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Jiayuguan Trip, Trip to Jiayuguan

Thursday, September 17th, 2020

After dinner, we went to Lanzhou Railaway Station for a 11-hour train trip from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan. Lanazhou Railway Station is the only passenger railway station in Lanzhou. It is located below the Gaolan Mountain in the south of Chengguan District of Lanzhou, Gansu Province.

We were arranged to take the overnight Train K9661 starting at 08:38pm and arriving at Jiayuguan at 7:46 the next morning covering the total railway length of 770km. Now it was the tourism peak season here in Gansu Province, there were over a dozen of through or passing by trains linking the two important cities on the ancient Silk Road.

The orange coloured train looked much safer and more reliable.

The orange coloured train looked much safer and more reliable

I was waked up by the early morning sunlight creeping into our cabin. What caught my eyes were the passing by Qilian Mountain with snow capped peaks.

Yes, the famous mountain would accompany us throughout the trip paralleling the the whole Hexi Corridor.

Qilian Mountain with snow capped peaks

We arrived at Jiayuguan on time. Jiayuguan Railway Station was located 5km south of the city center.

Jiayuguan Railway Station

After disembarking at Jiayuguan Railway Station, going through the city center, we went directly to Jiayuguan Hotel (嘉峪关宾馆) for a familiarization trip. It is a 4 star hotel with 177 rooms modernly equipped and elegantly furnished.

Add: No.01 Xinhua Road, Jiayuguan Tel: 0937 – 6201588 Fax: 0937 – 6227174. We were transferred to Jiayuguan Hotel (嘉峪关宾馆) for a fam trip.

A huge painted Jiayuguan Tourism Map hanging on the wall in the lobby of the hotel aroused my interest. The map clearly showed the layout of Jiayuguan City with the mapping of its rich tourist attractions.

Jiayuguan Downtown – Jiayuguan Airport ( 13km )

Jiayuguan Railway Station ( 5km )

Long Distance Bus Station ( 1.5km )

Jiayuguan Pass ( 4km )

Overhanging Great Wall (Suspension Great Wall ) 12km

The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall ( 15km )

Wei Jin Underground Brisk Murals ( 18km )

July First Glacier ( 120km )

The Tourist Map of Jiayuguan City

The next activity was the highlight of our fam trip in Jiayuguan, visiting the Jiayuguan Pass. Jiayu Pass ( Jiayuguan Fort ) was the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China. Built 1372, Jiayuguan Fort was was christened as the first and greatest Pass under the Heaven. The pass consisted of three defense lines – an inner city, an outer city and a moat.

The fort was located at the narrowest point of the western section in Hexi Corridor ( 15km wide ) bound by Qilian Mountains and Hei Shan ( Black Mountains ). The fort had a perimeter of 733 meters with an area of more than 33,500 square meters. The total length of the city wall was 733 meters and 11 meters high.

Jiayuguan pass had two gates – East side ( Gate of Enlightenment ) and West side ( Gate of Conciliation ). On each gate there was a building with an inscription of “Jiayuguan” in Chinese written. Each gate had 17 m-high towers with double gates that had been used to trapping invading armies. The south and north sides of the pass were linked to the Great Wall. There was a turret on each corner of the fort.

The West Gate of Conciliation

The unrepaired turret of the fort.

The unrepaired turret of the fort

The city wall of the pass.

The horse course way up to the pass

Outside the wall of the pass.

Outside the wall of the pass

After finishing the tour of Jianyuguan, we moved on to the south of the pass and got to the first beacon tower of Great Wall of China. The first beacon tower was built 1539 by an local military officer stationed in Hexi Corridor.

People were taking photos of the First Beacon.

Now we were driving along the highway from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang at the driving distance of 385km.

Any questions, just drop a line.

Posted in Dunhuang Travel, Jiayuguan Travel | 7 Comments »

How to Get to Dunhuang

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015

by Planning your Dunhuang Tour? Dunhuang (敦煌) once commanded a very important strategic position at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road along the narrow Gansu Corridor which was extended to the north Chinese plains and the ancient capitals of Chang’ans and Luoyang.

