HOW THIS TRIP FEELS
Wonder · Connection
From Chengdu’s gentle roots to the legendary Silk Road, experienced through the window of a luxury scenic train. Settle into interiors inspired by Song Dynasty aesthetics as the Hexi Corridor drifts past your window. Step off to stand beside high-mountain lakes, red-rock canyons, ancient town walls, and desert irrigation channels. Between the gentle motion of the train and the vast landscapes of Xinjiang, the journey finds its own rhythm.
Curious about what life onboard China’s newest scenic train actually feels like? As part of the first group of invited partners, China Good Tour’s founder Lesley Chen stepped aboard the Tianfu Sightseeing Train to document the experience. Watch her vlog for an inside look at the suites, regional dining, and passing mountain scenery.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu Departure and the Journey West
Board the Tianfu Train in Chengdu and begin the journey towards Urumqi. A welcome ceremony, song and dance performance, cultural salon and cocktail reception introduce the journey onboard as the train travels west along the Silk Road corridor.
Day 2: Arrival in Urumqi
Continue the journey onboard before arriving in Urumqi. Enjoy a Xinjiang-style dinner and settle into the first evening of the journey.
Day 3: Tianchi Lake and a Scholar’s Reading of the Silk Road
Begin with a private cultural session at the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum. A specialist lecturer offers a closer reading of the region’s Silk Road treasures before the journey continues to Tianchi Lake, with views towards the Bogda Snow Mountains.
After dinner in Urumqi, return to the station and board the Tianfu train towards Altay.
Day 4: Hemu Village and an Outdoor Banquet
Travel from Beitun to Hemu by dedicated vehicle, covering approximately 250 kilometres. The journey takes around four and a half hours, with an energy refreshment pack provided onboard.
In the afternoon, visit Hemu Valley and the Tuva village, known for its timber houses, mountain grasslands and forested surroundings. After a customised afternoon tea, enjoy a specially arranged outdoor banquet before returning to the hotel.
Day 5: Kanas Lake and the Fish-Watching Platform
Travel from Hemu to Kanas, approximately 80 kilometres away. Take a boat on Kanas Lake and continue to the Fish-Watching Platform, set high above the lake and surrounding mountain landscape.
The day offers time to take in the changing colours of the water, forest and distant peaks.
Day 6: The Three Bays of Kanas and a Heritage Fish Banquet
Visit Moon Bay, Fairy Bay and Wolong Bay, where forested riverbanks, changing light and quiet water create one of northern Xinjiang’s most distinctive landscapes.
In the afternoon, travel to Beitun before enjoying a regional cold-water fish banquet. Later, board the Tianfu train for the journey towards Yining.
Day 7: Sayram Lake and Lakeside Afternoon Tea
Travel from Beitun towards Sayram Lake, the highland “pure sea” framed by mountain scenery. Take a dedicated vehicle around the lake and pause for a specially arranged afternoon tea beside the water.
Continue to Yining for dinner and an evening of rest.
Day 8: Nalati Grassland and Road Culture
Travel by dedicated vehicle to Nalati Grassland, known for its layered landscapes, broad Tianshan views and traditions shaped by life on the grasslands.
Return to Yining in the afternoon, enjoy dinner and board the Jinxiu Tianfu train towards Kuqa.
Day 9: The Red Cliffs of Kizilia Grand Canyon
Arrive in Kuqa and continue to the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon by dedicated vehicle. Walk through the red-rock landscape and observe the canyon’s changing colours and geological forms.
After dinner in Kuqa, board the Jinxiu Tianfu train towards Kashgar.
Day 10: White Sand Lake and Tajik Hospitality
Follow the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway towards the Pamir Plateau. Visit White Sand Lake, where pale dunes meet clear blue water beneath the highland sky.
Continue to Tashkurgan County and join a Tajik home visit, sharing local snacks and learning about regional traditions. The day ends with a local beef hotpot dinner.
Day 11: Karakul Lake and Intangible Cultural Heritage
Travel from Tashkurgan to Karakul Lake, known for its deep colours and reflections beneath Muztagh Ata. Take part in an aerial photography experience above the lake.
In the afternoon, visit a Tajik village for a specially arranged intangible cultural heritage activity, followed by an opening ceremony and a southern Xinjiang-style roast whole lamb banquet.
Day 12: Kashgar Old City and Id Kah Mosque
Explore Kashgar Old City, a historic urban district shaped by more than two thousand years of Silk Road history. Continue to the Gao Tai residences, known as a filming location for The Kite Runner, and visit Id Kah Mosque.
A specially arranged afternoon tea in the old city provides a slower pause before dinner and the next train journey.
Day 13: Jiaohe Ancient City and an Evening Music Performance
Arrive in Turpan and check into the hotel for a period of rest. As evening falls, visit Jiaohe Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage site shaped by centuries of Silk Road history.
Among the illuminated ruins, attend a live ethnic music performance that brings local musical traditions into dialogue with the archaeological landscape.
Day 14: Flame Mountain and the Karez Irrigation System
Visit Flame Mountain in the morning and enjoy a regional fruit banquet. In the afternoon, explore the Karez irrigation system with dedicated interpretation.
The ancient underground channels reveal how water made life possible in the Turpan Basin. After dinner, board the Jinxiu Tianfu train for the return journey.
Day 15: The Return Journey
Spend the day onboard the Jinxiu Tianfu train, with time for intangible cultural heritage activities, scenic viewing and Song-style tea ceremony experiences.
The return journey offers a quieter rhythm after the landscapes, cities and cultural encounters of Xinjiang.
Day 16: Arrival in Chengdu
Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard before arriving in Chengdu. The journey concludes with the final onboard activities and a farewell to the train.
What is included
- Accommodation aboard the Jinxiu Tianfu Panda Train according to the selected cabin category.
- Accommodation in the listed destination hotels, based on two guests sharing one room.
- Sixteen breakfasts and thirty lunches or dinners throughout the journey.
- Meals aboard the Jinxiu Tianfu train, including breakfast and lunch or dinner services.
- Local meals and regional speciality banquets listed in the itinerary.
- The train berth and ground transportation specified for the itinerary.
- 2+1 executive coaches, scenic-area VIP direct transfers and selected seven-seat business vehicles for land excursions.
- Entrance tickets to the attractions listed in the itinerary.
- Necessary scenic-area transfers.
- A full-time tour escort and professional local service team.
- Jinxiu Tianfu train butler service.
- Professional photography service.
- Professional medical support throughout the journey.
- Cultural activities, performances, heritage experiences and afternoon tea arrangements specifically listed in the itinerary.
What is not included
- Any expenses not expressly listed under “What’s Included”.
- Additional costs caused by train delays, cancellations, timetable changes, extreme weather, natural disasters or other force majeure events.
- The single-occupancy supplement of CNY 8,000 per person, where applicable.
- Train berths and hotel beds for children under 12.
- Personal expenses and any optional services not included in the itinerary.
- Any additional costs resulting from personal circumstances, changes or requests outside the agreed programme.
