Shanghai - Lanzhou Train

Altogether 9 pairs of trains are operated between the two cities: one pair of high speed trains with duration of 10.5 - 11 hours; 8 pairs of normal trains taking 22 – 39 hours.

Direct flights are also provided between the two cities, taking 2 – 3 hours, which will be a preferable choice if you have to travel in a hurry. However, flight may cost a little more than rail travel, especially in peak season. Also, the frequent flight delay may waste your time, or even affect your travel adversely.
 Since July 9, 2017, G1970/G1972 has been operated between Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Lanzhou West Railway Station along with the open of Xi'an-Lanzhou High Speed Railway. In the near future, more bullet trains will be added to serve passengers traveling between the two cities. G1970/G1972 runs for a distance of 2,077 kilometers (1,291 miles) at the highest speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
G1970	06:10 - 16:45	10h35m
G3180	06:41 - 17:51	11h10m
G3164	09:38 - 21:07	11h29m

See more Shanghai Schedule
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
G3166	08:29 - 20:14	11h45m
G1972	10:53 - 21:32	10h39m
G3182	11:11 - 22:18	11h7m

See more Lanzhou Schedule 

Note: The timetable above is for reference only. Please use the tool on top of this page to search for the real-time schedule. (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Business Class Seat	First Class Seat	Second Class Seat
CNY 2,778 - 2,948.5 USD 409 - 434	CNY 1,435 - 1,532.5 USD 211 - 225	CNY 880.5 - 943 USD 129 - 139

  Shanghai - Xi'an: It takes 6 – 7.5 hours to travel between the two cities for a distance of 1,509 miles (938 miles) by daytime bullet trains. Stopovers along the way include Suzhou North, Changzhou North, Zhenjiang South, Nanjing South, Bengbu South, Xuzhou East, Dangshan South, Shangqiu, Kaifeng North, Zhengzhou East, Zhengzhou West, Sanmenxia South, Huashan North, Weinan North, and Xi'an North.

 Xi'an - Lanzhou: Since the opening of Xi'an-Lanzhou High Speed Railway on July 9th, 2017, a quick transfer just takes about 3 hours, making a day tour between the two cities possible and quite convenient. The stations along the way include Xianyang Qindu, Yangling South, Baoji South, Tianshui South, Taian, and Dingxi North.
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
Z376	08:57 - 10:26+	25h29m
K2186	10:56 - 17:47+	30h51m
T116	15:31 - 16:16+	24h45m
Z40	16:17 - 15:50+	23h33m
Z216	18:34 - 17:23+	22h49m
Z164	20:02 - 18:18+	22h16m
Z304	21:00 - 20:01+	23h1m

 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Train No.	Departure - Arrival	Travel Time
Z378	01:39 - 05:32+	27h53m
T118	11:14 - 13:30+	26h16m
K2188	11:44 - 18:05+	30h21m
Z42	12:10 - 12:06+	23h56m
Z166	12:24 - 11:58+	23h34m
Z218	14:20 - 14:55+	24h35m
Z306	15:08 - 16:10+	25h2m

Note: The timetable above is for reference only. Please use the tool on top of this page to search for the real-time schedule.
 (Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)

Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
CNY 667 USD 98	CNY 436 USD 64	CNY 240 USD 35

All of them originate/end in Shanghai Railway Station. At the other side, most of them only make a short stop in Lanzhou Railway Station, so you are advised to prepare in advance to get off/get on in time. 

Among all three types including Z, T, and K types, Z types are the fastest. If possible, you’d better book Z type tickets beforehand to save some time; and a soft sleeper or hard sleeper berth is more comfortable for such a long time trip.

 Below are the stopovers along the way:
Kunshan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Wuxi, Changzhou, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Chuzhou North, Bengbu, Suzhou in Anhui, Xuzhou, Dangshan, Xiayixian, Shangqiu, Minquan, Lankao, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Sanmenxia, Tongguan, Weinan, Xi'an, Xianyang, Yangling, Caijiapo, Baoji, Tianshui, Longxi, Gangu, and Dingxi.

 Major Rail Lines from Shanghai to: Major Rail Line from Lanzhou to: