The Bell Tower in Jiuquan City

Jiuquan, 748 kilometers northwest of Lanzhou, is a bright peal in the Silk Road. Travelers can take train N851 2050/0714+ from Lanzhou to Jiuquan. The soft sleeper train ticket costs CNY184.00 per person. The train arrives in Jiuquan in the next morning. Visit the Bell and Drum Tower and the Fresco Tomb Complex of Wei and Jin Dynasty. With 1600 years of history of around 1600 years, the Jiuquan Bell and Drum Tower is located in the city center. It is a kind of timberwork with three floors, which is majestic and spectacular. From there, you can hire a taxi to visit the Fresco Tomb Complex of Wei and Jin Dynasty, which is 20 kilometers west of Jiuquan city and 20 kilometers northeast of Jiayuguan city. For travelers' reference, a taxi costs around CNY200.00 for a day. There are two scenic areas on the site of the tomb complex, one in Dingjiazha township (Admission fee: CNY45.00 per person) and the other one in the Xincheng township (Admission fee: CNY31.00 per person). Tips: It is better to bring a flashlight since it is dark inside the cave. Please be aware that taking photos is prohibited here in order to protect the fresco. When you are done seeing this area, head to Jiayuguan city, which is a crucial point along the Silk Road.

Recommended hotels in Jiayuguan:
Jiayuguan Great Wall Hotel, 3 stars
Address: No.6 West Jianshe Road, Telephone numbers: 0937 - 6226306/ 6225288 Jiayuguan Hotel, 4 stars
Address: No. 1 North Xinhua Road, Telephone number: 0937 - 6201588 Jiayuguan Huayuan Hotel, 4 stars
Address: No.1 Shuguang Road, Telephone number: 0937 - 6308888

Jiayuguan Pass

The next day, visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, the Jiayuguan Fort and the Xuanbi (Overhanging) Great Wall. Situated at East Qilian Road, the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum is the first comprehensive theme museum that shows the culture of the Great Wall of China. It consists of 7 chambers and has around 7000 items on display. (Admission fee: CNY15.00 per person) The Jiayuguan Fort, 6 kilometers southwest from the downtown area, is the first pass at the west end of China's Great Wall. It is known as “the Greatest Pass under Heaven”. Seeing the sunrise or sunset at the fort is highly recommended. (Admission fee: CNY60.00 per person) Xuanbi Great Wall, 11 kilometers from Jiayuguan city and 7 kilometers from Jiayuguan Fort, was first built in 1539 and rebuilt in 1987. It played a crucial role in the defensive works of Jiayuguan Pass. (Admission fee: CNY40.00 per person)

On the fourth day, visit the Heishan (Black Mountain) Rock Painting, 20 kilometers northwest of Jiayuguan city. The rock painting is in the Heishan gorge on the north slope of Hexi Corridor. There are 153 pieces of painting displaying the culture of the Qiang People from the Warrior States period to the Ming Dyansty.

To return, take train N852 2036/ 0704+ back to Lanzhou or continue the journey to Dunhuang, which is 363 kilometers west of Jiayuguan.