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 | Shanghai · Board Yangtze Delta Star The journey begins with meeting and boarding Yangtze Delta Star. Find your cabin, settle your luggage and get to know the dining and shared spaces before watching the city recede. | Stay: on board Meals: lunch and dinner |
| 2 | West by rail · Life on board This day centres on life aboard the train: reading by a window, dining and time with your companions. Views from the train are distinct from scheduled visits after disembarking. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 3 | Arrive Turpan · Hotel check-in Today is about arriving and settling in. Rest on board and organise your belongings before the station reception and hotel check-in, ready for the sightseeing ahead. Arrival time follows the train schedule. | Stay: Turpan Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 4 | Karez & Grape Valley · Train to Kashgar The Karez system connects underground channels with oasis life. Discover how water has shaped Turpan in an arid environment. Explore oasis life at the listed Grape Valley or vineyard stop in Turpan. Fruit and harvesting are seasonal rather than guaranteed by photographs. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 5 | Karakul Lake, Stone City & Golden Grassland At Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata rises above the water. Take the high-altitude scenery at an unhurried pace. The Stone City stands above Tashkurgan, with the Golden Grassland spreading below. Ancient remains and highland wetlands meet in one landscape. | Stay: Tashkurgan Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 6 | Tajik family visit & Baisha Lake · Kashgar Pale sand mountains frame the blue water of Baisha Lake, with snow peaks beyond. Light and weather give each visit its own character. | Stay: Kashgar Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 7 | Kashgar Old City, Id Kah & Gaotai 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 |
| 8 | Tianshan Canyon, Duku Road & 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 town Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 9 | Nalati Grassland · Continue to 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 |
| 10 | Sayram Lake · Overnight 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 |
| 11 | Hemu · Timber houses & river valley 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: according to cabin package Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 12 | Kanas · Lakes & forest Lake water and forest unfold in layers at Kanas. Bays such as Moon Bay have distinct curves; their colours change with the light. | Stay: according to cabin package Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 13 | Kazakh family visit, Burqin & Five-colour Beach Wind-shaped rock at Five-colour Beach faces greenery along the Irtysh. Close textures and distant bands of colour reveal two contrasting riverbanks. | Stay: on board Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| 14 | 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 |
| 15 | Board the return train 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 | East by rail · Time together 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 |
| 17 | Arrive Shanghai · 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.