Hi Adventurer! If you are here, it means you’re ready to discover one of China’s most culturally rich regions! In this Gansu Travel Itinerary, you’ll find all the tips to plan your stay efficiently, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, and all the beautiful landmarks to discover in Gansu. I took a DIY tour of the Gansu region in 2019 and am ready to share my knowledge with you! Ready to uncover all the marvels of the ancient Silk Road Route? 🐉
Wait a minute! Before departure, make sure to check out my China Travel Guide! You’ll find all the tips and tricks to avoid those last-minute emergencies and nasty surprises once in the Far East 🏮
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- Why Should I Visit The Gansu Region?
- Planning Your Trip
- Suggested 1-Week Gansu Travel Itinerary
- Extend to a 10-Day Gansu Travel Itinerary.
- Final Thoughts
Why Should I Visit The Gansu Region?
If you’re here, it means you probably already know on a broad level why Gansu is one of the most fascinating provinces in China. However, for those who don’t know, Gansu is precisely where the route of the Ancient Silk Road was, the so-called Hexi corridor. On that route from 130 BC, thousands of merchants and travelers exchanged goods and ideas that crossed China and Central Asia. At the same time, this economic trade allowed for much more artistic and human exchanges.
This was when Chinese Buddhist art was influenced by the Indians, Persians, and Greeks, resulting in the beautiful carvings at Longmen & Datong Caves. The flow of commerce left military forts, chunks of the Great Wall, and trading towns that still hold onto their charming historical past. Besides the Silk Road, the Gansu region is home to China’s most beautiful and different landscapes. Here, you will find harsh and untouched nature, remote villages inhabited by Tibetan nomads, infinite deserts, dunes, and mountain peaks to explore. For all these reasons, Gansu is one of the most exciting regions to explore if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path tour in China.
Planning Your Trip
General Tips For Travelling Across Gansu
1. Download Google Translate: Don’t expect people to speak English (including your hotel’s staff members). Downloading Google Translate can help you communicate.
2. Addresses Readily Available: Make sure the addresses of your accommodations and landmarks are saved digitally or printed. Show them to your taxi drivers to help them understand where you have to go.
3. Transportation Times: This travel itinerary’s main points of interest are never in the city centers. Therefore, don’t try to fit too many activities in one day, as commute time needs to be considered (one or two points of interest per day is enough).
4. Accommodation: Ensure you communicate with the property staff members before arriving. They need to be aware that you are not Chinese. During my trip to Gansu, we were moved to another hostel because the one we had booked didn’t accept foreigners. Another hostel we had booked actually never existed (it really happened, lol).
5. Pack as light as possible: Consider this tour a backpacking trip. Pack the essentials, as on some days, you will go directly from the sights to train stations.
6. Food options: Don’t expect to eat at fancy restaurants. During my trip, we often had lunch and dinner at food stalls outside the main landmarks. I suggest that whenever you find a place serving edible food, stop there; you don’t know where the next one will be.
7. Be Adaptable: As with every backpacking trip, adaptability and flexibility are essential to making the most of your trip. Maybe you will not be in the best restaurant or hostel, but that’s not the goal. Be open to the unexpected and go with the flow.
8. Don’t be afraid to learn some Chinese words to communicate with the drivers. Words like “Here” and “When we meet?” can help. Bring a Pen and Paper with you! Drivers will be able to write down at what time you will meet.
When to Plan Your Gansu Travel Itinerary
The best times to visit the Gansu region are early fall, from September to October, and Spring, from March to May. I took this tour in early fall (precisely the first week of October), and the weather was perfect. It was chilly at night but warm during the day.
Where to land in the Gansu Region
This Gansu travel itinerary starts in Xi’an (Shaanxi Province) and ends in Dunhuang. Logistically, landing in Xi’an and departing from the Dunhuang airport would make the most sense. Both airports are well connected to the main cities hosting international flights: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Landing in Xi’an and starting the tour from there allows you to get into China’s flow and vibe. Xi’an is more international, and people are accustomed to foreign tourists.
