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Gansu Tourist Attractions Map
Dunhuang Attractions: Things to Do in Dunhuang, Gansu
1. Dunhuang Mogao Caves - No. 1 Attraction in Gansu
- Chinese: 敦煌莫高窟
- Altitude: 1,400 meters
- Location: 25 km southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu
- How to Get to: Take a bus or taxi from Dunhuang city; around 30 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: Guided tours are required; pre-book tickets online, including 2 short films
Known as the "Thousand Buddha Grottoes (千佛洞)," Dunhuang Mogao Caves house some of the world's most precious Buddhist art. With 735 caves, over 2,400 painted sculptures and more than 45,000 square meters of murals, they offer a deep insight into ancient Chinese spirituality and the Silk Road's history.
This UNESCO World Heritage site - Mogao Grottoes has been a religious and cultural hub for over 1,000 years, dating back to the 4th century. The Mogao Grottoes are the most important part of the Dunhuang caves, which also includes the Western Thousand Buddha Caves (西千佛洞), the Yulin Caves (榆林窟), etc.
2. Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring - Wonders in the Desert
- Chinese: 鸣沙山月牙泉
- Altitude: 1,400 meters
- Location: 5 km southeast of Dunhuang City
- How to Get to: Taxi or bike ride from Dunhuang city; 10-15 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: You can explore the sand dunes by camel, ATV, helicopters, gliders or foot, and visit the spring for a unique desert oasis experience.
Famous for its massive sand dunes and the oasis nestled within, this site offers a stark contrast between desert and water.
Mingsha Mountain is famous for the sound of the moving sands, hence its other names, Echoing Sand Mountain or Singing Sand Dunes. Nestled within is Yueyaquan (Crescent Moon Spring), named for its crescent-like shape. The Crescent Lake in Dunhuang has remained unchanged for over two millennia despite its location in the harsh desert!
You can take part in camel rides or sandboarding while enjoying the timeless beauty of this natural wonder.
3. Yumen Pass & Yangguan Pass – Two Crucial Pass on the Ancient Silk Road in China
- Chinese: 玉门关&阳关
- Altitude: 1,500 meters
- Location: Yumen Pass locates 80 km northwest of Dunhuang. Yangguan is located 70 km southwest of Dunhuang.
- How to Get to: By car or bus from Dunhuang; about 1.5-2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: Walk around the historic site and learn about its role on the ancient Silk Road.
Yumen Pass (Jade Gate), named after the jade transported from the Western Regions through this pass, was a critical gateway on the northern route of the Silk Road. What remains today is the ruins of the Han Dynasty Yumen Pass.
Yangguan Pass was an essential pass on the southern route of the Silk Road. The Yangguan Scenic Area preserves several relics from the Han and Tang dynasties, including ancient forts, cities, and beacons.
They were the site where traders, diplomats, and soldiers passed through during the Han Dynasty. Though now a relic, it still evokes the sense of adventure and the strategic importance it held centuries ago.
4. Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark - the World's Largest Yardang Landform Complex
- Chinese: 敦煌雅丹国家地质公园/敦煌雅丹魔鬼城
- Altitude: 1,200-1,300 meters
- Location: 168 km northwest of Dunhuang City
- How to Get to: Private car or tour bus from Dunhuang; around 2.5 hours
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: Tour the park by bus, with stops at major rock formations.
With an area of 398 km², Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is a geological marvel, with wind-sculpted formations resembling everything from ancient cities to mythical creatures. It's a must-visit for those interested in the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi Desert.
After sunset, the strong winds produce eerie, terrifying howls, as if wild spirits are wailing in fury, giving the place its ominous name, "Ghost Town." Yardang offers a glimpse into the forces of nature that shaped China's northwest.
Jiayuguan Attractions: Things to Do in Jiayuguan, Gansu
5. Jiayuguan Pass - the Greatest Pass Under the Heaven
- Chinese: 嘉峪关
- Altitude: 1,500 meters
- Location: 5 km west of Jiayuguan City
- How to Get to: Easily accessible by car from Jiayuguan City
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: Explore the ancient fort, walk along the Jiayuguan Great Wall, and enjoy views of the desert.