Dunhuang is a small town with wide sidewalks and easy walking narrow lanes connecting markets and squares. You can easily explore the downtown area of Dunhuang on your own. most of the highlights in Dunhuang are out of the town such as Dunhuang Museum, Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, Echoing Sand, Yadan National Geopark, Yumenguan Pass and Yangguan Pass.

Now Dunhuang is easily accessible by flight, rail and road. Xian, Lanzhou, Urumqi, Jiayuguan and Turpan remain the most visited cities where you change for flights, trains and even buses coming to Dunhuang.

Rail Travel to Dunhuang
Rail travel is a most popular way of travel to Dunhuang. Dunhuang Railway Station is located 12km in the northeast of Dunhuang city center. Currently overnight trains are available from Lanzhou and Xian to Dunhuang. Getting on the trains in the evening and arriving at Dunhuang in the morning next day, a good time for planning a day trip in Dunhuang.

Dunhuang Railway Station
Tel: 0937 – 5959562

Dunhuang Railway Station
Dunhuang Railway Station

Get from the Dunhuang Railway Station to Dunhuang city center
1) Public Bus: Exit from the station, on our right side, there is a special shuttle bus ( Bus No.03 ) from the station to Shazhou Market (Fengqing Street), the most commercial area and the city center of Dunhuang. Bus fare: 1 yuan.
2) Taxi: 5 yuan

Note: 128km to the north of Dunhuang is located Liuyuan Railway Station （柳园火车站). There are more trains arriving at Liuyuan Railway Station from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Jinan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Lanzhou and Urumqi. You may take a taxi ( 100 yuan ) or share a car ( 30 yuan ) from Liuyuan Railway Station to Dunhuang.

Flight Travel to Dunhuang
Dunhuang Airport is located 15km in the east of Dunhuang. There are flights available from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Xian,Urumqi, Lanzhou and Jiayuguan. Among them, the flights from Xian and Lanzhou are fixed and run all the year round; other flights are not available in winter season and you should check in advance.

The flights to Dunhuang are usually expensive without any discounts and you may take trains or travel overland instead.

Dunhuang Airport
Tel: 0937-8866133

Dunhuang Airport
Dunhuang Airport

As a small airport, the airport has airport shuttle buses only there are coming arrival flights, bus fare 15 yuan and 20 minutes. There are no shuttle buses from the city of Dunhuang to Dunhaung airport, and you have to take a taxi, 40 yuan for the 15km taxi ride.

Overland Travel to Dunhuang
Dunhuang Bus Station is located at No.25, Mingsha Road, just opposite to Feitian Hotel ( 飞天宾馆 ) in Dunhuang. Tel: 0937 – 8822174.

There are daily buses from Dunhuang to Crescent Lake and Echoing Sand, Jiayuguan. There are also buses to Qiuquan, Xian, Hami, Golmud and Urumqi.

Dunhuang Bus Station
Dunhuang Bus Station

Jiayuguan: about 4.5 hours
Lanzhou: about 20 hours
Golmud: about 15 hours

When to Visit in Dunhuang
All the attraction sites in Dunhuang are open all year round. The best time to visit Dunhuang falls between May and October, but avoid visiting Dunhuang during the public holidays such as May 1-3 for Labor Day Holiday and October 1-7 for National Day. The summer temperature can reach 30 or 40 degrees, so be well prepared for the hot weather, bringing your hat, long-sleeve clothes, sun glasses and sunblock cream.

Dunhuang in Winter
Dunhuang in Winter

The low tourist season from November to April is not suitable for traveling Dunhuang, with potential sandstorms. All the sights in Dunhuang offer discounted half prices. There are very few vendors in the downtown area and even some big stores are closed.

