The definitive Xinjiang journey, operated by China Railway Urumqi Group. Two directions: A-line (Urumqi to Kashgar) and B-line (Kashgar to Urumqi). 14 stops across the province, combining the natural drama of the north with the cultural depth of the south. Gold-tier suites, Xinjiang cuisine, and 35 seasonal departures each operating season.
Two halves of Xinjiang. North of the range is landscape: Kanas, Hemu and the northern grasslands. South is the Silk Road: Kuqa, the ancient kingdom of Kucha, and Kashgar. A programme that covers both is the one worth the days. One note for overseas travellers: the Bayanbulak section of the Duku Highway is not open to foreign passports (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan documents travel the full route), so those sectors run on a substitute routing for foreign-passport guests. See the Xinjiang destination guide.
Arrive in Urumqi, the world's most inland city. Afternoon visit to the Xinjiang Regional Museum for Silk Road artefacts and the 4,000-year-old Tarim mummies. Evening welcome banquet featuring Uyghur and Han cuisines. Overnight in a 5-star hotel.
Board the New Orient Express. Settle into your suite as the train departs north through the Junggar Basin. Afternoon tea in the observation car with views of the Gurbantunggut Desert. First dinner onboard, the galley introduces its Xinjiang repertoire.
Disembark at the Tianshan foothills. Transfer by coach to Kanas Lake, a glacial lake whose colour shifts from turquoise to deep blue. Walk the lakeshore trail. Visit a Tuvan village. The 'Switzerland of Xinjiang' earns its name. Return to train for overnight departure.
Arrive at Hemu, a cluster of wooden cabins in a highland valley. Morning light on the birch forests is a photographer's dream. Afternoon: grassland walk or horseback ride with Kazakh herders. Evening onboard with a regional wine tasting.
The largest alpine lake in the Tianshan, ringed by snow-capped peaks and summer wildflower meadows. A full day here: lakeside walks, a Kazakh yurt lunch, and the chance to see the lake's legendary 'tears of the mountain', the shifting colours at sunset.
Morning in Yining's old town, a crossroads of Kazakh, Uyghur and Russian cultures. Afternoon at the Nalati Grasslands, rolling alpine meadows at 2,000 metres, dotted with grazing horses. Traditional Kazakh dinner inside a yurt. Return to train.
The vast Bayanbulak wetland, home to wild swans and the meandering Kaidu River. The 'Nine Bends, Eighteen Turns' viewpoint is one of Xinjiang's most-photographed panoramas. Afternoon return to train for the journey south.
A highlight day. The Duku Highway crosses the Tianshan through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in China. Descend into Kuqa, an ancient Silk Road kingdom. Visit the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, some of China's oldest Buddhist art.
The Duku Highway is open to mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan travel documents. The Bayanbulak section alone is not open to holders of foreign passports; where an itinerary includes that section, foreign-passport guests travel a substitute routing arranged by the operator. Overseas guests travel a substitute routing arranged by the operator. Full guide.
Morning at the Kuqa Grand Mosque, a blend of Islamic and Chinese architecture. The old-town bazaar is a sensory immersion in Uyghur culture. Afternoon onboard crossing the Taklamakan Desert fringe. Evening lecture by the onboard Silk Road historian.
Morning arrival in Kashgar. The Sunday Grand Bazaar has operated for over 2,000 years. The Id Kah Mosque. The mud-brick alleys of the old city. Standing at the crossroads of Central Asia, where the Silk Road's eastern and western branches converged. Farewell dinner in a restored old-town courtyard.
Two further days to explore Kashgar and its surroundings: the Abakh Khoja Tomb, the livestock market, tea houses and craft workshops. On the final day, transfer to Kashgar Airport for your onward flight.
| Suite Tier | Per Person (RMB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum Gold | ¥56,999-59,999 | 5 rooms/car, 10 pax/car. En-suite throughout. |
| Royal Gold | ¥62,999-65,999 | 4 rooms/car, 8 pax/car. Larger suite. |
| Imperial Gold | ¥69,999-71,999 | 3 rooms/car, 6 pax/car. Most spacious. |
China's longest-running luxury tourist train, operated by China Railway Urumqi Group. 18-car configuration with Gold-tier suites, Xinjiang cuisine, and 35 seasonal departures.
Your journey starts here. Our journey designers respond within 24 hours with a personalised proposal.
