The first sign that this was no ordinary train came at midnight — not with a whistle, but with the sound of drums. At Anjing Station in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, the departure gate opened onto a scene reminiscent of a festival. Women in flowing hanfu glided forward, palace lanterns glowing in their hands. Lion dancers threaded their way through the crowd to crashing cymbals, panda mascots wobbled with open arms, and the air hummed with the sound of traditional instruments such as guzheng, pipa and xiao.
Tan Kar Meng, a 60-year-old from Malaysia, couldn't resist. Stepping up to a lion, he teased it with exaggerated, playful moves — a spontaneous performer on a night that already felt theatrical. "This traditional cultural experience is amazing," he said, still laughing. "I just came along with my friends. I never expected anything like this."
He was one of the 92 passengers on the debut journey of the Jinxiu Tianfu, the latest addition to the Panda Train portfolio — a boutique rail tourism brand launched in 2021.
Its destination was the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The train promised to take passengers across the vast expanse of northwestern China in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
For travelers, Xinjiang has always been a land of long journeys and logistical challenges. At more than 1.66 million square kilometers — three times the size of France — covering both its northern grasslands and southern Silk Road cities in one trip usually means days of bone-wearying bus rides. The Jinxiu Tianfu changes all of that: Simply travel by night and wake up to a new horizon.
On board, it feels less like a train and more like a moving gallery of Chinese aesthetics. The 18 train cars contain 46 private rooms, each equipped with a bathroom, smart controls and a minibar. The observation car provides the perfect vantage point to enjoy the natural beauty of alpine lakes, snowcapped peaks and desert canyons.
The dining car serves Sichuan flavors alongside Silk Road specialties. Bilingual guides, dedicated butlers, round-the-clock luggage service and an onboard medical team ensure the journey is seamless.
What sets the train apart, though, is the world it builds inside. Panda motifs adorn the walls, while plush toys and even desserts provide a tender nod to Sichuan, the homeland of these beloved creatures. However, the deeper design language belongs to the Song Dynasty, the aesthetic of which is widely considered the pinnacle of ancient Chinese refinement: simplicity, restraint and a profound reverence for nature.
That spirit breathes through every car — in the furnishings, the muted palettes, the empty space left intentionally unfilled.
Passengers are invited into the four refined arts of the Song: whisking tea, appreciating incense, arranging flowers and hanging painted scrolls.
Shu brocade and Shu embroidery, each a national intangible cultural heritage item, grace seats, fans and ornaments. It's a moving tribute to Sichuan's 2,000-year history of producing the textile that gave the Silk Road its name.
Tina Ting, 55, from Taiwan, boarded with family and friends."We've wanted to visit Xinjiang for a long time," she said, adding, "But touring its northern and southern regions by bus would take two weeks each, and we heard it was exhausting, with hours and hours on the road.
"I may only have the chance to visit Xinjiang once in my life, so I want to take the best memories home," said Ting. "An experience like this is well worth it."
On the Jinxiu Tianfu, that exhaustion dissolves. "You can make good use of sleeping hours to cover long distances, and you won't get bored, since there are so many cultural activities. It's truly relaxing," Ting said.
The 16-day debut journey departed on May 19, visiting Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Kashgar and Turpan — offering views of alpine lakes, wetlands and grasslands alongside deep canyons.
The days were filled with workshops on intangible cultural heritage, visits to Tajik households and Silk Road-themed concerts. Nights belonged to the train, gliding through the dark, its windows framing distant village lights and a sky thick with stars.
In the observation car, a few passengers would sit late into the night, cradling cups of warm tea. The silence was broken only by the soft clacking of wheels on rails.
Before the train's debut, Lian Hua, vice-chairman and general manager of Sichuan Tourism Investment Group, noted that over 80 percent of tour packages had already been booked — 90 percent by inbound tourists.
It seems that the hunger for such experiences stretches far beyond China's borders.
Travel Info
Package price: The 16-day debut trip was priced at 76,880 yuan ($11,345) per person for a comfort cabin, and 96,880 yuan for a premium suite. Prices for future departures may vary.
The package covers train accommodations, meals, entry tickets to scenic spots, guide service, shuttle service and travel insurance.
How to book: Via the Railway Travel section on the 12306 app; phone: +86 17308036250 or email jessie2pan@hotmail.com