Where to Stay in Dunhuang
Budget Hotels
Charley Johng’s Hostel: 3F,11 Qingcheng Tel: 13893763029
Dune Guesthouse: Tel: 13893763029
Five Rings Hotel: 20 Ming Shan Road. Tel 0937 -8836574
Feitian Hotel: Dunhuang, 22 Mingshan Road. Tel 0937 -8822726

Standard Hotels
Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang: 5 North Shazhou Road. Tel: 0937 8829998
Dunhuang Hotel: 14 Yangguan East Road. Tel: 0937 8822538
Dunhuang Legend Hotel: Mingshan Road Tel: 0937 – 8853888

Deluxe Room at Building 8 of Dunhuang Hotel
Deluxe Room at Building 8 of Dunhuang Hotel

Deluxe Hotels
Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel: Dunyue Road. Tel: 0937 8882088

What to See in Dunhuang
Dunhuang is a small town with wide sidewalks and easy walking narrow lanes connecting markets and squares. You can easily explore the downtown area of Dunhuang on your own. most of the highlights in Dunhuang are out of the town such as Dunhuang Museum, Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, Echoing Sand, Yadan National Geopark, Yumenguan Pass and Yangguan Pass.

Dunhuang Museum: Located at Mingshan Road and it is a 15-minute walk from the central town ; 8:00am – 6:30pm. This newly opened museum displays the artifacts ranging from prehistorical to Qing Dynasty. It is free, but you need to bring your passport for registration.

Mogao Caves: Mogao grottoes is synonymous with Dunhuang, the junction of Silk Road and a must to see. Some of the most amazing art works of buddhist sculptures
& wall paintings with history dated back 1700 years over 10 dynasties.

Murals from Mogao Caves
Murals from Mogao Caves

Echoing Sand Mountain: The Mingsha Mountain, or Echoing-sand Mountain, is located 7 kilometers away from the city center of Dunhuang.
The reason that it is called Echo Sand Mountain is due to the fact The sand produces some echo or noise when the wind blows, hence the name of the Singing or Echoing Sand Mountain or Sand Dunes. People can have a fun of sand surfing or camel riding on the desert.

Crescent Moon Lake: The Crescent Moon Lake is an amazing place where you can see desert meeting the oasis in the most spectacular fashion.
A spring in the middle of the sand dunes in a shape of the moon and a temple built on the side of it, a breath-taking scene.

Yadan National Geopark: Yadan National Geological Park ( Yadan Landforms or Ghost City) is located on 185 km northwest of from Dunhuang city center. “Yadan” means “steep hill” Uyghur. The locals call the area Ghost City because you can hear the sand whispering when the wind blows especially at night. Your entrance ticket allows you to be on a bus tour to stop for 4 locations – peacock, lion, sphinx and armada of western sea and you need your own imagination to enjoy the natural arts.

Yadan National Geopark
Yadan National Geopark

Yumenguan Pass: Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) was origally built by Emperor Wudi of Han dynasty soon after 121 BC. Yumen Pass was one of the two most west fortresses
(Yumen Pass and Yuanguan Pas) on the ancient Silk Road. Once you pass these two gates, you are in the Western Regions and it was part of the road connecting Central Asia and
China. You may stop on your way to Yadan Geopark and you need a lot of imagination and knowledge to fully appreciate the historical site.

Yangguan Pass: Yangguan Pass is the 2nd pass of the two most west fortresses (Yanguan Pass and Yumen Pass) of the ancient Silk Road. It was established at the same time
as Yumen Pass by the order of Emperor Wudi of Han dynasty. Yangguan Pass is 70 km to the southwest of from Dunhuang city center. Now the only remain is the broken beacon tower. Yangguan Museum is built onsite based on the old Yang Guan of the Han Dynasty.

Yulin Grottoes: Also known as Yulin Caves, located about 180km south of Dunhuang with 40 caves ( 9:00am – 5:00pm). The grottoes are opposite to each other perched in a valley with a history over 1500 years from Northern Wei to Qing Dynasty. The frescoes here are bettered preserved than those in Mogao Caves with little oxidation.

Local Cuisines in Dunhuang
Local people like to eat Lamb and mutton, and are good at making noodles. The food in Dunhuang is a bit spicy. There are many food vendors at Shazhou Night Market, where you can taste the flavors from all Gansu Province – nooldes, barbecue, skewers and etc. Small eateries are also found in the narrow lanes nearby.

