How to Travel from Xian to Zhangye ? By Flight or Train

Tracing back the ancient “Silk Road”is an awesome journey talking to glorious culture and history of old China and meeting spectacular landscape in North China. Most travelers begin the exploration from Xian, the east starting point of the famous trade route, and have a stopover in Zhangye to catch a glimpse of the brilliant nature and culture before heading to Dunhuang. At present, there are two transportation available for travelling from Xian to Zhangye: by train or by flight. How long does a train/flight take? Which one is more recommended? Check the following guide to find your best option and travel inspiration.

Xian to Zhangye Transportation Map

Where is Zhangye City Located in China?

Location of Zhangye City & Zhangye Danxia Landform:

Zhangye is a prefecture-level city of Gansu Province, which is located in middle of Hexi Corridor, Northwestern China, about 508 km/6 hrs’ drive from Lanzhou (the capital city of Gansu) in the east. The city is most known for the Danxia Landform Geopark, the amazing “Rainbow Mountain” in Linze County, Northwest of Zhangye. It takes around 50 minutes (28 km) transferring from Zhangye to Colorful Danxia Landform and 1 hour & 10 minutes (53 km) to Binggou Danxia Landform by car.

Distance between Xian and Zhangye:

As the capital city of Shaanxi Province, Xian lies in Guanzhong Plain, central Shaanxi. Meanwhile, Gansu borders Shaanxi to the northwest, namely, Zhangye is in the northwest of Xian, around 1,123 km (700 mi),13 hours by drive.

Option 1: Get from Xian to Zhangye By Flight - Most Recommended

Compared to a train journey of half a day more and else transports, taking a flight (less than 2 hours) is considered the most convenient and fastest way to travel to Zhangye from Xian. So far, there is only 1 daily flight available, which is operated by China Eastern Airlines. The airplane takes off from Xian Xianyang International Airport at 15:10 and lands at Zhangye Ganzhou Airport at 17:00.

After arrival, you need about 0.5 hour to transfer to Zhangye City center, 1 hour more to Colorful Danxia Landform Geopark.

Advantages: short travel time, decent price of air ticket, luggage hassle-free, child and old friendly, etc.

Recommended Tour: 5 Days Xian to Zhangye Impacting Tour by Flight

Zhangye Ganzhou Airport

Flight Route	Airline Company	Departure	Arrival	Flight Schedule	Frequency
Xian → Zhangye	China Eastern Airline	Xian Airport (XIY)	Zhangye Airport (YZY)	15:10 - 17:00	Daily
Zhangye → Xian		Zhangye Airport (YZY)	Xian Airport (XIY)	17:50 - 19:45	Daily

Option 2: Get from Xian to Zhangye By Train - More Choices but Time-Consuming

Currently, Xian runs nearly 20 trains to Zhangye on an average day, including over 15 normal trains and several fast bullet trains. The trains will pass by Lanzhou and Xining en route. The total travel time, ticket price and choice, departure and arrival destinations are different from which type of train you take.

● By Bullet Train

There are 3 bullet trains (all are D trains) leaving from Xian North Railway Station (西安北站) and arriving at Zhangye West Railway Station (张掖西站) within the same day. The train journey is approximately 7.5 hours. Two kinds of seats are offered: Second Class Seat and First Class Seat. Ticket price ranges from 350~500 RMB.

Useful Links: Xian North Station / China D Trains / Ultimate China Train Travel Guide

Recommended Tour:

>> 15 Days Classic Ancient Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train Experience

>> 9 Days Ancient Silk Road Buddhist Culture Tour

Xian to Zhangye Bullet Train Timetable:

Zhangye West Railway Station

Note: The above train information are listed for reference only. Check the real-time Xian Zhangye Train Schedules here!

● By Ordinary Trains

Tourists can also choose from more than 15 daily normal trains to get from Xian to Zhangye. All the trains (K, T, Z Trains) depart from Xian Railway Station (西安站) and pass Zhangye Railway Station (张掖站) after 13 hours to 18 hours’ ride. Some are overnight trains. Soft Sleeper and Hard Sleeper are two main choices. Since the normal trains run at a slower speed with a the longer journey, the ticket is cheaper than bullet train, generally from about 260 ~ 410 RMB.

Useful Links: Xian to Zhangye Trains / Zhangye to Xian Trains

Zhangye Railway Station

Note: We just list some Xian-Zhangye normal trains for your reference. You can contact us to check lateast train information and tailor-make a Xian Zhangye train tour !

How to Plan A Xian Zhangye Tour

With unique local culture and scenery, Xian and Zhangye are both famous tourist destinations along the “Silk Road”. Touring the two cities helps you know more about the previous society and commerce development as well as varied scenery and characteristic customs nowadays.

For a trip to Xian, 1 to 3 days are enough to visit major highlights, including the UNESCO World Heritages, the Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and so on. Except sightseeing, there are plenty more things to do you can discover in Xian, such as riding on the Ancient City Wall, tasting various local snacks in Muslim Quarter, watching a beautiful Tang Dynasty Show, visiting historical sites, learning Chinese calligraphy, and trying interesting activities.

Helpful Links: Popular Xian Tours/ Xian Terracotta Warriors Tours/ Xian Travel Guide

While in Zhangye, the Danxia Landform Geopark is the top must-visit attraction for each visitor. There you can fully understand what’s called natural wonder when seeing colorful rock formations stretching far away, particularly impressive at sunset. Spare 1 day more to know about the Buddhist culture of Zhangye, visit 1,600-year old Mati Temple to observe great grottoes, mountain scenery and experience lifestyle of Yugu Nationality, and to Giant Buddha Temple (Dafo Temple) to see the huge Reclining Buddha.

Helpful Links: Popular Zhangye Tours/ Zhangye Travel Guide/ Top Zhangye Attractions

Our Customers Visited Terracotta Warriors in Xian Qinshihuang Mausoleum Site Museum

USA Family Had A Zhangye Danxia Tour

Travel Zhangye with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional, reliable and experienced travel companion offering best tour services for our guests. We not only provide travel guide and tips online, but also try our best to make sure you enjoy your China travel, supporting you on visa, transport, sightseeing, accommodation, dining and more details. You may select from our popular Zhangye tours, or contact us to customize a special one based on your own hobbies, budget and itinerary.