Datong Pingyao Xian Trip
Datong, Pingyao and Xian are three important tourist destinations in China. Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in Datong, Pingyao Ancient City and Terracotta Warriors in Xian are big draws attracting numerous oversea tourists every year.
If you want to plan your Datong, Pingyao and Xian trip, you are often daunted by the travel time wasted on this itinerary due to the inconvenient 859km transportation – over 16 hours by train and 8 hours by road. Many time-strapped travelers have to skip Datong or Pingyao.
Now with the completion of Xian Datong high speed train line, you are able to visit Pingyao by high speed train directly from Beijing, Taiyuan and extended to Xian, putting Beijing, Pingyao and Xian on a high speed passenger dedicated railway line, fast and comfortable.
Datong Xian Dedicated Highspeed Railway Line
This dedicated railway line is a dual-track, electrified, high-speed rail line. It runs 859 km through Shanxi and Shaanxi Province. The high speed trains will travel at speeds up to 250 km/hr (design speed is 350km/hr). The Travel time between Datong and Xian will be reduced from 16 hours to about 3 hours.
The Train Stations along Datong Xian High Speed Train Line
Datong Xian Highspeed Trains will run along the length of Shanxi Province starting from Datong in the north through Shuozhou, Xinzhou, Taiyuan, Jinzhong (Pingyao), Linfen and Yuncheng. The it will enter Shaanxi by crossing the Yellow River at Yongji and get to Xian, totalling the 859km length.
There are totally 29 train stations – 18 new stations and 11 renovated stations. Below is the list of the 29 railway stations along Datong Xian Highspeed trains from north to south.
■ Datong Railway Station (大同站)
A first class train station in China, an essential transportation hub linking Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia.
■Huairen East Train Station (怀仁东站)
Two platforms, 6 tracks
■Yingxian Railway Station(应县站)
Two platforms with 4 tracks
■Shanyin East Train Station (山阴东站)
Two platforms, 6 tracks
■Daixian West Railwat Station (代县西站)
Two platforms with 4 tracks
■Yuanping West Railway Station (原平西站)
A new station with 2 platforms and 6 tracks
■Xinzhou West Station (忻州西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 5 tracks
■Yangqu West Railway Station (阳曲西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Taiyuan East Station (太原东站)
Also a Shitai railway line, a connected line
■Taiyuan Railway Station (太原站)
A starting and arriving station for Shitai Railway, 4 platforms with 10 tracks.
■Taiyuan South Railway Station (太原南站)
Still under construction, 10 platforms, 22 tracks, the convergency of Datong Xian High speed line.
■Jinzhou Railway Station (晋中站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Taigu West Train Station (太谷西站)
A new station, 2 platforms with 4 tracks
■Qixian East Railway Station (祁县东站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Pingyao East Railway Station(平遥古城站)
Located Houji Village in Pingyao County, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Jiexu East Railway Station (介休东站)
Located in Sanjia Township of Jiexu City, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Lingshi East Railway Station (灵石东站)
Located in Zhanghao Village of Mahe Township at Lingshi County, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Huozhou East Railway Station (霍州东站)
Located at Lizaozhen Village, Huozhou, a new station, 2 platforms, 4tracks
■Hongtong West Railway Station (洪洞西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Linfen West Train Station (临汾西站)
Located in Zhoujiazhuang, Liucun Township, Raodu District of Linfen, a new station, 2 platforms, 5 tracks
■Xiangfen West Railway Station (襄汾西站)
Located at Liu Village, Nanjia Township,Xuangfen County, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Houma West Railway Station 侯马西站
A new station, 2 platforms,4 tracks
■Wenxi West Railway Station (闻喜西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Yuncheng North Railway Station (运城北站)
A new departing and arriving station, 4 platforms, 8 tracks
■Yongji North Railway Station (永济北站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks including 2 formal tracks
■Dali Railway Station (大荔站)
A new railway station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks
■Weinan North Railway Station(渭南北站)
Also a train station for Xian – Zhengzhou Highspeed trains, 2 platforms, 4 tracks郑西客专车站，中间站，既有规模为2站台4股道，其
■New Lintong Railway Station (新临潼站)
Also a station for Xian – Zhengzhou trains
■Xian North Railway Station (西安北站)
Also a railway station for Xian Zhengzhou Highspeed Railway, 18 platforms, 34 tracks
Datong Xian High Speed Train Timetable
Datong Xian High Speed Trains will be partially open to the public from June ,2014. The opening section will start from Taiyuan to Xian. A for the northern part of Datong Xian High Speed Railway will be completed in the year 2015.