- History: Built in the Ming Dynasty (1372), it is the westernmost part of the Great Wall of China.
The western end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan Pass is a symbol of China’s ancient defense system. Known as the "Greatest Pass under the Heaven (天下第一雄关)," it was built during the Ming Dynasty and guarded the empire from invaders. The pass also offers stunning views of the surrounding desert and mountains.
Zhangye Attractions: Things to Do in Zhangye, Gansu
6. Zhangye Danxia Geopark - One of the World's 10 Most Amazing Geographical Wonders
- Chinese: 张掖丹霞地质公园
- Altitude: 1,500-2,000 meters
- Location: 40 km west of Zhangye City, Gansu
- How to Get to: Take a bus or taxi from Zhangye; about 40 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- How to Tour: Walk along the viewing platforms and take in the colorful rock formations.
Famous for its vibrant, multicolored rock formations, Zhangye Danxia Geopark, also known as Zhangye National Geopark (张掖国家地质公园), offers a surreal landscape of layered hills that appear to be painted. The unique topography was formed over millions of years due to the erosion of red sandstone, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful natural wonders in China.
7. Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon – the Grand Canyon of Colorado in China
- Chinese: 平山湖大峡谷
- Altitude: 1,700-1,900 meters
- Location: 60 km from Zhangye City
- How to Get to: Drive or take a bus from Zhangye City; about 1.5 hours
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- How to Tour: Hike through the canyon’s narrow paths and enjoy stunning cliff formations.
This impressive canyon features narrow cliffs, deep ravines, and a variety of unusual rock formations. The geological structure belongs to the red layer landform, formed from red sedimentary rocks deposited during the Jurassic to Tertiary periods of the Mesozoic Era, around 180-240 million years ago.
Although called Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, there is not a drop of water in sight, only the vast, endless expanse of the Gobi Desert. The name reflects the local people's yearning for lakes in this water-scarce region.
Pingshan offers opportunities for hiking and photography amidst towering red cliffs. It’s a hidden gem, often less crowded than other Gansu attractions, and is perfect for adventurers!
Lanzhou Attractions: Things to Do in Lanzhou, Gansu
8. Liujiaxia Reservoir – Where the Yellow River Begins to Change Color
- Chinese: 刘家峡水库
- Altitude: 1,700 meters
- Location: 75 km southwest of Lanzhou, Gansu
- How to Get to: Bus or private car from Lanzhou; about 1-2 hour
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- How to Tour: Take a speedboat ride to explore the scenic reservoir and enjoy views of the Yellow River.
Sitting at the junction of the Qinghai-Tibet and Loess Plateaus, the Liujiaxia Reservoir marks the point where the clear waters of the Yellow River (黄河) meet the silt-laden Tao River (洮河), creating a stunning natural contrast.
You can enjoy boating on its clear waters and explore the nearby Bingling Temple Grottoes. The reservoir plays a key role in irrigation and hydroelectric power for the region.
9. Bingling Temple Grottoes - Relics of the Silk Road Along the Yellow River
- Chinese: 炳灵寺石窟
- Altitude: 1,700 meters
- Location: Along the Yellow River, 75 km from Lanzhou
- How to Get to: Bus to Liujiaxia Reservoir, then a speedboat ride to the grottoes
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- How to Tour: Explore the grottoes with a guide to learn about the Buddhist carvings and murals.
These cliffside Buddhist grottoes, accessible by boat via the Liujiaxia Reservoir, are a UNESCO World Heritage site. They feature over 1,000 years of Buddhist statues and murals carved into the sandstone. The grottoes showcase intricate carvings from the Western Qin (around 420 AD) to the Ming Dynasty, offering an impressive journey through time.
More Attractions in Gansu, China
10. Badain Jaran Desert – the Third Largest Desert in China
- Chinese: 巴丹吉林沙漠
- Altitude: 1,200 meters
- Location: Span across Gansu, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia
- How to Get to: Take a 3 hours' drive from Zhangye
- Best Time to Visit: August to October
- How to Tour: Take a jeep safari, camel ride or trek through the Badain Jaran Desert.
Spanning across Gansu, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia, the Badain Jaran Desert is China’s third-largest desert and the second-largest shifting desert. It was named "China's Most Beautiful Desert" by China National Geography magazine.
