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Travel leg · Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

Beijing to Xi'an

Beijing and Xi'an sit about 905 km (563 mi) apart in a straight line, with Xi'an to the south-west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai itinerary, a 10-day trip. At this distance a flight may be the typical way to cover it.

Directions in Google Maps See the full Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route
Beijing, where this leg starts
From · Beijing
Xi'an, where this leg ends
To · Xi'an
Straight-line distance
905 km · 563 mi
Est. road distance
1,086–1,268 km
Est. drive time
11 h 30 min – 19 h 30 min
Direction
Heading south-west
Curated routes
1 itinerary

Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.

Ways to get there

We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.

By air or long-distance transport

At 905 km in a straight line, a flight may be the most typical way to cover this leg, though our route guide also mentions trains. Driving would be an estimated 1,086–1,268 km and 11 h 30 min – 19 h 30 min at the wheel, usually split over more than one day.

High-speed trains link Beijing to Xi'an in about 4.5 to 6 hours and Xi'an to Shanghai in about 6 hours; flying is an option for the second leg. Each city has a large, easy metro system with English signage.

Open Beijing → Xi'an directions in Google Maps ↗

Worth stopping for

Picks from our curated guides at both ends.

When you arrive in Xi'an

Ancient Silk Road capital with intact city walls and the Terracotta Army. Stay 2–3 days.

Before you leave Beijing

Imperial capital of palaces, temples, hutongs and the Great Wall. Stay 4 days.

On this curated route

Where Beijing → Xi'an sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.

Going the other way? Xi'an to Beijing is the same 905 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗

Weather at each end

The biggest gap comes in February, when Xi'an averages highs 5°C warmer than Beijing. Over a year, Xi'an gets about 160 mm more rain.

Average monthly high temperature and rainfall in Beijing and Xi'an
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Beijing high2°5°14°23°30°33°33°32°27°20°10°3°
Xi'an high6°11°18°25°30°34°35°33°27°21°14°7°
Beijing rain2692438841511096430142
Xi'an rain9132340698412411412560276

Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Xi'an month guides.

Beijing to Xi'an: questions travelers ask

How far is Beijing from Xi'an?

Beijing is about 905 km (563 mi) from Xi'an in a straight line, with Xi'an to the south-west. By road, we estimate 1,086–1,268 km (675–788 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.

How long does it take to drive from Beijing to Xi'an?

An estimated 11 h 30 min – 19 h 30 min, assuming 1,086–1,268 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. At this distance, a flight may be more practical.

Which itineraries include the trip from Beijing to Xi'an?

Our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai itinerary includes this leg. Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai runs about 10 days across 3 stops, best in Apr – May, Sep – Oct.

Onward from Xi'an

Guides for both ends

Xi'an by month

More to explore

Plan Beijing → Xi'an with your crew

Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.

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