If you prefer a quiet place to dine out or drink, you may go to the restaurants near Feitian Hotel on Mingsha Road.

What to Buy in Dunhuang
Dunhuang is not only a tourist destination, but also a shopping paradise where you can find numerous souvenirs and special products. Most of the shopping malls and markets are located in the city center, like Feitian Department Store, Tianma Department Store, Shazhou Market, and Nanguan Zhonghe Market.

Dunhuang Walking Street ( on Mingshan Road ) and Shazhou Market (on East Yangguan Road) are the most popular places for shopping. Dunhuang Colored sculptures, Dunhaung dates and Dunhuang wine are the special local products.

Nightlife in Dunhuang
In summer, the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel hosts a beer garden at the entrance to the grounds. The lane behind Charley’s Johng’s Hostel has a row of stylish bars and cafes.
John’s cafe (22 Mingshan Road) in the parking lot of the Feitian Hotel with Reasonably priced western meals available. Oasis Cafe is on the Pedestrian
Street has good coffee, milkshakes, and a small menu with pizza and hamburgers.

Dunhuang Goddess is an 80-minute performance based on the story from Mogao Caves. It is held at the Dunhuang Theatre.

Dunhuang Travel Tips
1. Don’t travel alone in the desert or Yadan National Geopark. Well prepared for the changeable temperature on the desert.
2. Bring with you an aid kit while you travel on the west region in China.
3. Leave nothing but prints and photos.
4. Respect the local customs and traditions.
5. Be always vigilant against possible tourist scams and theft.
6. Well-prepared for your travel plan.
7. Dunhuang Hospital: No.20, Yangguan East Road Tel: 0937 – 8859088
8. Dunhuang Pst Office: No.01,Yangguan East Road Tel: 0937 – 8822986
9. Tourist Information Center: No.08, Xinjian Road, Dunhuang Tel: 0937 – 8851578

Tip: Hassle-free Dunhuang Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Dunhuang Guided Tours:

Dunhuang Highlight Day Tour from US$ 119 p/p
Dunhuang Excursion Day Tour from US$ 89 p/p
Dunhuang 4 Day Tour from US$ 159 p/p

Dunhuang Tailor-Made Tour

Further Readings

How to get to Dunhuang
Dunhuang Trip
Top 10 Places in Gansu

Any questions, just drop a line.

Tags: How to Get to Dunhuang, How to Get to Dunhuang by Flight, How to Get to Dunhuang by train, How to visit Dunhuang
Posted in Dunhuang Travel, Gansu Travel | No Comments »

Dunhuang Trip, My Trip to Dunhuang

Monday, August 15th, 2011

On Auguast 01, 2011, after simple Chinese lunch at the end of visiting Jiayuguan Pass, we set off for Dunhuang on a 385km road trip along the National Highway G30 and changed at Guazhou County for National Highway G313 leading to our destination – Dunhaung.

We set off for Dunhuang on a 385km road trip.

we set off for Dunhuang on a 385km road trip

This 385km driving trip was the most challenging part of our Hexi Corridor trip. But we were all excited and very much expected the long bus travel cutting through the Gobi desert bound by Qilin Mountain in the south and the North Mountain and the extention of Tianshan Mountain in the north.

Gobi

At the city Yumen, we stopped for about 20 monutes for using toilets and relaxing. It was a national highway, so each distance between 60 and 100km there would be a service center with the facilities like a restaurant, a store and a toilet.

Service Area at Yumen on the G30

On our left side was Qilianshan Mountain.

Our left side was Qilianshan Mountains.

Wind turbines

wind turbines

In the later afternoon, after four and half hours, we reached the city of Dunhuang. The monotonous desert landscape suddely gave away to the green oasis with cultivated fields opposite the rolling sand dunes. But it was not the oasis and the sand dunes that attracts a huge number of tourists coming to Dunhuang each year, it is the the splendid cave temples of Dunhuang, a trove of Buddhist art in the high desert.

Dunhuang once commanded a very important strategic position at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road along the narrow Gansu Corridor which was extended to the north Chinese plains and the ancient capitals of Chang’ans and Luoyang.

