West Ten high-speed rail completes track laying, Xi'an to Wuhan now 2.5 hours
On November 27, 2025, China officially completed track-laying for the West Ten High-Speed Railway, which connects Xi'an in Shaanxi Province to Shiyan in Hubei Province. The full line spans 255.7 kilometers (158.9 miles), with a total of 512 kilometers (318 miles) of track laid for both directions.
The railway passes through the complex terrain of the Qinling Mountains and includes seven stations: Xi'an East, Lantian, Shangluo West, Shanyang, Manchuan Pass, Yunxi, and Shiyan East. Once operational in 2026, the line will support speeds up to 350 km/h (217 mph), reducing travel time from Xi'an to Shiyan to under 1 hour, and from Xi'an to Wuhan to approximately 2.5 hours - half the current duration.
The project includes 337 kilometers (209 miles) of track in Shaanxi and 175 kilometers (109 miles) in Hubei. It is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and economic integration across central China.
With the new line, travelers can enjoy breakfast in Wuhan, lunch in Xi'an, and dinner in Shiyan - a vivid illustration of the railway's impact on daily life and mobility.
The West Ten High-Speed Railway is developed by China Railway Group Limited, one of the country's largest infrastructure and transportation engineering firms. Headquartered in Beijing, the company specializes in high-speed rail construction and operates globally. The railway's construction cost is estimated at ¥45 billion (approximately $6.3 billion USD). Each train car measures about 25 meters (82 feet) in length and weighs roughly 50 metric tons (110,000 lbs). Pricing and specifications are reported in Chinese yuan (CNY) and converted to U.S. dollars (USD) for international reference.
