Regular departure
RMB 138,888
Double suite · per guest
RMB 888,888
Full private carriage
Three double suites and up to six guests per carriage
The Journey
Xinjiang, North and South, 2027
Eight published departures from Chengdu into natural and cultural Xinjiang
The 2027 North and South Xinjiang product is now on sale. It balances time aboard with considered stays ashore, connecting northern landscapes, the grasslands of Ili and the cultural depth of southern Xinjiang at an unhurried pace.
18
carriages
33
double suites
约66
approx. guests
13.8㎡
per suite
16
days in Xinjiang
1:2
service ratio
2027 Departures & Fares
Eight departures now on sale
The 16-day North and South Xinjiang journey is now on sale. Fares are offered per guest in a double suite or for a full private guest carriage. Space, suite allocation, contract and payment milestones are confirmed by the Official Sales Centre.
Now on sale
Peak-season departure
RMB 158,888
Double suite · per guest
RMB 988,888
Full private carriage
Three double suites and up to six guests per carriage
| Departure | Fare season | Double suite · per guest | Full private carriage | Programme rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 May 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Non-Duku for all guests because of seasonal snow and road-opening conditions |
| 3 June 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 20 June 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 7 July 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 24 July 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 27 August 2027 | Peak-season departure | RMB 158,888 | RMB 988,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 13 September 2027 | Peak-season departure | RMB 158,888 | RMB 988,888 | Duku for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan guests; non-Duku for foreign-passport guests |
| 30 September 2027 | Regular departure | RMB 138,888 | RMB 888,888 | Non-Duku for all guests because of seasonal snow and road-opening conditions |
2027 · 16-DAY CULTURAL JOURNEY
Compose your 16-day journey across Xinjiang
Your departure and travel-document category first determine the Duku or non-Duku programme. Choose one route in each of four regions, then combine them with the fixed Chengdu departure and onboard return.
Duku Eligibility
Choose the itinerary to browse
You may switch directly between the Duku and non-Duku programmes to browse different route content and submit an enquiry preference. This does not affect later arrangements. Select a departure and travel-document category for the official rule guidance; CTS Official Sales Centre will verify the final programme manually.
Choose a programme to browse
Now browsing: non-Duku itinerary
Official rule guidance
Seasonal snow and road-opening conditions mean every guest follows the non-Duku programme on this departure.
CTS Official Sales Centre will verify the final programme manually; your browsing choice has no later impact.
Journey segment
Choose one route in each of the four journey segments
DAY 02 · 1 / 4
Urumqi
Choose a first perspective through cultural history or the alpine landscapes of Tianshan.
Select this route
- DAY 02Cultural UrumqiUrumqi
Trace Silk Road history at Xinjiang Museum, followed by the Akhal-Teke Horse Base.
Accommodation · GOLDEN PANDA EXPRESS train
- DAY 02Tianshan LandscapesUrumqi
Travel to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan for a day among alpine water and mountain views.
Accommodation · GOLDEN PANDA EXPRESS train
Journey OverviewJourney overviewComplete four segments to reveal the full itinerary
After all four segments are selected and confirmed, your full 16-day itinerary and scenic overview will appear here.
The 2027 product is now on sale. The applicable Duku programme is determined by departure and travel-document category. Train operation, stops, sightseeing order and temporary road changes follow railway dispatch instructions and the formal pre-departure notice.
Journey image sources and licences
Urumqi, Select this route
D1–D16 · A / B / C Routes
Complete searchable itinerary summary
The essential content of the Chinese and English itinerary handbooks is presented below. Urumqi, Altay and Kashgar are shared; Days 9–10 across Ili and Kuqa change between the Duku and non-Duku programmes.
D1
Depart Chengdu aboard GOLDEN PANDA EXPRESS
Board in Chengdu and begin the journey with a welcome ceremony and an onboard cultural salon.
D2Urumqi
Choose a first perspective through cultural history or the alpine landscapes of Tianshan.
A
Civilisations and Horses
Xinjiang Museum and the Akhal-Teke Horse Base
D2
Cultural Urumqi
Trace Silk Road history at Xinjiang Museum, followed by the Akhal-Teke Horse Base.
B
Heavenly Lake
An alpine lake framed by the Tianshan range
D2
Tianshan Landscapes
Travel to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan for a day among alpine water and mountain views.
End of itinerary segment
D3-5Altay
Three routes move through forests, villages and border country before meeting at Kanas.
A
Hemu and Kanas
Ahe Highway, a lake cruise and Tuvan music
D3
Ahe Highway
Follow the Ahe Highway to Hemu and into the Altay mountain landscape.
D4
Hemu and Kanas
Explore Hemu and Kanas, cruise the lake and attend a private Tuvan music gathering.
