Gansu Province Travel

Gansu, the golden section of the Silk Road, boasts magnificent natural scenery and a long history and culture. From the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang to the Great Wall of Jiayuguan, from Zhangye Danxia to Gannan Grassland, each place showcases the grandeur and mystery of the northwestern land.

14
Prefecture-level Administrative Regions
86
County-level Administrative Regions
5
5A-level Scenic Spots
2000+
Cultural Relics and Historic Sites

Explore Travel in Cities of Gansu Province

Gansu Province Five Days Four Nights Essential Tour

Explore Silk Road important towns, experience Dunhuang art charm, admire Danxia landform wonders, taste Northwest specialty foods, experience the perfect fusion tour of Gansu's diverse culture and magnificent natural scenery

Trip Duration
5 days 4 nights
Main Destinations
Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Zhangye
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts
Budget per Person
¥3000-¥4000
01
First Impression of Lanzhou
Arrive in Lanzhou · Yellow River Scenery Line · Zhengnong Road Night Market
Trip Highlights

Arrive in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. After checking into the hotel, proceed to the Yellow River Scenery Line, visit the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Bridge, and White Pagoda Mountain Park, experiencing the charm of the Yellow River City. In the evening, head to Zhengnong Road Night Market to taste Lanzhou beef noodles, milk egg fermented rice wine, and other specialty snacks.

Attraction Arrangement
Yellow River Scenery Line
Scenic area along both banks of the Yellow River, including attractions like the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Bridge, Waterwheel Expo Park, etc. It is the city's calling card of Lanzhou.
Zhengnong Road Night Market
Lanzhou's most famous food street, gathering various Northwest specialty snacks, such as beef noodles, grilled lamb skewers, Liangpi, etc. The night is bustling and lively.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Crowne Plaza Lanzhou
  • Wanda Vista Lanzhou
  • Characteristic B&Bs by the Yellow River
Food Recommendations
  • Mazilu Beef Noodles
  • Lao Ma's Milk Egg Fermented Rice Wine
  • Grilled Lamb Skewers
Travel Tips
  • Lanzhou altitude 1500m, pay attention to sun protection and hydration
  • Beef noodles recommended to taste in the morning, soup is freshest
  • Night market has large crowds, pay attention to belongings
02
Dunhuang Art
Mogao Caves · Singing Sand Dunes Crescent Moon Spring · Dunhuang Night Market
Trip Highlights

Fly to Dunhuang, visit the World Cultural Heritage Mogao Caves in the morning, appreciate thousand-year-old mural art. Visit the Singing Sand Dunes Crescent Moon Spring in the afternoon, experience the wonder of desert and spring coexisting. Visit Dunhuang Night Market in the evening, purchase characteristic handicrafts.

Attraction Arrangement
Mogao Caves
World Cultural Heritage Site, with 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 clay painted sculptures, known as the "Eastern Louvre".
Singing Sand Dunes Crescent Moon Spring
The wonder of desert and spring coexisting. Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by Singing Sand Dunes, with clear spring water that has not dried up for thousands of years, truly a desert wonder.
Dunhuang Night Market
Dunhuang characteristic commercial street, where you can purchase Dunhuang painted sculptures, mural reproductions, luminous cups, and other specialty handicrafts.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Lanzhou to Dunhuang flight about 1.5 hours
  • Mogao Caves requires scenic area shuttle bus
  • Singing Sand Dunes can ride camels for touring
Ticket Information
  • Mogao Caves: ¥238 (including digital center)
  • Singing Sand Dunes Crescent Moon Spring: ¥110
  • Camel experience: ¥100/person
Travel Tips
  • Mogao Caves requires advance reservation for visit
  • Photography prohibited inside caves
  • Desert area requires sun protection and hydration
03
Ancient Silk Road City
Yangguan Pass · Yumenguan Pass · Yardan Devil City
Trip Highlights

