Shifang Panda Express: See North and South Xinjiang

Journey across Xinjiang for 16 days, from Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau to Kanas, Hemu, Tianchi, and Turpan, with the train making the long stretches easier to cover.

Premium Room Packages

Purple Gold Premium Quad (Upper)
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Upper)
  • Approx. 6.5 m2 compartment
  • Four fixed beds, each about 75 cm x 196 cm
  • Password-lock sliding door for added privacy
  • Custom mattresses, panda bedding, and throw pillows
  • Charging port and reading light at each berth
  • LCD TV with free on-demand audio and video
  • Leisure table, chairs, and luggage space inside the compartment
  • Shared squat or sit toilets, washstands, and shower rooms in the carriage
from RMB 27880
130309
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Upper)
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Upper)
  • Approx. 6.5 m2 compartment
  • Four fixed beds, each about 75 cm x 196 cm
  • Password-lock sliding door for added privacy
  • Custom mattresses, panda bedding, and throw pillows
  • Charging port and reading light at each berth
  • LCD TV with free on-demand audio and video
  • Leisure table, chairs, and luggage space inside the compartment
  • Shared squat or sit toilets, washstands, and shower rooms in the carriage
from RMB 27880
130309
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Lower)
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Lower)
  • Approx. 6.5 m2 compartment
  • Four fixed beds, each about 75 cm x 196 cm
  • Password-lock sliding door for added privacy
  • Custom mattresses, panda bedding, and throw pillows
  • Charging port and reading light at each berth
  • LCD TV with free on-demand audio and video
  • Leisure table, chairs, and luggage space inside the compartment
  • Shared squat or sit toilets, washstands, and shower rooms in the carriage
from RMB 28880
129988
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Lower)
Purple Gold Premium Quad (Lower)
  • Approx. 6.5 m2 compartment
  • Four fixed beds, each about 75 cm x 196 cm
  • Password-lock sliding door for added privacy
  • Custom mattresses, panda bedding, and throw pillows
  • Charging port and reading light at each berth
  • LCD TV with free on-demand audio and video
  • Leisure table, chairs, and luggage space inside the compartment
  • Shared squat or sit toilets, washstands, and shower rooms in the carriage
from RMB 28880
129988

Shifang Panda Express Highlights Highlights

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Panda-Themed Adventures

Board from a panda-themed station with welcome performances, then carry that theme onto the train with onboard song, dance, and panda details in the cabin.

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Premium Quadruple Compartments

Private lockable compartments add fixed beds, in-room seating, on-demand video, and panda-themed bedding to the rail portions of the route.

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Onboard Medical Support

A medical team travels with the group to monitor health and assist when needed.

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Special Privileges

Arrival welcome events, a Xinjiang welcome dinner, and VIP access at some scenic spots add more support at key moments.

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Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau

Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Xiangfei Park, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and the Pamir Plateau give the southern stretch real Silk Road weight.

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Panlong Ancient Road and Duku Crossing

The route pairs the switchbacks of Panlong Ancient Road with the southern section of the Duku Highway for two of the trip's clearest road-scenery days.

Shifang Panda Express Highlights Itinerary

From arrival in China to your final day onboard, every detail is arranged to keep your journey smooth

Chengdu or Lanzhou to Kashgar

Day 1

Board in Chengdu or Lanzhou with a panda-themed welcome performance, then settle into the Shifang Panda Express as the route begins.

Chengdu or Lanzhou to Kashgar
Leisure Sightseeing on the Train

Day 2

Spend the day onboard as the train crosses Qinghai and heads toward Xinjiang, passing lake, Gobi, and plateau scenery along the way.

Leisure Sightseeing on the Train
Kashgar Arrival

Day 3

Arrive in Kashgar, enjoy an exclusive station pickup and welcome dinner, then settle into a five-diamond or luxury hotel.

Kashgar Arrival
Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Taxkorgan

Day 4

Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Taxkorgan
Stone City and Tajik Home Visit

Day 5

Visit Taxkorgan Stone City and the nearby wetland scenery, then join a Tajik home visit with local snacks before returning to Kashgar.

Stone City and Tajik Home Visit
Kashgar Old City and Train to Kuqa

Day 6

Walk Kashgar Old City, visit Xiangfei Garden and Id Kah Mosque, then board the Panda Express for the overnight run to Kuqa.

