Panda Train · Shifang

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.

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.

Arrive Kashgar · Rest at the hotel

Today centres on arrival in Kashgar and settling in. Gather your belongings, meet the reception team at the confirmed time and rest after the train journey. Formal visits to the old town and other sights take place on the following itinerary days.

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.

There is no single correct shade of blue to wait for. Sand hills, clouds and water change with the light; pause to take in the whole scene.

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.

Look closely at the stonework, then outward across the wetland and the mountain setting. Follow the agreed route at a comfortable pace.

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.

These streets are people’s everyday surroundings as well as places to visit. Look before raising the camera, and ask permission before photographing someone.

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.

Notice rock textures where light meets shadow; the sense of scale changes around each bend. Stay on open paths and leave room for others when stopping for photographs.

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.

Small changes in the slopes and mountains reward unhurried observation. Keep to open routes and watch grazing animals from a distance.

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.

There is no need to chase a familiar camera angle. From an approved stopping place, watch the wind moving across the water and share a quiet moment.

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.

Take in the rock layers, water and opposite bank together. Stay on the boardwalk; there is no need to leave the route for another angle.

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.

A bay can change colour as clouds pass. Enjoy the view along the designated route without measuring it against a heavily filtered photograph.

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.

The houses, bridges and paths are part of a living village. Make space for residents and fellow visitors, and give yourself time without a camera.

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.

If cloud covers the distant mountains, look at the nearby spruce and shore. Take time with the changing light across the lake.

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.

Follow the story of how water was brought here and how it supported daily life. Relate the structures you see to the explanation as you go.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Arrive Kashgar · Rest at the hotel

Today centres on arrival in Kashgar and settling in. Gather your belongings, meet the reception team at the confirmed time and rest after the train journey. Formal visits to the old town and other sights take place on the following itinerary days.

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.

There is no single correct shade of blue to wait for. Sand hills, clouds and water change with the light; pause to take in the whole scene.

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.

Look closely at the stonework, then outward across the wetland and the mountain setting. Follow the agreed route at a comfortable pace.

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.

These streets are people’s everyday surroundings as well as places to visit. Look before raising the camera, and ask permission before photographing someone.

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.

Notice rock textures where light meets shadow; the sense of scale changes around each bend. Stay on open paths and leave room for others when stopping for photographs.

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.

Small changes in the slopes and mountains reward unhurried observation. Keep to open routes and watch grazing animals from a distance.

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.

There is no need to chase a familiar camera angle. From an approved stopping place, watch the wind moving across the water and share a quiet moment.

Hemu · Night in Jiadengyu

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.

The houses, bridges and paths are part of a living village. Make space for residents and fellow visitors, and give yourself time without a camera.

Kanas · Continue to Burqin

Lake water and forest unfold in layers at Kanas. Bays such as Moon Bay have distinct curves; their colours change with the light.

A bay can change colour as clouds pass. Enjoy the view along the designated route without measuring it against a heavily filtered photograph.

Five-colour Beach · Return to the train

Wind-shaped rock at Five-colour Beach faces greenery along the Irtysh. Close textures and distant bands of colour reveal two contrasting riverbanks.

Take in the rock layers, water and opposite bank together. Stay on the boardwalk; there is no need to leave the route for another angle.

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.

If cloud covers the distant mountains, look at the nearby spruce and shore. Take time with the changing light across the lake.

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.

Follow the story of how water was brought here and how it supported daily life. Relate the structures you see to the explanation as you go.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Arrive Kashgar · Rest at the hotel

Today centres on arrival in Kashgar and settling in. Gather your belongings, meet the reception team at the confirmed time and rest after the train journey. Formal visits to the old town and other sights take place on the following itinerary days.

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.

There is no single correct shade of blue to wait for. Sand hills, clouds and water change with the light; pause to take in the whole scene.

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.

Look closely at the stonework, then outward across the wetland and the mountain setting. Follow the agreed route at a comfortable pace.

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.

These streets are people’s everyday surroundings as well as places to visit. Look before raising the camera, and ask permission before photographing someone.

Kuqa Canyon · Train to Yining / Jinghenan

Red rock walls catch narrow shafts of light in Kuqa’s Tianshan Grand Canyon. Follow the open paths to appreciate their sculpted layers.

Notice rock textures where light meets shadow; the sense of scale changes around each bend. Stay on open paths and leave room for others when stopping for photographs.

Sayram Lake · Night in Yining

Sayram Lake carries its blue towards the Tian Shan. Shorelines and distant mountains offer space to walk, look and slow down.

There is no need to chase a familiar camera angle. From an approved stopping place, watch the wind moving across the water and share a quiet moment.

Nalati Valley Grassland · Train to Beitun

Meadows, spruce and mountain slopes meet at Nalati. The selected valley or aerial-grassland route reveals the rhythms of the pasture.

Small changes in the slopes and mountains reward unhurried observation. Keep to open routes and watch grazing animals from a distance.

Hemu · Night in Burqin

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.

The houses, bridges and paths are part of a living village. Make space for residents and fellow visitors, and give yourself time without a camera.

Kanas · Continue to Burqin

Lake water and forest unfold in layers at Kanas. Bays such as Moon Bay have distinct curves; their colours change with the light.

A bay can change colour as clouds pass. Enjoy the view along the designated route without measuring it against a heavily filtered photograph.

Five-colour Beach · Return to the train

Wind-shaped rock at Five-colour Beach faces greenery along the Irtysh. Close textures and distant bands of colour reveal two contrasting riverbanks.

Take in the rock layers, water and opposite bank together. Stay on the boardwalk; there is no need to leave the route for another angle.

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.

If cloud covers the distant mountains, look at the nearby spruce and shore. Take time with the changing light across the lake.

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.

Follow the story of how water was brought here and how it supported daily life. Relate the structures you see to the explanation as you go.

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.

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.