Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed train

Beijing West, not Beijing South

This route uses Beijing West (Beijingxi), which is a different station from Beijing South used for Shanghai. Some services also run from Beijing North or Qinghe. Beijing’s stations are far apart and traffic is heavy, so confirm which one your ticket names and allow proper time to reach it.

In Xi'an you arrive at Xi'an North (Xi'anbei), which is well outside the old walled city. Metro line 2 runs from the station down into the centre in around half an hour. Xi'an also has an older central station; high-speed services use the northern one.

Getting to the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is at Lintong, east of the city, and it is not near the high-speed station. From Xi’an North, the usual approach is Metro line 2 into the city and then a tourist bus or the metro extension out east; allow well over an hour from arriving to standing in front of the pits.

What else Xi’an has

The city walls are the best-preserved in China and you can cycle the full circuit on top of them, which takes around an hour and a half. The Muslim Quarter near the Drum Tower is the food district and is worth an evening. Both are inside the walls and easy to reach once you are in from the station.

The journey itself

G-class services take from about four hours; slower ones run longer. The line crosses the North China Plain and then climbs west — the landscape changes noticeably, and unlike a flight you get to see it.

Booking rules

The same two rules apply as everywhere in China: tickets open around fifteen days before departure, and every ticket is tied to the passport you booked with, which you present at the station gate and at the platform.

Booking notes for China

Two rules govern everything. Tickets are released about fifteen days before departure — there is no booking months ahead — and every ticket is registered to the passport you booked with, which you show at the station gate and again at the platform. Carry the document itself, not a photograph.

Train numbers tell you the speed: G is high-speed and usually what you want, D is slightly slower, and Z, T and K are conventional long-distance trains. Stations run airport-style security, so allow around forty-five minutes at a major hub — and gates close a few minutes before departure, strictly.

Our guide to train travel in Asia covers booking, station procedure and what the classes actually get you.

Common questions

Which Beijing station?

Beijing West for this route — a different station from Beijing South used for Shanghai, and not close to it. Some services use Beijing North or Qinghe. Confirm which one your ticket names and allow time to cross the city.

How do I get to the Terracotta Army?

It is at Lintong, east of the city, and not near the station. From Xi’an North take Metro line 2 into the centre and then a tourist bus or metro out east. Allow well over an hour from arriving.

Can I do it as a day trip from Beijing?

Not sensibly. Four hours each way plus an hour at each end leaves almost no time at the site, and the museum deserves a half day. Stay a night.

What else is worth seeing?

The city walls are the best preserved in China and you can cycle the full circuit in about ninety minutes. The Muslim Quarter near the Drum Tower is the food district and is worth an evening.