Best way to get to Dunhuang from Xi'an

Question

Hi, I'm planning a trip in January to go to China for three weeks and one of the places I really want to go is Dunhuang. I'm just trying to figure out best options to get to Dunhuang from Xi'an and I'm getting conflicting info online. I have a Chinese friend who said there is a high-speed train that will take 12 hours, though she has never taken that train, whereas google keeps saying there is no direct high-speed train and it will take 22 hours. We are trying to minimize time spent on trains and we don't like the idea of flying as we already would have done a bit of flying from Ireland to China in the first place, plus airport wait and all. Would any of you have an idea how long the journey is, whether it is high speed, and how much roughly it will cost?

Answer

Traveling from Xi'an to Dunhuang is a common question for visitors to Gansu province, and there are a few options, each with its pros and cons. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. By Train

There is currently no fully high-speed train (CRH) that covers the entire Xi'an–Dunhuang route directly. The journey is mostly served by conventional fast trains (D or T types). Travel times are significantly long because the distance is over 1,400 km.

Direct Train: There is a direct overnight train from Xi'an to Dunhuang. This train is usually a regular fast train (T type) and takes around 17–18 hours. It offers hard sleepers and soft sleepers. Ticket costs for soft sleeper are roughly 400–500 CNY, and hard sleeper around 250–300 CNY.
Split Journey: Another option is to break the journey with a transfer in Zhangye or Jiuquan. For example, Xi'an to Zhangye by high-speed train (around 5–6 hours) and then Zhangye to Dunhuang by regular train (around 6–7 hours). This can shorten travel fatigue but involves train changes and scheduling coordination.

2. By Flight

Flying is the fastest option, taking about 2 hours. Airlines like China Eastern, Air China, and China United operate flights from Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Dunhuang Airport (DNH). Prices in January typically range from 600–1,200 CNY one-way, depending on how early you book. While you mentioned wanting to avoid flying, it is worth considering for time efficiency if you have limited days.

3. Recommendation

If you prefer trains and want to minimize transfers, taking the direct overnight train from Xi'an to Dunhuang is the simplest, though it is long.
If minimizing travel time is a priority, consider taking a flight even if you want to avoid airports. It will give you extra time in Dunhuang for sites like the Mogao Caves and Mingsha Sand Dunes.
Breaking the train journey via Zhangye can be a good compromise, especially if you want to experience the Zhangye Danxia landscapes, but it does require some planning for transfers.

In conclusion, the 12-hour high-speed train option your friend mentioned is likely a misunderstanding or a future service; as of now, the direct train takes 17–18 hours, and high-speed service is only available to intermediate cities like Zhangye or Jiuquan. Costs are reasonable, and tickets can be booked online or at the station in advance. Consider your tolerance for long trains versus the convenience and speed of a flight.

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