How to Get to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan?

Jiayuguan and Dunhuang are two brilliant pearls on the ancient “Silk Road”, one is known for the Westernmost of Ming Dynasty Great Wall and another shocked the world by the Mogao Grottoes - the largest and richest Buddhist treasure trove in the world. Short distance, convenient transportation and irreplaceable cultural and historical heritages makes the travel between Jiayuguan and Dunhuang quite popular and significant. Taking a fast-speed bullet train is the most recommended transportation for a Jiayuguan Dunhuang tour. For further details and more available transport , please check our guide and tips below.

Where is Dunhuang? How Far is Dunhuang from Jiayuguan?

Lying on the westernmost part of Hexi Corridor and the conjunction of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, Dunhuang (敦煌市) is a small county-level city in Jiuquan City (酒泉市), northwest Gansu, about 500 km /6 hours’drive to Hami (哈密), 990 km/11.5 hours drive to Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xinjiang, and nearly 1,100 km/12 hours’ driving to Lanzhou, Gansu.

Jiayuguan City (嘉峪关市) is a prefecture-level city located in the northwest of Gansu Province (甘肃省) and middle of Hexi Corridor. It borders Jiuquan City (酒泉市) in the west, north and east, and next to Zhangye (张掖市，where has the famous Zhangye Danxia Geopark - “Rainbow Mountains”) in the south. Jiayuguan is about 730 km/8 hours’ride to southeast Lanzhou, capital city of Gansu.

The estimated driving distance from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang is about 375 km, 4 hours.

Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Transportation Map

Option 1: Travel from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by Train - Most Recommended

Getting to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan by a train is recognized as the optimal choice, because there are many train scheduled, the train journey is shortest to only 2.5 hours and the Dunhuang Railway Station is located closer to Dunhuang City. Everyday, there are over 5 trains running from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, including a double of fast bullet trains and some normal trains. Check more train details to decide which kind of train to take for your Jiayuguan Dunhuang train tour.

● Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Bullet Train - the Fastest Way

Distance: about 353 km/219 mi

Duration: about 2.5 hours

From & To: Jiayuguan South Railway Station (嘉峪关南站) - Dunhuang Railway Station (敦煌站)

So far, Jiayuguan has 2 daily bullet trains (both are D trains) to Dunhuang. One departs in the early morning and the second one leaves at nightfall. You can book ticket for First Class Seat or Second Class Seat and the ticket price is between about 110 RMB to 175 RMB.

Useful Links:

◆ China Train Travel Guide | First Class Seat | Second Class Seat

● Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Normal Trains

Distance: about 363 km/ 226 mi

Duration: about 4 hours - 6 hours

From & To: Jiayuguan Railway Station (嘉峪关站) - Dunhuang Railway Station (敦煌站)

Jiayuguan now operates 5 normal trains to Dunhuang each day. All of the trains (K & Y trains) leave in the wee hours of morning. The trains runs a slower speed, and takes 2 more hours than the bullet trains. You can choose from Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, Senior Soft Sleeper and Hard Seat.

Tips:The departure station of normal trains is also different from the bullet trains, better carefully check when get your ticket.

Our Advice: Taking a bullet train is much faster and convenient than a normal train. But after arrival, you still need extra transfer. Travel with China Discovery, you can enjoy worry-free airport/train station pick-up and drop-off service, and direct transfer to your hotel and attractions in Dunhuang.

Most Popular Jiayuguan & Dunhuang Tours:

>> 6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour

>> 8 Days Gansu Highlights Tour

>> 7 Days Ancient Silk Road Treasure Tour

Jiayuguan South Railway Station

Dunhuang Railway Station

Jiayuguan Railway Station

Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Normal Train

Check the following real-time Jiayuguan to Dunhuang train timetable:

Option 2: Travel from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by Bus

From & To: iayuguan Long-Distance Bus Station (嘉峪关长途汽车站)-Dunhuang Bus Station (敦煌汽车站)

Duration: about 4-5 hours

Some travelers also like to take a bus to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan. So far, there are 3 buses available every day. Two depart in the morning hours and one in the afternoon. The 383 kms’ ride takes nearly 4 to 5 hours, almost the same as a normal train journey. Another advantage is that, the Dunhuang Bus Station is located in Dunhuang City, closer than the Dunhuang Railway Station, thus, you can easily transfer to your hotel and the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring.

Option 3: Travel from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by Flight - Not Recommended

We have to say, barely no one choose to fly to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan, because currently, Jiayuguan has no direct flights going to Dunhuang. It’s really time-consuming, costly and exhausted to spend about 2.5 hours, or more than 10 hours’ transfer in Lanzhou.

How to Plan A Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour

It’s highly suggested to have a one day quick trip in Jiayuguan and take more time to appreciate the marvellous Buddhist treasury and enjoy desert landscape in Dunhuang.

When in Jiayuguan, the Jiayuguan Pass - the westernmost of Ming Dynasty Great Wall is the priority and must-visit. You can feel the desolate and solemn ancient battle field when standing on the Jiayuguan Fortress. Better get some history background before visiting.

Useful Links: Jiayuguan Pass / Lanzhou to Jiayuguan / Zhangye to Jiayuguan Trains

You can discover Dunhuang in 1 day to 4 days, which is largely determined by your travel days and itinerary. Dunhuang Grottoes in any cases is the top highlights for your Dunhuang tour. During one day brief tour, you can visit the caves in the morning and get to Mingsha Mountain in the afternoon. Watching a Silk Road show at night is a good idea to know more past glory.

Two days is a classic itinerary which allows you tour relatively leisurely, try interesting camel riding in Mingsha Mountain, tasting local flavor in Shazhou Night Maket, and spending full day to look at those beautiful Buddhist sculptures and murals in Mogao Caves. If you have more time, leave 1 to 2 days more to see the splendid Yardang National Geological Park, to witness the older Great Wall of Han Dynasty - Yumen Pass, and experience more local culture and customs.

Useful Links: Popular Dunhuang Tours / Dunhuang Travel Guide / Top Things to Do in Dunhuang

Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>> 1 Day Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes Mingsha Tour
>> 2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour
>> 3 Days Dunhuang Highlights with Camping Experience
>> 4 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour

Spectacular Jiayuguan Pass

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang

Best Travel Idea: You can follow the ancient "Silk Road" to discover Urumqi, Turpan and more destinations in Xinjiang.

Travel Jiayuguan & Dunhuang with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional, reliable and experienced travel companion offering best tour services for our guests. We not only provide travel guide and tips online, but also try our best to make sure you enjoy your China travel, supporting you on China Visa Application, transport, sightseeing, accommodation, dining and more details. You may select from our popular tour packages, or contact us to customize a special one based on your own hobbies, budget and itinerary.

Best Silk Road Tours with Jiayuguan & Dunhuang:

>> 4 Days Jiayuguan and Dunhuang Tour

>> 6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour

>> 8 Days Gansu Highlights Tour

>> 7 Days Ancient Silk Road Treasure Tour

>> 15 Days Classic Ancient China Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train