We get into Dunhuang in the morning on the train and all I want to see are the Buddha caves, and I think they are open in the afternoon, so I think I'm going to see if we can leave the next morning rather than stay another day in Dunhuang. At least I'll feel more comfortable doing that. And if I get to Dunhuang without seeing the caves, well, that's travel.

There are also two other flights out of Dunhuang (one leaving before the one we are on is scheduled to leave, but only 45 minutes). So, we might be OK anyway.

I also can get an evening flight from Beijing that gets to our next stop the following morning at 10 am. Then we'd have to arrange transport across the island to the port before the boat leaves at 2 pm. (It's Cheju or Jeju and the island is small so that may be doable.) If we missed the boat by hours, we could take the late flight and have a day in Cheju. If we got in a day late, then that might be tight.

I thought having a day cushion would be enough, but I'm an anxious traveler.

Thanks for all the suggestions.