How to Get from Dunhuang to Urumqi: By Train, Flight or Bus

Visiting Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu and exploring Urumqi in Xianjiang belongs to an in-depth ancient Silk Road adventure. The westward travel route is filled with unique landscapes and amazing cultural and historical heritages attracting more trippers. To realize your further journey to Urumqi, Xinjiang, you can take a bullet train or normal train, connecting flight or direct bus. Which is the most convenient way to travel from Dunhuang to Urumqi? How long does it take? Below are detailed Dunhuang to Urumqi transportation guide to help you get to Urumqi efficiently and conveniently.

Where is Urumqi? How Far is Urumqi from Dunhuang?

Urumqi (乌鲁木齐市) is the capital city and transportation hub of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区). Known as the city farthest from the ocean in the world, Urumqi is located in the central Xinjiang, north foot of middle section of Tianshan Mountains, south of Junggar Basin, Northwestern China and center of Eurasia, about 200 km of northwest of Turpan (吐鲁番).

Dunhuang (敦煌市) is a small county-level city in the westernmost of Hexi Corridor and northwest of Gansu Province. It is situated about 1,100 km/ about 7.5 ~ 8 hours' bullet train journey from Lanzhou (兰州).

Xinjiang borders Gansu in the southeast, and Urumqi is in the northwest of Dunhuang, with an estimated distance of about 990 km (615 mi).

Dunhuang to Urumqi Transportation Map (Zoom in to enlarge map)

Option 1: Dunhuang to Urumqi Train - Most Recommended

Taking a train travel in China is getting more and more popular and convenient. In consideration of time and money costs, it’s mostly recommended to get to Urumqi from Dunhuang by train. Every day, there are about 20 trains available from 02:00am to nearly 23:30. Based on your itinerary and preference, you may choose from a fast-speed bullet train or a normal train.

Step 1: Transfer from Dunhuang to Liuyuan

Please be aware that, Dunhuang Railway Station has no trains to Urumqi, if you want to take train from Dunhuang to Urumqi, your first step is to get from Dunhuang to Liuyuan South Railway Station (for bullet trains) or Liuyuan Railway Station (for normal train) in Guazhou City nearby.

Liuyuan Railway Station Location Map (Zoom in to enlarge map)

▶ Dunhuang City to Liuyuan South Railway Station: about 210 km, 2 hours & 15 minutes’ drive

Take a bus at Dunhuang Bus Station to get to Liuyuan Bus Station. Upon arrival, walk less than 5 minutes (350 m) to get to the Liuyuan Railway Station (to take normal trains to Xinjiang).

▶ Dunhuang City to Liuyuan Railway Station: about 210 km, 2 hours & 15 minutes’ drive

The first step is to take a bus from Dunhuang to Liuyuan Bus Station, and then transfer from bus station to Liuyuan South Railway Station (about 3.5 km/ 10 minutes’ ride).

Visit Liuyuan Railway Stations to know more about the detailed location and transportation guide.

Step 2: Take a Train from Liuyuan to Urumqi

Plan A: Dunhuang to Urumqi Bullet Train - the Fastest Way

● Train Time: about 4 hours 10 minutes ~ 4 hours 20 minutes

● Frequency: about 3 trains per day

● From & To: Liuyuan South Railway Station 柳园南站 → Urumqi Railway Station 乌鲁木齐站

● Running Speed: about 200 km/h

At present, there has 3 bullet trains (D trains) running from Liuyuan to Urumqi daily. The trains all depart at afternoon and arrive at Urumqi on the same day. The bullet train journey is within 4 hours 20 minutes. Two kinds of tickets are offered: First Class Seat and Second Class Seat. Ticket prices are between 250 RMB to 400 RMB.

Useful Links:

◆ Urumqi to Dunhuang (Liiyuan) Bullet Trains | First Class VS Second Class Seat

Most Popular Dunhuang Urumqi Tours:

☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour

☛ 11 Days Northwestern China Cultural Relic & Desert Landscape Tour

☛ 12 Days Silk Road Tour from Beijing

Liuyuan South Railway Station

Second Class Seat on Bullet Train

Plan B: Dunhuang to Urumqi Normal Train - the Cheapest Option

● Train Time: about 7 hours ~ 10 hours

● Frequency: more than 10 trains per day

● From & To: Liuyuan Railway Station 柳园站 → Urumqi Railway Station 乌鲁木齐站

● Running Speed: about 120 km/h

Normal trains are also available for a budget travel. Liuyuan delivers more than 10 normal trains to Urumqi per day. The ordinary trains are K, T, Z trains running at a traditional slow speed and with simple and basic facilities and services. You can choose from trains leaving between about 02:00 and 23:30. Overnight trains could be a good idea to save your daytime on transport and for one night accommodation.

Because you will spend more than half a daytime onboard, a Soft Sleeper or Hard Sleeper is much more recommended than a Hard Seat. Price of sleepers ranges from about 200 RMB to 300 RMB.

Useful Link: China Normal Train Introduction

Liuyuan Railway Station

Urumqi Railway Station

Check the following real-time Dunhuang (Liuyuan) to Urumqi (Wulumuqi) train timetable:

Option 2: Dunhuang to Urumqi Flight - Time-Consuming

So far, Dunhuang has no direct (non-stop) flights to Urumqi, for the airport now only operates direct airlines to a few domestic cities, including Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Zhengzhou. If you intend to fly to Urumqi from Dunhuang, you have to transit in Lanzhou for at least 2 hours and longer time, and go by two different airline companies with two separate journeys. Thus, the entire air travel will take more than 6.5 hours.

Know more about Dunhuang Airport and Flights to/off Dunhuang to better plan your Dunhuang Urumqi tour!

Option 3: Dunhuang to Urumqi Bus - Not Recommended

There is only one bus going to Urumqi from Dunhuang each day. The bus starts from Dunhuang Railway Station and takes more than 12 hours (about 1,040 km). Maybe you speak and understand Chinese well, have a good direction and can bear the long journey, anyway, the bus is not recommended, especially when you have more convenient choices.

How to Plan A Dunhuang Urumqi Tour

Along the ancient “Silk Road”, most tourists spend about 5 days to visit Dunhuang, Urumqi and Turpan between them.

1 or 2 days is most suitable for a Dunhuang highlights tour. You can enjoy the Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake in one day, and see the Yardang Geopark and Yumen Pass (the westernmost of Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China) with another day. Then you can take a 3.5 hours’ high speed bullet train to Turpan, having a quick trip for 2 days to see the Jiaoge Ancient City, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and else landmarks. Next, continue your train travel to Urumqi, 1 day is enough for downtown attractions, but more people choose to have a day trip to the stunning Tianchi Lake.

Recommended Silk Road Tours with Dunhuang & Urumqi:

◆ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour
◆ 11 Days Northwestern China Cultural Relic & Desert Landscape Tour
◆ 15 Days Classic Ancient China Silk Road Tour with Bullet Train Experience

Xinjiang is vast and beautiful. Many travelers spend a long trip visiting more destinations, such as the cultural center - Kashgar, fairyland Kanas Lake, splendid Kalakun Grassland. A classic Xinjiang tour covering Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan needs around 8 days. With more time, you can visit Ili, Korla, Syram Lake and more amazing destinations of Xinjiang.

Useful Links:

Popular Dunhuang Tours / Popular Urumqi Tours / Top Xinjiang Tours

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