Gansu Map: Tourist Map of Gansu China (Updated 2025)

Gansu Location Map: Where is Gansu Province in China Map

Gansu Province is located in the northwest of China, bordering Mongolia to the north, Inner Mongolia to the northeast, Shaanxi to the east, Sichuan to the south, Qinghai to the west, and Xinjiang to the northwest. It is a vast region known for its diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and grasslands. Gansu is also home to several important historical and cultural sites, such as the Silk Road, Dunhuang Caves, Zhangye Qicai Danxia and Jiayuguan Pass

Gansu is a fascinating province with a rich history and diverse culture. It offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from ancient ruins and natural wonders to bustling cities and traditional villages.

Gansu Map with Major Cities

1. Lanzhou: Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, lies along the Yellow River, showcasing landmarks like the Zhongshan Bridge and Waterwheel Garden. It is a cultural hub with sites such as the Gansu Provincial Museum and Five-Spring Mountain Park, making it a bustling transportation center with convenient airport and railway connections.
2. Dunhuang: Nestled near the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang is a historic gem famed for the Mogao Caves' Buddhist art, the serene Crescent Lake, and the echoing Singing Sand Dunes. A vital stop on the Silk Road, it blends desert landscapes with ancient cultural treasures, drawing visitors seeking a glimpse into China's past.
3. Jiayuguan: Jiayuguan, situated in northwestern Gansu, is steeped in history as the site of the Jiayuguan Pass, marking the Great Wall's western terminus. This city offers a journey back in time with the Overhanging Great Wall, First Fire Tower of the Great Wall, and the Jiayuguan Fortress, providing insights into ancient military defenses.
4. Zhangye: Known for its vibrant Danxia landforms, Zhangye in central Gansu captivates with its colorful landscapes at the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. This city also houses historical gems like the Giant Buddha Temple and Zhangye West Buddha Temple, blending natural wonders with cultural heritage.
5. Wuwei: Wuwei in northeastern Gansu boasts historical significance as Liangzhou, showcasing the Leitai Han Tomb's bronze galloping horse and the revered Confucian Temple. Renowned for its agricultural prowess, Wuwei stands as an economic center with a rich historical tapestry reflecting its ancient importance.
6. Tianshui: Tianshui, located in southeastern Gansu, shines with cultural allure, prominently featuring the Maijishan Grottoes' Buddhist sculptures. The city beckons visitors with the Fuxi Temple, Wushan Water Curtain Caves, and Tianshui Museum, embodying its past as an ancient cultural and religious hub.
7. Xiahe: Xiahe graces southern Gansu with the iconic Labrang Monastery, a significant Tibetan Buddhist center. This town offers a glimpse into Tibetan culture and spirituality, set against picturesque mountain backdrops, providing a serene retreat for those seeking cultural immersion and natural beauty.

Gansu Tourist Map: Gansu Map with Top Attractions

In Dunhuang

Mogao Caves (莫高窟): A UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extensive collection of Buddhist art, including murals, sculptures, and manuscripts spanning over a millennium.

Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Dunes (月牙泉和鸣沙山): An iconic desert oasis featuring a crescent-shaped lake surrounded by towering sand dunes that produce a unique singing sound when disturbed.

Yumen Pass (玉门关): An ancient pass on the Silk Road known for its historical significance as a gateway to the Western Regions, marked by ruins and remnants of ancient fortifications.

Yangguan Pass (阳关): Another key pass on the Silk Road, Yangguan Pass offers historical ruins, a museum, and insights into ancient trade routes and cultural interactions.

Dunhuang Yardang Devil City (敦煌雅丹魔鬼城): A unique natural landscape, characterized by wind-eroded rock formations that resemble various shapes and sculptures, creating a surreal and picturesque environment.

Yulin Caves (榆林窟): A collection of ancient Buddhist cave temples with well-preserved murals, statues, and architectural details, offering insights into Buddhist art and history.

In Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关): Known as the "First Pass Under Heaven," Jiayuguan Pass is the western end of the Great Wall of China and a symbol of ancient Chinese military architecture.

Overhanging Great Wall (悬壁长城): A unique section of the Great Wall that appears to cling to the side of a steep cliff, offering a dramatic and awe-inspiring sight.

First Fire Tower of the Great Wall (长城第一墩): The First Fire Tower is a well-preserved ancient watchtower along the Great Wall, providing insight into the defensive strategies employed during ancient times.

In Zhangye

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (张掖丹霞国家地质公园): Famous for its vibrant and surreal rainbow-colored mountains formed by mineral deposits and erosion, creating a unique and picturesque landscape.

Giant Buddha Temple (大佛寺): Home to a massive reclining Buddha statue, the temple is a significant Buddhist site with intricate architecture and cultural significance.

