The Snow Lotus (雪莲号) edition of the New Orient Express runs a 14-day north-and-south Xinjiang loop that is the definitive version of the journey. It is the train's longest, most complete itinerary: from Urumqi it threads Koktokay, the Ahe Highway and Hemu, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati, the Duku Highway and Kashgar, then pushes onto the Pamir Plateau before turning back. Where the shorter editions sample a region, the Snow Lotus connects them all in one continuous arc.
The 14-day route, north to south
The loop is built so the train does the long hauls overnight and you wake in a new landscape each morning:
- Urumqi to Koktokay: the journey opens in Xinjiang's capital and climbs toward the granite peaks and turquoise lakes of Koktokay.
- The Ahe Highway and Hemu: a scenic drive into the Kanas reserve, ending at the fairy-tale wooden village of Hemu under the northern forests.
- Kanas Lake: the sapphire lake and its surrounding taiga, best at first light.
- Sayram Lake: the "last drop of the Atlantic" on the grassland plateau.
- Nalati and Bayanbulak: rolling alpine meadows and the famous swan-lake basin.
- The Duku Highway: the engineering marvel that crosses four seasons in a single day.
- Kashgar and the Pamirs: the old Silk Road city at the western end, then a run onto the high Pamir Plateau.
Onboard the Snow Lotus
The third-generation cars carry three gold-diamond tiers, every one with a private dry-wet separated bathroom and a smart toilet. The Supreme Gold Diamond suites, purpose-built for two with the largest panoramic windows on the train, are the most sought-after cabin and a popular honeymoon choice. Days follow a fixed rhythm: breakfast in the dining car as the train pulls into a new city, a guided excursion through the day, then back on board for dinner before the train moves on through the night. Hotel nights between rail segments act as natural rest days.
Who it is for
The 14-day Snow Lotus suits travellers who want the whole of Xinjiang in one seamless journey rather than a single region. It rewards those comfortable with several consecutive travel days and cooler high-altitude air, and it is a favourite for photographers, honeymooners and first-time visitors to China's northwest who want the scenery without the logistics.
The rhythm
Days follow a fixed rhythm: breakfast in the dining car as the train pulls into a new city, a guided excursion through the day, then back on board for dinner before the train moves on through the night. Hotel nights between rail segments act as natural rest days.
The highlights
The highlights stack up across the two weeks: Kanas and Hemu in the far north, the grasslands of Nalati and Bayanbulak, the Duku Highway's four-seasons-in-one-day, and the old city of Kashgar at the western end before the Pamir run. The Supreme Gold Diamond suites, purpose-built for two, make it a popular honeymoon choice.
Practical notes
- Season: the Snow Lotus runs across the spring, summer and autumn windows; the route crosses real altitude and four seasons in a day on the Duku Highway, so layers are essential.
- Booking: sold only as a full package through authorised agencies; the gold-diamond cabins can sell out well ahead, so earlier is better.
- Health: tell the onboard medical officer about any medication or allergies at boarding.
New Orient Express → 2027 departures
Source: China Expresses research, 2026. See the Xinjiang Grand Circuit journey.