Xi'an
๐
Long-Distance Buses
Sections
1. Major Long-Distance Bus Stations in Xiโan
Xiโan has several long-distance bus stations, each serving different regions and destinations. The most important ones are:
a. Xiโan Bus Station (่ฅฟๅฎๆฑฝ่ฝฆ็ซ)
- Location: 1 Jiefang Road, Xincheng District (near Xiโan Railway Station).
- Destinations: Primarily serves destinations in Shaanxi Province, such as Hancheng, Yanโan, and Baoji, as well as nearby provinces like Shanxi and Henan.
- Accessibility: Easily accessible via public buses and Line 4 of the Xiโan Metro (Wulukou Station).
b. Shaanxi Provincial Long-Distance Bus Station (้่ฅฟ็ๆฑฝ่ฝฆ็ซ)
- Location: 17 Fengcheng 8th Road, Weiyang District.
- Destinations: Covers long-distance routes to other provinces, including Sichuan, Gansu, and Ningxia.
- Accessibility: Accessible via public buses and Line 2 of the Xiโan Metro (Fengcheng 5th Road Station).
c. Chengdong Bus Station (ๅไธๅฎข่ฟ็ซ)
- Location: 394 Changle East Road, Xincheng District.
- Destinations: Focuses on eastern destinations, including Weinan, Huayin (for Mount Hua), and Luoyang.
- Accessibility: Accessible via public buses and Line 1 of the Xiโan Metro (Changle Park Station).
d. Chengxi Bus Station (ๅ่ฅฟๅฎข่ฟ็ซ)
- Location: 148 Keji Road, Yanta District.
- Destinations: Western destinations such as Baoji, Tianshui, and Lanzhou.
- Accessibility: Accessible via public buses and Line 3 of the Xiโan Metro (Keji Road Station).
e. Chengnan Bus Station (ๅๅๅฎข่ฟ็ซ)
- Location: 88 Changโan South Road, Yanta District.
- Destinations: Southern destinations, including Hanzhong, Ankang, and Sichuan Province.
- Accessibility: Accessible via public buses and Line 2 of the Xiโan Metro (Huizhan Zhongxin Station).
f. Chengbei Bus Station (ๅๅๅฎข่ฟ็ซ)
- Location: 1 Beichen Road, Weiyang District.
- Destinations: Northern destinations, including Yanโan, Yulin, and Inner Mongolia.
- Accessibility: Accessible via public buses and Line 2 of the Xiโan Metro (Beikezhan Station).
2. Ticket Costs
- Pricing: Ticket prices vary depending on the distance and type of bus (standard, luxury, or sleeper). For example:
- Short-distance routes (e.g., Xiโan to Mount Hua): ยฅ30โยฅ50.
- Medium-distance routes (e.g., Xiโan to Yanโan): ยฅ100โยฅ150.
- Long-distance routes (e.g., Xiโan to Chengdu): ยฅ200โยฅ300.
- Discounts: Children under 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) often travel for free or at a reduced fare, but they may not be allocated a separate seat.
3. Booking Procedures
There are several ways to book long-distance bus tickets in Xiโan:
a. At the Bus Station
- Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket counters in the bus stations. It is advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure, especially during peak travel seasons (e.g., Chinese New Year, National Day).
- Payment Methods: Cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.
b. Online Booking
- Tickets can be booked through official websites or third-party platforms such as:
- Qunar (ๅปๅชๅฟ็ฝ): A popular travel booking platform in China.
- Ctrip (ๆบ็จ): Offers English-language support for international travelers.
- Bus365 (ๅทดๅฃซ365): A dedicated platform for bus ticket bookings.
- Note: Online booking often requires a Chinese phone number and payment method (e.g., Alipay or WeChat Pay).
c. Through Travel Agencies
- Many travel agencies in Xiโan can assist with booking bus tickets, especially for popular tourist destinations like Mount Hua or the Terracotta Warriors.
4. Schedules
- Frequency: Buses to popular destinations (e.g., Mount Hua, Yanโan) run frequently, with departures every 30 minutes to 1 hour. For less popular or long-distance routes, buses may only run a few times a day.
- Operating Hours: Most buses operate between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM, though some long-distance sleeper buses may depart later in the evening.
- Duration: Travel times vary depending on the destination. For example:
- Xiโan to Mount Hua: ~2 hours.
- Xiโan to Yanโan: ~4โ5 hours.
- Xiโan to Chengdu: ~8โ10 hours.
5. Destinations
Xiโanโs long-distance buses connect to a wide range of destinations, including:
- Within Shaanxi Province:
- Mount Hua (Huashan): A famous hiking and pilgrimage site.
- Yanโan: Known for its revolutionary history.
- Baoji: A gateway to the Qinling Mountains.
- Neighboring Provinces:
- Luoyang (Henan): Home to the Longmen Grottoes.
- Chengdu (Sichuan): Famous for pandas and spicy cuisine.
- Lanzhou (Gansu): A key stop on the Silk Road.
- Further Destinations:
- Chongqing: A major city in southwestern China.
- Urumqi (Xinjiang): A distant destination in northwest China.
6. Cultural and Local Considerations
- Language Barrier: Most bus station staff and drivers speak only Mandarin. Itโs helpful to have your destination written in Chinese characters. For example:
- Mount Hua: ๅๅฑฑ (Huร shฤn)
- Yanโan: ๅปถๅฎ (Yรกnโฤn)
- Peak Travel Times: Avoid traveling during Chinese holidays (e.g., Spring Festival, National Day) as buses can be fully booked, and stations are crowded.
- Luggage: Most buses allow one piece of luggage per passenger. Additional or oversized luggage may incur extra fees.
- Food and Water: Bring snacks and water for long journeys, as rest stops may have limited options.
- Rest Stops: Long-distance buses typically stop every 2โ3 hours for restroom breaks and meals. Be mindful of the time, as buses will not wait for late passengers.
- Safety: Always keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded bus stations. Avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers.
7. Advantages of Long-Distance Buses
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper than high-speed trains or flights, especially for short to medium distances.
- Flexibility: Frequent departures to popular destinations.
- Accessibility: Reach remote areas not served by trains.
By understanding the above details, youโll be well-prepared to navigate Xiโanโs long-distance bus system with ease. Safe travels!