Kashgar Old City and Train to Kuqa
Tianshan Grand Canyon and Bayanbulak or Nalati

Day 7

Explore the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, cross the southern section of the Duku Highway by exclusive vehicle, and continue to Bayanbulak Swan Lake before overnighting in Bayanbulak or Nalati.

Tianshan Grand Canyon and Bayanbulak or Nalati
Nalati Grassland and Yining

Day 8

Spend the day in Nalati River Valley Grassland, where springs, firs, yurts, and Kazakh customs shape the landscape, then continue to Yining.

Nalati Grassland and Yining
Sayram Lake and Train to Beitun

Day 9

Visit Sayram Lake for alpine water and open flower-covered grassland, then board the Panda Express again toward Beitun.

Sayram Lake and Train to Beitun
Wucaitan and Jiadengyu

Day 10

Stop at Wucaitan for its layered colors and Yardang-like terrain, then continue to Jiadengyu for the night.

Wucaitan and Jiadengyu
Kanas and Hemu

Day 11

Enter Kanas Scenic Area, walk the boardwalks around Moon Bay, Immortal Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay, then take the Kanas cruise before continuing to Hemu.

Kanas and Hemu
Wucaitan and Jiadengyu

Day 12

Explore the Hemu Scenic Area for Tuva village life, birch forest, river valley views, and wooden houses, then return to Beitun and board the train to Urumqi.

Wucaitan and Jiadengyu
Tianchi

Day 13

Visit Heavenly Lake of Tianshan with an exclusive guide, then return to Urumqi for the night.

Tianchi
Turpan

Day 14

Drive to Turpan to see Karez Well and the Flaming Mountains, then finish with a Turpan fruit feast before boarding the train back toward Lanzhou or Chengdu.

Turpan
Return by Train

Day 15

Spend the day on the Panda Express as the train heads back east.

Return by Train
Lanzhou or Chengdu Arrival

Day 16

Arrive in Lanzhou or Chengdu and end the journey.

Lanzhou or Chengdu Arrival

A First-Class Luxury Experience

Dedicated Staff and Butlers

Enjoy a 1:4 staff-to-guest ratio with a 24 hour butler-style service system. Multilingual “Panda Butlers,” Express Concierges, and vacation ambassadors support you throughout your journey.

Onboard Medical Support

Travel with peace of mind knowing certified medical staff are on board, with a dedicated infirmary. Available around the clock for immediate assistance.

Premium Room & Cleaning Services

Return to your cabin with evening turndown service and complimentary snacks (fruit, nuts, milk). Includes one complimentary laundry or dry-clean service per room (up to 5kg).

On-Demand Meals

Enjoy all-day in-room dining. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered on request for private dining in your cabin.

High-End Amenities

Relax with smart toilets (TOTO, Kohler) and wet-dry rain showers. Premium toiletries include Natura Bissé, Dyson hairdryers (Panda Train), and Hermès accessories (Silk Road Express suites).

Curated Excursions

Explore each stop on the journey through meaningful guided activities while enjoying the ease of returning to the same onboard suite each night

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Tajik Home Visit

Sit down in a Tajik family home, taste local snacks, and get a more personal look at life on the Pamir Plateau.

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Panlong Ancient Road

Climb the switchbacks of Panlong Ancient Road for one of the route's most dramatic mountain-road views.

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Kashgar Old City

Walk the old lanes of Kashgar, where handicrafts, Uyghur daily life, and Id Kah Mosque still shape the city.

Testimonials

What Our Guests Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Visa assistance is included as part of the hassle-free travel experience. The team can provide guidance, connect you with visa agents, and issue invitation letters to support your application.

International payments are supported via Visa, Mastercard, and international Alipay, along with all major domestic Chinese payment methods.

Complimentary airport pick-up and transfers to the boarding station or your first hotel are included. Luggage delivery is also handled. Note: international flights or travel to the starting city are not included.

No. Children under 12 pay RMB 8,980 and share a quad with guardians. The child rate covers train meals only: train berths, hotel accommodations, attraction tickets, scenic transport, and guide services are not included.

Escape into Luxury and Beauty

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