The Xi’an–Shiyan high-speed railway line was officially inaugurated on June 30, 2026. Spanning 257 kilometers, the route includes seven stations and connects Xi’an in Shaanxi Province with Shiyan in western Hubei. The line crosses the Qinling Mountains and follows the Han River, linking the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins to enhance regional transportation.
Construction Details and Engineering Challenges
Construction of the railway commenced in 2021 with a total investment of 47.7 billion yuan. Over 90% of the alignment is composed of bridges and tunnels due to the mountainous terrain. The line supports a maximum operating speed of 350 km/h. The project is recognized by
Chinese media as one of the nation’s most challenging mountain high-speed railways.
Reduced Journey Times and Connectivity
Trains now complete the trip between Xi’an and Shiyan in about one hour, compared to over six hours on the previous rail network. The line begins at the newly opened Xi’an Dong station and links directly to the existing Wuhan–Shiyan high-speed corridor, establishing an uninterrupted 350 km/h route between Xi’an and Wuhan. Travel time on this corridor has decreased from 4 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 41 minutes.
Engineering Highlights and Operational Details
A significant engineering feature is the Yunyang Hanjiang River Rail Bridge, a cable-stayed steel-truss structure with a main span
of 420 meters. Lead designer Mao Lei described the railway as passing through a “natural geological museum.” The China Railway Xi’an Group operates the line, primarily using CR400AF/BF Fuxing trainsets running at 350 km/h.
