Four months after its 19 May 2026 debut on the Xinjiang panorama, the Panda Express flagship Jinxiu Tianfu (锦绣天府号) has proved it is more than a one-route train. The operator has released a second direction: a 9-day Southwest journey from Chengdu through Xichang, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Baoshan and Tengchong, sold in two editions with five sailings between November 2026 and January 2027. It is the first time the world's only "Shu Brocade Song Rhyme" aesthetic train has left the Silk Road behind.
The train: a palace that happens to move
Built by China Railway Chengdu Group with Sichuan Tourism Investment Group, Jinxiu Tianfu is the fourth and most luxurious member of the Panda Express family. Its claim to fame is a design language the operator describes as the world's first "Shu Brocade Song Rhyme" aesthetic: Song-dynasty restraint and Ba-Shu craft woven into every carriage. The numbers tell the story — 18 carriages, 46 cabins, 92 guests, a 1:0.5 staff-to-guest ratio, a resident Michelin-trained chef, seven themed menus, and a Golden Key concierge team. The "Five Realms" layout — JinTa and JinWo sleeping cabins, plus JinYa reception, JinShi dining and JinJi gathering cars — treats the journey itself as the venue.
The new Southwest journey
The 9-day loop boards at Chengdu Anjing Station and traces an arc through the Sichuan-Yunnan borderlands: Xichang's Qionghai Lake and Jianchang Ancient Town, the Naxi old towns of Lijiang, the high plateau of Shangri-La, Baoshan as the staging point, and Tengchong with its hot springs, Gaoligong Mountain trails and tea-horse heritage, closing via Kunming. Two geographic variants are offered: a high-plateau edition that spends two days in Shangri-La (Pudacuo National Park or Songzanlin Monastery; Dukezong old town or a Thangka painting academy) and a non-plateau edition that substitutes Lijiang's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Yushui Village — the choice of variant for each sailing should be confirmed at enquiry.
Two editions, one journey
The daily itinerary is identical in both editions; the difference is the hotel tier and the depth of the on-ground experience.
Jinxiu Return to Heart (锦绣归心版) - standard
JinWo quality twin from RMB 39,880, JinTa deluxe twin from RMB 49,880, single supplement RMB 8,000. Comfortable hotels along the route.
Jinxiu Premium Habitat (锦绣臻栖版) - premium
JinWo from RMB 49,880, JinTa from RMB 59,880, single supplement RMB 18,000. Signature heritage hotels: Shangri-La Songzanlinka and Tengchong Shitouji Hot Spring Resort.
Sailings, November 2026 – January 2027
Five departures are published. Both editions sail on 5 November, 6 January and 16 January; 28 November is Premium Habitat only, and 24 January is Return to Heart only. Fares are per person on twin share, in RMB, and should be confirmed with the operator at the time of enquiry — the Southwest programme is a winter-season release, and the train's 2027 spring and summer calendar remains anchored on the Xinjiang panorama.
See the Southwest Journey →Ask About a Departure
Sources: Sichuan Tourism Investment Group authorised sales channel publications (August 2026) and the operator's Southwest Journey product documents. Pricing reflects published reference rates and varies by departure; confirm with the operator before booking. China Expresses is an authorised booking partner for the Panda Express family and holds allocation on Jinxiu Tianfu.