Accommodation in The Gansu Region
Below are some suggestions for your accommodation in Xi’an and the Gansu province. As mentioned before, communicate with the property before your arrival! Trip.com has more accommodation options than Booking for remote locations like Jiayuguan.
- Xi’an: Xi’an Bell Tower Huimin Street and Shuyuan Youth Hostel Xi’An are great regarding location and pricing.
- Zhangye: Zhangye Douya Youth Hostel is a budget-friendly and comfortable option. The Silk Road Travellers Hostel if you want to stay closer to the Rainbow Mountains (the staff speaks English!)
- Jiayuguan: Yangguan Guren Youth Hostel If you are looking for a hostel near the Great Wall and the Fort, Huili Business Apartment is conveniently located near the Jiayuguan railway station.
- Dunhuang: Dunhuang Mountian Spring Hostel is close to the Crescent Moon Lake and the desert dunes. All Seasons Hotel is close to the city center and offers excellent services!
Moving Across the Gansu Region
Moving across the region is much easier than you might think. All the main cities in this tour are on the route from Xi’an to Xinjiang Province and are well connected by high-speed trains. The longest journey will be from Xi’an to Zhangye, taking around 7 hours. See below for some tips on navigating high-speed trains in China:
- Arrive at the station at least one hour before departure.
- Avoid bringing high-capacity battery packs. They won’t pass through the luggage check, and you’ll have no choice but to leave it behind at the station.
- Go straight to the gate, but keep an eye on the big screen. Once your train number appears, you can move forward.
- Check your ticket carefully. You’ll find your carriage number, seat number, and color code. That color is super important because it tells you where to stand on the platform, so you’re right in front of your carriage when the train arrives.
- If you’re not a local, skip the automatic ID check. Head to the manual document check, where a station staff member will process your passport.
Moving from Your Accommodation to Landmarks
The challenge in this region is to go from your accommodations to sights. Most of the time, the landmarks are in remote areas accessible only by taxi or private minibus. If you plan on going by taxi, it is helpful to ask the taxi driver to stay with you for the entire day instead of having him go back and forth. This is how I handled it when I visited the region. You will pay more but won’t lose precious time waiting for your driver to arrive. Your hotel’s staff can help you organize it with the driver.
The last option is to join private tours organized by Tour Operators like GetYourGuide or Trip.com to avoid the hustle of transportation.
Packing for the Gansu Region
This tour is thought to be a backpacking trip. Most of the time, you will go from sights to train stations and vice versa. Packing light and simple is a great idea. Below is what I packed for a 7-day tour:
- 15L Backpack
- Small Crosswaist Purse
- One pair of hiking shoes (that I had on me)
- T-shirts and Simple Leggins
- One hoodie
- 1 Rain jacket
- 1 Microfiber Towel
- Paper Towel or Tissues (always bring them with you in China)
- Sanitizing hand gel and wipes
- Charger, power adapter, small power bank, sunglasses, umbrella
- Small beauty case with makeup, hair, and skincare products
Suggested 1-Week Gansu Travel Itinerary
This 7-day Gansu Travel Itinerary starts in Xi’an and ends in Dunhuang (all these stops are marked in blue on the map). If you have more days for your trip, you can extend it to the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe and the Maijishan Caves close to Tianshue (marked in red on the map).
Xi’an – Day 1-2: The Start of The Ancient Silk Road
The start of this Gansu Travel Itinerary isn’t actually in Gansu but in the Shaanxi Province. Xi’an must be in this itinerary as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. It’s a beautiful city that can be visited in two days. The most important landmarks are all within one of the best well-preserved City Walls in the country. Of course, you can’t miss the half-a-day trip to the Terracotta Army, located around 1 hour from the city.
Day 1: Discover Xi’an from the City Walls to the Muslim Quarter & The Tang Paradise
The first day of this Gansu Travel Itinerary is packed: Xi’an is a small gem with loads to discover. I highly suggest you arrive in the evening of Day 0 or early in the morning of Day 1. This will ensure you have enough time to explore the city.
