Beijing to Xian Train
2 km · 4h 10min · 37+ trains daily · from $27
About This Route
Beijing to Xi'an connects two of China's greatest ancient capitals — from the Forbidden City to the Terracotta Warriors in under 4.5 hours. The route crosses the Wei River valley and passes through Henan province, offering glimpses of the Yellow River basin.
Which Train Should You Take?
G-trains are the clear winner here: 4–4.5 hours vs. 11+ hours on older trains. About 37 daily G/D-trains serve this route. If you're on a tight budget, a few T-trains with sleeper berths still run overnight — you save a hotel night but arrive tired.
Seat Classes
For a 4-hour ride, second class is perfectly adequate. The seats are spacious by international standards, with fold-down tray tables and power outlets. First class adds a bit more recline and a 2+2 layout instead of 3+2.
Learn more about each seat type in our complete guide to China train seat classes.
Tips for This Route
Xi'an North station is 15 km from the city center — take Metro Line 2 or a taxi (about ¥40). Beijing West is the departure station, not Beijing South. Don't confuse them! Book 3–5 days ahead during summer (June–August) when tourist traffic peaks.
Beijing to Xian High-Speed Trains
There are 37 daily trains between Beijing and Xian. The fastest high-speed train (G651) departs at 06:38 and takes 5h 42min.
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G651 | 06:38 | 12:20 | 5h 42min |
| G321 | 07:00 | 11:20 | 4h 20min |
| G653 | 07:39 | 13:46 | 6h 7min |
| G351 | 07:55 | 12:05 | 4h 10min |
| G2455 | 08:08 | 14:51 | 6h 43min |
| G357 | 08:10 | 12:31 | 4h 21min |
| G1591 | 08:26 | 14:15 | 5h 49min |
| G969 | 09:10 | 15:07 | 5h 57min |
Schedules are for reference only. Search real-time availability →
Regular Trains
Slower but cheaper options including K-trains and T-trains with sleeper berths available for overnight travel.
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| K545 | 12:50 | 06:19 | 17h 29min |
| T55 | 15:42 | 04:59 | 13h 17min |
| Z151 | 15:53 | 03:41 | 11h 48min |
| T7 | 16:43 | 05:42 | 12h 59min |
| Z179 | 18:26 | 06:51 | 12h 25min |
| T231 | 18:32 | 07:35 | 13h 3min |
Want to check tomorrow's availability and exact prices?
Search Real-Time Schedules →Ticket Prices (USD)
Prices vary by train type and seat class. Second class on high-speed trains offers the best value for most travelers.
Prices are in USD, approximate and may vary by date, availability and exchange rate. Last updated: 2026-05-21.
Things to Do in Xi'an
Top attractions to visit after arriving by train.
Terracotta Army
Life-size clay army guarding China's first emperor, with thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots still being studied.
Xi'an City Wall
A complete Ming-era wall around the old city, best experienced by bike from Yongning Gate near sunset.
Muslim Quarter
A busy Hui Muslim food district behind the Drum Tower, known for lamb skewers, roujiamo, noodles, and night crowds.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Tang dynasty Buddhist landmark built for Xuanzang, now part of the UNESCO Silk Roads corridor.
Shaanxi History Museum
Xi'an's best museum for understanding Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang history before visiting the city's ancient sites.
Bell Tower
Ming dynasty landmark at the exact center of old Xi'an, best photographed from the underground crossings at blue hour.
Drum Tower
Large Ming-era tower beside the Muslim Quarter, with drum displays, city views, and an easy pairing with the Bell Tower.
Great Mosque of Xi'an
Quiet courtyard mosque hidden inside the Muslim Quarter, blending Chinese timber architecture with Islamic worship space.
Grand Tang Mall
Free Tang-style night promenade south of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, packed with lights, street shows, Hanfu photos, and crowds.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Quieter Tang dynasty pagoda and Xi'an Museum complex, also part of the UNESCO Silk Roads corridor.
Huaqing Palace
Tang imperial hot-spring palace at the foot of Mount Li, often paired with the Terracotta Army in Lintong.
Mount Hua
One of China's Five Great Mountains, famous for steep granite peaks, cable cars, sunrise routes, and serious leg work.
Forest of Stone Steles Museum
Quiet calligraphy and stone-carving museum near Wenchang Gate, with famous Tang steles and the Nestorian Stele.
Yongxingfang
Restored food-and-culture block inside Zhongshan Gate, better for Shaanxi snacks than serious history.
Banpo Museum
Prehistoric village-site museum in eastern Xi'an, showing Yangshao culture houses, pottery, tools, and burial areas.
Famen Temple
Major Buddhist site west of Xi'an, famous for the finger-bone relic of Sakyamuni and Tang underground-palace treasures.
Qianling Mausoleum
Tang imperial mausoleum of Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian, known for the blank stele and headless foreign envoy statues.
Han Yangling Mausoleum
Quieter Western Han imperial tomb museum with glass-floor burial pits, miniature pottery figures, animals, and autumn ginkgo trees.
Daming Palace
UNESCO-listed Tang palace ruins north of Xi'an Station, showing the huge scale of Chang'an beyond today's city wall.