The Xi’an–Shiyan high-speed railway line officially opened on June 30, 2026, covering 257 kilometers with seven stations along its route. Operating at speeds of up to 350 km/h, the line begins at the newly inaugurated Xi’an Dong station and connects with the Wuhan–Shiyan high-speed railway, forming a continuous corridor between Xi’an and Wuhan.
Route Through Qinling Mountains Links Two Major River Basins
The line crosses the Qinling Mountains, which have historically impeded transport and economic exchange between northwestern and central China. Following the Han River, the railway links the Yellow River watershed in Shaanxi Province with the Yangtze River watershed in western Hubei Province. The new high-speed connection cuts
travel time between Xi’an and Shiyan to about one hour, compared to more than six hours previously. Travel between Xi’an and Wuhan via the new corridor has decreased from 4 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 41 minutes.
Extensive Bridges and Tunnels Address Mountainous Terrain Challenges
Construction required more than 90% of the railway to be built on bridges and in tunnels to navigate difficult mountainous landscapes. A principal engineering feature is the Yunyang Hanjiang River Rail Bridge, a cable-stayed steel-truss structure with a 420-meter main span and a composite girder–truss deck. The project’s complexity has led to it being described as one of China’s most demanding mountain
high-speed railways.
Operations and Investment Details
China Railway Xi’an Group plans to operate the line primarily with CR400AF/BF Fuxing trainsets at 350 km/h. Construction began in 2021 with an investment totaling 47.7 billion yuan. The railway’s lead designer has characterized the route as “a railway running through a natural geological museum,” reflecting the diverse terrain it traverses.
Improved Regional Connectivity and Travel Time
The line enhances connectivity between northwest and central China by shortening travel times significantly. The reduction from over six hours to about one hour between Xi’an and Shiyan represents a major improvement in transport efficiency for the region.
