The New Oriental Express is often called a luxury cruise on land, and the name fits. It travels by night and stops by day, so you wake each morning somewhere new in Xinjiang without repacking a bag. The 2026 carriages are its third generation, and they are a genuine step up from older Chinese tourist trains.
The 2026 third-generation train
18 cars, ~186 guests
A compact, private capacity that keeps the experience calm and personal.
En-suite throughout
Every cabin has a separate wet and dry bathroom with a smart toilet.
Public cars
A dome star-themed dining car, a kitchen-living car, a bar and entertainment car with KTV and piano, and a panoramic sightseeing car.
Built for the Gobi
Folding bellows and tight-lock couplers improve sealing, stability and noise reduction in windy desert stretches.
Cabins and fares
Fares vary by season and cabin grade. See the full price guide or ask us for a live quote.
Routes through Xinjiang
- Full north and south Xinjiang, 13-15 days: Urumqi, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Bayanbulak, the Duku Highway and Kashgar Old City.
- Deep south Xinjiang, 10-12 days: Kashgar, the Pamir Plateau, Tashkurgan and the Kuqa Grand Canyon.
- North and south loop, 14 days: adds the Ahe Highway and Turpan for a no-backtracking circuit.
How to book
- Reserve early: gold diamond cabins can sell out 12 months ahead, blue diamond around 6 months.
- Book the full package: the train is sold as a complete itinerary, not a standalone ticket.
- Plan May to September: the train runs mainly from March to October, peaking in summer.
- Confirm permits: border stops such as Tashkurgan need a permit, arranged by the operator.