Xi'an to Lanzhou: 3 Ways from Xian to Lanzhou (Train, Flight & Bus)

Xi'an to Lanzhou Distance: About 660 Kilometers

Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province (甘肃), is located in the central region of the province along the Yellow River (黄河). Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province (陕西), lies to the southeast of Lanzhou.

The two cities are in neighboring provinces, with Shaanxi and Gansu sharing a border. The distance from Xi’an to Lanzhou is approximately 660 kilometers.

1. Xi'an to Lanzhou Train: 2.5 - 7.5 hours (Balance of Time & Comfort)

• Time Required: 5-7.5 hours
• Price: ¥118+ per adult (one-way)
• Departure: Xi'an Railway Station or Xi'an North Railway Station (西安站/西安北站)
• Arrival: Various stations in Lanzhou including Lanzhou Railway Station (兰州站)

The high-speed train from Xian to Lanzhou offers the ideal balance of time efficiency, comfort, and scenic enjoyment.

There are 69 to 70 high-speed trains operating between Xi'an and Lanzhou every day. These trains depart from either Xi'an Railway Station or Xi'an North Railway Station and arrive at various stations in Lanzhou, including Lanzhou Railway Station, Lanzhou West Railway Station, Zhongchuan Airport Railway Station, Yongdengbei Railway Station, and Lanzhou New Area Station.

The 660-kilometer journey takes between 2.5 and 7 hours, depending on the specific train, and departure times range from 03:50 to 20:19. Along the way, the train passes through cities such as Xianyang (咸阳), Yangling (杨陵), and Baoji (宝鸡) in Shaanxi Province, as well as Tianshui (天水), Gangu (甘谷), and Longxi (陇西) in Gansu Province.

Xi'an to Lanzhou High-Speed Train Timetable

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All G-train D-train C-train

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All 00:00-06:00 06:00-12:00 12:00-18:00 18:00-24:00

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Xi'an to Lanzhou Train Journey Scenery

Traveling by train from Xian to Lanzhou, you can enjoy a range of natural landscapes and historical sites along the way. Here are some of the highlights:

Qinling Mountains (秦岭山脉): Shortly after leaving Xi'an, the train crosses the Qinling Mountains, a significant geographical divide in China. This area is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with towering peaks and dense forests creating a breathtaking landscape.

Maijishan Grottoes (麦积山石窟): Situated in southeastern Gansu, Tianshui (天水) is famous for its rich history and natural scenery. As the train passes through Tianshui, you can glimpse the stunning beauty of landmarks such as the Maijishan Grottoes.

Yellow River (黄河): As the train approaches Lanzhou, you will be greeted by the majestic Yellow River, which flows through the city. The scenic views of the river, along with Lanzhou’s urban landscape, offer a striking contrast between nature and city life.

2. Xi'an Flight to Lanzhou: Over 5 Hours (No Direct Flights)

• Time Required: Over 5 hours
• Departure: Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场)
• Arrival: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (兰州中川国际机场)

There are no direct flights between Xi'an and Lanzhou. However, more than 10 indirect flights operate daily, departing from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport and arriving at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. Flights take off between 06:40 and 23:05, but the total travel time, including layovers, typically exceeds 5 hours.

3. Xi'an to Lanzhou Bus: 9-14 Hours (Too Slow)

There are 4 sleeper buses traveling from Xi'an to Lanzhou each day, departing from 3 different bus stations:

• Xi'an Bus Station (西安汽车站): There is one departure at 14:00 daily. The trip takes about 9 hours, and the fare is ¥144.
• Shaanxi Bus Station (陕西省西安汽车站): There is one departure at 14:30 daily. This bus arrives at the Lanzhou Passenger Transport Center, takes around 14 hours, and costs ¥105.
• Sanfuwan Bus Station (三府湾汽车站): There are 2 daily departures at 08:30 and 17:00. These buses arrive at Lanzhou East Bus Station, with the journey lasting around 9 hours at a fare of ¥138.

Although buses are available, they are generally not recommended due to the long travel times, poor road conditions, and potential winter cancellations due to cold weather.

Insider Tips for Traveling from Xi'an to Lanzhou

1. Stay Hydrated – Gansu’s dry climate can be harsh, so drink plenty of water and bring essentials like moisturizer, hand lotion, and lip balm to keep your skin protected.
2. Pack for Temperature Swings – Lanzhou experiences significant temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt is a good idea.
3. Prepare for the Train Ride – The train journey is long, so bring snacks, entertainment, and anything else to keep you comfortable during the trip.
4. Arrive Early – If you're flying, arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of your flight. For train travel, aim to be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.

How to Plan a Tour from Xi'an to Lanzhou

Xi'an (2-3 Days)

Spend 2-3 days exploring Xi'an's most famous sites, including the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the Ancient City Wall, the lively Muslim Quarter, the historic Great Mosque, Tang Dynasty's Ever Bright City, and the majestic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

Lanzhou (1-2 Days)

Begin with a day exploring downtown Lanzhou’s iconic sights: Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Park, the Yellow River Mother Statue, and Waterwheel Park.

If you have an additional day, head to Liujiaxia Reservoir (刘家峡水库) for a scenic speedboat ride to the UNESCO-listed Bingling Temple Grottoes (炳灵寺石窟), where ancient Buddhist carvings are nestled into stunning cliff faces.

Extend Your Trip to Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan & Urumqi

Zhangye (1-2 Days)

Spend a day in Zhangye visiting Dafo Temple (大佛寺) to see the impressive reclining Buddha statue and the vibrant Danxia landforms at Zhangye National Geopark. An extra day allows for exploring the scenic Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon.

Dunhuang (2-3 Days)

Plan 2-3 days to delve into Dunhuang’s rich heritage. Key sites include the UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟), the enchanting Singing Sand Dunes (鸣沙山), Crescent Moon Spring (月牙泉), and the striking Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark.

Turpan (1-2 Days)

Spend 1-2 days in Turpan, visiting the ancient Jiaohe City ruins, the ingenious Karez Irrigation System, and the impressive Emin Minaret.

Urumqi (1 Day)

In Urumqi, explore cultural artifacts at the Xinjiang Regional Museum and take in the scenic beauty of Heavenly Lake in Tianshan.

Recommended Tours:

10 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Urumqi: Terracotta Warriors to Hexi Corridor

Suggested Silk Road Tour Itinerary from Xi'an to Xinjiang

Xi'an is one of China's must-visit destinations, and starting your Silk Road journey from here is a great idea! This 10-day Silk Road tour from Xi'an to Gansu & Xinjiang offers a deep dive into the ancient Silk Road in China. You can follow the itinerary below:

Travel from Xi'an to Lanzhou with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)

Traveling from Xi’an to Lanzhou with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) offers a seamless and enriching journey, allowing you to make the most of your time and experience the unique landscapes and cultural treasures along this Silk Road route.

With AOT, every detail of your journey—transport, accommodations, and sightseeing—is carefully arranged, taking the stress out of planning and letting you focus on the adventure.

AOT’s local expertise and flexibility mean you’ll see the best of Xi'an, Lanzhou, and beyond with the comfort of personalized travel and the insight of knowledgeable guides. For an unforgettable journey through China’s ancient heartlands, Asia Odyssey Travel is the ideal choice.