Getting Around Wuhai: A Visitor's Guide
Wuhai is a prefecture-level city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, sitting on the Yellow River between the Gobi and Ordos deserts. It was formed in 1976 by merging two towns on opposite banks of the river — Wuda on the west bank and Haibowan on the east — so the city is spread across both sides of the water. That geography shapes how you move around: some districts sit close together, while others are a longer haul apart, and a few of the transport options below are specifically about bridging that gap.
Buses and Public Transport
Local buses are the main way visitors get around Wuhai. Fares are low and paid on board, and routes connect the railway station with hotels, commercial streets, and residential areas. A few useful routes give a sense of how the network works:
- Bus Route 1 starts at Wuhai Railway Station and runs past Rongxing Hotel, China Unicom, Xinhua Pharmacy, and Wuhai Hotel before ending at Yitongchang Residential Station. The fare is ¥2.
- Bus Route 6 begins at Red Star Macalline and passes No. 1 Middle School, the National Energy Coal Coking Company, and Wuhai Hotel, finishing at the Civic Center.
- Bus Route 3 runs between the District Central Hospital and Wuhaixi Railway Station, a trip that takes roughly one to two hours depending on conditions. Stops include Ordos Bank, Binyuan Hotel, Wuhai 12 Middle School, and Lanxiang Driving School on Jiefang Road. The fare is ¥2.
- Bus Route 2 has been temporarily adjusted because of road construction at the intersection of Huangguan Road and Huatai Community in Wuda District — it now starts at Jinlong Building and no longer stops at Huatai Community. If you're relying on Route 2, check locally before you travel, since this kind of change can affect your plans.
For longer trips out of the city, Wuhai Bus Station is the coach hub. It sits 100 meters west of the Wuda District Power Supply Bureau, with a second location south of Wuhai Railway Station Square. Coaches run to destinations including Ejin Banner, Alxa Left Banner, Linhe, Shanba, Dongsheng, Dalate Banner, Baotou, Hohhot, Beijing, Yinchuan, Lanzhou, and Xi'an.
Rail
Wuhai has a railway station serving the city. Wuhai Railway Station is on Station Road in Haibowan District and is open from 05:00 to 24:00. Tickets can be bought through the official 12306 website or on site. A second station, Wuhaixi Railway Station, appears as the terminus of Bus Route 3, so rail travellers may find themselves arriving at or departing from either one — worth confirming which station your train uses before you set out.
Note that Wuhai does not have a metro or tram system; rail travel here means conventional trains, not an urban rapid transit network.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material for Wuhai does not document taxi or ride-hailing services in detail. In practice, taxis are widely available in Chinese cities of this size and are a straightforward option for short hops or when bus routes don't line up with your plans, but you should treat specific claims about apps, metered fares, or availability in Wuhai as unverified. Ask at your hotel for the most reliable local arrangement.
Walkability
Wuhai's layout — two original towns on opposite banks of the Yellow River, merged into one city — means walkability varies a lot by district. Central areas around hotels and commercial streets are reasonable on foot, but the river and the distance between districts make walking impractical for crossing town. Plan to combine walking with buses or taxis rather than relying on foot alone.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Wuhai Airport (IATA: WUA) is in Haibowan District on Airport Road. There are two main ways into town:
- Airport bus — runs from the train station toward the airport, stopping at Yixin International Hotel, Wan Luen Commercial Building, Lan Meng Hotel, Ershuichang Crossing, Talent Hotel, and Grand Sky Hotel before terminating at Wuhai Airport. The fare is ¥10. This is the simplest option if your hotel is near one of those stops.
- Bus Route 9 — connects the train station with the airport directly. Board at the train station and get off at Wuhai Airport Station. The fare is ¥1, and the journey takes about an hour and ten minutes.
For airport enquiries, the listed contact number is +86 471 96777.
Practical Tips
- Bus fares are paid on board and are inexpensive — keep small change or a payment method ready.
- Buy train tickets via the 12306 website or at the station; the station is staffed from early morning until midnight.
- Routes can change with little notice because of road works, as Route 2 shows. Confirm your route locally before depending on it.
- If you're heading onward to other parts of Inner Mongolia or beyond, the coach station is the place to check for services to Baotou, Hohhot, Yinchuan, and other regional destinations.