The timetable for the high speed trains from Taiyuan to Xian is still unkown. We will closely follow up the latest development regarding the new high speed railway line.
Attractions along Datong Xian High Speed Railway Line
Datong Xian High Speed Dedicated Passenger Railway Links Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces which are teemed with historical sites and scenic areas.
■ Datong:
Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple
■ Yingxian:
Yingxiang Wooden Pagoda
■ Taiyuan:
Jinci Temple, Shuangta Temple
■ Jinzhong:
Chang Family Mansion
■ Qixian:
Qiao Family Courtyard
■ Pingyao:
Pingyao Ancient City
■ Jiexu:
Zhangbi Underground Castle
■ Lingshi:
Wang Family Courtyard
■ Yuncheng:
Guangdi Temple
■ Xian:
Terracotta Warriors
Tip: Hassle-free Datong and Shanxi Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Datong and Shanxi Province:
Datong Tour
Datong Great Wall Tour
Datong Car Rental with Driver
Beijing Datong Tour
Xian Datong Tour
Pingyao Tour
Taiyuan Tour
Shanxi Tour
Further Readings
Best Time to Visit Datong
Top 10 Attractions in Datong
How to visit Datong in one Day
Where to stay in Datong
How to Get to Datong from Beijing
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Tourist Traps & Scams in Datong
Datong Taxi
Datong Yungang Grottoes
Hanging Monastery in Datong
Yingxian Wooden Tower
Datong Ancient City Wall
Nine-dragon Wall in Datong
Datong Huayan Temple
Shanhua Temple in Datong
Datong Drum Tower
Mt. Hengshan in Datong
Mount Wutai (Tips, Photos & Map)
Datong Great Wall
Datong Great Wall at Shoukoubu Fortress
Datong Great Wall at Zhenbianbu Fortress
Datong Great Wall at Zhenchuankou
Datong Great Wall at Deshengbu Fortress
Any questions, just drop a line.
Can I travel by the new high speed train from Xian to Pingyao this September?
For Pingyao to Datong, it is correct that I have to go by normal train?
Hello George,
1. Pingyao – Datong
You need to travel on normal train this September.
2. Xian – Pingyao
It is reported that the highspeed train will connect Xian and Pingyao at the end of June, 2014. But we are still waiting for the actual opening of the new high speed railway line. The possibility of the completion of the highspeed trains between Xian and Pingyao is great this September. Just wait and see. Check constantly the latest information on highspeed trains in China.
Where can we purchase highspeed train tickets from Beijing to Pingyao on November 30, 2014 on the first early morning departure? and also highspeed train tickets from Pingyao to Xian on December 3, 2014 mid day departure? Thank you!
Hello Kiet Lam,
You may go to Beijing West Railway Station ( the highspeed trains start from Beijing West Railway Station to Pingyao ) to buy your train tickets from Beijing to Pingyao, and Pingyao to Xian. Highspeed train ticket booking is computerized and you don’t have to purchase your tickets city by city.
You may also go to Beijing’s other two train stations to book your tickets ( Beijing Railway Station and Beijing South Railway Station ) since all the train stations are computerized and connected.
It is preferable to book your train tickets at an earlier stage to secure your tickets. Try to avoid ticket booking on weekends.
Alternatively, you ask your hotel ( if your hotel has the booking service) or a local travel agency, or online ticket booking web to book your train tickets.
Thanks for your quick response! We are arriving at Beijing airport on the same day (Nov 30) to take the highspeed train from Beijing to Pingyao. What is the easiest way to get to Beijing West Railway Station from the airport and how long does it take? As you recommended, we will use online ticket booking web to book our train tickets – how much time should we allow to arrive at the railway station to pick up our train tickets?
Hello Kiet,
1. By airport shuttle bus ( one hour and 50 minutes, 10 stops and bus fare approx. RMB 26
You may take the airport shuttle bus No.7. and get off at the 10th stop of Beijing West Railway Station ( also the final stop ). The stop where you get off is on the southern square. You have to walk from the southern square to the train station( 370 meters).
2. By taxi ( 38km, one hour drive, approx. RMB 140 including toll fee)
Go to the official taxi stand to take your taxi.
3. how much time should we allow to arrive at the railway station to pick up our train tickets?
You are allowed to pick up your train tickets at any time. You’d better go to the station a bit earlier, let’s say one and half hours in advance since very often you have to line up to pick your tickets. It is faster to use an automatic ticket machine, but it seems that the machines only accept Chinese ID cards, not passports, so you have to go to the ticketing office where there is a special counter for picking your online tickets.
