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Hexi Corridor by Rail: Xi'an to Dunhuang: 9-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 9-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.
9
days
1618 km
distance
19.2 h
on trains
28
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.
Before you go · check live details
This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.
Some route advice is currently available in English.
- Check live access for the exposed Gansu sights
Confirm current opening, last entry, shuttle operation, wind, heat, rain and temporary closures for Qicai Danxia, Jiayu Pass and Singing Sand Dunes/Crescent Lake.
Check source ↗
Day 1 Xi'an
- Transit
- 1h35
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 15.2°C–25.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~18
- 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
15:05
See the city's emblem with occasional water and music shows nearby.
90 min · Xi'an · ¥30 for the temple complex. Entering the pagoda additional ¥12.5, purchased inside
open: Nov-Feb: 08:00-18:00, Mar-Oct 08:00-18:30
16:35
Overnight here
e.g. Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi'an · Nanlin International Hotel
Day 2 Around Xi'an
- Transit
- 0h21
- Finish
- ~14:05
- Temperature
- 15.2°C–25.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~18
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Wander through vast green spaces and admire an ancient palace gate.
50 min · Xi'an · The standard ticket price is ¥60. Children aged 7 to 18 pay half-price. Children aged 6 or under and adults aged 65 or over are granted free entry
open: In spring and summer (April 15th to October 15th), opening hours are 08:30-19:00, the last tickets are sold at 17:30 and the last entry is at 18:30. In autumn and winter (October 16th to March 14th), opening hours are 08:30-18:00, the last tickets are sold at 17:00, and the last entry time is 17:30
10:05
Explore ancient stone tablets inscribed with scriptures and poetry.
50 min · Xi'an · Mar-Nov: ¥60, Dec-Feb: ¥50, or ¥100 (if combined with City Walls)
open: Mar-Nov: 08:00-18:30; Dec-Feb: 08:00-18:00, no entry in last 45 minutes
11:05
Walk along the world's largest restored city wall.
120 min · Xi'an · ¥54 (standard entry ticket), ¥27 (students), ¥100 (combined with Beilin Museum)
open: 08:00-23:00
13:05
Overnight here
e.g. Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi'an · Nanlin International Hotel
Day 3 Lanzhou
- Transit
- 5h05
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–20.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.2h
13:45
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
15:55
17:00
Zhongshan ("Morning") Bridge read more
Sturdy metal trellis bridges the mighty Yellow River.
50 min · Lanzhou · Free
open: Always open
Overnight here
e.g. Lanzhou Dream Forest Hostel · Lanzhou Ferry Hostel
Day 4 Around Lanzhou
- Transit
- 0h24
- Finish
- ~13:00
- Temperature
- 7.6°C–20.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
10:05
11:10
White Pagoda Mountain Park (Baitashan) read more
Wooded hills dotted with pagodas and shrines invite exploration.
50 min · Lanzhou · Free
Overnight here
e.g. Lanzhou Dream Forest Hostel · Lanzhou Ferry Hostel
Day 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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
e.g. Charlie Johng's Dune Guesthouse · Zephyr International Youth Hostel
Day 9 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.
Sources (5)
- Wikivoyage — Xi'anCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — LanzhouCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — ZhangyeCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — JiayuguanCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikivoyage — DunhuangCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)