[Shifang] Exquisite Platinum | North and South Xinjiang Star-Rated Experience 16-Day Tour

Watch a welcome performance at the panda-themed station, then board the Shifang deluxe Panda Train and set off for beautiful Xinjiang! The train departs from Chengdu and stops at Lanzhou; honored guests may board at either city for the journey to beautiful Xinjiang.

Note:Travelers arriving at airports/train stations in Chengdu, Lanzhou, Xining, or Kashgar may enjoy 1 complimentary airport/station pickup services and complimentary first-night accommodation (Ctrip four-diamond standard). Please apply for accommodation and pickup service 7 days in advance.

Spend the full day enjoying leisure sightseeing along the route aboard the Panda Train, viewing the unique geographical scenery of the Northwest from the train. The train passes through Xining and, along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway (Qinghai section), passes the "Qinghai–Tibet hub" Golmud station before turning onto the Golmud–Korla Railway toward Xinjiang; along the way it passes beautiful Qinghai Lake, the "golden world" Delingha, and more.

Today you will arrive in [Kashgar]. The train continues along the Golmud–Korla Railway, known as the "new Silk Road of the desert," and the Ruoqiang–Hotan Railway, the "world's first desert loop railway," toward Kashgar. The railway passes through diverse landscapes such as oases, deserts, gobi, plateaus, and mountains, offering stunning western-region scenery from the train throughout.

After arriving in Kashgar, [welcome and station pickup] will be arranged; after enjoying the [welcome dinner], check in to the hotel.

Tip: The terrain of today's tour route is special; it is a high-altitude area where altitude sickness and high-altitude complications are prone to occur. Travelers over the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions are advised not to join today's attraction visits and may choose to rest or enjoy free time in the city.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive along the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Roof of the World—the Pamir Plateau (drive of about 3 hours).

Visit [Baisha Mountain–Baisha Lake] (altitude about 3300 meters, visit no less than 40 minutes). This is a pristine ecological picture formed by blue sky and white clouds, snow mountains, lakes and sand mountains; on both sides of the lake stand the distant Kongur Tiube peaks, a spectacular sight. The Flowing Sands River described in Journey to the West is this very place.

Proceed to [Karakul Lake] (altitude about 3600 meters, visit no less than 40 minutes). Karakul means "black sea"; the lake is 30 meters deep with a total area of 10 square kilometers. It is one of the world's rare plateau lakes, surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges, and you can see up close peaks above 7000 m in altitude, such as the three Kunlun giants: Kongur Peak (7719 m), Kongur Tiube (7530 m), and Muztagh Ata (7546 m), standing majestically on the Pamir Plateau in a spectacular scene.

After lunch, proceed to Tashkurgan (drive of about 2.5 hours, altitude about 3000 meters). Experience [Panlong Ancient Road] (altitude about 3500 meters, visit no less than 120 minutes), which has more than 600 bends, where you can feel the speed and passion of the Pamir Plateau.

Enjoy dinner in Tashkurgan and check in to the hotel.

Note:A border-area permit is required for Tashkurgan. Mainland Chinese residents aged 16 or over apply online. Travellers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, mainland residents under 16, and foreign nationals must apply in person. If your household registration is in Garzê or Aba, check in advance with your local exit and entry administration or police station.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive to [Tashkurgan Stone City] (drive of about 10 minutes, visit no less than 40 minutes). This is the ancient city ruins of the old Silk Road, located north of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County seat. Commanding a strategic pass with a majestic presence, it was continuously expanded and garrisoned from the Tang to the Qing dynasty, with walls reaching over 20 meters at their highest. Outside the city are multiple layers of partially continuous walls; between the walls stone mounds overlap and rubble piles up, forming the unique scenery of Stone City.

Proceed to [Golden Grassland] for photos and a short rest (no less than 40 minutes). Named for its lush water and grass and sunset glow, it is a beautiful wetland on the Pamir Plateau.

Join [Tajik family visit], taste snacks prepared by Tajik hosts with their own hands, and learn about Tajik ethnic culture.

Return to Kashgar city (drive of about 4.5 hours), enjoy dinner upon arrival, and check in to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit [Kashgar Old City] (drive of about 20 minutes, visit no less than 90 minutes). Hailed as a living fossil for studying ancient Western Regions cities, it is a famous cultural city with over 2000 years of history. This open scenic area is also a living quarter of Uyghur residents, showcasing the distinctive charm of Uyghur family life, ethnic features, traditional handicrafts, and local cuisine. The city-opening ceremony (closed every Monday) is the most renowned Xinjiang song-and-dance display in the Kashgar region.

Proceed to [Xiangfei Park] (visit no less than 60 minutes), a nationally protected cultural relic site with outstanding architectural style, recounting from three aspects—hometown, former residence, and the person—the legendary story of Xiangfei from birth to death, from Kashgar to Beijing, from a noble princess to one showered with countless favors.

Visit [Id Kah Mosque] (visit no less than 40 minutes), a Chinese Islamic mosque first built in 1442, an ancient architectural complex with strong ethnic style and religious character, a model of Uyghur ancient architectural art.

Visit [Kashgar Folk Jade Exhibition Hall] (visit no less than 90 minutes), where you can learn about Hotan jade culture and see the entire process of jade from design, carving, and polishing to finished product.

After dinner, proceed to Kashgar Station, where guests board the Panda Train to Kuqa.

After arriving in Kuqa, drive to visit [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon] (drive about 90 minutes, visit no less than 90 minutes), known as one of China's top ten canyons, located at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in an inland arid region, covered with fine sand and also with gurgling clear springs. The springs flow murmuringly, appearing and disappearing, a true marvel.

