Xinjiang's railway department will introduce two newly upgraded tourist trains this year, aiming to enrich travel options and improve service quality. The initiative is designed to foster deeper integration of culture and tourism, injecting new momentum into the high-quality economic development of Xinjiang. The announcement was made on March 18 at the launch event titled "Tianshan Snow Lotus, Silk Road New Journey—Xinjiang Railway 2026 Tourism Products and New Oriental Express Upgrade Release."
The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. In line with this, the railway authority is fully implementing the Party's strategies for Xinjiang in the new era, focusing on the region’s "Five Major Strategic Positions" as designated by the central government. Efforts will emphasize deepening the integration of culture and tourism, vigorously developing the cultural tourism industry, and using culture to empower economic and social progress. By meeting the diverse travel needs of passengers from all ethnic groups, the department plans to expand the influence of its "Tianshan Snow Lotus" service brand. The strategy includes increasing direct north-south routes, filling service gaps in prefectures, enhancing intercity travel quality, inviting external railway bureaus to collaborate, promoting outbound tourism, and offering customized services for individual needs. This will further enrich the multi-level tourism product matrix, which features the New Oriental Express, Tianshan trains, and conventional special trains, helping tourists explore the country’s scenic landscapes by rail.
To meet diverse travel experiences, the railway department is continuously developing multi-functional, multi-level tourism products characterized by high quality, comfort, and affordability. The New Oriental Express brand trains will undergo significant upgrades. Two additional train sets will be added, featuring 32 newly built carriages. These include two carriages with three compartments for six passengers, ten carriages with four compartments for eight passengers, and fourteen carriages with five compartments for ten passengers. New family connecting rooms and "Silk Road Culture" display corners will be introduced onboard. Adhering to principles of accessibility, safety, convenience, and comfort, improvements will cover hardware facilities such as user-friendly operations, comfortable seating, storage options, barrier-free access, and comprehensive emergency call systems, significantly enhancing the travel experience for senior passengers.
Breaking geographical and seasonal constraints, this year’s tourism products will extend beyond the classic northern and southern Xinjiang loop routes. They will cover premium cross-provincial lines to southwestern and northeastern China, as well as Hong Kong and Macao, operating regularly from March to October. Additionally, to cater to winter sports enthusiasts, the overnight "China Snow Capital—My Altay Express" ice and snow theme train will continue service, providing comfortable travel and meeting passenger demand across different seasons.
Service on tourist trains will be comprehensively upgraded. The New Oriental Express will be equipped with medical staff and essential facilities, including medicines, to ensure passenger safety during long journeys. Non-hereditary cultural bearers will be invited onboard to conduct interactive activities, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in Xinjiang’s unique folk culture. Star-rated chefs will be assigned to prepare local cuisine, offering a taste of Xinjiang’s culinary delights. The branded trains will also include professional photography services to capture memorable moments for passengers.
According to reports, in 2025, Xinjiang’s railway system transported 54.25 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 6.8%, setting a new record. It operated over 300 special tourist trains, serving more than 223,000 domestic and international tourists. Throughout the year, the department supported 16 large-scale exhibitions and 42 cultural performances, while also operating 37 special trains for students and study tours, serving 139,200 group passengers.