Traveling to Xinjiang by train, this train will fulfill your Western Regions dream! "Our Xinjiang is a wonderful place, with good pastures north and south of the Tianshan Mountains…" Whenever this familiar melody plays, the longing for Xinjiang in our hearts surges like a tide. The vast grasslands, mysterious deep lakes, blazing deserts, and ancient culture, Xinjiang, this magical land, carries the poems and distant places of countless people. Now, a "Silver Hair Joyful Tour – Tianshan Tour Train" specially crafted for the elderly is slowly approaching, ready to take you on an unparalleled journey to the Western Regions. The 2025 annual schedule for the Tianshan Tour Train has been released. Tourists who wish to ride the Tianshan Tour Train are welcome to consult the official train manager: Maizi 132 0133 3409 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information).
1. Highlights of the Train: Affordable Luxury, Worry-Free Journey
The Tianshan Tour Train, exclusively crafted by the Urumqi Railway Bureau, is a special project that integrates tourist train services with tourism products. It does not sell train tickets separately and requires booking and registration in conjunction with a Xinjiang tourism itinerary. In 2023, the Urumqi Railway Bureau invested 3 million yuan to customize a new bar carriage, entertainment carriage, and dining carriage for it. The train is equipped with hard sleeper and soft sleeper carriages, and each carriage has been meticulously decorated with a unique theme. High-quality fabrics are used for bed linens, and soft carpets are laid in the corridors. Thoughtful considerations have also been given to the arrangement of individual items, striving to provide you with a comprehensive comfortable experience. The train uses 25G air-conditioned carriages, including hard sleeper, soft sleeper, bar carriage, multi-functional leisure carriage, and dining carriage, to meet various needs during your journey.
Moreover, this special train is also equipped with medical staff throughout the journey, providing a solid guarantee for your health and safety. Specialty foods will satisfy your taste buds, and thoughtful gifts such as headscarves and veils will make you feel well taken care of. Tour guides will accompany you throughout the journey, and whether it’s introducing attractions or arranging the itinerary, they can solve problems for you and make your trip relaxing and enjoyable.
II. Departure Times and Ticket Prices: Various Options to Meet Your Needs
The Tianshan Tourism Train operates from May to October, with the first departure on May 9, and departs every 15 days (specific dates may be adjusted, it is recommended to consult the official customer service of the Tianshan Tourism Train Center, Maizi, at 132 0133 3409 for confirmation).
There are a variety of departure times, specifically May 9, May 22, June 4, June 17, June 30, July 13, July 26, August 8, August 21, September 3, September 16, and September 29.
In terms of ticket prices, starting and ending in Urumqi, prices vary by room type:
May 9, May 22:
Upper soft sleeper for four: 12,580 yuan/person, lower soft sleeper for four: 13,580 yuan/person (36 people per carriage)
Double-decker soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, with a desk, shared bathroom) 18,800 yuan/person
Lower soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, shared bathroom) 20,800 yuan/person
Single-room flat soft sleeper (1 room for 1 person, private washroom/desk) 23,800 yuan/person (24 people per carriage)
Double-decker soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, private bathroom/wardrobe/sofa) 22,800 yuan/person (20 people per carriage)
June 4, June 17, June 30, July 13, July 26, August 8, August 21, September 3, September 17, September 29:
Due to cost increases in July to September, the quotation increases by 600 yuan/person.
Upper soft sleeper for four: 12,980 yuan/person, lower soft sleeper for four: 13,980 yuan/person (36 people per carriage)
Double-decker soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, with a desk, shared bathroom) 18,800 yuan/person
Lower soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, shared bathroom) 20,800 yuan/person
Single-room flat soft sleeper (1 room for 1 person, private washroom/desk) 23,800 yuan/person (24 people per carriage)
Double-decker soft sleeper for two (1 room for 2 people, private bathroom/wardrobe/sofa) 22,800 yuan/person (20 people per carriage)
Please note that for soft sleeper bookings, if there is only 1 person, an upper berth will be assigned; if there are 2 people, an upper and a lower berth will be assigned; if there are 3 people booking soft sleepers, they cannot be guaranteed to be in the same compartment.
III. Operating Route and Scenic Spots: Traversing Southern and Northern Xinjiang, Savoring Absolutely Beautiful Scenery
The operating route of the Tianshan Train is Urumqi – Beitun – Yining – Turpan – Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar – Urumqi, a train loop tour covering the panoramic view of both southern and northern Xinjiang, with a single trip lasting 13 days.
Day 1: Nationwide – Urumqi
Upon arrival in Urumqi, a dedicated person will pick you up and take you to the hotel to rest, allowing you to recharge and prepare for an exciting journey.
Day 2: Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Beitun
Head to the famous Tianshan Tianchi to admire this dazzling pearl embedded in the Tianshan Mountains. The lake is clear, surrounded by mountains and emerald spruce trees, resembling a fairyland. Afterwards, embark on the journey to Beitun.
Day 3: Beitun – Kanas – Jadenyu
Enter the mysterious Kanas, where there are sapphire-blue lakes, dense forests, and majestic snow-capped mountains. Appreciate the stunning scenery of Kanas Lake, explore the legend of the lake monster, and then proceed to Jadenyu.