The first activity is a stroll to the Drum & Bell Tower. Positioned at the heart of the city, it’s where all roads seem to meet. Here, you’ll truly feel the pulse of the city. It’s a 5-minute walk from the drum tower to the Muslim Quarter with its Great Mosque. This is easily one of the most unique places. Here, you’ll witness one of the first legacies of the Ancient Silk Road: Islamic culture is beautifully intertwined with traditional Chinese customs. You’ll experience it in the food of this quarter, the people, and the general atmosphere.
Be ready for an active afternoon! A bicycle ride on the Xi’an City Walls is a must! This ride offers the best panoramic views of the city’s old and modern sides. Make sure to be there at sunset because the city lighting up is worth seeing! After an adventurous afternoon, it’s time to unwind at Tang Paradise, a cultural theme park that brings the glory of the Tang Dynasty to life!
Day 2: Trip to The Terracotta Warriors
🚌 How to get there: The Terracotta Army is located about 40 km outside the city center in the Lintong District. From Beidajie Subway Station, you take line 1 and get off at Fanzhicheng. At the Fanzhicheng Bus Station, you take the N. 306 tourist line 5 bus. The journey will last around 2.30 hours.
The Terracotta Army might be China’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site (okay, maybe tied with the Great Wall). It’s the reason Xi’an has gained such international fame. Discovered by local farmers in 1974, these sculptures were built to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. The site is still an active archaeological dig, regularly making discoveries! The site is huge, but what is impressive is the warriors themselves. They are all so different from one another. Each has its facial expressions and features. Plan to discover the three pavilions on the site in half a day.
You can take a taxi from the Terracotta Army that brings you directly to Xi’an North Railway Station, where you can catch the train for Zhangye.
🌍 I told you about the ideal 2-day Xi’an Travel Itinerary! In this article, you will find all the travel tips to plan your stay in the Shaanxi Province 🌸
Zhangye – Day 3-4: China Rainbow Mountains, Mati Temple & Great Buddha Temple
🚌 How to get to Zhangye: from Xian North Railway Station to Zhangye West. It will take a maximum of 6 hours and 30 min, depending on the train you choose. Ideally, you pick a train that arrives in the late evening in Zhangye so you can start your visits in the morning.
Day 3: Danxia National Geopark & Mati Temple
1. Danxia National Geopark (Rainbow Mountains)
🚌 How to get there: The best way to reach the Danxia National Geopark is by taxi. From downtown Zhangye, the journey lasts around 30 minutes. You can ask your accommodation to call one for you. You can also ask them If the driver can pick you up again after your visit, agreeing on a time.
The pictures of the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye speak for themselves. This location’s beauty is unparalleled. These breathtaking shades of orange, yellow, white, and brown were shaped over millions of years as sandstone and minerals deposited and became the unique rock formations you see today.
To experience the best lighting and avoid crowds, I highly suggest you arrive early in the morning (the park opens at 6 a.m.). Unfortunately, visitors can’t stroll around the mountains; they have to follow the path to the observation decks. The first, fourth, and fifth observation decks offer the best views.
🌍 Discover How to Plan Your Trip to Zhangye: Packing Lists, Photo Tips & How To Enjoy The Best Experience ⛰️
2. Mati Temple
🚌 How to get there: the best way to reach the Mati Temple is by taxi. From the Danxia National Geopark, the journey lasts around one and a half hours. Ideally, your accommodation can book a driver for you for the day. Make sure you agree on the price. This will be the easiest option to go around.
Calling Matisi “just” a temple doesn’t do it justice. This incredible site stretches 30 kilometers and has seven distinct grotto groups set against a lush, green mountain backdrop. When I arrived there, I thought, “It feels like an entirely different China.” The atmosphere was so peaceful and calm that I felt like in a remote mountain location.
You will first notice the horseshoe the grottoes windows create on the mountainside. The legend says a horse left a hoof print that created the space for the caves to exist. You can reach the caves through several staircases, balconies, and narrow passages. The caves are beautiful, with sections carved directly into the cliffs and decorated in vibrant red, green, and blue shades. Each group of caves has its ancient murals, Buddha statues, and other relics. Booking your ticket in advance is a good idea. You can buy it on Trip.com.
