End of rideXiamenAirAfter a 2,500km flight from Taipei to Lanzhou, I boarded the Lanzhou Railway's Dunhuang Express the following evening for another 1,100km journey. This time, I decided to spend the night on the train. It was my first time sleeping in a sleeper compartment. While it wasn't exactly comfortable, it was definitely a novelty. At least it was much better than a long-haul flight. And theoretically, I didn't have to adjust to jet lag, since China uses the Central Plains Time Zone! Haha.
Lanzhou Railway.Dunhuang Small File
Booking:Trip|Klook
Dunhuang is a tourist train launched by Lanzhou Railway Bureau. It has been sailing since July 2014. It is specially designed to promote tourism and economic development on the Silk Road. There is only one trip a day between Lanzhou and Dunhuang, and only stops at Wuwei and Jiayuguan. Two stations, a total distance of 7 kilometers, a ride time of 1,133 hours and 12 minutes, the whole car has a total of 48 cars, including 18 sleeper cars (superior soft sleeper 15 cars, soft sleeper 2 cars, hard sleeper 6 cars), 7 1-hour bar car and 24 cars Restaurant carriage.
- Y667次．蘭州—武威—嘉裕關—敦煌：18:00-06:48
- Y668次．敦煌—嘉裕關—武威—蘭州：20:12-07:18
Buy tickets and prepare to board Dunhuang
The ticket purchase and customs clearance process for boarding the Dunhuang number is quite similar to that of boarding an air plane. When buying a ticket, you can only purchase it after showing your passport. The ticket will show your name and passport number.When entering the station, you must also show your passport along with your ticket, and your luggage must be inspected by an X-ray machine. When you are ready to board the train, there will be a beautiful service staff in each carriage of the train who will be responsible for reception and instructions.
▲ In the evening, go to Lanzhou Railway Station and prepare to buy tickets to board the Dunhuang.
▲ The Dunhuang number only runs once a day. It departs from Lanzhou at 18:00. You can show your passport when you buy the ticket. The name and passport number will be displayed on the ticket.
▲ The real-name ticket inspection procedure is adopted. When entering the station, passengers are prompted to prepare their tickets and identification documents.
▲ After passing the security check at the gate, go to the second waiting hall and wait for the bus.
▲ The customs clearance channel is divided into blue tickets and red tickets. We use passports to purchase, but we buy blue tickets.
▲ The ticket checking machine is the same as taking the high-speed rail. You can pass the customs by inserting the ticket in the direction indicated.
▲ Each carriage is received and guided by service staff, and the beautiful service staff is right in front of it.
▲ Those who have forgotten to prepare food after a long drive of more than 12 hours can replenish food here.
Introduction to Dunhuang's soft sleepers and various carriages
All Dunhuang trains use sleeper cars, which are divided into three levels: high-level soft sleeper, soft sleeper and hard sleeper. This time we took a soft sleeper car. When the train is idle, we will also see the high-level soft sleeper and restaurant cars by the way. Passengers can be in the restaurant car For ordering and dining, each carriage has different Gansu cultural decoration paintings, showing the sights of different cities, which can be used as a simple travel book.
▲There is a small LCD TV in front of each bed, and there is a large luggage storage space above the door.
▲ A soft-sleeper box with a four-person room is provided. If you are accompanied by relatives and friends, it is actually a good time to pass the time.
▲ It is really important to provide hot water equipment and prepare a bowl of instant noodles in advance!
▲ The soft sleeper compartment only provides simple washing space, at most, brushing your teeth and washing your face!
▲ This is the superior soft bedroom, which is actually a two-person suite, with its own bathroom and a small sofa.
▲ The restaurant compartment.
▲ 24 hours bar compartment.
▲ Another restaurant car.
▲ There will be two stops at Wuwei and Jiayuguan stations in the middle, with a stopping time of 6 minutes and 16 minutes respectively.
▲The best time to watch the scenery is when you set off in the evening and when you arrive in the early morning. You have to grasp the time, and the rest of the time is a long night!
▲ Arrived at the terminal station Dunhuang Station!
Conclusion
The overnight experience of taking the Dunhuang train is not comfortable, but it is definitely much easier than taking a long-distance bus. It is a very special experience to watch the desert scenery whizzing by the train window.The train cannot provide shower facilities. Fortunately, the train departs in the evening. It is recommended to freshen up in the hotel before boarding.If you can travel with four people, the long night will be fine, but those who are afraid of noise should prepare earplugs, eye masks and other accessories.
Dunhuang Introductory Video
◎ Lanzhou Railway.Dunhuang
– Stop station: Lanzhou.Wuwei.Jiayuguan.Dunhuang
-One-way fare: Premium soft sleeper ¥700.5, soft sleeper ¥381.5, hard sleeper ¥244.5
– Official website: http://www.lanzhourailwaybureau.com.cn/