Head to the two ancient passes Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass on the western route of Dunhuang, feel the historical vicissitudes of "west of Yangguan Pass, there are no old friends". Visit Yardan Devil City in the afternoon, appreciate the wonder of wind erosion landform, watch magnificent Gobi sunset in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement
Yangguan Pass
Ancient Silk Road southern route's essential pass, Wang Wei's poem "Please drink another glass of wine, west of Yangguan Pass, there are no old friends" made it famous throughout the world.
Yumenguan Pass
Important pass on the northern route of the Silk Road, named after jade from the Western Regions passing through here. Currently, Small Fangpan City ruins exist.
Yardan Devil City
Typical wind erosion landform, various forms of earth mounds formed under wind erosion, especially spectacular at sunset.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Attractions on Dunhuang western route are scattered
  • Recommended to charter a car or join a one-day tour
  • Total distance about 200 kilometers
Ticket Information
  • Yangguan Pass: ¥50
  • Yumenguan Pass: ¥40
  • Yardan: ¥70 + sightseeing car ¥50
Travel Tips
  • Large temperature difference in Gobi area, bring enough clothing
  • Prepare sufficient drinking water and sun protection supplies
  • Yardan sunset scenery is absolutely beautiful, don't miss it
04
Danxia Wonder
Zhangye Danxia · Dafo Temple · Ganzhou Market
Trip Highlights

Head to Zhangye, visit the World Geopark Zhangye Danxia in the morning, appreciate colorful Danxia landform. Visit the Western Xia Kingdom Temple Dafo Temple in the afternoon, experience Buddhist culture. Visit Ganzhou Market in the evening, taste Zhangye specialty foods.

Attraction Arrangement
Zhangye Danxia
World Geopark, famous for its colorful Danxia landform, especially brilliant and colorful under sunlight, known as "God's Palette".
Dafo Temple
Western Xia Kingdom Temple, containing Asia's largest indoor reclining Buddha, 34.5 meters long, originally built in the first year of Chongzong Yongan of Western Xia (1098 AD).
Ganzhou Market
Zhangye's largest night market, where you can taste local specialty foods like Cuoyu noodles, fried Bola, lamb with pancake rolls, etc.
Practical Information
Ticket Reservation
  • Danxia scenic area ticket ¥74
  • Sightseeing car ¥20
  • Dafo Temple ticket ¥40
Opening Hours
  • Danxia: 6:00-20:00
  • Dafo Temple: 8:00-18:00
  • Ganzhou Market: 17:00-24:00
Travel Tips
  • Danxia best viewing time is after rain on sunny days
  • Treading on Danxia landform prohibited inside scenic area
  • Zhangye has high altitude, pay attention to sun protection
05
Great Wall Mighty Pass
Jiayuguan Pass · Return Trip
Trip Highlights

Head to "The First Mighty Pass Under Heaven" Jiayuguan Pass, visit Jiayuguan Pass City, Xuangbi Great Wall, and the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, feel the majestic momentum of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Proceed to airport/station according to return time, end the unforgettable Gansu journey.

Attraction Arrangement
Jiayuguan Pass City
The western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, known as "The First Mighty Pass Under Heaven", is China's largest scale pass.
Xuangbi Great Wall
Great Wall built on cliffs, with dangerous terrain, resembling hanging upside down, hence called "Xuangbi Great Wall".
The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
The westernmost beacon tower of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, an important component of the Jiayuguan military defense system.
Practical Information
Ticket Information
  • Jiayuguan Pass City: ¥120
  • Xuangbi Great Wall: ¥21
  • The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: ¥22
Shopping Recommendations
  • Luminous cups: Dunhuang specialty
  • Suoyang: Northwest specialty medicinal material
  • Lanzhou lily: Gansu characteristic agricultural product
Return Trip Suggestions
  • Jiayuguan Airport about 13 km from city center
  • Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport about 70 km from city center
  • Reserve sufficient time for procedures
Gansu Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • May-October: Suitable climate, best scenery
  • July-August: Gannan grassland most beautiful season
  • Avoid winter: Some attractions may be closed
Must-Try Foods
  • Lanzhou beef noodles
  • Hand-grabbed lamb
  • Liangpi
  • Donkey meat yellow noodles
  • Apricot skin water
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: about ¥600-¥700
  • Accommodation: ¥200-¥500/night
  • Dining: ¥100-¥150/day
  • Transportation: ¥500-¥800
  • Total: ¥3000-¥4000