Reference fares are not live availability. Flights are excluded; child fares, exclusive occupancy and any extra hotel night are quoted separately.
| Day | Daily outline | Arrangements |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Board in Chengdu / Lanzhou · South Xinjiang The journey begins with meeting and boarding Panda Train · Shifang. Find your cabin, settle your luggage and get to know the dining and shared spaces before watching the city recede. | Stay: on board Meals: dinner |
| 2 | West by rail · Qinghai and the Golmud–Korla route Spend today aboard Shifang. The supplied route runs via Xining and the Qinghai section of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway to Golmud, then follows the Golmud–Korla Railway towards Xinjiang. Plateau, desert and oasis scenery unfolds from the window; the actual alignment follows railway operating arrangements. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 3 | Arrive Kashgar · Rest at the hotel Doorways, crafts and daily life fill the lanes of Kashgar. Building visits follow local opening arrangements and customs. | Stay: Kashgar Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 4 | Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake & Panlong Road Pale sand mountains frame the blue water of Baisha Lake, with snow peaks beyond. Light and weather give each visit its own character. At Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata rises above the water. Take the high-altitude scenery at an unhurried pace. | Stay: Tashkurgan Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 5 | Stone City, Golden Grassland & Tajik visit The Stone City stands above Tashkurgan, with the Golden Grassland spreading below. Ancient remains and highland wetlands meet in one landscape. Meadows, watercourses and distant mountains open out at the Golden Grassland. Vegetation, water levels and light vary naturally by season. | Stay: Kashgar Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 6 | Kashgar Old City, Apak Hoja & Id Kah Doorways, crafts and daily life fill the lanes of Kashgar. Building visits follow local opening arrangements and customs. The entrance and colonnades of Id Kah reveal Kashgar’s architectural detail. Respect religious-site rules; access follows local arrangements. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 7 | Kuqa Canyon, Southern Duku & Bayanbulak Red rock walls catch narrow shafts of light in Kuqa’s Tianshan Grand Canyon. Follow the open paths to appreciate their sculpted layers. Grasslands and the Kaidu River define Bayanbulak’s open landscape. A scenic-area visit and a drive past are different experiences; follow the selected itinerary. | Stay: Bayanbulak / Nalati Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 8 | Nalati Valley Grassland · Yining Meadows, spruce and mountain slopes meet at Nalati. The selected valley or aerial-grassland route reveals the rhythms of the pasture. | Stay: Yining Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 9 | Sayram Lake · Train to Beitun Sayram Lake carries its blue towards the Tian Shan. Shorelines and distant mountains offer space to walk, look and slow down. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 10 | Five-colour Beach · Jiadengyu Wind-shaped rock at Five-colour Beach faces greenery along the Irtysh. Close textures and distant bands of colour reveal two contrasting riverbanks. | Stay: Jiadengyu Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 11 | Kanas · Lake cruise & night in Hemu Lake water and forest unfold in layers at Kanas. Bays such as Moon Bay have distinct curves; their colours change with the light. Timber houses, birch trees and the river valley shape Hemu. Explore the village and open boardwalks; mist and autumn colour depend on the season and weather. | Stay: Hemu Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 12 | Hemu village · Train to Urumqi Timber houses, birch trees and the river valley shape Hemu. Explore the village and open boardwalks; mist and autumn colour depend on the season and weather. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 13 | Tianshan Tianchi · Urumqi Tianshan Tianchi rests among mountain peaks, with spruce forest lining its shore. Follow the open trails to take in lake, forest and distant snow peaks. | Stay: Urumqi Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 14 | Turpan · Karez & Flaming Mountains The Karez system connects underground channels with oasis life. Discover how water has shaped Turpan in an arid environment. Red-brown ridges define the Flaming Mountains near Turpan. Shifting light reveals gullies and the scale of this arid landscape. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 15 | Homeward by rail · Via Lanzhou Use the homeward hours to sort your photographs, exchange favourite moments with your companions or simply rest. The changing view brings the journey to a gentle close. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 16 | Arrive Chengdu · Farewell The train reaches the final station. Check your belongings before leaving the cabin, then continue with your onward arrangements. Connecting flights are arranged separately. | Stay: journey ends Meals: breakfast |
Use this summary for family discussion and enquiries. Final train services, attraction access, meals and stays follow the confirmed itinerary. Complimentary Chinese and English guiding is provided without advance booking.