Getting Around Baoji: An Overview
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in western Shaanxi and has long been the second largest city in the province. It sits in a valley surrounded on three sides by hills, opening out to the east, and its position has made it a gateway between western and eastern China — most trains from Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an pass through on their way to Gansu, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Tibet. For a visitor, that geography matters: the city is compact enough to navigate by bus and taxi, but the surrounding sights are spread across a wide prefecture, so some planning is needed.
Is There a Metro or Tram?
No. Baoji has no metro or tram system, and public transport within the city is bus-based. A metro system is only in the planning stages. Any guide that mentions metro lines or tram routes for Baoji is describing something that does not yet exist.
City Buses
Buses are the affordable and convenient backbone of getting around Baoji, covering the entire urban area and reaching most sights and neighbourhoods. Fares range from ¥1 to ¥3 depending on the type of bus:
- Regular buses: ¥1
- Air-conditioned buses: ¥2
- Special routes such as K15: ¥3; Route 15: ¥2.5; some routes such as Route 70: ¥1.5
You can pay with exact cash — a ¥1 coin is handy to have — or by scanning a QR code with WeChat Pay or Alipay. Buses generally run from around 6:00 AM to 9:00–10:00 PM, with main routes coming every 5–15 minutes. Expect heavy crowding during the morning and evening commutes (roughly 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM).
Navigating the system can be a bit challenging, so using local maps or asking for assistance is recommended. Route maps are posted at stops and inside buses, and apps such as Baidu Maps and Amap (Gaode Maps) provide real-time bus information and route planning. Route K15 is popular among visitors for reaching key destinations in the city.
The main bus hubs are Baoji Railway Station, Baoji South Railway Station and the downtown commercial areas. Both rail stations are well served by city buses:
- Baoji Railway Station (1 Yingbin Road, Weibin District): bus nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 16, 21, 35, 37, 39, 42 and 51.
- Baoji South Railway Station (Panlong Road, Weibin District): bus nos. 7, 21, 28, 30, 41, 54, 55, 70, 80, 87, plus the Baoji–Zhifang Intercity Bus.
For specific sights, buses are often the simplest option. The Baoji Bronzeware Museum, for example, is reachable by bus no. 10 from Baoji Railway Station, or by nos. 8, 17, 20, 28, 41, 49, 61 and 71. The Baoji Folk Customs Museum is served by nos. 10, 17, 20, 22, 28, 33, 41, 46, 61 and 71.
Arriving by Train
Railways first reached Baoji in 1937 and have been central to its growth ever since. Two stations matter to visitors:
- Baoji Railway Station (宝鸡站), 1 Yingbin Road, Weibin District — served by the Longhai, Baocheng and Baozhong railways.
- Baoji South Railway Station (宝鸡南站), Panlong Road, Weibin District — on the Xi'an–Baoji and Baoji–Lanzhou sections of the Xuzhou–Xinjiang high-speed railway.
From Xi'an, the high-speed train takes about 50 minutes for ¥50 and links the two dedicated high-speed stations; a fast train takes about 2 hours for ¥30 and a regular train about 3 hours for ¥22, both linking the two main stations. Tickets are usually available on the day of travel, though you may only get a hard seat.
Long-Distance Buses and Bus Stations
Two bus stations serve the city:
- Baoji Bus Station (宝鸡汽车站, also known as Baoji West Bus Station or 宝鸡汽车西站), 106 Jing'er Road, Weibin District. The bus stop outside is served by nos. 4, 5, 7, 9, 25, 34 (extended route), 35, 36, 39, 40, 43, 48, Tourist Bus 66, and the intercity buses to Caijiapo, Fengxiang, Mei County and Zhifang.
- Baoji South Bus Station (宝鸡汽车客运南站 / 宝鸡汽车南站), Panlong Road, Weibin District, on the east side of Baoji South Railway Station.
These stations are the departure point for longer trips within the prefecture, including buses to Famen Temple in Fufeng County and to Mei County for Mount Taibai (from where bus 203 or 204 continues to the Mount Taibai Visitor Center).
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Baoji are an affordable and convenient way to travel around the city. Licensed taxis are green or blue and metered; you can hail them on the street or pick them up at designated stands. The starting fare is ¥7 for the first 2.5 kilometres, after which the fare increases by ¥1.7 per kilometre, and waiting fees apply if the taxi is stationary for an extended period. Payment can be made in cash, by WeChat Pay or by Alipay.
Taxis are especially useful for reaching destinations that are less accessible by public transport or for travelling between districts. For ride-hailing, Didi Chuxing is the dominant service and has an English interface.
Driving, Cycling and Walking
Renting a car is not available to overseas travellers without a Chinese licence, and motorcycle or scooter rental is uncommon and not aimed at tourists. Dockless bike-sharing (Meituan, Hello Bike) exists but requires mobile payment setup. Driving yourself is complicated by Chinese-language signage and difficult parking.
Walking and cycling are viable near parks, cultural sites and pedestrian shopping streets, and the Wei River embankment has scenic walking paths. There are no established commercial walking tours, so self-guided walking is the norm. Dedicated cycling lanes are limited — cyclists share roads with vehicles or use sidewalks — so caution is advised on busy multi-lane roads. Baoji is generally safe for pedestrians and cyclists, with no specific no-go areas, though some rural and industrial areas have less pedestrian infrastructure.
Accessibility infrastructure is generally limited. Older buses and stops lack full accessibility, though newer buses may have low-floor access; older buildings and some attractions may lack ramps, and uneven sidewalks and missing curb cuts are common. Travellers with mobility needs may find public buses challenging and might consider a private car and driver instead, confirming accessibility directly with hotels and venues.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Baoji does not have an airport. The nearest airport of any size is Tianshui Maijishan Airport in Tianshui, and the nearest major airport is Xi'an Xianyang International Airport in Xianyang.
From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, a bus service runs to Baoji South Bus Station. These buses depart from the transport interchange on the east side of Terminal 3. Departure times (as of April 2024) are 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:30, 17:10, 18:50 and 20:30. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and the fare is ¥62 (as of April 2024).
Other Transport Notes
There are no hop-on-hop-off tour buses; tour buses operate only within organised group tours. As an inland city, Baoji has no passenger water transport. Cable cars and funiculars may exist at nearby scenic mountains such as Taibai Mountain, but not within the city itself.