Xi'an-Shiyan High-Speed Railway Opens Today: Wuhan to Xi’an in As Fast as 2 Hours and 41 Minutes

Today, June 30, 2026, the Xi'an-Shiyan High-Speed Railway (Xishi HSR) officially starts operation, alongside the opening of the brand-new Xi’an East Railway Station. The direct high-speed rail corridor between Wuhan and Xi’an is now fully connected.

From today, you no longer need to detour via Zhengzhou, Henan when traveling from Wuhan to Xi’an. The fastest trip takes only 2 hours and 41 minutes. This new straight high-speed artery between Northwest and Central China will make business trips and cross-province travels much faster and more convenient.

Basic Route Information

The Xishi High-Speed Railway stretches 257 kilometers with a designed maximum speed of 350 km/h. It runs through the Qinling Mountains, with bridges and tunnels accounting for over 90% of the total route, making it one of the most challenging mountain high-speed railways built in China.

Starting from Xi’an East Station, the railway passes Lantian, Shangluoxi, Shanyang and Manchuanguan in Shaanxi Province, and Yunxi in Hubei Province, and finally connects to Shiyan East Station of the already operational Wuhan-Shiyan High-Speed Railway. There are 7 stations along the line, 6 of which are newly built. Seamlessly connected with the Wuhan-Shiyan HSR, the route links multiple cities including Wuhan, Xiaogan, Xiangyang, Shiyan, Shangluo and Xi’an.

Travel Time & Ticket Prices

Fastest Travel Time for Key Routes

• Hankou ↔ Xi’an East: As fast as 2 hours and 41 minutes, saving over 1 hour compared with the old route detouring via Zhengzhou
• Shiyan East ↔ Xi’an East: As fast as 1 hour and 2 minutes
• Xi’an East ↔ Shangluoxi: As fast as only 24 minutes

Train Schedule in Initial Operation Period

In the initial operation stage, 29 pairs of EMU trains run daily, including 25 pairs of cross-line through trains.

• First train from Hankou to Xi’an East (G3967): Departs at 9:30, arrives at 12:54, total travel time 3 hours and 24 minutes
• First train from Xi’an East to Hankou (G3966): Departs at 9:16, runs directly to Wuhan
  
  

Ticket Price Reference

The railway adopts a market-based floating ticket price system. Please refer to real-time information on 12306 for exact prices.

• Hankou — Xi’an East: Second-class seats from 407 CNY
• Shiyan East — Xi’an East: Second-class seats from 154 CNY

The only official ticketing channels are the Railway 12306 mobile app and official website. Foreign nationals can purchase tickets with valid passports under the real-name system.

Travel Benefits

1. More efficient business trips

   : The direct connection between Wuhan and Xi’an, two core cities, will greatly cut travel time for exhibitions and business negotiations in Northwest China.

2. Upgraded cultural travel route

   : This single railway connects a series of world-class cultural and scenic spots — the rivers and lakes of Wuhan, the sacred Wudang Mountain in Shiyan, the Qinling Mountains landscape in Shangluo, as well as the ancient city wall and Terracotta Army in Xi’an. You can easily visit multiple attractions across provinces in one day.

3. Comfortable travel experience

   : Multiple daily direct trains require no transfers. Carriages are marked in both Chinese and English, with smooth operation and comfortable riding experience.
   
   

Practical Travel Tips

1. For departures from Wuhan, please go to Hankou Railway Stationto take direct high-speed trains to Xi’an East.
2. Please bring your valid passport for the trip, as it is required for ticket checking, security check and station entry.
3. Xi’an East Station is a large comprehensive transportation hub. After arrival, you can transfer to metro, buses and taxis to reach scenic spots and destinations in the downtown area.
4. For the latest train schedules, ticket availability and prices, please check the official "Railway 12306" platform in real time.

The Qinling Mountains are no longer a barrier on the road. In just over two hours, you can travel from the river city Wuhan to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties. Take this brand-new high-speed railway to start your journey through the mountains, rivers and culture of Qin and Chu regions.