Getting Around Xuchang: A Practical Guide for Visitors
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province, bordered by the provincial capital Zhengzhou to the northwest. For a visitor, the good news is that the city is compact enough to explore on foot in places, and its public transport is cheap and reasonably well connected — especially now that a regional rail line links it directly with Zhengzhou and the airport. This guide covers the practical options: buses, taxis, ride-hailing, walking and cycling, and how to reach the city from its nearest airport.
Arriving by Air: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
The nearest airport to Xuchang is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, located in Zhengzhou. There are direct buses from the airport to Xuchang, which is the simplest option if you'd rather not change trains with luggage.
If you prefer rail, the Zhengzhou–Xuchang regional rail line connects the two cities via the airport, and its terminus is Xuchang East Railway Station. This makes the airport-to-Xuchang journey possible entirely by train, with the airport acting as a stop along the route. Note that Xuchang East Railway Station is also served by the airport bus, so both the bus and the rail option converge on the same station.
Rail: Trains and the Regional Metro Line
Xuchang sits on the main Beijing–Guangzhou Railway line, which carries both ordinary trains and high-speed G trains, and it was later connected to the Zhengzhou–Fuyang high-speed railway. In practice, this means you can arrive on a slow train or a fast one, depending on your budget and schedule.
The city has three train stations, and it's worth knowing which one you're using because they serve different purposes:
- Xuchang Railway Station (Weidu District) — the oldest station, handling only regular-speed trains. It's well served by city buses.
- Xuchang East Railway Station (Jian'an District) — a station on the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed line, and also the terminus of the regional rail line from Zhengzhou. The airport bus stops here too, making it a key interchange.
- Xuchang North Railway Station — the newest high-speed station, on the Zhengzhou–Fuyang line. Be aware that it is much further from the city than the other two.
For travel between Xuchang and Zhengzhou, the high-speed train is a short hop, while slow trains take considerably longer. If you're coming from further afield such as Anyang, high-speed is dramatically faster than the regular service.
The Regional Rail Line (Xuchang Metro)
Xuchang's urban rail system is the Zhengzhou–Xuchang Regional Railway, also known as the Zheng-Xu Line. It is a regional rapid rail system operated jointly by Xuchang and Henan provincial rail companies, and it shares a control centre with Zhengzhou Metro. The line links Zhengzhou to Xuchang via Zhengzhou Airport, with its terminus at Xuchang East Railway Station — which makes it the natural choice for airport transfers and for day trips to Zhengzhou.
Fares are priced identically to the Zhengzhou Metro network, using distance-based segmented pricing with a decreasing fare per additional kilometre. The starting fare is ¥2, and the highest single-trip fare on the line is ¥10. Tickets can be bought in a few ways:
- Single Journey Ticket — from automatic ticket vending machines in station concourses; select your destination and pay by cash or QR code.
- Transport Card — the Xuchang Transport Card, Zhengzhou's Lüchengtong, and Transport Union Cards from various regions are accepted.
- Ride Code — via the Zhengzhou Metro Alipay Ride Code, the Zhengzhou Metro WeChat Ride Code, or the Zhengzhou Metro Shangyixing app.
Discounts exist for students (half price with valid student ID), children of a certain height accompanied by an adult travel free, and Xuchang-registered residents aged 60 and over can obtain a "Compassionate Ticket" giving free off-peak and public-holiday rides with a monthly cap. Various entitled groups, including active-duty military personnel and people with qualifying disabilities, ride free with the relevant certificates.
Station facilities are modern and include mother-and-baby rooms, children's washbasins, AEDs, and barrier-free elevators, with moving walkways in the transfer corridors at Gangqu North Station.
Buses
Local buses are the workhorse of Xuchang's public transport and, as in other major cities around Henan, they are very cheap — typically ¥1 to ¥2 per ride. The network covers the entire urban area and connects major attractions, residential areas, and transport hubs, with key interchange points at Xuchang Railway Station, Xuchang East Railway Station, and the city centre.
Practical points to keep in mind:
- Payment: exact cash change is required if you pay in cash. A local Xuchang Public Transport Card can be purchased and topped up and sometimes carries discounts, but the most common method is scanning a QR code via the WeChat Pay or Alipay public transport mini-program.
- Hours: buses generally run from around 6:00 AM to 9:00–10:00 PM. Primary routes run at shorter intervals, especially at peak hours, while less popular routes involve longer waits.
- Navigation: bus stops are marked with route numbers and destinations in Chinese, and English maps are rare. Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode Maps) give real-time bus info, routes, and arrival times, so download one before you travel.
- Crowding: buses can be crowded at rush hour, so keep an eye on your belongings.
- Accessibility: newer buses may have low-floor access, but overall accessibility for travellers with mobility challenges is limited.
For long-distance travel, some buses from Luoyang stop in Xuchang, and Xuchang Central Bus Station is just a couple hundred metres east of Xuchang Railway Station — handy if you're connecting between the two.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are easy to identify by their green or blue colours, roof signs, and meters. You can hail them on the street or find them at designated stands such as train stations and main hotels. The starting fare is roughly ¥6–8 for the first few kilometres. Payment can be made in cash, by WeChat Pay, or by Alipay, with mobile payment generally preferred. Always make sure the driver uses the meter, and avoid unmarked cars.
For ride-hailing, Didi Chuxing is the dominant platform and has an English interface, which makes it the most straightforward option for visitors who don't speak Chinese. It integrates with WeChat Pay and Alipay, and because you enter your destination in the app, it neatly sidesteps language barriers. Fares are calculated by meter, drivers are registered, and trips are tracked — you can also share your trip details with a contact. For travellers with mobility needs, Didi offers the most direct door-to-door option, though you'll need to transfer into and out of standard vehicles.
Walking and Cycling
Xuchang is pedestrian-friendly in the right places: the Xuchang Botanical Garden, the Qingyi River Scenic Area, the historical sites, and the newer commercial districts are all pleasant on foot. For busy multi-lane roads, use designated crossings, as these are less safe to navigate otherwise.
Shared bicycles are widely available through Meituan Bike and Hello Bike. To use them, register with your passport and a local mobile number, link the account to WeChat Pay or Alipay, and scan the QR code to unlock. Fares are typically ¥1.5–3 per hour, and the bikes are dockless, so you can pick up and drop off almost anywhere. Dedicated bicycle lanes are increasingly common, especially along waterways and in new developments. Do note that helmets are not universally worn by local cyclists.
Car Rental and Driving
Self-driving is generally not an option for foreign visitors: you cannot drive in China without a valid Chinese driving licence, and International Driving Permits are not recognised. Motorcycle and scooter rentals are likewise unavailable to foreign tourists without a Chinese licence. If you want the flexibility of a car, renting one with a local driver is the viable alternative.
If you do end up on the road, note that China drives on the right, and penalties for drunk driving are strict. Main roads are in good condition, but city traffic can be heavy and chaotic, and drivers may not always follow rules strictly — pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters are abundant. Parking is in specified zones and underground garages, and is often paid.
Other Things to Know
- There are no dedicated tour buses or hop-on-hop-off services aimed at international tourists, and formal guided walking tours are not commonly advertised.
- Water transport is limited to recreational boating on park lakes and rivers. There are no cable cars, funiculars, or tuk-tuks.
- Accessibility services are limited, and many historical sites have stairs or uneven terrain.
- Before your trip, set up WeChat Pay or Alipay, download offline maps, and carry small bills and coins as a backup.