New High-Speed Rail Link Connects Xian to Chengdu in 3 Hours
policy • 6 March 2026
China's latest high-speed rail upgrade has reduced travel time between Xi'an and Chengdu to just 3 hours, down from the previous 3 hours 45 minutes. The upgraded line operates at speeds up to 350 km/h and features modern carriages with improved amenities. For Australian travellers, this makes combining the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an with Chengdu's Giant Panda Base more convenient than ever. Tour operators are updating their multi-city itineraries to take advantage of the faster connection, with several now offering seamless Xi'an–Chengdu–Yangtze River combinations. First-class tickets on the route are priced at approximately AUD 0, offering excellent value compared to domestic flights. The trains operate every 30 minutes during peak hours.