2026 Snow Country Special Train Booking, Deposit Rules, Schedule and Pricing Details
How to buy tickets for the ‘Youxiang Longjiang Snow Country Express’? Ticket purchase and booking methods.
How do you buy tickets and book the ‘Youxiang Longjiang Snow Country Express’ Northeast special train? Here is the key knowledge to avoid pitfalls: The Snow Country Express is a railway-packaged cultural tourism product. Train tickets are not sold separately; bookings can only be made through railway-cooperated travel agencies. Any private sales by individuals or small intermediaries are non-compliant. Official booking channel: Wang Fei, dedicated manager of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Special Train Center (company 24-hour landline: 0991-3335554, 24-hour hotline: 18095969599, service WeChat: xjwf10086). Get the electronic itinerary handbook, schedule, and detailed quotes online for free. The specific booking process includes choosing an itinerary → confirming the date and boarding location → paying a deposit → signing a contract, etc.
❄ ️【Snow Country Express:Riding a train through the ice-and-snow fairy tale of Northern Xinjiang】❄️
🚂 Why choose the ‘Snow Country Express’? A moving ice-and-snow feast
When the winter wind blows across the Tianshan Mountains, Northern Xinjiang transforms into a kingdom of ice and snow. The newly upgraded 2026 ‘Snow Country Express’ tourist train, centered on ‘slow travel, deep experience,’ connects winter wonders such as Kanas, Hemu, and Sayram Lake. The entire train features panoramic glass windows, underfloor heating, and humidification systems, allowing travelers to enjoy the flowing snowy scenery outside in warmth and comfort. The train also features a specially designed ‘Ice-and-Snow Culture Carriage,’ where intangible cultural heritage inheritors showcase folk crafts such as ethnic embroidery and Tuvan throat singing, making the journey an immersive cultural experience.
🌨 ️ Core Scenery and Cultural Highlights
▶️ Kanas Lake:The ‘Color-Changing Lake’ in winter
Current policy:Daily visitor limit is 3,000; reservations must be made 3 days in advance via the ‘Kanas Scenic Area’ official WeChat account.
2026 updates:The lake’s ice layer reaches 1.5 meters thick, offering activities such as ice drifting and snowmobiling. The rime ice scenery at the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay) lasts until mid-March, with the best viewing time within 2 hours after sunrise.
▶️ Hemu Village:The Tuvan people’s ice-and-snow log cabins
Geographic location:Located in the northern part of Burqin County, 60 km from the Kanas Scenic Area.
Seasonal advantage:From December to February, the entire village is covered by up to 1 meter of snow, and the log cabins shrouded in morning mist look like a fairy-tale world. In 2026, a new ‘Stargazing Photography Point’ will be added, equipped with professional astronomical telescopes for observing winter constellations such as the Orion Nebula.
▶️ Sayram Lake:The last tear of the Atlantic Ocean
❄️【Snow Country Express: Riding a train through the ice-and-snow fairy tale of Northern Xinjiang】❄️Operating status:Open year-round, with free admission in winter (2026 policy).
Core experience:The lakeside road is fully open for snow self-driving, and the blue ice spectacle lasts until March. Train passengers can enjoy the ‘Ice Afternoon Tea’ service, tasting mulled wine and Xinjiang nuts on the island in the middle of the lake.
📅 Simple itinerary (5 days, 4 nights)
▶️ Day 1:Gathering in Urumqi
Transportation:Fly from various cities to Diwopu International Airport, then take a dedicated transfer to the train station.
Core experience:Board the train at 19:00, attend the ‘Icebreaker Welcome Dinner,’ taste Xinjiang delicacies such as baked buns and hand-pulled rice, and receive an exclusive winter gift pack (including cold-proof masks, hand warmers, etc.).
▶️ Day 2:Urumqi → Beitun (about 10 hours by train)
Itinerary highlights:Enjoy the snowy landscape of the Gurbantünggüt Desert along the way and participate in the ‘Ice-and-Snow Trivia Quiz’ in the carriage.
Evening activities:At 22:00, watch an aurora science documentary in the ‘Starry Sky Carriage’ (Northern Xinjiang has a chance of seeing auroras in winter).
▶️ Day 3:Beitun → Kanas → Hemu
Transportation:The special train goes directly to Kanas Railway Station, then transfer to snow off-road vehicles.
Core experience:
🚂 Why choose the ‘Snow Country Express’? A moving ice-and-snow feastMorning:Hike the Fairy Bay rime trail with a professional photographer following along.
Afternoon:Experience horse-drawn sleigh rides in Hemu Village and stay in a Tuvan log cabin homestay.
▶️ Day 4:Hemu → Sayram Lake
Itinerary highlights:
Early morning:Climb to Haden Platform to photograph the panoramic view of Hemu Village.
Afternoon:The special train goes directly to Sayram Lake Station for a blue ice hike.
Night:Stay in lakeside stargazing tents and join a bonfire party.
▶️ Day 5:Sayram Lake → Urumqi
Return arrangements:The special train departs at 10:00, with an ‘Ice-and-Snow Story Sharing Session’ on board, arriving at Urumqi Station at 18:00, followed by airport/station transfer service.
