What is the most cost-effective way to take the train from Xiamen to Hohhot?

There is no direct train from Xiamen to Hohhot. The trains that can be reached through transfer are as follows: Option 1 Xiamen -> Zhengzhou -> Hohhot (the most economical travel) Departure train from Xiamen and arrival in Zhengzhou Travel time Travel distance, fare in this range K744/K741 (Xiamen--Zhengzhou) 19:28, 23:581 days, 4 hours, 30 minutes, 1933 kilometers, 124 yuan, transfer train from Zhengzhou to Hohhot, travel time, travel distance, fare in this range 1482/1483 (Nanchang-- Baotou) 23:1219:5020 hours 38 minutes 1348 kilometers 145 yuan Plan 2 Xiamen -> Beijing West -> Hohhot (shortest travel time) Departure from Xiamen Arrival at Beijing West Travel time Travel distance Fare for this range K308/K305 (Xiamen - -Beijing West) 21:4607:001 day 9 hours 14 minutes 2287 kilometers 253 yuan transfer train departing from Beijing North and arriving in Hohhot travel time travel distance fare in this section 1458/1455 (Tongliao - Hohhot) 07:0219:4012 hours 38 minutes 644 kilometers 81 yuan Plan 3 Xiamen -> Nanchang -> Hohhot (shortest travel distance) Departure from Xiamen and arrival in Nanchang Travel time Travel distance Fare for this range K244/K241 (Xiamen - Xi'an) 17:34 10:5317 hours 19 minutes 838 Kilometer 113 yuan Transfer train departs from Nanchang and arrives in Hohhot Travel time Travel distance Fare for this section 1482/1483 (Nanchang--Baotou) 11:00 19:50 1 day 8 hours 50 minutes 1864 kilometers 216 yuan