Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan (嘉峪关; Jiāyùguān) is a city in Gansu Province.

Understand
Known as the 'mouth of China' because of its position at the end of the Great Wall of China where it guarded the western boundary of Ming Dynasty China. The narrow river passage heading southeast from here is known as the Hexi Corridor and is nicknamed the 'throat of China'.

By train
Jiayuguan South Railway Station (嘉峪关南火车站; Jiāyùguān Nan Huǒchēzhàn) is to the south east of the town in a new development area and connects to Lanzhou & Urumqi with the D type (200Kph) trains.


 * Lanzhou - takes about 4 hours
 * Xining - takes about 3 hours
 * Zhangye - takes about 1 hour
 * Turpan - takes about 5 hours
 * Urumqi - takes about 6 hours
 * Liuyuan - takes about 2 hours
 * Dunhuang - takes about 2.5 hours
 * Xian - takes about 9 hours

Jiayuguan Railway Station (嘉峪关火车站; Jiāyùguān Huǒchēzhàn) is on Yingbin West Road, southwest of the town center.


 * Beijing - takes about 33 hours
 * Chengdu - takes about 26 hours
 * Liuyuan - takes about 6 hours
 * Shanghai - takes about 28 hours
 * Turpan - takes about 17 hours
 * Urumqi - takes about 13–18 hours
 * Xian - takes about 20 hours
 * Lanzhou - takes about 9 hours
 * Dunhuang - takes about 5 hours

By bus
Long Distance Bus Station is at the corner of Jingtie West Road and Shengli South Road.

A night bus runs to Xining from here.
 * Dunhuang - takes about 5–8 hours
 * Lanzhou - takes about 14 hours
 * Zhangye - takes about 4–5 hours
 * Jiuquan - takes about 20 minutes.
 * Hami - takes about 11 hours, CN¥136.
 * Urumqi - takes about 15 hours, only Thursday 9.00, CN¥300

By bus
A bus ticket costs ¥1. A map of all bus routes around the city are on every bus station on the reverse side of the bus information, although in Chinese only but with legible route numbers.


 * Bus 1 - The south bound bus heads from the centre of town to the train station.
 * Bus 4 - This leaves the train station, goes through town and then to the Jiayuguan Fort, north of the city.
 * Bus 10 - From Jiayuguan South Railway Station to the north of the city.
 * Jiayu Pass cultural relics scenic spot is 5 km away from urban city, take the bus No.4 can go there directly, ticket fee is ¥1, and it will take 20 minutes on the bus.
 * Jiayu Pass the Great Wall first trick is 7.5 km away from urban city, you can choose one-day tour line or take taxi, round trip ticket is ¥50, and it will tale 30 minutes on the bus.
 * Jiayu Pass overhanging Great Wall is 7.5 km away from urban city, you can choose one-day tour line or take taxi, round trip ticket is ¥50, and it will tale 30 minutes on the bus.
 * Jiayu Pass Wei and Jin Dynasty Cultural travel scenic is 18 km away from urban city, you can choose one-day tour line or take taxi, round trip ticket is ¥50, and it will tale 30 minutes on the bus.

By Taxi
Taxis start at ¥6 for 2 kilometres. Taxis near train stations, airports and scenic spots may rip off customers. If you want to hire a taxi to take you to various scenic spots, remember to ask a few more drivers.

Taxis in the city usually cost no more than ¥15 (including Jiayuguan Railway Station). A little more expensive to go to Jiayuguan South Railway Station from city, but usually no more than ¥35.

See
Jiayu guan tourist area Three parts - Pass, Xuanbi Wall and The first Pier, ticket for all parts ¥110 in high season (student half).



Budget

 * ¥60 for a double room with bathroom.
 * ¥60 for a double room with bathroom.
 * ¥60 for a double room with bathroom.
 * ¥60 for a double room with bathroom.

Connect

 * Internet Cafe - On Xinhua Nan Lu. From the Xiongguan hotel walk north about 15m. There is a lane going behind the buildings on the right. On the right hand side, there is a stairs. The internet cafe is on the first floor. This is a big place, good speed, flat screens, but a little smokey. ¥2 per hour.

Go next

 * July 1 Glacier (Qiyi Glacier) - enormous 500 meter glacier, day trip tours available, renting a taxi costs about ¥500 (2009) for the 130 km trip. The road is long and the conditions are not great, make sure you rent a good taxi. 3–5 hours, to the 4,300 m base. Then a climb up to the glacier.

Another way to get to the glacier is to take a train to Jintieshan for 4.¥5 each way - departs at 7am, returns at 5pm. It takes about 2 hours. From there you need to go by taxi for about another hour (we were quoted ¥100 per person in Aug 11, but negotiated it down, feel we could have got it down to half price). For the price the driver will wait and bring you back to the station again in time for the 5pm train back to Jiayuguan.

Entrance is ¥101, or 51 for students.


 * visa-extension - head south Xinhua Zhonglu for about 3 km until you reach a statue with a horse. Turn left for 200-300m. The PSB is on your left. (opposite the station). Friendly staff, takes 2–3 days.