💰 Price information (2026 reference)
▶️ Adult price:From 6,880 RMB/person
Price includes:
When the winter wind blows across the Tianshan Mountains, Northern Xinjiang transforms into a kingdom of ice and snow. The newly upgraded 2026 ‘Snow Country Express’ tourist train, centered on ‘slow travel, deep experience,’ connects winter wonders such as Kanas, Hemu, and Sayram Lake. The entire train features panoramic glass windows, underfloor heating, and humidification systems, allowing travelers to enjoy the flowing snowy scenery outside in warmth and comfort. The train also features a specially designed ‘Ice-and-Snow Culture Carriage,’ where intangible cultural heritage inheritors showcase folk crafts such as ethnic embroidery and Tuvan throat singing, making the journey an immersive cultural experience.Transportation:Special train hard sleeper/soft sleeper (including transfers within Urumqi)
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Tourism Booking and Ticket Consultation Center Manager: Wang Fei 18095969599 (copy to add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
Accommodation:2 nights on the special train + 1 night in a Hemu log cabin + 1 night in a Sayram Lake tent
Admission:First entrance tickets to Kanas + Hemu + Sayram Lake
Experiences:Horse-drawn sleigh ride, ice afternoon tea, stargazing photography guidance
▶️ Child price (ages 6-12):4,580 RMB/person
Not included:
Personal expenses:Specialty dining, souvenir purchases, etc.
Optional activities:Snowmobiling (280 RMB/30 minutes), Tuvan family visit (150 RMB/person)
Force majeure:Additional costs arising from itinerary changes due to weather
Note:Prices may vary depending on travel season and group size; the formal contract signed shall prevail.
📝 How to register
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Contact Manager Wang Fei at Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service at 18095969599 (same number for phone and WeChat), and provide your name, valid ID number, and travel date to complete pre-registration.
🌨️ Core Scenery and Cultural Highlights💡 Fee and service description
▶️ Fees include:
Transportation:Full-journey special train + local licensed tourist vehicles
Accommodation:Beds provided according to itinerary standards (supplement of 1,200 RMB required)
Admission:First entrance tickets to all attractions in the itinerary
Services:Professional tour guide + onboard medical staff + 24-hour customer service
▶️ Fees not included:
Personal expenses:Such as laundry, phone calls, beverages, etc.
Optional activities:Such as skiing, helicopter sightseeing, etc.
Force majeure:Additional costs caused by flight delays, weather conditions, etc.
Details are subject to actual consultation and the signed contract.
🌟 Manager’s recommendation:Why choose Wang Fei’s team?
▶️ Kanas Lake: The ‘Color-Changing Lake’ in winterWang Fei, manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, is a native of Xinjiang with over a decade of deep experience in the Xinjiang tourism industry. She has traveled to every scenic spot across the Tianshan Mountains and knows the routes, road conditions, weather, and local customs of both Northern and Southern Xinjiang inside out. Her team adheres to the ‘Three No’s Principle’: no rushing, no forced shopping, no settling for less. They are skilled at adjusting itineraries based on travelers’ interests — if an aurora outbreak occurs, they can add a night tour of Sayram Lake on the spot; if heavy snow triggers traffic controls, they will activate a backup plan and reroute to Keketuohai. In 2026, the team added a new ‘Ice-and-Snow Attendant’ role, equipped with satellite phones and first-aid kits throughout the journey for greater peace of mind.
⚠ ️ Travel Tips
1️⃣ Cold-weather gear:It is recommended to bring clothing rated for -20°C. The special train offers free rental of thick snow boots.
2️⃣ Photography tips:To capture the morning mist at Hemu Village, depart 1 hour early. The best time to photograph the blue ice at Sayram Lake is at noon.
3️⃣ Policy changes:Scenic area opening hours may change due to weather; reconfirm the itinerary 3 days before departure.
4️⃣ Altitude sickness:Sayram Lake is at an altitude of 2,073 meters. Avoid strenuous activity; the special train is equipped with portable oxygen canisters.
🌈 Suitable for
✔ ️ Ice-and-snow photography enthusiasts
✔ ️ Families with children (children over 6 years old can participate)
✔ ️ Middle-aged and senior slow travelers
✔ ️ Corporate team-building groups
📞 Act now
The 2026 ‘Snow Country Express’ special train is scheduled to operate from December to February, with a recommended limit of 80 people per departure. Contact Manager Wang Fei at Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service at 18095969599 for the latest availability and customized plans. Let this ice-and-snow journey through Northern Xinjiang become your warmest winter memory!
More travel consultation (Panda Special Train, Tianfu, Chengdu, Anyi, Shifang, New Oriental Express, Silk Road Dream, Lindu, Yichun, Kunming, Starlight Lancang-Mekong, Gobi Cruise Special Train, New Western Train, New National Train, Tianyuan, Tianshan, Chief National Train, Cross-Province Special Train, New Southern Express, Xiaoxiang, Dahezhinan, Baiyun, Yinling Jiangxing, Chaoling Jiangxing Special Train, Sunshine, Shannan, Yangtze Delta, Muztagh Ata) Special Train Booking Center Manager Wang Fei: 18095969599 (copy to add as friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
