Getting There-- Therailway stationis in the north of Beidao Qu, with many trains from Lanzhou (6 hr.) and farther west, and from Xi'an (6 hr.) and farther east. Tianshui's allocation of tickets is limited, so you may need to proceed through CITS in Qin Cheng. Heading west for Lanzhou are the T75 (11:27am), T113 (9:39am), and T117 (12:20pm). For trains beyond Lanzhou, try the T53 (29 1/2 hr.; no reserved seats; 4:27pm), or T69 (11:44am). To Xining, the speediest choice is the T151 (8 hr.; 7am). To Chongqing, the only direct train is the 1084 (20 hr.; 12:12am). Pray for an upgrade. To Xi'an, take the K120 (1:26am) or T54 (6:32pm) that continues to Shanghai. Beijing trains include the T70 (5:59pm), T152 (7:17pm), and T76 (11:09pm).
Connecting with Xi'an (370km/229 miles; 6 hr.), thebusis your best option. From theBeidao Qu long-distance bus stationon Jiaotong Lu (tel.0938/273-6388) there are eight buses a day to Xi'an (7am-4:30pm; ¥60/$7.50); half-hourly buses to Lanzhou (8am-5pm; 381km/236 miles; 7 hr.; ¥58/$7); and buses to Yinchuan on alternate days (noon; 610km/378 miles; 17 hr.; ¥75/$9). Buses for Lanzhou also depart from the railway station between 7:30am and 5pm.
The main bus station in Qin Cheng is 3 blocks east and 2 blocks north of the main square at Shandong Lu 31 (tel.0938/821-4028). Eleven buses depart daily for Xi'an from 7am to 8pm. Buses depart every half-hour for Lanzhou (¥50/$6); at 6am and 5pm for Yinchuan (¥60/$7.50); and at 6:30am for Linxia (396km/246 miles; 13 hr.; ¥47/$5.90).
Getting Around-- Bus no. 6 from the railway station connects Qin Cheng with Beidao Qu (15km/9 1/4 miles; 30 min.; ¥2.40/30¢). The first bus is at 6:20am; the last bus departs at 11:30pm. Taxis in both areas cost ¥4 (50¢), white minivans ¥3 (40¢).
Tours & Guides-- Two hundred meters (656 ft.) east of the Bank of China isCITS,on the first floor of Shi Caizheng Ju, Minzhu Donglu (tel.0938/821-3621;fax 0938/821-3621; www.tianshuitour.com). They are useful if you are looking for an English-speaking guide (¥150/$20 per day), but don't expect obligation-free advice. They are open from 8:30am to 6pm.