In Lanzhou

Yellow River Mother Sculpture (黄河母亲雕塑): A monumental sculpture depicting the symbolic mother of the Yellow River, representing the importance of the river to the region's culture and history.

Zhongshan Iron Bridge (中山铁桥): An iconic iron bridge spanning the Yellow River, built during the Qing Dynasty, serving as a historic landmark and a symbol of Lanzhou's industrial heritage.

Lanzhou Waterwheel Park (兰州水车博物馆): Home to a historic waterwheel complex, showcasing traditional irrigation technology used along the Yellow River for centuries.

White Pagoda Mountain (白塔山): A scenic mountain park featuring the White Pagoda, a historic Tibetan-style stupa offering panoramic views of Lanzhou and the Yellow River.

In Xiahe

Labrang Monastery (拉卜楞寺): One of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, Labrang Monastery is a significant religious and cultural site with a rich history and architectural splendor.

Sangke Grassland (桑科草原): A vast grassland located near Xiahe, offering breathtaking scenery of rolling hills, meadows, and nomadic Tibetan culture.

Other Must-See Attractions in Gansu

Bingling Temple Grottoes (炳灵寺石窟): Located along the Yellow River, the Bingling Temple Grottoes are a series of caves with Buddhist sculptures and murals dating back to the Western Jin Dynasty, showcasing intricate artwork and religious significance.

Maijishan Grottoes (麦积山石窟): Situated on Maijishan Mountain, these cliff-carved caves feature a remarkable collection of Buddhist art, sculptures, and frescoes spanning different dynasties, offering a glimpse into ancient religious practices and artistic expression.

Badain Jaran Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠): One of China's largest deserts, the Badain Jaran Desert is known for its towering sand dunes, crystal-clear lakes, and unique desert landscapes that create a surreal and captivating environment.

Gansu Map with Airports & Railway Stations

In Gansu Province, there are several airports that serve as key transportation hubs for both domestic and international travelers.

• Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (LHW), Lanzhou: Well-connected with major cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, as well as international destinations such as Seoul and Bangkok.
• Jiayuguan Airport (JGN), Jiayuguan: Provides connections to cities like Xi'an, Beijing, and Chengdu, enabling travelers to access other parts of China easily.
• Dunhuang Airport (DNH), Dunhuang: Offers flights to cities like Xi'an, Lanzhou, and Urumqi, facilitating travel within Gansu and to other regions in China.
• Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (YZY), Zhangye: Provides air links to cities such as Lanzhou, Xi'an, and Chengdu, offering convenient travel options for visitors exploring the region.
• Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (GXH), Xiahe: It is a small regional airport that serves domestic flights to and from major cities in China such as Xian, Chengdu, and Lhasa.

The main railway stations in some of the key cities of Gansu are crucial transportation hubs connecting the region to other parts of China.

• Lanzhou Railway Station (兰州站): A major transportation hub in northwest China, serving as a vital railway junction connecting various regions in Gansu and neighboring provinces.
• Zhangye Railway Station (张掖站): Serves as an important stop along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway, offering connections to cities like Lanzhou, Turpan, Urumqi, and beyond, and serving passengers visiting the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park and other attractions in the area.
• Jiayuguan Railway Station (嘉峪关站): A key railway station along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway, offering connections to cities like Lanzhou, Turpan, Urumqi, and beyond, and serving passengers visiting the Jiayuguan Pass and other historical sites.
• Dunhuang Railway Station (敦煌站): Dunhuang Railway Station is an important railway terminal for travelers exploring the Silk Road region, providing convenient access to the Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, and the surrounding desert landscapes.

Gansu Travel Map

Day 1: Arrival in Dunhuang

Arrive in Dunhuang, where you will be picked up from the airport and check into your hotel. Enjoy the day exploring the city at your leisure.

Day 2: Exploration in Dunhuang

Discover the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Buddhist art. Visit the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake, and explore the Dunhuang Night Market.

Day 3: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan

Visit the Jiayuguan Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site part of the Great Wall of China. Optional visit to the Great Wall Museum and the Hanging Great Wall.

Day 4: Jiayuguan to Zhangye

Explore the Giant Buddha Temple in Jiayuguan and the Zhangye National Geopark known for its colorful Danxia landforms.

Day 5: Zhangye to Lanzhou by High-Speed Train, Bingling Temple Cave

Experience a high-speed train journey from Zhangye to Lanzhou. Visit the Liujiaxia Reservoir for a thrilling speedboat tour and explore the Bingling Temple Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 6: Departure from Lanzhou

Check out from your hotel in Lanzhou and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

This itinerary takes you on a cultural and scenic journey through Gansu, exploring ancient Buddhist art, stunning landscapes, and historical sites along the Silk Road.