The Mogaoku (Mogao Caves ) was located under the Minshanshan (Singing Sand Dunes ), 25km southeas of the city of Dunhuang. The attraction site of the Crescent Moon Lake and the Singing Sand Dunes was located 7km south of Dunhuang City. The Dunhuang Railway Station was located 12km in the northeast of Dunhuang and Dunhuang Airport 13km in the east of Dunhuang.

Dunhuang Tourist Map

Dunhuang Tourist Map (www.friendsofdunhuang.org)

Now we entered the city center of Dunhuang. The Feitian Statue standing in the center of the city.

New hotels in Dunhuang were popping up to meet the increasing number of tourists coming from home and broad.

All the hotels were located in Dunhuang city, not at the Mogao Caves area. This time we were arranged to stay at Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang ( add: 5 Beilu, Shazhou Tel; 0937 -8829999 ), one of the best hotels in Dunhuang. Other nice hotels include Dunhuang Hotel ( add:14, Guandong Lu Tel: 0937 – 88220088 ), Dunhuang Shazhou Sunny Hotel ( add: 31, Guanzhong Lu Tel: 0937 – 8850001 ), Dunhuang Shanzhuang ( add: Guoyue Lu Tel: 0937 – 8882088 )…

Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang

Rooms at Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang

Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang

After check-in, for the rest of the time, we were free without any prearranged activities. Together with a bus mate from Guilin, we went to the famouas Dunhuang Market for a short trip.

In the market, you would see good dried fruits, and nuts ( including dates, raisins, walnuts, apricots…). You would alo discover many souvenirs. If you felt hungry, the market would not let you down.

A panoramic view of the Dunhuang Market, the commercial street.

A panoramic view of the Dunhuang Market,

Jade, bracelet, beards, wrist beads…

Luminous cup

luminous cup

Gourd Carving

Stone Carving

Skewered lamp

Enjoying the local flavors

The next morning we got up very early to catch the beautiful view of the Singing Sand Dunes coupled by the Crescent Lake. We were a little bit disappointed by the yellow dust ( yellow sand, yellow wind or dust storms)… It is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon which affects much of Northern and Northwest of China like Lanzhou, Baotou and Yinchuan as well as Beijing in the season of March.

Singing Sand Dunes

Riding a camel

The Crescent Lake in the dust storm

The visit to the Mogaoku, or Mogao Caves was the highklight of our Hexi Corridor trip. The site of the Mogao Caves is loacted 25km southeast of the city of Dunhuang. The Mogao Cave temples rise three levels along a 1.6 kilometer escarpment near the Daquan River. Every visitor to Dunhuang will be overpowered by their rich complexity and astonishing details. There are totally 492 caves, hand hewn from the cliff face over a millennium, are numbered for reference and protection.

If you travel on a large group, your group have to make a reservation in advance. Individuals and small groups do not need a reservation for entering Mogao Caves. But all visitors must be escorted by a guide offered by the Dunhuang Academy. High season tickets are around US $25, the two hour guide service available in major languages.

Photography is not allowed inside the caves. The standard admission only allows you visit a dozen cave temples, including the Cave No.96, the iconic nine story pagoda with the colossal 35.5m tall Buddha, the third largest in the world.

It is worth visiting at least two cacess. Aroud 30 caves are open to the public at any one time of the 429. Murals and sculptures bring us much enlightment on the ten centuries of culture at the crossroads of East and West.

The Cave 96, the Iconic Structure

The caves are well protected

Three levels caves

More caves

Tip: Hassle-free Dunhuang Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Dunhuang Guided Tours:

Dunhuang Highlight Day Tour from US$ 119 p/p
Dunhuang Excursion Day Tour from US$ 89 p/p
Dunhuang 4 Day Tour from US$ 159 p/p

Dunhuang Tailor-Made Tour

Archive for the ‘Dunhuang Travel’ Category

Jiayuguan Trip, Trip to Jiayuguan

How to Get to Dunhuang

Further Readings

Dunhuang Trip, My Trip to Dunhuang

Further Readings

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