How to Get from Zhangye to Dunhuang: By Train, Bus, Flight

Ancient “Silk Road” inherits lots of significant attractions along the route, Dunhuang and Zhangye are two of the most famous destinations, one is most known for the rare cultural treasure - Mogao Grottoes and another is famous for the natural wonder - Danxia Landform Geopark. If you happen to plan a trip following the “Silk Road”, check transportation guide between Zhangye and Dunhuang below to get inspiration.

Where is Dunhuang? How far is Dunhuang from Zhangye?

Dunhuang is a county-level city in Gansu Province, located in the westernmost of Gansu Province and Hexi Corridor, and the junction of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. It’s the destination to visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Mogao Grottoes and the Yumen Pass and Yang Pass (Great Wall of Han Dynasty). Zhangye is a prefecture-level city in northwest of Gansu Province and middle of Hexi Corridor.

The driving distance between Zhangye and Dunhuang is: about 600km/ 6 hours.

Zhangye to Dunhuang Transportation Map

Option 1: Zhangye to Dunhuang by Train - Most Recommended

So far, taking a direct train is the most convenient way to get to Dunhuang from Zhangye. At present, there are 5 trains departing from Zhangye to Dunhuang, including 1 bullet D train and 4 normal trains.

● Zhangye to Dunhuang Bullet Train - The Fastest Option

Duration： about 4.5 hours

The bullet train departs from Zhangye West Railway Station (张掖西站) in the afternoon and gets to Dunhuang Station (敦煌站) in the evening, after less than 4.5 hours ride.

● Zhangye to Dunhuang Normal Train

Duration: about 6.5 ~ 7 hours

The normal trains includes K and Y trains, which begin from Zhangye Railway Station (张掖站) and arrive at Dunhuang Railway Station (敦煌站). Among them, tourists more like to take the overnight train to get to Dunhuang next morning. It saves time on road and money on accommodation.

Useful Links:

◆ Zhangye West Railway Station | Dunhuang to Zhangye Train Schedules
Dunhuang Transportation Guide

Most Popular Zhangye Dunhuang Tours:

>> 5 Days Zhangye to Dunhuang Highlights Tour by Bullet Train

>> 6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour

>> 7 Days Ancient Silk Road Treasure Tour

Zhangye Railway Station

Dunhuang Railway Station

Below are Real-time Zhangye to Dunhuang Train Timetable:

Option 2: Zhangye to Dunhuang by Bus

Zhangye runs 1 direct bus from Zhangye Bus Station to Dunhuang Bus Station daily. The bus ride takes about 10 hours. The long journey taking up the whole daytime is quite tedious, not recommended when compared with the convenient train trip.

Option 3: Zhangye to Dunhuang by Flight

Currently, there is no direct flight flying from Zhangye to Dunhuang. If you want to take a flight, you need to transit via Lanzhou or Xian, then the whole air travel from Zhangye Ganzhou Airport to Dunhuang Airport costs more than 10 hours. So we do not suggest you to consider the flight.

How to Plan A Zhangye Dunhuang Tour

Zhangye and Dunhuang each has distinguished attractions and local culture and history in Northwestern China, offering you spectacular natural and cultural landscape both.

It’s suitable to spend 1 to 3 days touring Zhangye. Visiting the top 1 must-visit spot, the colorful Danxia Landform Geopark is the biggest appeal of Zhangye. There you can witness large scale of “Rainbow Mountains”unfolding before your eyes. In Binggou Danxia nearby, you could see exotic Danxia formations in another style. With more time, you can visit the Mati Temple and Giant Buddha Temple to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist culture of ancient China.

Useful Links: Popular Zhangye Tours / Zhangye Travel Guide / Zhangye Attractions

Recommended Zhangye Tour: 3 Days Zhangye Danxia Classic Tour

The World Cultural Heritage - Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang is the most famous and amazing highlight on “Silk Road”. The massive caves is recognized as the largest Buddhist art land with richest Buddhist cultural relics in the world. Numerous vivid and colorful Buddhist sculptures and mural paintings take you back to glorious China before. Besides, you can visit Echoing Sand Mountain, Crescent Lake, Yardan National Geopark, Yumen Pass, etc., to discover marvellous natural landscape in Dunhuang.

Useful Links: Popular Dunhuang Tours / Dunhuang Travel Guide

Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>> 2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour
>> 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour
>> 4 Days Dunhuang Hiking Tour

Our USA Family Customers Enjoyed Trip to Zhangye Danxia Geopark

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang

Travel Zhangye & Dunhuang with China Discovery

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Recommended Longer Silk Road Tour with Zhangye & Dunhuang

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