The high-speed train from Lanzhou to Xinjiang has been available since December 26th, 2014. With a length of 1776km, it runs across three provinces, which are Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Province. There are will be 16 pairs of the high-speed trains travelling along the new railway route in the early period. The train number start with a “D”.There are 21 stations along this railway line, including Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Turpan and Urumqi and etc. These cities are the most important destinations along the old Silk Road. It takes about 12 hours’ train travel from Lanzhou West Station to Urumqi South Station. Click here to book a train ticket.
The following are some detail information.
Lanzhou to Urumqi
Ticket price overivew
First Class Seat CNY 658
Second Class Seat CNY 548.5
Lanzhou to Jiayuguan
There are five high-speed trains available everyday.
Departure time at 7:46, 8:25, 10:49, 13:25, 18:26
Duration about 5 hours
Depart from Lanzhou West Train Station
Arrive at Jiayuguan South Train Station
Ticket fare overview
First Class Seat CNY258
Second Class Seat CNY215
Lanzhou to Zhangye
Depart from Lanzhou West Station
Arrive at Zhangye West Station
Departure time at 7:46, 8:25, 10:49, 18:24
Duration about 3 hours 30 minutes
Ticket fare
First Class Seat CNY179.5
Second Class Seat CNY149.5
Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Depart from Zhangye West Station
Arrive at Jiyuguan South Station
Departure time at 11:13, 11:57, 13:45, 14:16, 22:06
Duration about 1 hour 30 minutes
Ticket fare
First Class Seat CNY 78.5
Second Class Seat CNY 65.5
Lanzhou to Xining
There are 10 trains available from Lanzhou West Station to Xining Station everyday.
Departure time from 7:46 to 20:03
Duration about 1 hour 25 minutes
Ticket fare
First Class Seat CNY 69.5
Second Class Seat CNY58
Attractions along the old Silk Road
Lanzhou
White Pagoda Hill Park:It is located in the White Pagoda Hill at the northern bank of the Yellow River.It has its name after the white pagoda on top of it, which was originally erected in the Yuan Dynasty. Towering and lofty, the White Pagoda Hill connects the undulating mountains giving an imposing view of nestling the Jingcheng city.
Zhangye
Zhangye grand Buddha Temple: The Giant Buddha Temple is located in the southwest part of downtown of Zhangye, which is well known for the remains of China’s biggest indoor sculpture of Nirvana Buddha.
Jiayuguan
The Jiayuguan Pass: This Ming Dynasty fort guards the strategic Jiayuguan pass, at the western end of the Great Wall – this was the last section built by the Ming Dynasty. It was built in 1372, and subsequently enlarged and strengthened, and was known as “the strongest pass under heaven”.
Dunhuang
Mogao Grottoes: Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world’s richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures.Cameras are not permitted.
Echoing-Sand Mountain: Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands Mountains and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring’s name derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn’t dry up as one might expect.
Turpan
The Flaming Mountain: The Flaming Mountain is located on the northern verge of Turpan Basin, more than 10 kilometers away from Turpan city.It is the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. Eighty percent of the total natural landscapes and human landscapes in Turpan are located here.