Sal Travelling in Luxury: The New Orient Express
A Mobile 5-Star Hotel Experience
The New Orient Express launched by Xinjiang’s railway authority in 2021 is a luxury train tourism option that provides passengers with a top-notch travelling experience. Hailed as a “mobile 5-star hotel”, the train boasts spacious rooms, superior services, and delightful local cuisine. Passengers can enjoy splendid sceneries of Xinjiang from large windows while comfort and convenience are fully taken care of.
Luxurious Accommodations
There are two types of rooms: Golden Daimond Suite Cabins and Luxury Blue Diamond Cabins. Both are very spacious, equipped with advanced soundproofing and air systems, numerous USB ports, cabinets, mirrors and other amenities. Private bathrooms and large windows allow passengers to admire the landscapes in privacy and luxury. An exclusive attendant is assigned to each carriage to ensure top-notch services.
Gourmet Cuisine and Entertainment
Experienced chefs onboard delight passengers with delicious Xinjiang local specialties. A superior bar provides karaoke parties and performances showcasing Xinjiang’s folk culture. As magnificent natural sceneries unfold, passengers are immersed in an unforgettable journey of comfort and impressions that will be cherished forever.
Admiring Picturesque Landscapes by Road
Sayram Lake’s Seasonal Beauty
Known as the “Atlantic Ocean’s last teardrop”, Sayram Lake presents splendid scenes throughout the year with its surrounding mountains, glaciers, forests, grasslands and lakes.
Lush Koktokay’s Local Features
Nestled between lush old-growth forests, Koktokay boasts amazingly clear lakes and an impressively green and pristine landscape. Home to abundant medicine herbs and wildlife, the township has remarkable geological and cultural traits.
Discovery through Flexible Self-Drive
My parents had immensely enjoyed their multi-trip exploration of Xinjiang through self-driving with local guides. Renting a van allows flexibility to spontaneously experience local life through homestays and discover remote areas not covered by trains. Costs are also lower when shared between friends compared to train fares.
Immersing in History along the Silk Road
Kashgar: A Living Museum of the Past
An important Silk Road city with a wonderfully preserved old town, Kashgar presents carvings, patterns and wonders seducing visitors into a tale from One Thousand and One Nights.
Ancient Footsteps in the Pamir Plateau
Strategically located along the Silk Road, this mountainous Central Asian plateau had witnessed explorers like Zhang Qian, Faxian, Marco Polo and Xuanzang, leaving indelible historical marks.
Marvels of Nature in Iconic Destinations
Kanas: Paradise on Earth
Nestled among snow-capped peaks and verdant hills, the stunning Kanas Lake and surrounding sceneries have rightly earned the area the titles of “paradise” and “garden of heaven”.
Nalati Grassland: A Natural Museum
With a pleasant climate enveloped by mountains, the beautifully named “grassland in heaven” is a showplace of pastoral folk life, memorable herds, and pristine nature.
In summary, Xinjiang offers world-class options for travellers to experience its rich landscapes and cultural heritage through safe, luxurious train trips on New Orient Express, flexible road journeys, or iconic natural and historical destinations. Proper trip planning tailored to interests will yield truly memorable discoveries.
Visiting Chittagong: A Complete Guide