Getting Around Wuwei
Wuwei is a compact city in Gansu, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits in or near the central Liangzhou District. That makes getting around fairly simple: you can lean on local buses and taxis for longer hops, and on your own two feet for the core of the city.
Arriving by Air
Wuwei itself does not have a commercial airport, so you will fly into a neighbouring city and continue overland.
- Jinchang Airport: The nearest airport with regular scheduled flights. It is roughly an hour's drive from Wuwei, making a taxi or pre-arranged transfer the natural onward option.
- Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport: If you land here instead, a direct bus runs from the airport to Wuwei, taking about three to three and a half hours. This is a convenient, no-transfer way to reach the city if your flight arrives in Lanzhou.
Rail
Wuwei has two main railway stations, and knowing which one you need matters for planning the rest of your journey.
- Wuwei Railway Station (Yingbin Road, Liangzhou District) is the more centrally located of the two and the better base for exploring the city. It is well served by local buses.
- Wuwei South Railway Station (Wunan Street, Liangzhou District) sits further out and is served by local bus no. 17.
There is no metro or tram network in Wuwei, so rail travel here means intercity trains rather than a city transit system.
Buses and Public Transport
Local buses are the main form of public transport and are useful for reaching the railway stations, the long-distance bus station, and other parts of town.
- Wuwei Railway Station is served by bus nos. 1, 2, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 27, 28, 605 West, Night Bus 1 and Night Bus 2.
- Wuwei South Railway Station is served by bus no. 17.
- Wuwei Central Bus Station (on the southeast side of the intersection of Erhuan South Road and Yingbin Road) is about 500 m northeast of Wuwei Railway Station and is served by bus nos. 1, 2, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 27, 28, 605 West, Night Bus 1 and Night Bus 2.
Because the central bus station and the main railway station are so close together, arriving by long-distance coach and switching to a local bus or train is straightforward. The presence of night buses also means you are not entirely dependent on daytime services if you arrive late.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are a practical choice for direct trips, especially for the hour-long run from Jinchang Airport or for reaching your hotel with luggage. For the airport transfer in particular, arranging your ride in advance removes the guesswork. Ride-hailing apps are widely used across Chinese cities and are a convenient alternative to flagging a taxi, though availability can vary in more outlying areas.
Walking
The most central railway station and the central bus station sit within a few hundred metres of each other, so walking between them is realistic. In the heart of Liangzhou District, many day-to-day needs are within walking distance, and strolling is a pleasant way to get a feel for the city between bus or taxi rides.
Practical Tips
- Decide early whether you are arriving via Jinchang (about an hour by road) or Lanzhou (direct bus, three to three and a half hours) so you can plan your onward transfer.
- If you are heading to Wuwei South Railway Station, remember that bus no. 17 is your link.
- Use the main Wuwei Railway Station as your orientation point: it is central, well connected by bus, and close to the central bus station.