Pingyao Transportation Tips by cal6060

Pingyao Railway Station

Pingyao Railway Station is located northwest outside of the Ancient City Wall. When you arrive the train station, it takes you around 15 minutes walk to the Fengyi Gate (West Gate), which is the nearest gate. It is a "T" junction road in front of the Railway Station. You should walk on the front road, Shuncheng Road, then turn left on Xifu Da Jie you will see the gate.

The Railway Station is small enough to serve the locals and tourists. The station is a transit point for trains from major cities, like Beijing, Taiyuan, Xian, Guangzhou and Chongqing. The most frequent trains are from Taiyuan, every one or half an hour each trains arrive in this station.

Train to Beijing:

2604/2601 13:10 14h50m --> 4:00
K604 18:47 11h41m --> 6:28
1164 21:48 12h30m --> 10:18

Train to Xian:

2671 00:34 8h32m --> 8:32am
1095 20:47 10h18m --> 7:35am
2669 21:38 8h40m --> 6:18am

Tip: You can also take a train to Yuci from this station.

I took a early train 7:10 to Taiyuan. It was a nice experience to see people take the train to work in Taiyuan.

Mode: TO

Type: Train

Pingyao/ Taiyuan to Xian

For the sleeper trains between Pingyao/Taiyuan to Xian, I recommend you to take the train from Taiyuan to Xian.

Reason: There are more trains between Taiyuan to Xian. You can have a better train with Air-condition from Taiyuan. All the trains from Pingyao to Xian have no air-condition, and very difficult to get ticket.

Trains from Pingyao to Xian:

2671 00:34 8h32m --> 8:32am (fr Taiyuan)
1095 20:47 10h18m --> 7:35am (fr Taiyuan)
2669 21:38 8h40m --> 6:18am (fr Taiyuan)

Trains from Taiyuan to Xian:

K548/K545 20:29 9h1m --> 5:30
T41 21:35 8h2m --> 5:37
T7 23:49 7h55m --> 7:44

You could spend half or full day in Taiyuan before taking the night sleeper train to Xian.

It was very difficult to get train ticket from Taiyuan to Xian as well. I was trying to buy the train ticket from Beijing Railway Station several times. They were all sold out. Finally, on my departure from Beijing West Station to Taiyuan, I went to the ticket counter again to ask. Luckily, they have one sleeper train ticket available for me, T41. It was perfect, and I paid Y184 for the ticket.

Tip: China Railway allows passengers to change or refund ticket if they change their plan. It means you can still hope to get the ticket although it is sold out at the time you inquired. Someone might cancel the ticket you want before departure date.

Mode: TO

Type: Train

Beijing --> Pingyao

If you are planing to travel from Beijing to Pingyao, this is the easiest and fastest way:

First, you take the speed rail from Beijing West to Taiyuan:

Time: 7:21, 8:10, 8:45, 12:03, 12;52, 15:31, 16:20, 17:58.

Fare: Y149 per person.

Distance: 715 km/ 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Note: Great views on the journey.

Second, take the normal train from Taiyuan to Pingyao.

Time: Every Hour ( From 3:52 till 23:41)

Fare: Y8-Y28

Distance: 80km/ 1 hour 30 minutes.

Note: If you cannot get a seat ticket, you might want to consider taking the bus. If it is the public holiday, I don't recommend train on this route. Please read my experience on my Pingyao page.

Mode: TO

Type: Train