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Hexi Corridor by Rail: Xi'an to Dunhuang: 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 7-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go.
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7
days
1618 km
distance
18.2 h
on trains
21
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The most comfortable corridor window for long outdoor visits. Reserve trains and timed attractions, and confirm live wind, heat and closure notices.
- Heavy transit: day 1 (6h12) runs over 6 hours in transit. Around 8 days would keep daily travel comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Xi'an → Lanzhou
- Transit
- 6h12
- Finish
- ~21:35
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–20.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Marvel at the mighty terracotta army in three vaults.
210 min · Xi'an · ¥120, students ¥60 (only for local students). Passport required for ticket purchase
open: Mar 16–Nov 15 08:30–18:30 (last admission 17:00); Nov 16–Mar 15 08:30–18:00 (last admission 16:30)
13:45
14:45
20:45
Zhongshan ("Morning") Bridge read more
Sturdy metal trellis bridges the mighty Yellow River.
50 min · Lanzhou · Free
open: Always open
Overnight: Lanzhou
e.g. Lanzhou Dream Forest Hostel · Lanzhou Ferry Hostel
Day 2 Around Lanzhou
- Transit
- 0h14
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–20.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Explore Silk Road history through colorful potteries and treasures.
120 min · Lanzhou · Free, but you need you need to make a reservation with WeChat
open: Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00; reservations end 16:00; last entry 16:30; closed Mondays except public holidays
11:10
12:10
Overnight here
e.g. Lanzhou Dream Forest Hostel · Lanzhou Ferry Hostel
Day 3 Zhangye
- Transit
- 4h40
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 8.9°C–21.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 12.2h
13:40
Witness vibrant layered rock formations in a commercial park.
240 min · Zhangye · ¥108 (including mandatory ¥38 shuttle fee)
open: Seasonal opening and last-entry times change with daylight; check the official scenic-area notice for the travel date
Overnight here
e.g. Tian Run Jin Zuo Hotel · Holiday Inn Express
Day 4 Around Zhangye
- Transit
- 0h18
- Finish
- ~13:35
- Temperature
- 8.9°C–21.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
10:45
11:45
12:35
Overnight here
e.g. Tian Run Jin Zuo Hotel · Holiday Inn Express
Day 5 Jiayuguan
- Transit
- 2h42
- Finish
- ~16:45
- Temperature
- 10.9°C–23.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 12.2h
11:30
Jiayu Pass zwfw.gansu.gov.cn read more
Walk through a rebuilt section of the western Great Wall.
180 min · Jiayuguan · ¥110
open: From May 1, 2026: 08:00–18:30 (last ticket 18:00); seasonal hours can change
14:45
15:45
Night Market (富强市场) search
Sample diverse street food and dine in small local restaurants.
60 min · Jiayuguan · Grilled lamb skewers, 1.5 - per skewer
Overnight here
e.g. Jiayuguan Yuda Hotel · Huili Business Hotel
Day 6 Dunhuang
- Transit
- 3h52
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 13.2°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 12.2h
12:40
Marvel at ancient Buddhist art and manuscripts in a sacred site.
240 min · Dunhuang · A standard Type D Pass costs ¥160 for foreign visitors, which includes ¥20 for an English guide. Chinese visitors pay ¥140
open: Apr 1–Nov 30 08:00–18:00 (last check-in 16:10); Dec 1–Mar 31 09:00–17:00 (last check-in 15:10)
16:55
White Horse Pagoda read more
See a historic stupa rebuilt in the 1840s.
50 min · Dunhuang · The entrance fee is ¥15
open: 08:00-18:00
Overnight here
Day 7 Around Dunhuang
- Transit
- 0h17
- Finish
- ~14:50
- Temperature
- 13.2°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Walk among shifting dunes and admire a serene salt lake.
180 min · Dunhuang · Entrance fee for the dunes and lake park is ¥110 (¥55 low season); an additional ¥100 per person for a camel ride (as of 2021) (price listed 2021)
open: Seasonal opening and last-entry times change with sunrise and sunset; check the official scenic-area notice for the travel date
12:20
Discover local history and art in the town's main museum.
90 min · Dunhuang · Entry is generally free, but fees may be charged for access to special exhibitions
open: 09:00-18:30 (May to September), 09:00-18:00 (October to April), no entry in last 60 minutes, closed on Mondays
13:50
Yunnan Cross Bridge Mixian search
Taste authentic rice noodles with flavorful local sauces.
60 min · Dunhuang · ¥20/person
open: Until 00:00
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.