Gansu Transportation Guide: Getting Around the Silk Road

Lanzhou to Zhangye: 3 hours, frequent departures, ¥150-250

Zhangye to Jiayuguan: 1.5 hours, regular service, ¥65-100

Jiayuguan to Dunhuang: 2.5 hours, several daily, ¥100-180

Lanzhou to Dunhuang: 8 hours direct, or break journey at intermediate cities

Booking: Use Trip.com (English) or 12306.cn (Chinese). Book in advance for holidays.

Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (LHW): Main gateway with flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and international connections.

Dunhuang Airport (DNH): Flights from Lanzhou, Xi'an, and seasonal routes. Saves time on long journeys.

Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (YZY): Limited flights, mainly from Lanzhou and Xi'an.

Jiayuguan Airport (JGN): Few flights, train is usually better option.

When to Fly: Lanzhou-Dunhuang flight (2 hours) vs train (8 hours) - worth it for time savings.

Long-distance buses connect all cities but are slower than trains.

Lanzhou to Xiahe: Bus is best option (4 hours) as no train connection.

Tianshui to Maijishan: Local buses frequent and convenient.

Dunhuang to Yulin Caves: Tour buses or hire driver.

Bus stations can be chaotic - arrive early and have your destination written in Chinese.

Taxis: Metered in cities. Have destinations written in Chinese. ¥7-10 starting fare.

Didi (Chinese Uber): App-based, often cheaper than taxis. Requires Chinese phone number.

Public Buses: Cheap (¥1-2) but challenging without Chinese. Good for fixed routes.

Bicycle/Scooter Rental: Available in tourist areas like Dunhuang.

Walking: City centers are walkable, but distances between attractions can be large.

Hiring a car with driver: ¥500-800 per day, offers flexibility

Useful for remote sites like Yulin Caves or Yardang National Park

Negotiate price upfront and confirm what's included (tolls, parking, meals)

Hotel concierges can arrange reliable drivers

Shared tours available at hostels and hotels for popular routes