The desert is home to the world’s tallest stationary sand dune, Bilutu Peak (必鲁图峰), known as the "Mount Everest of the Desert," with an elevation of 1,611 meters. It also boasts the largest area of singing sand dunes, wind-eroded landforms, and the most densely distributed desert lakes in the world.
You can enjoy an exciting jeep safari in the Badain Jaran Desert, as well as camel rides and trekking adventures.
11. Qilian Mountains & Grasslands - Most Beautiful Scenery on the Gansu Road Tour
- Chinese: 祁连山脉&祁连山草原
- Location: On the border between Gansu and Qinghai Provinces
- How to Get to: Private car from Zhangye; about 2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- How to Tour: Enjoy views of the snow-capped Qilian Mountains and surrounding grasslands as you drive or take the train from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan.
From Lanzhou to Zhangye, and from Zhangye to Jiayuguan, whether you travel by high-speed train or by car, you will be greeted by the continuous, majestic sight of the Qilian Mountains along the way.
The Qilian Mountains and the surrounding grasslands offer a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks, lush pastures, and vibrant wildflowers. This region is home to traditional Tibetan herders and nomadic culture. The diverse ecosystems of the mountains, combined with their high altitude, make this area a natural paradise.
12. Maijishan Grottoes - Oriental Sculpture Exhibition Hall
- Chinese: 麦积山石窟
- Altitude: 1,700 meters
- Location: 45 km southeast of Tianshui City, Gansu
- How to Get to: Bus or taxi from Tianshui; about 1 hour
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- How to Tour: Explore the grottoes by walking on cliff-side walkways and viewing the intricate Buddhist statues.
Perched high on the cliffs of Maiji Mountain, these grottoes are a marvel of ancient Chinese engineering and artistry. Carved into the mountain face between the 4th and 19th centuries, Maiji Mountain Grottoes features over 7,000 Buddhist sculptures and 1,000 square meters of murals.
13. Labrang Monastery - One of the Six Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries of the Gelug School
- Chinese: 拉卜楞寺
- Altitude: 2,900 meters
- Location: Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- How to Get to: Bus or taxi from Xiahe; about 10 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- How to Tour: Take a guided tour to explore the monastery’s halls and courtyards.
Founded in 1709, Labrang is one of the six monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Located in Xiahe, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it serves as a center for Buddhist learning and pilgrimage. The monastery is home to a vast collection of scriptures, relics, and artwork.
How to Plan a Tour to Explore Attractions in Gansu
You can start your Gansu tour from Dunhuang. For a well-rounded trip, spend 2.5 days in Dunhuang, where you can explore the Mogao Grottoes and the Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring.
Then drive from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, and dedicate 1 day to visiting the Overhanging Great Wall (悬臂长城), the Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关关城). For Zhangye, 1 day is perfect for touring the Dafo Temple (大佛寺) and the stunning Zhangye National Geopark (张掖国家地质公园).
Finally, allocate 1.5 days in Lanzhou, where you can visit landmarks like the Zhongshan Bridge (中山桥), White Pagoda Park (白塔山公园), the Yellow River Mother Statue (黄河母亲雕像), and the Waterwheel Park (水车公园).
The next morning, take a speedboat on Liujiaxia Reservoir (刘家峡水库) to reach the Bingling Temple Grottoes (炳灵寺石窟).
The following travel itinerary is offered for your reference:
| Day | Destination | Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dunhuang arrival | Free time explore |
| 2 | Dunhuang tour | Mogao Grottoes, the Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring |
| 3 | Dunhuang to Jiayuguan | Overhanging Great Wall, Jiayuguan Pass |
| 4 | Jiayuguan to Zhangye | Dafo Temple, Zhangye National Geopark |
| 5 | Zhangye to Lanzhou | High-speed train ride, Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Park, Yellow River Mother Statue, Waterwheel Park |
| 6 | Lanzhou departure | Liujiaxia Reservoir speedboat tour, Bingling Temple Grottoes |
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Exploring Gansu’s incredible natural beauty and rich history is an unforgettable experience, and Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) is here to ensure you make the most of your journey.
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Let us guide you on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the most iconic Gansu attractions!
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