Dunhuang

Chinese: 敦煌
Pinyin: Dūn huáng
English: Dunhuang
Coordinates: 39°50'32"N 97°50'59"E

The Dunhuang area is the western end of the Han Dynasty Great Wall. The area boasts some very well-preserved Han Dynasty Great Wall structures.

Dunhuang is located in Gansu province. It can be reached by car or train. A train from Beijing takes about 38 hours. A train from Jiayuguan takes about 5 hours. You can also fly to Dunhuang from Beijing, Lanzhou, or Xi'an.

The Dunhuang Great Wall was built in the Han Dynasty making it some of the oldest Great Wall sections that many people visit. As a result, don't expect it to be in good condition. In most places, it is completely gone. Those areas that remain are highly deteriorated. Some repairs have been done at Yumenguan. The fortresses at Yangguan and the walled city at Dunhuang are 90% new.

Jiayuguan marks the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. All Great Wall in the Dunhuang area, which is further west, was built much earlier, in the Han Dynasty. So while the Ming Dynasty is around 400 to 500 years old, the Han Dynasty Great Wall is more like 2000 years old or more. This alone makes the Dunhuang area Great Wall well worth visiting.

There are two main passes in the area, Yumenguan and Yangguan.

The fortifications in the Dunhuang area are remarkable for their locations in remote, harsh terrain. Hiking for long distances in this area without vehicle support can be dangerous. Make sure you are prepared for the conditions and the isolation.

In Dunhuang city is an excellent museum with several Great Wall exhibits. Don't miss the exhibits in the back room or on the second floor of this museum.

Also famous in Dunhuang are the Mogao Grottos, which you should not miss if you go to Dunhuang.

Location summary: Dunhuang is about 1849 kilometers (1149 miles) west of downtown Beijing. It is about 306 kilometers (190 miles) west of Jiayuguan.

Driving directions: From Beijing, drive southwest on G030 (G4) for about 57 kilometers (35 miles) from the 5th ring road. Turn right on Langzhuo Expressway and drive west for about 27 kilometers (17 miles). Continue onto C5 and drive southwest for 442 kilometers (275 miles). Continue onto G20 and drive for 495 kilometers (308 miles). At Yanchi, exit onto G2 and drive west for 162 kilometers (101 miles). At Zhongning, turn onto G6 and drive east for 15.5 kilometers (9.6 miles). Turn right onto G2012 and drive west for 64 kilometers (40 miles). At Mengjiawan, turn left on S201 and drive west for 80 kilometers (50 miles). Turn right onto 308 and drive west for 131 kilometers (81 miles). Turn onto G30 at Lijiatai and drive northwest for 749 kilometers (465 miles). Continue onto G312 and drive northwest for 69 kilometers (43 miles). Turn left on G215 and drive southwest 125 kilometers (78 miles) to Dunhuang.

Dunhuang Great Wall map

Great Wall at Dunhuang

Old city walls at Dunhuang

Great Wall at Dunhuang

Han Dynasty Great Wall at Dunhuang

View from 40°21'20.5"N 93°48'36"E
This is the westernmost point I have reached on the Great Wall.
Looking to the west, the Wall continues as far as you can see.
The urge to walk further was hard to resist.

Han Dynasty Great Wall at Dunhuang

Yumenguan tower

Yangguan tower

Yangguan fortress

Maquanwan Han Dynasty Great Wall

Hecang granary

Dunhuang museum

Mogao Grottos