MEDIA NOTE · THE STAR, MALAYSIA
The Star on Jinxiu Tianfu: Leesan’s Xinjiang Journey
Jinxiu Tianfu (锦绣天府号), also named Panda Train: Jinxiu Tianfu in The Star, is the luxury train featured in Leesan’s “A thoughtful service”. Published on 10 October 2026, the column follows his journey through northern and southern Xinjiang and the crew who made it memorable.
01 · Report and image sources
Where was “A thoughtful service” published?
The column appeared in the StarLifestyle travel pages of The Star, a Malaysian English-language newspaper, in Leesan’s Travel gab column.
- Publication
- The Star · StarLifestyle · Travel
- Article
- A thoughtful service
- Author / column
- Leesan · Travel gab
- Date / page
- 10 October 2026 · page 5
Related reading: Leesan also wrote about the Jinxiu Tianfu journey in a separate article on 29 September 2026, “Tracing China’s railway journey from humble beginnings to luxurious experiences”, available on The Star’s website.
02 · The train and the experience
What Leesan noticed on board
Crew members remembered his name and preferred drink. Before excursions, staff checked facilities and prepared refreshment stops. In his October column, Leesan describes these small acts of care as what stayed with him after the journey.
He also recalls a butler explaining the Song-dynasty influences behind the interiors. Travelling overnight left the days free for sightseeing, with a familiar room to return to afterwards.
03 · The train and the experience
Inside a Jinxiu Tianfu cabin
Twin beds sit beside a window-side tea table in this Jinxiu Tianfu cabin. The photograph offers a closer view of the sleeping space, furniture and wood-toned interior.
For more views of the train, see the Jinxiu Tianfu cabin and train gallery and compare the room layouts before choosing a cabin.
04 · The train and the experience
Dining on board
Guests gather around a shared table in the dining carriage. When choosing an itinerary, check which meals are served on board and which are arranged during excursions. Tell the travel team about any dietary requirements before booking.
05 · The train and the experience
Music in the lounge carriage
A flute and erhu performance brings passengers together in the lounge carriage. This scene from the Tianfu photo collection shows another side of the train: a shared space to sit and listen between excursions.
For the scenery beyond the carriage, our Xinjiang landscape photo essay offers a separate visual introduction to the region.
Related reading: Leesan on train life in Nanyang Siang Pau
Plan your journey
From the report to your own Xinjiang itinerary
Leesan’s 16-day, 15-night journey is a past itinerary. For your own trip, choose a travel year and compare the current route, cabin and inclusions.
Start with the current Xinjiang itineraries to compare trip lengths, stops and daily arrangements, then read the booking guide. Tell the team your intended travel year, party size, cabin preference and any dietary or mobility assistance needs, and obtain written confirmation for your chosen programme.
Reports and photographs record a particular journey or photographed scene. Current departures, prices, availability, staffing and service arrangements depend on the chosen programme and written confirmation.
| Your next question | What to check | Official site guide |
|---|---|---|
| Which route? | Compare the current Xinjiang route information and daily programme. | Xinjiang luxury-train itinerary → |
| Which travel year? | See the route and travel arrangements in the 2027 plan. | 2027 Xinjiang journey guide → |
| What will it cost? | Check the programme, cabin, pricing unit, inclusions and quotation terms together. | Prices and quotation guidance → |
| How do I book? | Review the inquiry and written-confirmation process before making arrangements. | Official booking guide → |
The 2027 Xinjiang plan has no departures in October or later. Dates, cabin availability, prices and included services are subject to written confirmation when booking.
Planning from Malaysia?
Send your travel year and month, party size, preferred cabin and departure city to the travel team for a matching itinerary and quotation. Mention The Star or Leesan if you are asking about the journey in the report.
Ask about a Jinxiu Tianfu journey →