13 days, 12 nights
1 Jun. 2025 - 30 Sep. 2025
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Train
Train and well-selected hotels
Experiencing the Xinjiang Silk Road on the New Orient Express is a captivating adventure that blends culture, history, and nature. This remarkable train ride follows the legendary Silk Road, a historic trade route connecting East and West, offering a journey through time and diverse cultures. You’ll be treated to stunning Xinjiang landscapes, including vast deserts, towering mountains, and white oases. This journey ensures an unforgettable, immersive experience, providing deep insights into the meeting point of civilizations.
• Experience a magical white Christmas in Hemu Village, China’s first village, complete with a festive feast and captivating performances. Santa Claus will also be there to surprise you with a special gift!
• Horse drawn plough ride through Hemu Village’s enchanting forests and snowy landscapes.
• Explore Hemutuwa and Tuva culture through visits to their homes and mesmerizing artistic performances.
• Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Kashgar’s historic city in southern Xinjiang, with a grand party.
• Welcome the New Year with a spectacular sunrise at the Stone City on the Pamir Plateau’s westernmost point.
• Benefit from knowledgeable gold medal tour guides and attentive professional team leaders.
• Receive an exclusive New Oriental Express handletter as a special memento.
In Urumqi, you'll receive a warm airport welcome before checking in at the hotel and enjoying a welcome dinner.
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Urumqi Fuli Wanda Mandarin Hotel or equivalent
The journey begins at Tianshan Tianchi Lake, a stunning natural wonder in the Tianshan Mountains. These mountains stretch for 2,500km, separating the Tarim Basin from the Junggar Basin. Tianchi Lake sits on the mountainside of Bogda Peak, the highest in the eastern Tianshan range. Our next visit is Da Bazaar, a vibrant hub of Uyghur culture. It's the world's largest agricultural market, blending Islamic culture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and delicious cuisine. In the evening enjoy a special Captain's Welcome Dinner on the train.
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New Orient Express
Today we experience the Kanas Scenic Spot in the Altai Mountains, known for its stunning Kanas Lake and Monster legends. In winter this region becomes a snowy wonderland. Afterward we head to Hemu Village for a unique white Christmas celebration, featuring alpine beauty and rich Kazakh culture. Enjoy a festive feast, performances, and gifts from Santa Claus!
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Hemu Villa or equivalent
Hemu Village features traditional wooden houses and offers a unique opportunity to experience horse-drawn plowing through forested snowfields, a practice of the Hemu Tuva herdsmen. The village is the inhabited by the Tuva people, known for their traditional grazing livelihood.
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Hemu Villa or equivalent
Free time in the morning with the option to visit the Hemu Observation Platform to watch the magical sunrise over the village. After breakfast we make our way to the fairy tale town of Burqin for a local fish feast for lunch. Afterward we travel to Altay train station to board the train to Yining.
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New Orient Express
Today we visit Sailimu Lake, the highest and largest mountain lake in Xinjiang, known for its stunning beauty with crystal-clear waters and majestic peaks. Next we stroll along Liuxing Street, an ancient block in Yining City, designed in the 1930s based on Xinjiang's government policies. In the evening savour a local Ili Kazakh specialty dinner.
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Yili Hotel or equivalent
Before boarding the train to Kuche, we make a stop at the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, the prime Uyghur cultural and ecological spot in Xinjiang. Immerse yourself in Uyghur heritage through music, dance, cuisine, and art.
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New Orient Express
Today we travel to the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, a geological wonder in the Tianshan Mountains with dramatic terrain and intricate rock formations, providing insight into Earth's history. We then make our way to Kuqa Prince's Mansion, a well-preserved complex featuring Uyghur architecture, royal living spaces, lush gardens, and historical exhibits about Kuqa's vibrant history.
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New Orient Express
We continue our journey to Baisha Lake, a pristine oasis offering a serene escape into the untouched wilderness. The crystal-clear waters mirror the azure skies, creating a breathtaking landscape. In the evening enjoy a Yak Meat dinner on the Pamir Plateau.
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Tashkurgan Guesthouse or equivalent
On this day we visit Stone City, a 2,000-year-old fortress on the ancient Silk Road, showcasing impressive stone walls and a blend of Persian and Central Asian influences in its architecture. Afterwards we explore Xiangfei Garden and the Tomb of the Fragrant Concubine, a significant tomb of Islamic saints' descendants. In the evening we celebrate the New Year in style with wonderful performances at the grand New Year's Eve banquet to welcome 2024!
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Radisson Hotel Kashgar or equivalent
Your New Year's Day activities start in charming Kashgar Old Town, with its narrow alleys and traditional architecture. As you wander through, you'll encounter shops on Handicrafts Street where you can admire intricate crafts and even try exotic musical instruments. In the afternoon, we visit a century-old teahouse, a local hub for lively conversations, music, dance, and tea. You'll also admire Xinjiang's largest mosque, a grand showcase of Islamic architecture.
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New Orient Express
On your final day, we travel to the ancient Jiaohe Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back over 2,000 years, showcasing advanced urban planning and its role as a bustling Silk Road trading hub. After lunch we explore the Karez Well System, a 2,000-year-old underground irrigation network vital for desert settlements along the Silk Road. To conclude your journey we enjoy a farewell dinner in Urumqi.
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Wanda Wenhua Hotel in Urumqi or equivalent
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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Step onto the luxurious Gold Diamond Carriage where each carriage boasts four suites, ideal for accommodating two guests. These spacious cabins cover an area of approximately 10m2 and feature expansive viewing windows, premium 1.5 x 2m mattresses, a well-appointed desk, a wardrobe, a secure safe, and a private shower and restroom with separate wet and dry areas.
Each Blue Diamond Carriage features 7 private rooms designed to accommodate up to 4 guests, although it's typically recommended for 2-3 occupants. In the case of families and friends travelling together, a maximum of 4 individuals can share a room. Each room is furnished with an extra-wide lower berth measuring 0.9 x 1.95m and an upper berth measuring 0.7 x 1.82m, both equipped with damping devices for comfortable use and easy storage against the wall when not in use. Additionally, public restrooms and showers are conveniently located at both ends of the carriage.
Few important details to frame the experience:
