Don’t rush to travel the world before 60; first take these 6 train journeys with stunning scenery along the way (3)
“Continuing from the previous part
Before 60, you must take these 6 train trips to cover half of China’s most beautiful landscapes (3)
7 days and 6 nights Northern Xinjiang Essence Special Train Tour (Night travel with day tours, worry-free and unhurried)
Core: Special train night travel with day tours, no need to move luggage, focusing on Northern Xinjiang’s top attractions (Heavenly Lake + Kanas + Hemu + Sailimu Lake + Nalati), best autumn colors in September-October, cost per person 2500-5000 RMB (basic package includes special train, accommodation, and tickets)
Pre-trip tips: Book the special train 2 months in advance, bring a windbreaker + light down jacket (big temperature difference), high SPF sunscreen; Northern Xinjiang’s schedule is 2 hours later than inland
Day 1: Urumqi Gathering Day (shopping, eating, and adapting; special train departure)
✅ Highlights: International Grand Bazaar (browse handicrafts, watch ethnic song and dance), Xinjiang Museum (must-see mummies/colorful pottery, closed on Mondays)
✅ Must-eat foods: Hand-pulled rice, baked buns, big plate chicken, jar meat, yogurt rice dumplings (Grand Bazaar food street/Wuyi Starlight Night Market)
✅ Accommodation: Hotel in Urumqi city (recommended All Seasons/Atour, near special train station), gather on the special train at night, large luggage stored in the carriage
✅ Special train tips: Travel light with daily essentials, special train sleepers include soft and hard berths, basic package 2-4 people per room, clean and comfortable
Day 2: Urumqi → Tianshan Heavenly Lake → Special train to Beitun (night travel)
✅ Highlights: Tianshan Heavenly Lake (check in at the Stabilizing Sea Needle, Queen Mother Temple, optional boat ride to see Bogda Peak reflection, 1-hour boardwalk hike is enough)
✅ Must-eat foods: Wild mushroom chicken stew and hand-pulled meat at Heavenly Lake scenic area, dinner on the special train buffet (includes milk tea and naan)
✅ Accommodation: Special train sleeper (about 12 hours night travel, arrive next day in Beitun, save time by sleeping)
✅ Key reminder: It’s windy at Heavenly Lake, bring a windproof jacket; must take the scenic shuttle bus, no need to hike the whole way
Day 3: Beitun → Kanas (core of the earthly paradise)
✅ Highlights: Kanas three bays hike (Fairy Bay → Moon Bay → Wolong Bay, stunning morning mist), climb Fish Viewing Platform for panoramic view of Kanas Lake (must climb)
✅ Must-eat foods: Burqin cold water fish feast, grilled dogfish, milk tea, tandoor meat (cost-effective outside the scenic area)
✅ Accommodation: Jiadenyu hotel (recommended Jiadenyu Castle Hotel/Hemu Mountain Villa, near the scenic area, no hassle)
✅ Key reminder: Kanas is at high altitude, walk slowly and don’t run; prices are high in the scenic area, bring some snacks
Day 4: Kanas → Hemu → Five-Color Beach → Special train to Jinghe (night travel)
✅ Highlights: Hemu (6-8 am at Harden Platform for morning mist photos, birch forest hike, Hemu Bridge check-in), Five-Color Beach (must shoot sunset, Yadan landforms + Irtysh River two-color landscape)
✅ Must-eat foods: Hemu hand-pulled meat, wild strawberry jam milk tea, grilled fish and lamb skewers near Five-Color Beach
✅ Accommodation: Special train sleeper (about 10 hours night travel, arrive next day in Jinghe)
✅ Key reminder: Reserve your spot early for Hemu morning mist, Five-Color Beach sunset from 7-9 pm, bring camera tripod
Day 5: Jinghe → Sailimu Lake → Yining Six-Star Street
✅ Highlights: Sailimu Lake (circle the lake to check in at Guozigou Bridge, Swan Bay, Waterside Beach, optional cycling/electric bike), Yining Six-Star Street (blue house photo spot, accordion museum)
✅ Must-eat foods: Sailimu Lake high-white salmon sashimi, hand-pulled meat, Yining noodles with lung and rice sausage, kvass, handmade ice cream (Six-Star Street/Han People Street)
✅ Accommodation: Hotel in Yining city (recommended Yining Blue Bay Hotel, near Six-Star Street, convenient for shopping and eating)
✅ Key reminder: Sailimu Lake is windy with strong UV, bring sunscreen and wind protection; choose the scenic highlights around the lake, no need to circle the entire lake
Day 6: Yining → Nalati Grassland → Special train to Urumqi (night travel)
✅ Highlights: Nalati aerial grassland (see snow mountain and grassland together, optional horseback riding, watch herds of cattle and sheep), if time allows add light hiking in the valley grassland
✅ Must-eat foods: Kazakh family feast, hand-pulled meat, milk tea, baked buns (authentic felt tent restaurants around the grassland)
✅ Accommodation: Special train sleeper (about 11 hours night travel, arrive next day in Urumqi, save one night’s accommodation)
✅ Key reminder: Nalati grassland is at moderate altitude, less likely to have altitude sickness; bargain for horseback riding, beginners choose short routes
Day 7: Urumqi Disbanding Day (final shopping and eating, relaxed return)
✅ Highlights: Finish visiting Xinjiang Museum (if not visited on Day 1), Huaring dried fruit market for souvenirs (raisins, almonds, more cost-effective than Grand Bazaar)
✅ Must-eat foods: Final meal in Urumqi (recommended rack ribs, yogurt shaved ice, many options on Youhao Road food street)
✅ Return tips: Pick up luggage after special train arrives in Urumqi, leave at least 3 hours buffer for late flights to avoid missing flights
Special train suitability & money-saving tips
1.”@Savory Sojourns · 8 months ago