Lanzhou to Jiayuguan: Train, Flight or Car from Lanzhou to Zhangye

Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Distance: About 730 km

Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu, located in the central part of the province, and is a significant transportation hub in northwest China, as well as an important node on the Silk Road Economic Belt. Jiayuguan, located in the northwest of Gansu, sits at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, about 730 kilometers from Lanzhou.

Traveling from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan, you will pass through Wuwei (武威 one of the four counties established by Emperor Liuche (汉武帝) during the Han Dynasty, with the other three being today's Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang in Gansu), Zhangye (张掖), and Jiuquan (酒泉).

On one side of the road, you will see the majestic Qilian Mountains (祁连山脉), whose snowmelt feeds the fertile oases below. You'll spot cattle and sheep grazing peacefully, and wild horses running at the Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm (山丹军马场). On the other side, the vast Tengger Desert (腾格里沙漠) and Badain Jaran Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠) stretch into the horizon, with endless dunes and barren Gobi plains. Occasionally, you'll see caravans of camels.

The saying "the most beautiful scenery is on the road" perfectly describes traveling in Gansu.

1. Lanzhou to Jiayuguan with Zhangye Side Trip (Highly Recommended)

• Lanzhou to Zhangye by High-speed Train: About 510 kilometers (3 hours)
• Zhangye to Jiayuguan by Private Car: About 230 kilometers (3 hours)

Driving the 730 kilometers between Lanzhou and Jiayuguan without stopping takes about 7-8 hours. However, we highly recommend stopping to explore Zhangye - one of the ancient counties of the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊)!

If you travel with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT), we will design the most reasonable itinerary for you. You also won’t need to worry about transportation, accommodation, or attraction tickets, and a guide will accompany you throughout the journey.

Unlock Zhangye between Lanzhou and Jiayuguan

Dafo Temple (大佛寺): Also known as the "Great Buddha Temple," it is a Buddhist art museum featuring architecture, sculpture, murals, carvings, scriptures, and other cultural treasures. The Dafo Temple has 3 unique features: it is the only surviving temple from the Western Xia (西夏), it houses the largest indoor reclining Buddha in Asia, and it has a well-preserved collection of Buddhist scriptures.

Zhangye Danxia Geopark (张掖丹霞地质公园): Also called the Zhangye National Geopark (张掖国家地质公园), it is famous for its colorful rock formations, commonly referred to as "Rainbow Mountains." It is an excellent place to experience the wonders of nature and a paradise for photographers.

2. Lanzhou to Jiayuguan by High-Speed Train: 4-5 Hours (Cheapest Option)

• Time Required: About 4-5 hours
• Price: ¥215 per adult for a one-way ticket
• Departure: Lanzhou West Railway Station (兰州西站)
• Arrival: Jiayuguan South Railway Station (嘉峪关南站)

Taking the high-speed train from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan takes 4-5 hours, covering a distance of about 730 kilometers. There are roughly 12 trains daily between Lanzhou and Jiayuguan, departing between 07:15 and 17:21. The travel time varies depending on the number of stops.

From Lanzhou West Railway Station (兰州西站), the train stops at several stations, including Haidong (海东), Xining (西宁), Datong West (大通西), Menyuan (门源), Shandanmachang Railway Station (山丹马场), Minle (民乐), Zhangye West (张掖西), Linze South (临泽南), Gaotai South (高台南), Jiuquan South (酒泉南), and finally arrives at Jiayuguan South Railway Station.

Tips: You'll miss the chance to explore Zhangye, home to the Dafo Temple and the Zhangye Danxia Geological Park.

Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Train Scenery

The scenery along the way is stunning. Be sure not to sleep through the journey, or you might miss the breathtaking landscapes, including:

• Rapeseed flower fields of Menyuan (best seen from early July to early August).
• Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm (山丹军马场) with galloping horses.
• Endless Qilian Mountains (祁连山脉) with grazing cattle and sheep at their base.
• Vast dunes of the Tengger (腾格里沙漠) and Badain Jaran Deserts (巴丹吉林沙漠).

The diverse landscapes are awe-inspiring, truly making Gansu one of the few places where you can experience nearly every type of terrain.

Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Train Time & Price

Here is the detailed timetable and price of the train from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan for your reference.