D5
The Three Bays
Visit the Three Bays of Kanas and conclude with a cold-water fish banquet.
B
Forest and Baihaba
Hemu forest, Tiejia Highway and a border village
D3
Hemu Forest
Reach Hemu for an immersive forest experience.
D4
Tiejia Highway
Travel via Tiejia Highway to Kanas and Baihaba.
D5
The Three Bays
Visit the Three Bays of Kanas and conclude with a cold-water fish banquet.
C
Border Country
Naren Pasture, Baihaba and the border canyon
D3
Ahe Highway
Follow the Ahe Highway to Hemu and into the Altay mountain landscape.
D4
Border Landscapes
Travel via Tiejia Highway to Kanas, Naren Pasture, Baihaba and the China-Kazakhstan Border Canyon.
D5
The Three Bays
Visit the Three Bays of Kanas and conclude with a cold-water fish banquet.
Altay Route C carries a supplement of RMB 6,000 per guest. Eligibility and final services require confirmation with a travel advisor.
End of itinerary segment
Non-Duku programme
D6-10Ili and Kuqa
The non-Duku plan connects Ili and Kuqa through Yining or Kalajun while retaining the region's full landscape range.
A
Nalati and Yining
Sayram Lake, Tangbula, Liuxing Street and Kuqa
D6
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D7
Flowers and Grasslands
Visit the Tianshan flower fields and Nalati Grassland.
D8
Hundred-Li Gallery
Travel through Nalati, Tangbula Grassland and the Hundred-Li Gallery.
D9
Yining
Explore the cultural layers of Yining and Liuxing Street.
D10
Kuqa Canyon
Reach Kuqa and visit Kiziliya Grand Canyon.
B
Qiongkushitai and Kalajun
A forest walk, wilderness dining and Tekes
D6
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D7
Qiongkushitai
Enter a landscape of grassland villages and mountain valleys.
D8
Forest and Tekes
Take a light forest walk, enjoy wilderness dining and visit Tekes Eight-Trigram City.
D9
Kalajun Grassland
Explore Kalajun Grassland.
D10
Kuqa Canyon
Reach Kuqa and visit Kiziliya Grand Canyon.
C
Yizhao Highway and Xiata
Glacier country, a herder encounter and Sayram Lake
D6
Yizhao Highway
Follow the Yizhao Highway to Yuhu Lake.
D7
Xiata and Grasslands
Explore Xiata, Muzart Glacier and Kurdening Grassland.
D8
Cultures of Ili
Meet a Kazakh herder family and walk through Liuxing Street.
D9
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D10
Kuqa Canyon
Visit Kiziliya Grand Canyon and enjoy a private tea gathering.
End of itinerary segment
Duku programme
D6-10Ili, Duku and Kuqa
Subject to road, weather and operating conditions, this plan crosses the central and southern Duku Highway.
A
Mengket and Duku
Nalati, Tangbula and the central and southern Duku Highway
D6
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D7
Flowers and Grasslands
Visit the Tianshan flower fields and Nalati Grassland.
D8
Hundred-Li Gallery
Travel through Nalati, Tangbula Grassland and the Hundred-Li Gallery.
D9
Mengket and Central Duku
Explore Mengket Ancient Trail, enjoy wilderness dining and drive the central Duku Highway.
D10
Southern Duku
Cross the southern Duku Highway to Kiziliya Grand Canyon.
B
Qiongkushitai and Duku
Forest experiences, Nalati and the central and southern Duku Highway
D6
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D7
Qiongkushitai
Enter a landscape of grassland villages and mountain valleys.
D8
Forest and Tekes
Take a light forest walk, enjoy wilderness dining and visit Tekes Eight-Trigram City.
D9
Nalati and Central Duku
Explore Nalati Grassland and drive the central Duku Highway.
D10
Southern Duku
Cross the southern Duku Highway to Kiziliya Grand Canyon.
C
Yizhao Highway and Xiata
Glacier country, a herder encounter and Sayram Lake
D6
Yizhao Highway
Follow the Yizhao Highway to Yuhu Lake.
D7
Xiata and Grasslands
Explore Xiata, Muzart Glacier and Kurdening Grassland.
D8
Cultures of Ili
Meet a Kazakh herder family and walk through Liuxing Street.
D9
Sayram Lake
Experience the openness of this high-altitude lake.
D10
Kuqa Canyon
Visit Kiziliya Grand Canyon and enjoy a private tea gathering.
End of itinerary segment
D11-13Kashgar and the Pamirs
Choose a Pamir narrative shaped by highland lakes, ancient roads and living cultures.
A
Tajik Encounters
Minyue Village, White Sand Lake and a Tajik family encounter
D11
Into the Pamirs
Visit Minyue Village, White Sand Lake and the Pamir Plateau.