Then you go to the departing hall and line up in front of the entrance for platform which shows your Train No. You swipe your ticket and enter. No need to worry. Usually people are allowed to enter the platform only 20 minutes in advance.
Hi Daniel
Thank you for the valuable information you had written.
But I am still a bit uncertain. In mid October, I will be going to Beijing. On the 5th day, I plan to visit Datong, then to Xian and back to Beijing.
Can you kindly advice me on how to plain the trip and the most suitable type of transport which i should take? Travelling time to each destination?
Hello Ken,
Below is my suggested travel itinerary just for your reference:
Day 01: Beijing Railway Station – Datong Raiway Station by train K615 ( 15:38 – 21:59 )
Day 02: Datong excursion tour of Yungang Caves and Hanging Temple
Day 03: Datong Railway Station – Xian Railway Station by train 2671 ( 16:40 – next morning 08:56 )
You still can have some sightseeing in the city of Datong before taking the overnight for Xian.
Day 04：Arriving at Xian
Xian excursion day tour of Terra-cotta Army and City Wall
Day 05: Xian North Railway Station – Beijing West Railway Station by highspeed train G666 (16:00 – 21:30)
Xian sightseeing in Xian before taking the highspeed train back to Beijing
Hopefully,the travel plan above will be useful for you. Have a good trip in China!
Hello,
I intend to book train tickets for 2 stretches (Beijing-Pingyao, Pingyao-Xian) and flight tickets for 3 stretches (Xian-Chengdu,Chengdu-Jingdezhen,Jingdezhen-Beijing) but I do not fancy paying a service fee of 25-30% for p.p. for each of the train tickets and god knows how much for every plane ticket… (for ex Chiinahighlights.com)
If I do not want to queue at the stations, is there another/cheaper way than to book via an expensive tour operator ?
Regards, Sarah
Hello Sarah,
You may try http://english.ctrip.com/ for hotel, train and flight booking. Good luck!
Hello,
Is it possible to take the high speed train between Xian & Datong?
Regards David
Hi David,
No, not yet. You have to take the normal day trains or overnight trains.
Hello,
I be traveling from Xian to Pingyao on 26th October.
Where can I book the ticket for the high speed train online or do I have to do it from Xian North train station.
Your help will be very much appreciated as I’m traveling to Xian next month.
Regards David
Hi David,
You can easily buy your high speed train ticket either at Xian North Railway Station or Xian Railway Station, or any ticketing agents dotted around Xian city. Alternatively, you may buy online by using the travel website listed below:
http://english.ctrip.com/trains
Thanks, Daniel for the timely info.
hi daniel
its good that i found your articles here
i am planning a beijing datong and xian trip for 2 ladies
i wanna know how should i plan the train rides? is the high speed on already? sorry for ignorance.
thanks alot
elsie
Hi Elsie,
No, not yet. Only the high speed train from Taiyuan (太原) to Xian is open to the traffic. Taiyuan is the capital city of Shanxi Province and Datong is the second largest city in the province.
I think there is an overnight train line between Datong and Xian. Alternatively, arrange your clients to go to Taiyuan from Datong.Then take the high speed train from Taiyuan to Xian. There are many daily trains from Beijing to Datong.
Have a good trip!
Hi, is the datong-xian high-speed railway open in June 2017?
I mean from Xian to Datong?
Hi Carolien，
Not, will not be open in June,2017.
Thanks for your inquiry!
Thank you , do you have any idea when it will open??
Hi Carolien,
Maybe it will be open 2018. Thanks for your inquiry!
Hi, I am trying to find an over night train from Datong to Xian but cant find it on the web despite references to it. All reports state the high speed link is not finished until end of 2019. Are you abel to advise as I would be really interested in visiting the hanging monastry rater than just going form Beijing to Xian. thanks
Dear Sue O’Sullivan,
The high speed train from Datong to Xian is not finished yet. Basically you need to go from Datong to Taiyuan (by bus or train ) where you change for the high speed train from Taiyuan to Xian.
Normal Train from Datong Railway Station to Taiyuan Railway Station: 3-5 hour ( with different kinds of trains )
High speed train from Taiyuan South Railway Station to Xian North Railway Station: about three and half hours )
Kind reminder： Taiyuan Railway Station and Taiyuan South Railway Station are different stations. Taiyuan South Railway Station is for high speed trains.