Getting Around Shihezi
Shihezi is a compact, planned city in Northern Xinjiang, and getting around it is straightforward for a visitor. The city sits on the northern foothills of the Tian Shan range, roughly 136 kilometres from Ürümqi, and its layout as a purpose-built city means most of what you'll want to see is reachable by bus, taxi, or on foot.
Rail Connections
Shihezi is served by the Northern Xinjiang and Second Ürümqi–Jinghe Railways, and the railway to Wusu and Ürümqi skirts the city. For visitors, the most useful rail link is the line west from Ürümqi, which runs frequently throughout the day. Both fast and slow trains are available: the fast train takes a little over two hours, while the slow train takes about three hours but departs far less often. Fares are inexpensive, with hard seats on the fast train costing around ¥24 and the slow train around ¥12. Buy tickets at the station or through the usual Chinese rail booking channels.
Buses and Public Transport
Local buses are the main way to move around Shihezi and cost ¥1 per ride. The bus network covers the city well, making it a cheap and practical option for reaching most destinations in town. There is no metro or tram system in Shihezi — the city's public transport is bus-based, supplemented by taxis.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful and cheap. Fares start at ¥5, and you should be able to reach most places in town for less than ¥10. For short trips, a taxi is often the simplest option, especially in winter when walking is uncomfortable.
Walking
Shihezi is quite beautiful to walk around at any time of year except winter. From roughly December through the colder months, temperatures stay between −20 °C and 0 °C, which makes extended walking unpleasant. In the milder seasons, the city's planned layout and green spaces make walking a pleasant way to get around.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Shihezi Huayuan Airport serves the city; its reconstruction began in May 2012 and it reopened on 26 December 2015. From the airport, taxis are the most direct way into town, and given how inexpensive local taxis are, the fare should be modest. Alternatively, you can arrange a transfer or use local buses where they connect to the airport area. If you're arriving via Ürümqi instead, the frequent trains west from Ürümqi are a convenient and cheap way to reach Shihezi.
Practical Tips
- Buses cost ¥1 per ride — keep small change handy.
- Taxis start at ¥5; most in-town trips cost under ¥10.
- Trains from Ürümqi run frequently during the day; the fast train is only slightly more expensive than the slow one.
- Walk in spring, summer, and autumn; avoid long walks in winter when temperatures drop well below freezing.
- There is no metro or tram — rely on buses, taxis, and walking.