D12
Highland Encounter
Join a Tajik family encounter and visit Karakul Lake.
D13
Kashgar Old City
Walk through Kashgar Old City and visit Id Kah Mosque.
B
Panlong Ancient Road
Tuogelunxia Village, Panlong Ancient Road and Karakul Lake
D11
Highland Villages
Travel via White Sand Lake and the Pamirs to Tuogelunxia Village.
D12
Panlong Ancient Road
Travel the Panlong Ancient Road and visit Karakul Lake.
D13
Kashgar Old City
Walk through Kashgar Old City and visit Id Kah Mosque.
C
Kyrgyz Encounters
White Sand Lake, Karakul Lake and a community visit
D11
Pamir Plateau
Visit White Sand Lake and the Pamir Plateau.
D12
Lake and Community
Visit Karakul Lake and meet a Kyrgyz community.
D13
Kashgar Old City
Walk through Kashgar Old City and visit Id Kah Mosque.
End of itinerary segment
D14-16
Onboard life and the return to Chengdu
Enjoy a considered programme aboard GOLDEN PANDA EXPRESS while the train returns to Chengdu.
Confirmed Privileges
Confirmed product privileges
These services form part of the current sales offer. Operating hours, reservations, included frequency and any individually chargeable service remain subject to the sales confirmation and contract.
Approximate 1:2 service ratio
Panda butlers, tour escorts, local guides and journey support are arranged for the deliberately limited guest capacity.
Private welcome banquet
A welcome ceremony, cultural salon and private banquet open the journey from Chengdu.
Dedicated photographer
A professional photographer records selected moments; delivery format follows the departure service note.
Off-train laundry service
Laundry support is arranged during off-train stays and is not described as an in-suite or continuously available onboard service.
Medical room and licensed staff
A journey-support medical room and licensed medical staff are provided; this does not replace hospital treatment or emergency rescue.
Spa and leisure spaces
Spa, chess, observation, tea, craft and other onboard spaces support the rhythm of a long-distance stay.
Designated smoking room and cigar lounge
Use is limited to designated areas. Tobacco or cigar products are not included merely because the spaces are available.
English-speaking ground guide on request
An English-speaking ground guide can be requested in advance. Availability and any supplement are confirmed by the sales manager.
Private Suites
13.8 m² double suites and full-carriage travel
Panda Suites and Han-inspired Suites are designed for two guests. Twin beds can be separated or joined, with a minibar, vanity, sofa and private wet-and-dry bathroom. Each guest carriage contains three double suites and may be reserved as a private carriage.
Included
- Travel aboard GOLDEN PANDA EXPRESS, plus approved air-conditioned coaches or seven-seat vehicles at destinations
- Meals listed in the itinerary, first-entry attraction tickets and required attraction transfers
- Twin-share hotel rooms during off-train stays
- Local guides, full-journey escort, Panda butlers and licensed medical support
- For children under 12 without a train berth or hotel bed: train meals, tickets, attraction transport, local meals and driver-guide service
- Travel-agency liability cover and the travel accident cover identified in the product documents, subject to the policy wording
Not included
- Personal expenses and optional paid services not stated in the itinerary or contract
- Travel to and from Chengdu, and additional accommodation or transport arising from personal arrangements
- Additional costs caused by delay, war, strike, natural disaster or other events outside the travel organiser’s responsibility
- The Altay Route C supplement of RMB 6,000 per guest and a single-room supplement of RMB 13,000 when required
Booking, cancellation and health notes
Payment and cancellation
The deposit is non-refundable and the balance is due 30 days before departure. Cancellation charges are 50% at 15–29 days, 85% at 1–14 days and 100% on departure day. A traveller-name change may be requested up to three days before departure, subject to contract review.
Railway and itinerary changes
Train operation, stops and timings follow railway dispatch instructions. Necessary changes are generally notified seven days in advance and cancellations five days in advance, with emergencies and force majeure handled under the contract.
Older travellers
Guests aged 70+ need a medical report issued within six months and the required declarations; guests aged 75+ require an accompanying immediate family member; booking is not recommended for guests aged 80+. Final suitability is subject to health assessment and contract.
Meals, tickets and insurance
Included meals and tickets are non-refundable when unused for personal reasons. Insurance limits and exclusions for higher-risk activities follow the policy and contract.
Product Documents
Request the complete documents from the Official Sales Centre
The website converts the design, fares, Duku rules and essential Chinese and English itinerary content into searchable HTML. The original 62-page design presentation and four itinerary handbooks are supplied on request rather than offered as public downloads.
Request the documents- 62-page train design presentation
- Chinese Duku 16-day itinerary
- Chinese non-Duku 16-day itinerary
- English Duku itinerary
- English non-Duku itinerary