Planning a Trip
Getting There -- The railway station is in the north of Beidao Qu, with many trains from Lanzhou (4 hr.) and farther west, and from Xi'an (4 hr.) and farther east. Tianshui's allocation of tickets is limited, so you may need to proceed through CITS in Qin Cheng. Heading west for Lanzhou are the T75 (10:13am), T113 (8:34am), and T117 (11:03pm). To Xining, the speediest choice is the T151 (8 hr.; 6:29am). To Chongqing, the only direct train is the K554 (19 hr.; 2:28pm). Pray for an upgrade. To Xi'an, take the T152 (6:47pm) or the T115 (4:46pm) that continues to Shanghai. Beijing trains (17 hr.) include the T70 (8:46pm), T152 (6:47pm), and T76 (11:17pm).
Connecting with Xi'an (380km/236 miles; 6 hr.), the bus is your best option. From the Beidao Qu long-distance bus station on Jiaotong Lu there are buses for Xi'an (¥70/$9.10/£4.55) from 7am to 8pm. Buses depart half-hourly for Lanzhou (¥60/$7.80/£3.90).
The main bus station in Qin Cheng is 3 blocks east and 2 blocks north of the main square at Shandong Lu 31 (tel. 0938/821-4028). Hourly buses depart for Xi'an (7am-4:30pm.; ¥70/$9.10/£4.55); half-hourly buses head to Lanzhou (8am-5pm; 381km/236 miles; 4 hr.; ¥57/$7.40/£3.70); two services daily run to Linxia (4 hr.; ¥47/$6.10/£3.05) and there are buses at 6am and 5pm for Yinchuan (610km/378 miles; 15 hr.; ¥80/$10/£5.20).
Getting Around -- Bus no. 6 from the railway station connects Qin Cheng with Beidao Qu (15km/9 1/4 miles; 30 min.; ¥2/25¢/15p). The first bus is at 6:20am; the last bus departs at 11:30pm. Taxis in both areas cost ¥5 (65¢/35p), white minivans ¥3 (40¢/20p).
Tours & Guides -- CITS at 2 Wulong Lu (tel. 0938/273-3710; fax 0938/272-1948; www.tianshuitour.com) is useful if you are looking for an English-speaking guide (¥150/$20/£9.75 per day), but don't expect obligation-free advice. They are open from 8:30am to 6pm.
Planning a Trip
Getting There -- The railway station is in the north of Beidao Qu, with many trains from Lanzhou (4 hr.) and farther west, and from Xi'an (4 hr.) and farther east. Tianshui's allocation of tickets is limited, so you may need to proceed through CITS in Qin Cheng. Heading west for Lanzhou are the T75 (10:13am), T113 (8:34am), and T117 (11:03pm). To Xining, the speediest choice is the T151 (8 hr.; 6:29am). To Chongqing, the only direct train is the K554 (19 hr.; 2:28pm). Pray for an upgrade. To Xi'an, take the T152 (6:47pm) or the T115 (4:46pm) that continues to Shanghai. Beijing trains (17 hr.) include the T70 (8:46pm), T152 (6:47pm), and T76 (11:17pm).
Connecting with Xi'an (380km/236 miles; 6 hr.), the bus is your best option. From the Beidao Qu long-distance bus station on Jiaotong Lu there are buses for Xi'an (¥70/$9.10/£4.55) from 7am to 8pm. Buses depart half-hourly for Lanzhou (¥60/$7.80/£3.90).
The main bus station in Qin Cheng is 3 blocks east and 2 blocks north of the main square at Shandong Lu 31 (tel. 0938/821-4028). Hourly buses depart for Xi'an (7am-4:30pm.; ¥70/$9.10/£4.55); half-hourly buses head to Lanzhou (8am-5pm; 381km/236 miles; 4 hr.; ¥57/$7.40/£3.70); two services daily run to Linxia (4 hr.; ¥47/$6.10/£3.05) and there are buses at 6am and 5pm for Yinchuan (610km/378 miles; 15 hr.; ¥80/$10/£5.20).
Getting Around -- Bus no. 6 from the railway station connects Qin Cheng with Beidao Qu (15km/9 1/4 miles; 30 min.; ¥2/25¢/15p). The first bus is at 6:20am; the last bus departs at 11:30pm. Taxis in both areas cost ¥5 (65¢/35p), white minivans ¥3 (40¢/20p).
Tours & Guides -- CITS at 2 Wulong Lu (tel. 0938/273-3710; fax 0938/272-1948; www.tianshuitour.com) is useful if you are looking for an English-speaking guide (¥150/$20/£9.75 per day), but don't expect obligation-free advice. They are open from 8:30am to 6pm.
