reference only, and the actual ticket prices may vary due to factors such as the peak and off-peak travel seasons, travel dates, and travel agency promotions. V. Friendly Reminders
Advance booking: Since the Tianshan tourist train operates regularly with only 2 trains per month and 12 trains throughout the year, it is recommended that tourists book in advance to ensure a smooth trip.
Pay attention to the weather: The climate in Xinjiang is changeable. It is recommended that tourists check the weather forecast of their destination before traveling and reasonably arrange their itinerary.
Respect local customs: Xinjiang is an area inhabited by multiple ethnic groups. Tourists should respect local customs and religious beliefs during their travels.
The Tianshan tourist train offers tourists an excellent opportunity to explore Xinjiang in depth with its unique route design, luxurious travel experience, and rich cultural connotations. Whether you want to appreciate Xinjiang’s natural scenery or experience its diverse cultures, the Tianshan tourist train will be your ideal choice.