How to Travel from Xian to Urumqi: Flights, Trains...

Xian, the ancient capital of China for 13 imperial dynasties, is a living history book of China, known for the incredible man-made wonder Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and Shaanxi History Museum, while Urumqi the capital of Xinjing, is usually a starting point to explore western China - Xinjiang with breathtaking lakes, picturesque grasslands, and rugged desert scenery...

These two cities are 2603km away from each other. For the long distance, it is most recommended to travel to Urumqi from Xian by air, and it takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. There are also some normal overnight trains and one high-speed bullet train available to Urumqi from Xian. The normal overnight train will take about 25-31.5 hours, and the bullet train takes about 13.5 hours. For travelers, visiting both Xian and Xinjiang is a good tour combination if you want to experience the ancient capital of China for centuries and the stunning natural beauty and wildness in the exotic Xinjiang. The article has provided you with more specific information about how to travel from Xian to Urumqi to help you plan a better Xian Xinjiang tour.

10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian/Dunhuang/Turpan/Kashgar)

Itinerary: Xian / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar
Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Mogao Grottoes, Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake, Heavenly Lake, Kashgar Old City, Karakul Lake

Xian Urumqi Transportation Map

Xian to Urumqi by Flight - Top Recommended

Taking a flight is the most convenient way to travel from Xian to Urumqi. You can choose the direct flights from Xian to Urumqi and it takes about 3.5 ~ 4 hours to reach Urumqi from Xian.

The Flight schedules can be influenced by many factors. Please feel free to contact us for the most suitable flight for you according to the date of your travel plan and book your flight ticket in advance.

Check the real-time Xian to Urumqi (Wulumuqi) flight schedule below with updated airline company, flight numbers, times, tickets and fares.

Xian to Urumqi by Train

Besides taking a flight, you can also take a train from Xian. For the long distance, there is only one bullet train - Train D2701 connecting the two cities, and some overnight normal trains are also available such as Z105, Z305. The high-speed bullet train departs from Xian North Railway Station and arrives at Urumqi Railway station and the duration is about 13.5 hours. The price for a second class seat ticket is about CNY 735.5, and CNY 1166.5 for the first class seat ticket. For the normal overnight trains, they depart from Xian Railway Station and get to Urumqi Railway station in about 25 ~ 31 hours and the tickets are a lot cheaper: CNY 273.5 for a hard seat; CNY 463.5 for a hard sleeper; CNY 734.5 for a soft sleeper (updated on 3, June 2021).

▶ Check the Real-Time Xian to Urumqi Train Schedules.

Note: Since the bullet train and overnight normal train depart from the different train station. Please figure out the right location for your train. Also, the high-speed bullet train tickets are very limited, please book your train ticket in advance and feel free to contact us for train ticket booking help!

How to Plan a Xian Xinjiang Tour

How to Travel in Xian

It usually needs 2 to 4 days to explore the best highlights of Xi'an and the surrounding. When you are in Xian, you can get to know the ancient capital by visiting the incredible man-made wonder Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Palace, lively Muslim Quarter, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Shaanxi History Museum, etc. Beyond countless attractions in Xian, if you have more days, do not miss the breathtaking Mount Huashan near Xian! Since Xian is the ancient terminal city of the Silk Road, you can travel from Xian to Zhangye and Dunhuang in Gansu and all the way to Xinjiang to discover the vast wild land and countless historic treasures of northwestern China.

Recommended Xian Tours

☛ 3 Days Classic Xian Tour
☛ 4 Days Xian Highlights Tour with Mount Huashan Hiking

Xian Bell Tower

How to Travel in Xinjiang

Tourists often start a Xinjiang tour from Urumqi. With about 3 to 7 days, you can explore the highlights in Xinjiang and Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar are usually the three most unmissable destinations. You can have one or two days visiting the top attractions in & near Urumqi city, including Tianchi Lake and Tianshan Mountain and then leave for Turpan to visit the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley and Thousand Buddha Caves. Later, you can head to Kashgar to visit the famous Abakh Khoja Tomb and Kashgar Bazaar. After that, you can fly back to Urumqi or explore more attractions in Hotan. Also, for those who are interested in natural scenery, you can travel more of the southern Xinjiang such as the Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, Swan Lake, Tangbula Grassland, Hemu village, Kalajun Grassland, etc. Traveling from Urumqi from/to Xining, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiayuguan along the ancient Silk Road is also an awesome and rewarding experience highly suggested for you.

Recommended Urumqi Tours

☛ 4 Days Urumqi Tianchi Lake Leisure Tour
☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi - Turpan - Kashgar)

Tianchi Lake

Travel Worry-free with China Discovery

If you just want to focus on the trip itself without worrying too much about anything else, you can consider travelling with us! We at China Discovery provide comfortable and efficient private travel service for our clients who have booked one of our tour packages. No matter when your flight/train arrives, our friendly tour guide and driver in every city will wait for you there, then escort you to your hotel or any location you want to visit with an air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle. During the trip, everything such as a ticket, transfer, accommodation, the meal will all be taken care of and you only need to focus on what you are interested in. The tour can be tailor-made according to your plan, time, interests, and demands. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us and tell us your needs.