Xi’an–Ankang high-speed railway: what must pass before it opens

In China, the Xi’an–Ankang high-speed railway entered trial operation on 13 August 2026, beginning at least one month of tests in three stages before passenger service.

Test unit 55501 left Xi’an East and ran south through the Qinling mountains to Ankang West, marking the end of joint commissioning. By 13 September, China Railway Xi’an Group had not announced an official opening date.

Three stages inside the trial period

The operator has set the trial period at no less than one month, split into three consecutive stages. First comes testing of timetable parameters. Next follow equipment fault simulations and emergency rescue drills. Finally, the railway runs to the planned timetable, which shows whether the intended service pattern holds up. Throughout the period, staff work to the organisational model of commercial service. That approach checks train handling, service density, passenger equipment and system interfaces together rather than one by one.

What joint commissioning already established

Joint commissioning began on 27 June 2026. Detection train 57611 made the first run from Xi’an East towards Ankang West. Between 27 June and 13 August, the railway ran hundreds of test trips. Crews also gathered tens of thousands of readings. These covered track geometry, catenary voltage and signalling response times. In addition, the line reached 385 km/h during testing, above its 350 km/h design speed. As a result, the operator describes track and power supply performance as meeting its requirements.

Bridges and tunnels account for more than 90% of the route

The new main line runs about 171 km at a design speed of 350 km/h. Because the alignment crosses the Qinling range, bridges and tunnels account for more than 90% of it. To hold signalling steady through the long tunnel groups, the project used leaky feeder cable across those sections.

The line has six railway stations or operating sites: Xi’an East, Niubeiliang, Zhashui West, Zhen’an West, Tongmu and Ankang West. Tongmu is a passing station and will not handle passengers. Xi’an East is the only existing station; the other five are new. The project forecast puts the Xi’an-to-Ankang journey at under one hour, down from roughly three hours, once passenger services begin.

Xi’an–Shiyan opening notice as a guide to timing

Shaanxi’s earlier Qinling crossing shows that railway authorities may disclose an opening date shortly before service begins. On 29 June, Wuhan Municipal Transport Bureau carried a report citing China Railway and confirming that the Xi’an–Shiyan high-speed railway would open the next day. The 257 km railway began operation on 30 June 2026 with 29 pairs of EMU services a day. Xi’an East entered service at the same time, giving the Xi’an–Ankang route an operating northern terminal.

For suppliers and operators watching the Qinling corridor, the confirmed position is narrower. Joint commissioning has ended, and an official update said the line had reached timetable-based trial running. Preliminary acceptance and safety assessment remain part of the pre-opening process. By 13 September, China Railway Xi’an Group had not announced an official passenger-service date.