Day 4: Jadenyu – Hemu – Colorful Beach – Beitun – Jinghe South
In the morning, Hemu is serene with wisps of morning smoke rising from chimneys. Take a leisurely stroll through Hemu Village to feel the perfect fusion of nature and humanity. Afterwards, proceed to Colorful Beach to admire the colorful Yadan landform illuminated by the setting sun.
Day 5: Jinghe South – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining
Sayram Lake, Xinjiang’s largest alpine gem, boasts sapphire-blue waters surrounded by vast grasslands. Next, take a scenic drive past the magnificent Guozigou Bridge and proceed to Yining.
Day 6: Yining – Nalati Grassland – Nalati Town
Arrive at the Nalati Grassland, where horses gallop and herds of cattle and sheep graze on the vast, boundless grassland. Here, you can fully feel the charm and vitality of the grassland.
Day 7: Nalati Town – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Kuitun – Kuqa
Follow the northern section of the Duku Highway, admiring the magnificent scenery along the way, from alpine meadows to deep canyons, and experiencing the wonder of ‘four seasons in a day, different skies every ten li’.
Day 8: Kuqa – Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon – Yarkand
Enter the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon to appreciate the awe-inspiring work of nature. The red rocks, illuminated by the sun, display unique lighting effects. Afterwards, proceed to Yarkand.
Day 9: Kashgar – N39 Desert Tourist Area – Kashgar
Delve into the N39 Desert Tourist Area to experience the vastness and heat of the desert, and feel the grandeur of the lonely smoke rising straight in the desert.
Day 10: Kashgar – Karakul Lake – White Sand Lake – Kashgar
Enjoy the picturesque lake scenery of Karakul Lake, with the distant Mount Mushtag reflecting in the lake like a stunning painting. The White Sand Lake, with its white sand beaches and clear waters, is captivating and hard to leave.
Day 11: Kashgar Old City – Craftsman Street – Century-old Tea House – Id Kah Mosque – Xiangfei Garden – Turpan
Stroll through Kashgar Old Town to experience the charm of the ancient Western Regions. Shop for exquisite handicrafts on Craft Street, savor tea in a century-old teahouse, visit the majestic Id Kah Mosque, explore the mystery of Xiangfei Garden, and then head to Turpan.
Day 12: Turpan – Karez Wells – Flaming Mountain – Urumqi
Visit the ancient irrigation project, Karez Wells, to experience the wisdom of the ancients. Head to Flaming Mountain to experience the scorching heat, as if being immersed in the scenes of "Journey to the West".
Day 13: Group Departure
The group will be sent back according to the return flight or train schedule, ending this unforgettable journey in Xinjiang.
This tourist train passes through attractions that embody the geographical features of Xinjiang’s "three mountains and two basins", connecting multiple popular scenic spots such as Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grasslands, Kashgar Old Town, and others into a single route. Tourists enjoy "all-inclusive" services, taking in snow-capped mountains, plateaus, lakes, deserts, gobies, oases, grasslands, villages, and other geographical and cultural landscapes, truly realizing a worry-free journey and enjoying the whole of Xinjiang.
4. Included Services: All-Inclusive Pricing, Hassle-Free and Effortless
The price of the Tianshan Special Train from Urumqi includes train tickets, meals throughout the journey, luxury hotel accommodation, air-conditioned tourist buses, excellent tour guide services, travel agency liability insurance, entrance tickets to attractions, scenic area shuttle buses, Urumqi airport/train station transfers, etc. Basically, there are no additional costs except for optional entertainment projects at the attractions, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in this wonderful journey.
5. Ticket Booking Process and Precautions: Easy Booking, Reassuring Travel
Ticket booking channel: Since the Tianshan Special Train is a customized tourist train, you can call the official booking center of the Tianshan Special Train for consultation and booking: Maizi: 132 0133 3409 (copy and add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information request).
Ticket booking method: The Tianshan Special Train does not sell train tickets separately and needs to be booked together with travel products. When booking tickets, ID card information is required, and a unified electronic contract from the national tourism supervision platform needs to be signed.
Price changes: The specific price is determined according to the travel date and selected route, and may vary due to the peak and off-peak seasons of Xinjiang tourism and different travel dates. Therefore, be sure to select the appropriate travel time and travel product before booking tickets.
Registration process: Provide your personal name and ID card number to customer service to confirm the departure date and travel product. Pay the advance deposit for train tickets, sign the unified electronic contract for national tourism service supervision, and complete the registration. Since the Tianshan Special Train is a customized tourist train with regular classes held only twice a month and a total of 12 trains throughout the year, tickets are in short supply and hard to get. Based on sales and booking situations in recent years, it is recommended that you consult customer service in advance to understand the detailed itinerary and cost, so as to better plan your trip.
"Silver Hair Joyful Journey – Tianshan Special Train" is waiting for you to embark on this Western Region tour full of surprises and touching moments. Fulfill your Xinjiang dreams and let you experience the magnificent and magical scenery of Xinjiang during a comfortable and reassuring journey. Don’t hesitate, call the booking hotline now and start your wonderful journey!