With a reputation as 'the Gateway to the West', Xian Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system in China. It is the key junction between the southwest and the northwest, and forms a connecting link between the east and the west of China. Mainly supported by the Long (Lanzhou)-Hai (Lianyungang) Railway which is a vital part of the New Euro-Asian Continental Bridge, Xian railway system also includes the Xi (Xian)-Yan (Yan'an) Railway, Xi-Kang (Ankang) Railway, Hou (Houma)-Xi Railway, Bao (Baotou)-Xi Railway and Shen (Shenmu)-Shuo (Shuozhou) Railway.

At present, there are about 190 scheduled trains passing by or stopping here daily. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Lhasa, Dunhuang and Mt. Huashan as well as some other big cities and tour destinations in China are available from Xian Railway Station. For passengers traveling between Xian and the other cities and counties in Shaanxi Province, the Xian Railway Station supplies frequent trains all the year round. The China Train Search offers detailed train information.

The present Xian Railway Station was put into use in 1935, combining the Chinese and western architectural styles. It mainly consists of the Main Building, the Anterior Square, the East Square and the West Square. The two-storey Main Building which is about 7,425 square meters (1.83 acres) includes four waiting halls with the Ticket Hall to its east and the Exit of the Railway Station to its west. The Anterior Square is used for taxi parking and a temporary waiting hall in the peak time. The East Square and the West Square assemble a great of number of city-buses, long-distance bus stations and car parks. In order to ease passengers' journeys, the railway station has set some eye-catching indicators both in Chinese and English to guide the road.

Address: No.151, Huancheng Bei Lu, Xian City
Inquiring Telephone: 029-95105688

 How to reach the Railway Station from downtown Xian?

 What should I know about Xian Railway Station?

 Where to buy train tickets?
Purchasing train tickets can be troublesome for western travelers, as the ticket windows are usually crowded and have few English-speaking staff. One solution to such a problem is to ask for the ticket-booking service at any star rated hotel. They offer their assistance for a nominal service charge. Alternatively, if you get the detailed train information and can recognize some simple Chinese, it is also an interesting experience to get the tickets yourself.

 Buy Ticket at the Xian Railway Station
At present, the train ticket can be bought at the Ticket Hall of Xian Railway Station and the other 87 ticket halls scattered throughout Xian City. The Ticket Hall of Xian Railway Station is east of the waiting hall. Usually, you can get the tickets 3 days in advance in 24 hours daily. In front of the Ticket Hall, a screen displays the train information of that day in Chinese. 
 
 Buy Ticket at the Railway Ticket Offices
In the other 87 ticket offices throughout the downtown area of Xian City, you can buy ticket 3-10 days in advance with CNY5 service charge per ticket. Some ticket offices are listed below: 

Ticket Office

Chinese Version

Address

Working Hour

Long Hai

陇海

No.1, Xi Wu Lu (500 meters south to the railway station)

24 hours

Dong Li Da Sha (Dongli Mansion)

东立大厦

No.187, Huancheng Bei Lu

24 hours

Wei Er Jie (Weier Street)

纬二街

At Yanta Culture Plaza

24 hours

Guang Dian Zhong Xin (Shaanxi Radio Film and TV Center)

广电中心

No.336, Chang'an Nan Lu

08:00~12:00 12:30~18:00

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

中国工商银行

More than 20 branches in Xian City have ticket halls

08:00~12:00 12:30~18:00

 Useful Info:
Is it necessary to purchase ticket in advance?
Please reserve your tickets as early as possible especially during the tour seasons and Chinese public holidays. During these periods, you will find that there are long lines in front of every ticket hall all the time. What's more, although the holiday of Chinese Spring Festival is just 7 days, the railway station is always busy for more than one month around the holiday. Finally, because there are so many universities in Xian, the beginning of July and the end of August are also very crowded in the railway station annually.

Is it safe to purchase ticket from any private sellers?
Please don't purchase tickets from any private ticket sellers around the railway station.

Can I purchase the ticket by using my credit card?
At present, the ticket offices either at the railway station or at the ticket agents just accept the RMB cash. You should pay the required sum at time of purchasing ticket.

Am I entitled to return the unused ticket? Can I demand a refund?
Yes! The ticket can be returned before the train's leaving at the Ticket Hall of Xian Railway Station. However, there is a 20% cancellation charge. During travel peaks, the time for returning tickets may be limited.

Can I exchange my ticket for a different travel date or time?
You are allowed to change your travel date and time once no later than 2 hours before the scheduled departure. The office to change the train ticket is located to the west of the entrance to the Xian Railway Station.

Where to buy the platform ticket? How much is it?
The platform ticket can be bought at the window near the Exit of Xian Railway Station. When buying the platform ticket, you are required to show your valid ticket of that time and pay CNY1 per ticket. Please note that one valid train ticket can only be used to buy one platform ticket. After getting the platform ticket, the worker will mark your train ticket. During the travel peaks, no platform ticket is required.