Travel from Datong to Xian - Datong to Xian Trains & Flights

The Datong to Xian High Speed Railway was put into operation officially on December 30, 2019. Since then, there are two daily high speed bullet trains (D trains) running from Datong South Railway Station to Xian North Railway Station, for about 6-6.5 hours. In the past, the normal train journey is quite long and tedious up to 16 hours.

Popular China tours with Datong and Xian: 9 Days Ancient Treasures of China Tour | 11 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Shanxi Highlights

Main Railway Stations in Datong and Xian

Datong South Railway Station (大同南站) - High-Speed Railway Station

Location: Kaiyuan Street, Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi 山西省大同市平城区开源街
Distance: about 8 km (25 minutes’ drive) to city center, 25 km (40 minutes’ drive) to Yungang Grottoes and 65km (75 minutes’ drive) to the Hanging Temple.

Datong South Railway Station, or Datongnan Railway Station, is the second biggest high speed railway station in Shanxi Province. It was put into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, is a new departure station on Datong-Xi'an passenger line and Datong-Zhangjiakou passenger line. The construction of Datong South Railway Station has greatly shortened the travel time of northern China, especially between Datong and Beijing, Zhangjiakou, Taiyuan, Pingyao, etc.

Datong Railway Station (大同站) - Normal Train Station

Location: No. 4 Zhanqian Street, Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi 山西省大同市平城区站前街4号
Distance: about 10 km (30 minutes’ drive) to city center, 18 km (40 minutes’ drive) to Yungang Grottoes and 90 km (1h 40 minutes’ drive) to the Hanging Temple.

Datong City Map (Click to Enlarge)

Xian North Railway Station (西安北站) - High-Speed Railway Station

Location: Yuansuo Road, Weiyang District, Xian City 陕西省西安市未央区元朔路
Distance: about 20 km (50 min by car) to downtown (Ancient City Wall), 50 km (1h by car) to Terracotta Warriors, 30 km (40 min by car) to Xian Xianyang International Airport.

Xian North Railway Station, also called Xianbei Railway Station or Xian North for short, is the only high speed railway station in Xian. It is also one of the largest railway stations in China which covers an area of 533,000 square meters. Since Xian is located in central China, Xian North Railway Station always acts as the most important transportation hubs of high speed rail network.

Xian Railway Station (西安站) - Normal Train Station

Location: No. 44 Huancheng North Road, Xincheng District (西安市新城区环城北路44号), in the downtown area.
Distance: about 37 km (50 min by car) to Terracotta Warriors, 40 km (50 min by car) to Xian Xianyang International Airport.

Other Option: Get from Datong to Xian by Flight

If you don’t want to take such a long train trip, direct flight (2 hours) from Datong to Xian is available for your choice. There are about 3-4 flights a week from Datong Yungang Airport (about 15.5km, 40 minutes' drive from downtown) to Xian Xianyang International Airport (about 38km, 1 hour's drive from downtown near Ancient City Wall). If your travel itinerary fits the schedule and you plan to take the flight, please remember to get to the airport at least 1.5 h ahead of time for security check and boarding.

How to Plan a Datong Xian Tour

It usually needs 6 days if you want to travel both Datong and Xian. With both high speed trains and flights available, a Datong Xian tour is more convenient than ever.

When you are in Datong, it is recommended to schedule 2 days here. On the first day, visit Yungang Grottoes, a real treasure of traditional Chinese art consisting of 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues, Nine Dragon Screen, the oldest and largest glazed screen in China, and Huayan Temple, which keeps the largest wooden structure of Buddhist temple hall with elegant mural and scriptures. The next day is for the attractions a little far from downtown such as Hanging Temple, an unusual temple standing on the precarious cliff built over 1500 years ago, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the highest wooden pagoda in the world.

☛ 2 Days Datong Yungang Grottoes Tour
☛ 3 Days Datong Culture Tour with Hanging Temple

Then take a high speed train or flight to Xian and start your Xian exploration to the reputed attractions such as eighth wonder of the world - Terracotta Warriors and largest & best preserved city wall in China - Ancient City Wall.

☛ 9 Days Ancient Treasures of China Tour

If you have more days, you can extend your Datong Xian tour to other attractions in Shanxi such as Pingyao Ancient City, Mount Wutai and Hukou Waterfall, or travel a little further to national capital Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall), and modern metropolis Shanghai (the Bund).

☛ 4 Days Essence of Datong & Pingyao Tour
☛ 5 Days Datong & Wutaishan Discovery Tour
☛ 11 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Shanxi Highlights

Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple in Datong & Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall in Xian

High Speed Train Tips

Class of Ticket

There are three kinds of tickets are provided on high speed train from Beijing to Chengdu, Business Class Seat, First Class Seat and Second Class Seat. Second Class Seat is the most budget level you will share a row space with other passengers. And the First Class of Seat is more comfortable and quiet for those who prefer a good rest on the way. If you would like to try the most luxury and superior train travel experience, the Business Class better than the business level on airplane will shock you beyond expectation. Check All Types of Seats on China High Speed Train>

Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel

Foreign tourists can book train ticket online or ask help from ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport. One thing you should remember is to book the ticket as early as possible, especially in peak tourist seasons. After collecting the tickets, please read carefully about the train number, departure date and station to make sure you won’t miss the train. If you want to cancel, alter your train tickets, you are required to bring your passport to the ticket counter and make the adjustments. Check details about How to Book, Collect, Alter, and Cancel Train Tickets>

Board & Get off

1) Prepare your documents well (valid passport with China Visa); 2) Get to the right train station in advance; 3) Collect train tickets; 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train. Keep the ticket well, because the ticket will be checked again to leave the station after you get off. Check details about How to Board & Disembark a Train>

Baggage Allowance

China train travel with luggage is much easier than taking flight, for you don’t need to check luggage separately. Each passenger with a train ticket is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types. Though there are written regulation and rules about the luggage allowance, in practice, passengers can take as much luggage as you can if only you handled them properly. Check detailed Baggage Allowance & Policy to Take China Train>

Facilities and Service

All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service to make your journey more convenient and comfortable. There are different places you can put your luggage onboard, racks and specialized luggage storage areas. Besides, the air-conditioner train offers you plug under the seats to charge your phone or laptop, sightseeing window to view the outside scenery as well as western-style toilets. There is also available dining area you can get some supplies. Bilingual signs and the broadcast use both Chinese and English so that you don’t need to worry about the communication. Check All Facilities & Service on China Train>