The Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway is a 1,776-kilometer high-speed rail in northwestern China. The train starts from Lanzhou in Gansu Province, passes through 19 stations across Gansu and Qinghai provinces before arriving in Urumqi of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. From December, 2014, you could explore the ancient wonders along the Silk Road on bullet train.
This train route covers many popular destinations on the ancient Silk Road, including Lanzhou, Xining, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, and Urumqi. With the new railway, travel time between Lanzhou and Urumqi has been cut from the previous 21 hours to 12 hours or less. It will hit speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Lanzhou is located on the shores of the Yellow River and a major stop on the Silk Road. You could visit the Waterwheel Garden, a highlight along the Yellow River or explore Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou. It takes about 1.5 hours from Lanzhou to Xining.
In Xining, you could not only experience the religious culture in Dongguan Mosque and Ta'er Monastery, but also get a chance to enjoy the magnificent scenery in Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China. The train journey from Xining to Jaiyuguan is about 3.5 hours.
The next stop is Jiayuguan, known as the most strategic point along the ancient Silk Road. Jiayuguan Pass is the western end of the Great Wall and most certainly worth a visit.
After a 2-hour ride, you will arrive at Liuyuan South Station (about 130 km from Dunhuang). Dunhuang has long played a pivotal role in trade and cultural exchanges with the West in ancient times. In Dunhuang, you could explore the Mogao Grottoes, which is one of the world's most important sites of ancient Buddhist Culture.
Passing by Dunhuang, you will step into the area of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Turpan is the first attractive destination where you could get a glimpse of many attractions like the mysterious ruins of Jiaohe City (UNECO), the Karez System (UNECO), Sugong Tower, the Astana Tombs, the Flaming Mountain, and the Bazelik Thousand Buddha Caves.
The final stop of this journey is Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The International Bazaar and Heavenly Lake are the must-see attractions there, which you will experience the Islamic culture of Uygur people and many other ethnic groups.
