How to Get to Jiayuguan from Dunhuang

Dunhuang (敦煌)is located in northwestern Gansu province, Western China. It was also a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and is best known for the nearby Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes.

Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) city is located in northwestern Gansu province. It lies in the Gobi desert, at the middle of Hexi Corridor, 776 kilometers away from Lanzhou and 5 to 6 hours away by bus from Dunhuang. It is known as the 'mouth- of China' because of its position at the end of the Great Wall of China where it guarded the western boundary of Ming Dynasty China.

It is about 372 km from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan. Normally, visitors travel between the two cities by train or by bus.

By Train (Recommended)

There are now (10th July, 2018) 6 trains leaving from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan every day. They departs respectively at 07:30, 09:12, 15:25, 18:25, 18:46 and 20:27. The trip takes around 4 hours. Ticket fare ranges from 50 to 150 depending on what kind of seat or sleeper you are taking. You will get on the train at Dunhuang Train Station and get off at Jiayuguan Train Station.

By Bus

There are 12 express buses from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan every day. They depart at 08:00, 08:40, 09:30, 10:10, 11:00, 12:50, 13:30, 14:30, 15:40, 16:40, 18:30 and 19:30. The trip takes about 4.5 hours. The ticket fare is about 100 yuan. Dunhuang Long-distance Bus Station (敦煌长途汽车站) can be easily reached by taxi.

Or if you miss the express buses, you can also take bus from Dunhuang to get to Jiuquan first, then change to a bus from Jiuquan to Jiuyuguan.