Jiayuguan Travel Guide

Jiayuguan is a prefecture-level city located in northwest Gansu, China. Lying in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor, it is most famous for the nearby Jiayuguan Pass, the western terminus of the Great Wall of China. Covering an area of 2,935 square kilometers, Jiayuguan City is bounded by the Qilian Mountains on the south, the Mazong Mountains on the north, the Jiuquan Basin on the east, and the Gobi desert on the north.
 

History

Located in the narrowest passage of Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan is nicknamed the 'throat of China'. Successive dynasties after Qin and Han stationed troops here to protect territory Jiayuguan City, was built up in Ming Dynasty with a history of more than 600 years. It is an important city of tourism on the ancient Silk Road famous for the Jiayuguan Pass and Jiuquan Steel Company.
 

Attractions

Jiayuguan boasts many historical relics related to Great Wall and Silk Road such as Jiayuguan Pass, Great Wall Museum, the First Pier of Great Wall, Overhanging Great Wall and Wei Jin Tombs.

Jiayu Pass is the western terminus of the Ming Great Wall of China overlooking the Gobi Desert. Ticket for the whole pass is required to visit area. It is 5 km away from urban city, bus No.4 can go there directly. Opening Hours: 8am – 20pm.

Great Wall Museum is inside the area of Jiayuguan Pass solely about the Great Wall couture. No ticket is required. The First Pier of Great Wall is about 7km to West from the Fort, located on the cliff at a height of about 80 meters by the Taolai River. Take taxi at train station and the distance is 4km. Opening Hours: 9am – 15pm.

Overhanging Great Wall is 7km far from The Pass, offering great views from the top. It is composed by two parts. The first has a fort and two towers. The second has two towers with higher climb.

Weijin Art Gallery is 20km northeast of the city. Nice paintings inside the tombs depict the daily life in Wei and Jin periods. Yu can go there by round trip taxi with CNY 50.
 

Transport

By Air: Jiayuguan Airport is situated 13km northeast of the city center. There are flights to Lanzhou, Zhengzhou, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.

By Train: Visitors to Jiayuguan can get off at Jiayuguan Railway Station on Yingbing West Road or Jiuquan Railway Station12km south of the city 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 Long-distance Bus: Jiayuguan Long-distance Bus Station is situated at the joint of Shengli Road and Lanxin Road. You can take Bus No. 2 from railway station and get off at Liucha Road.

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, 136 Yuan.
Urumqi - takes about 15 hours, only Thursday 9.00, 300 Yuan

A night bus runs to Xining from here.

City Transport: The town is rather small and there is no tourist attraction within the city. Most attractions in Jiayuguan are available by taxi with base fare CNY6 and CNY1.2 charged per additional kilometer. Public bus is a convenient transport for traveling around the City with bus fare usually 1 Yuan. Jiayuguan Pass is 5 km away from urban city, bus No.4 can go there directly; ticket fee is 1 Yuan with 20 minutes on the bus.
 

Weather and Climate

It has a continental desert climate. The average annual temperature is 7.7 C; Strong sunshine with wide difference between the day and night temperature. January is coldest and July is hottest.
 

Food and Restaurants

Snacks worth trying in Jiayuguan include Camel foot sole dish, camel hoof soup, Shaokezi (a roasted cake) and Roast Mutton.

Recommended Restaurants
Jingtielu Food Street: offers over 30 kinds of snacks from all over China such as Beijing dumpling, Tianjin g steamed stuffed bun, Lanzhou beef noodles, and Xinjiang button yakitori.
Address: Jingtie Road

Jinhua Jiulou
Address: Xinhua South Road

Aili-Bakery: Bakery-Cafe with free and fast Wifi-Connection. Pastry is good.
Address: Xinhua Zhonglu
 

Nightlife and Entertainment

Drinking local beer, eating skewers and playing drinking games are very popular in the night market for local people. There are many small bars around Xinhua Zhong Lu.
 

Shopping

Local products in Jiayuguan include Yeguang Cup (Night Glittering Cup), Jiayu inkstone, carving products, jade carving and fresco rubbings. Shopping places are mainly distributed in Xinhua Road and Yingbin Road.

Friendship Store: all kinds of arts and crafts goods
Address: Xinhua Bei Road

Jiayuguan Walking Street: Yeguang Cup (Night Glittering Cup), rubbings of Wei and Jin tomb murals, stone carvings and assorted carpets
Address: center of downtown in the south of the city.

Night Street: Stone Carvings, assorted Carpets and Ink stones.
Address: in the downtown area near the walking street in Xinhua Bei Road.
 

Accommodation

Recommended hotels in Jiayuguan
Jiayuguan Hotel
Address: NO.1 Xinhua North Road
Phone: +86 0937 6226 983

Great Wall Hotel
Address: NO.6 Jianshe West Road
Phone: +86 0937 6225 266

Qingnian Hotel
Address: 4 Jianshe West Road
Phone: +86 937 6201 088
 

Travel Tips

1. May to October is the best time to visit Jiayuguan.
2. No photography in Wei Jin Tombs.
3. Do not miss the sunset in Jiayuguan Wall.
4. Rent a car to visit Jiayuguan Pass, the First Pier of Great Wall, Overhanging Great Wall and Wei Jin Tombs. It costs CNY80 to CNY100.