Transfer to a 7-seat business vehicle to cross the [Southern Section of the Duku Highway]—the section from Tianshan Grand Canyon to Bayanbulak, a crossing distance of about 190 kilometers and sightseeing driving time of about 4.5 hours.

Special notice and agreement regarding the Duku Highway: This itinerary includes crossing the southern section of the Duku Highway. The Duku Highway is affected by natural weather factors each year, so its opening times are somewhat uncertain; in 2026 the opening time is Jun 1. If crossing the Duku Highway cannot be arranged due to weather, natural disasters, government policies, military or other force majeure factors, the Panda Train Shifang will be used to travel directly from Kuqa to Ili, and the travel agency will refund the related fee according to ≈ USD 104.24 per person.

Visit [Bayanbulak · Swan Lake Scenic Area] (visit no less than 120 minutes), China's second-largest grassland, with lush water and grass, surrounded by snow peaks, undulating terrain, and delightful scenery. The "Swan Lake" is China's swan nature reserve, where you can see flocks of swans and terns and countless winding lakes of various sizes, an excellent experience.

According to today's itinerary timing, reasonably arrange hotel accommodation in Bayanbulak or Nalati Town.

Special notice for foreign tourists: According to local travel policy, foreign tourists without a "Foreigner Travel Permit of the People's Republic of China" cannot go to (part of) the southern section of the Duku Highway and the Bayanbulak Grassland. On that day, alternative travel arrangements will be provided according to the actual situation such as train schedules and local transportation.

Hotel breakfast. Proceed to visit [Nalati River Valley Grassland] (approximately 90 minutes by vehicle, sightseeing no less than 180 minutes). This is a national 5A scenic area known as one of the four great grasslands of Asia and Europe, praised as the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall," with beautiful natural scenery. Here you can enjoy the stunning views of numerous mountain springs, crisscrossing streams, tall spruces standing along the gullies like pillars, scattered yurts, and herds of cattle and sheep like clouds, experience the simple folk customs of the Kazakh people, and let your spirits soar on the vast grassland.

Afterwards, drive to Yining (approximately 3.5 hours by vehicle), enjoy dinner, and check into the hotel.

Hotel breakfast, then drive to visit [Sayram Lake] (approximately 2.5 hours by vehicle, sightseeing no less than 1.5 hours). Known in ancient times as the Western Pure Sea, it has the reputation of "the last tear of the Atlantic." It is a high-altitude cold-water lake in Xinjiang and a national 5A scenic area, where flowers bloom everywhere in brilliant colors. Up close you can see clear blue water sparkling, and in the distance snow-capped mountains merge with the endless sky.

Drive to Yining Station/Jinghe South Station (approximately 2.5 hours by vehicle), board the Panda Train to Beitun City.

After arriving in Beitun, drive to Hemu (approximately 4.5 hours by vehicle).

Arrive at [Hemu Scenic Area] (sightseeing no less than 180 minutes), transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, and view from the vehicle China's only river flowing westward to the Arctic Ocean, the Irtysh River. Proceed to the mist-wreathed Hemu River, tour the Hemu River Valley, and see the alpine grassland Jiadengyu flowers, the Hemu River wooden bridge, and the Tuva village and wooden houses of Hemu River.

Proceed to Jiadengyu (approximately 1 hours by vehicle), enjoy dinner upon arrival, and check into the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast, then drive to Kanas (approximately 1 hours by road).

Arrive at [Kanas Scenic Area] (visit no less than 3 hours). This area boasts the stunning natural mountain and water scenery of northern Xinjiang, and is acclaimed as "the last pure land of humanity," "God's back garden," and "the immortals' private plot." Lake and mountains blend into one, combining the grandeur of northern landscapes with the elegance of Jiangnan scenery. Stroll along the lakeside wooden boardwalk and admire the serene Moon Bay, the magical Immortal Bay, and the ethereal Wolong Bay.

Head to Burqin for dinner (approximately 3 hours by road), then check in to the hotel after dinner.

After breakfast, visit [Five-Colored Beach] according to the itinerary (visit no less than 60 minutes). This place features a unique yardang landform: undulating gullies and colorful, dressing-like slopes, splendid and brilliant.

After lunch, drive to Beitun (approximately 1.5 hours by road). After dinner, board the Panda Train at Beitun City Station for Urumqi.

Arrive in Urumqi and head to [Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area] (approximately 1 hours by road, visit no less than 3 hours). This is a world alpine lake and a national 5A-level scenic area known as the "Jade Pool of the Human World." Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to take the scenic area shuttle bus into the site to see eight renowned landscapes including Shimen Yixian, Xishan Guansong, Longtan Biyuetian, and Dinghai Shenzhen, and to view the majestic Bogda Snow Peak from afar.

After lunch, drive back to Urumqi (approximately 1 hours by road). Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy free time.

After enjoying breakfast, head to Turpan (approximately 2.5 hours by road).

Upon arrival, visit [Karez Wells] (tour lasting no less than 60 minutes). This is a special irrigation system in Xinjiang, and together with the Great Wall and the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal, it is known as one of the three great engineering works of ancient China.

Visit [Flaming Mountains] (tour lasting no less than 60 minutes). Here you can see the giant desert thermometer, feel the ground temperature of the Flaming Mountains, and once again experience the rich culture of Journey to the West.

Lunch features the [Turpan Fruit Banquet]. In the afternoon, head to Turpan Station and board the Panda Train for the return journey.