Shaanxi Transportation

Shaanxi Province, located in North China, has a comprehensive transportation network that includes highways, railways, aviation, and urban transit systems. Recent improvements have enhanced its connectivity, making it a vital transportation hub.

Highways

The province is served by several major expressways, including:

  • Xi-Bao Expressway (西宝高速)
  • Xi-Kang Expressway (西康高速)
  • Xi-Tong Expressway (西铜高速)
  • Xi-Han Expressway (西汉高速)
  • Bao-Mao Expressway (包茂高速)
  • Qing-Yin Expressway (青银高速)
  • Fu-Yin Expressway (福银高速)
  • Hu-Shan Expressway (沪陕高速)
  • Zhashui to Shanyang Expressway (柞水至山阳高速公路)
  • Pingkan to Hanzhong Expressway (坪坎至汉中高速公路)

These highways connect major cities and facilitate smooth transportation across the province.

Railways

High-Speed Rail

Shaanxi's high-speed railway network includes:

  • Xi-Bao High-Speed Railway (西宝高速铁路)
  • Da-Xi High-Speed Railway (大西高速铁路)
  • Xi-Cheng High-Speed Railway (西成高速铁路)
  • Bao-Lan High-Speed Railway (宝兰高速铁路)
  • Zheng-Xi High-Speed Railway (郑西高速铁路)
  • Xi-Yin High-Speed Railway (西银高速铁路)
  • Wu-Xi High-Speed Railway (武西高速铁路)

Conventional Rail

The conventional railway network comprises:

  • Long-Hai Railway (陇海铁路)
  • Bao-Cheng Railway (宝成铁路)
  • Bao-Zhong Railway (宝中铁路)
  • Ning-Xi Railway (宁西铁路)
  • Xi-Kang Railway (西康铁路)
  • Xiang-Yu Railway (襄渝铁路)

These railways provide essential connections for passengers and freight across the province.

Aviation

Shaanxi is served by several airports, including:

  • Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (西安咸阳国际机场)
  • Hanzhong Chenggu Airport (汉中城固机场)
  • Yulin Yuyang Airport (榆林榆阳机场)
  • Yan'an Nanniwan Airport (延安南泥湾机场)
  • Ankang Fuqiang Airport (安康富强机场)

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is the primary gateway for both domestic and international flights.

Urban Transit

Xi'an Metro

The Xi'an Metro (西安地铁) serves as the urban transit system for the city of Xi'an. The first line was opened for trial operation on September 16, 2011, making Xi'an the 14th city in mainland China to establish an urban rail transit system, and the first in Northwest China.

As of September 2024, the Xi'an Metro has 10 operational lines, including Lines 1 to 6, 9, 10, 14, and 16, covering a total distance of 353 kilometers and serving 211 stations, including 21 transfer stations.

Freight Transport

In 2022, Shaanxi Province reported a total freight transport volume of 1.647 billion tons, reflecting a 2.5% increase from the previous year. The freight turnover reached 4.369 trillion ton-kilometers, up by 10.7%. However, passenger transport saw a decline, with a total of 138 million passengers, a decrease of 35.7%, and a passenger turnover of 34.798 billion passenger-kilometers, down by 39.3%.

Recent Developments

Shaanxi has made significant advancements in transportation, including:

  • Railway Projects: The provincial government announced three new railway projects in 2021.
  • Road Network Expansion: Enhancements to road traffic networks to improve travel times, particularly from the capital, Xi'an (西安).
  • Xinzhou Wutaishan Airport: New flights connecting to 15 domestic cities.
  • Green Transport Initiatives: Supported by a $200 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Shaanxi Transport and Logistics Port: Expected to serve as a hub for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Shaanxi is a crucial rail hub in North China, facilitating significant north-south and east-west railway connections. It is also recognized as the spiritual cradle of Chinese culture and history and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.