Transportation in Xian

Located in the very center of China and long a prime destination connecting the east and west, Xian is today one of the best connected cities in China in terms of travel. There are numerous national and international flights in and out of the city airport and the rail and bus services operating in the city are also good.

By plane:
Xian Airport is located 50 km (about 31 miles) northwest of downtown Xian in Xianyang, a neighboring city. Ranked as the fourth most frequented airport in China, Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is home to 68 domestic daily flights from almost every major Chinese destination. From Jiuzhaigou, Ningbo, Zhengzhou and Lianyungang, etc. to Xian are newly opened domestic routes. International airlines from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand totally 10 Asian cities are well established services of XIY. In 2005, there opened 7 new international airline routes from Germany, France, Britain, America and Canada via transfers in Beijing. In 2006, other 8 international airline routes from Europe, America and Asian are opening via transfers in Shanghai. International air connections with Hong Kong and Macao are also available depending on the airline schedule. Presently, with a total of 25 international air routes, Xian has become the city with most international connections in Western China.

Xianyang International Airport Enquiry: (029) 88798450

By train:
With a reputation as 'the Gateway to the West', Xian Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system. It is the key junction between the southwest and the northwest, and forms a connecting link between the east and the west of China.

The train station in Xian is situated in the northeast of the town and is just outside the city walls. This is a major stop for trains heading either west or east and the line actually splits here. Some trains head north to Beijing and others east to Shanghai.

There are direct trains from Xian to Beijing (16 hours), Shanghai, Guangzhou (27 hours), Chengdu (17 hours), Hefei, Qingdao and Urumuqi. There is a foreigners ticket office on the second level of the train station which is open from 8.30 -11.30 and 2.30 -5.30. Make sure you bring your passport with you as you need this document to register. You can also buy hard seats at an office on Lianhua Lu and most of the major hotels will book train tickets for you, although they will charge for this service.

By Coach:
The highway transportation to Xian extends in all direction. Long-distance buses commute between Xian and many large cities, covering 18 provinces and over 300 cities and counties. The Xian long-distance bus line terminal, which has been ranked as the highest class station in the whole nation, lies to the southwest of the railway station. People usually buy bus tickets on the same day of travel. Generally speaking, though the price is much more economical, foreigners are not encouraged to take the long-distance busses due to general hardship and fatigue. If at all possible, the plane and train are better choices.

Transportations in Xian:
By Bus:
Like most big cities, Xian has a convenient commuter system in the city. The public buses are the main means of daily transportation. Most buses are self-service, so remember to prepare some small change prior to boarding. Usually the ticket charge is 1 - 2 Yuan per person. There are also many mini-buses, with the price generally ranging from 0.5 - 4 Yuan according to the distance of the journey. Take good care of your belongings, as pickpockets operate in these areas targeting both residents and tourists alike.

A good bus line for tourists is the No.610 bus. It starts at the railway station and travels past famous spots such as the Revolution Park, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Daxingshan Temple, Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise, Qujiang Ocean World. The price of a ticket is 1 Yuan per person, and the bus stops near the main entrances of these tourist spots. U-5 is another important line for tourists. It runs between railway station and Terra Cotta Warriors, Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is a pass-by stop (5 Yuan for one way and 8 Yuan for round-trip ticket).

Consulting Telephone for Taking City-bus: 9600138
Tips: The information charge is CNY 0.8 per minute.

Complaint Hotline for City-bus: 9600135 or 029-84629427
Tips: Remember the bus number when you ask for complaint and explain the reason.

By Taxi:
Taxis can be hailed in Xian's streets and lanes. They are mostly green in color. The flag-down rate of Citroen ZX, Jetta, Santana, and Santana 2000 is 6 Yuan for the first 2 km (about 1.2 miles) and 1.5 Yuan for every additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles). If you take a taxi at night after 11 pm, the flag-down rate will increase to 7 Yuan and then 1.8 Yuan for an extra kilometer. Besides, every waiting time of five minutes adds an additional charge to the passenger fee of one kilometer. The superior taxis, including Hongqi, Zhonghua, Oriental Son and Passat will charge 8 Yuan for the first 2 km and 2.4 Yuan for every extra km. Drivers use the meter in town, but for the longer distance destinations (such as the Terra-cotta Warrior Museum, airport etc) you will need to agree a price prior to departure. However, cases are, most taxi drivers don’t speak English. Before you set off from the hotel, ask the bellboy in the hotel to write down your destination to both in English and Chinese.

By Bicycle

The best way to travel in Xian by yourself is to use the bicycle. There are bicycles for rent in most hotels in Xian, the rental averages RMB10-20 per day with RMB300 or passport as deposit.

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Introduction of XianAttractions and SightseeingsFood and Cuisine in XianXian TransportationClimate in XianHistory of XianSuggested Itineraries

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