An 18-day  tourist train route offering an immersive cultural journey crossing northern and southern Xinjiang was launched on July 16 by Guangzhou Baiyun Industrial Investment Group.

The service provides passengers with a unique mobile cultural experience that blends the region's breathtaking natural scenery with its rich humanistic heritage.

The route map of the tourist train. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Operating on a "nighttime travel, daytime sightseeing" schedule, the route departs from Guangzhou and traverses key destinations including Chongqing and deep into Xinjiang's core areas such as Urumqi, Altay, Ili, and Kashgar.

Multiple optional itineraries are available for key sections to cater to varied travel preferences, featuring natural landscapes such as lakes, grasslands and canyons, as well as cultural sites like museums and ancient paths.

Cultural experts will also accompany passengers on board, hosting Silk Road-themed cultural salons during the journey from Chongqing to Urumqi.

The train itself is a moving embodiment of traditional Chinese aesthetics, integrating elements of Huxiang and Cantonese cultures. It features themed functional carriages, including a traditional Chinese-style welcome hall, a dining carriage with 48 seats and Hunan-Guangdong cuisine, and an observation carriage with panoramic windows for those who fancy relaxing with some tea and a game of chess.

Accommodation ranges from luxurious double suites (13.7 square meters) to elegant double suites (10 sq m), each with private facilities and distinctive Oriental decorations.

A luxury carriage on the train. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Leveraging the transport hub role of Baiyun Railway Station, the project is part of Baiyun district's efforts to further integrate railway, culture and tourism. It aims to expand tourist sources from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, stimulate cultural and tourism consumption, and drive regional economic growth.