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All G-train D-train C-train

Depart Time:

All 00:00-06:00 06:00-12:00 12:00-18:00 18:00-24:00

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3. Lanzhou to Jiayuguan by Flight: 3 Hours (Fasted Option)

• Time Required: About 3 hours
• Departure: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (兰州中川国际机场, IATA: LHW)
• Arrival: Jiayuguan Jiuquan Airport (嘉峪关酒泉机场, IATA: JGN)

Flying from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan takes 1.5 hours. The straight-line distance is approximately 540 to 650 kilometers. There are 4 flights from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport to Jiayuguan Jiuquan Airport every day.

Note that Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport is about 70 kilometers from the city center, adding around 1 hour to your journey. Jiayuguan Jiuquan Airport is 15 kilometers from downtown Jiayuguan, requiring about 20 minutes. Combined, this adds roughly 1.5 hours to your total travel time.

Tips: Flying is the fastest option. However, we don't recommend it. The stunning landscapes of northwest China are an integral part of the journey and should not be missed.

Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Flight Timetable

Note: Flight schedule information is for reference only, in the event of a discrepancy the actual flight information will prevail.

Tips for Traveling from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan

1. Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Gansu’s UV rays are strong, especially in the highlands and deserts. Bring adequate sun protection.
2. Layered Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night can be drastic, especially in desert areas. Pack a warm jacket even if you visit in summer.
3. Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, especially if you plan to hike the Great Wall at Jiayuguan or explore Danxia Geopark.
4. Moisturizers and Lip Balm: The air in Gansu, particularly in Jiayuguan and the surrounding desert regions, is very dry. Make sure to bring good moisturizing skincare and lip balm to prevent dryness.

How to Plan a Tour from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan

Lanzhou (1-2 Days)

Begin your journey with a day in Lanzhou, visiting the city’s main landmarks: Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Park, the Yellow River Mother Statue, and Waterwheel Park.

For an additional day, venture to Liujiaxia Reservoir (刘家峡水库) and enjoy a speedboat ride to Bingling Temple Grottoes (炳灵寺石窟), a UNESCO World Heritage site nearby.

Jiayuguan (1 Day)

Spend a day in Jiayuguan to see the historic Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关关城) and the famous Jiayuguan Great Wall (悬臂长城), both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Extend Your Trip to Zhangye, Dunhuang and Further Xinjiang

Consider adding a stop in Zhangye on your way from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan. After Jiayuguan, head to Dunhuang, Gansu’s iconic destination, then extend into Xinjiang for a deeper Silk Road experience.

Zhangye (1-2 Days):

Spend one day in Zhangye visiting the spectacular reclining Buddha statue at Dafo Temple (大佛寺) and the vibrant Danxia landforms in Zhangye National Geopark. An additional day allows you to explore Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon.

Dunhuang (2-3 Days):

Dunhuang offers 2-3 days of fascinating exploration. Discover historical sites and natural wonders, including the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟), a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Singing Sand Dunes (鸣沙山), Crescent Moon Spring (月牙泉), and Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark.

Xinjiang (5-13 Days):

In Xinjiang, stay 5-13 days to experience diverse landscapes like the Turpan Basin, Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake, Taklamakan Desert, and Karakul Lake. Highlights include cultural sites such as Kashgar’s Ancient City, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins, the Karez System, Emin Minaret, and Tashkurgan Fort.

Recommended Tours:

8 Days Silk Road Tour from Lanzhou to Urumqi: Yellow River to Karez Wells

Suggested Gansu Tour Itinerary from Lanzhou to Dunhuang

Check this 6 days classic Gansu tour itinerary for reference:

Day 1: Lanzhou Arrival

Day 2: Lanzhou to Zhangye Tour by High Speed Train - Liujiaxia Reservoir (Speedboat), Bingling Temple Grottoes (World Heritage)

Day 3: Zhangye to Jiayuguan - Dafo Temple (Big Buddha Temple), Zhangye National Geopark (Zhangye Danxia Geological Park)

Day 4: Jianyuguan to Dunhuang - Jiayuguan Pass (World Heritage - Great Wall of China), Great Wall Museum (Optional), Overhanging Great Wall

Day 5: Dunhuang Tour - Mogao Grottoes (World Heritage), Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring, Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (Optional)

Day 6: Dunhuang Departure

Recommended Tours:

6 Days Gansu Silk Road Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan & Dunhuang

Get from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)

With Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT), your trip from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan is fully arranged, covering transportation, accommodations, and ticketing. AOT provides the most efficient travel options and guides you through the top attractions across Gansu and Xinjiang.

AOT’s private car option adds flexibility, allowing you to set your own pace and visit sights that may be missed by high-speed trains or flights.