Day 4: The Great Buddha Temple & Train to Jiayuguan
3. The Great Buddha Temple (Dafosi)
🚌 How to get there: after you visit the Mati temple, you can go back to Zhangye to discover the Great Buddha temple.
The Great Buddha Temple (or Dafo Si) was built during the western Xia dynasty around 1098. The temple’s highlight is the 35-meter-long sleeping Buddha (the Great Buddha that gives the temple its name). The Buddha’s length is impressive. If it were possible to take photos (it’s forbidden in the main hall!), the entire Buddha would not fit!
The hall hosting the Buddha is a beautiful wooden structure, one of the few from this area still standing. The temple has many more exciting rooms, with exhibitions of Buddhist artifacts and other Buddhist sculptures. In the back of the temple is a beautiful white clay stupa dating back to the Ming dynasty. Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket office before the temple.
After you visit the Great Buddha Temple, you can spend more time discovering the relaxed atmosphere of Zhangye. Afterward, you can head to the train station to catch your train for the next stop of this Gansu Travel Itinerary.
Jiayuguan – Day 5: Jiayuguan Fort & The Great Wall
🚌 How to get to Jiayuguan: You can take a high-speed train from Zhangye West Train Station to Jiayuguan South Train Station. It will take around one hour and a half.
As your train approaches Jiayuguan, you’ll notice the landscape shifting from the mild terrain of southern Gansu to the harsher mountains of the north. Jiayuguan is home to the Jiayuguan Fort, which marked the end of the Great Wall and was once the edge of Chinese territory and the start of the unknown world. This feeling of being at the boundary of the known world makes this place so fascinating. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Qilian and Hei Mountains, you can’t help but wonder what lies hidden beyond them.
While the city of Jiayuguan itself may not be exciting, the Jiayuguan Fort and the section of the Great Wall are the true highlights here. The fort is well preserved, with three 17-meter-high towers at the main gates. You can wander along its walls, taking in the views of the mountains and desert around you.
Just north of the fort is Jiayuguan’s section of the Great Wall, believed to be one of the earliest segments constructed. The climb is steep, but you’ll get stunning views of the surrounding desert and mountains once you’re at the top. It’s a place that feels like it’s from another era, steeped in history, and truly intriguing. It is possible to visit the fort and the Great Wall in one day. Make sure you return on time if you have the train to Dunhuang on the same day.
Dunhuang – Day 6-7: Mogao Grottoes & Singing Sand Dunes
🚌 How to get to Dunhuang: You can take a high-speed train from Jiayuguan South Train Station to Dunhuang. The fastest trains will take around three hours.
Dunhuang is an extraordinary place to visit. This small yet extremely clean and charming city sits at the edge of a desert oasis. It’s one remote location that feels magical—and it’s certainly not the China you may expect. The city is rich with markets, budget hostels, and cafés. However, the area’s main highlights are the Mogao Grottoes and the Singing Sand Dunes. What amazed me most about Dunhuang is how, at one point, the city’s typical roads and traffic give way to endless sand. It doesn’t feel real—until you see it for yourself!
💡MY TIP: Visit the Mogao Grottoes in the morning (plan half a day) and save the Singing Sand Dunes for the afternoon. The Sunset on the Dunes is worth seeing!Vie
1. Mogao Grottoes
🚌 How to get there: You can take a taxi from Dunhuang to the Mogao Caves, a half-hour ride. You can also plan to take the bus from the Dunhuang Bus Station, which will take 40 minutes.
The Mogao Grottoes is considered one of the most important sites in the world for Buddhist art collections. During the Tang dynasty, the site was also home to 18 monasteries and more than 1,000 monks, artists, and calligraphers. You can imagine the culture and knowledge exchanged among those caves. This atmosphere made it the perfect place for art to thrive!
The site is highly protected; booking tickets in advance is the best idea. You can buy the so-called A ticket, which will grant you transport, access to 8 caves, and an English tour. Unfortunately, no tour allows you to wander freely among the caves. Guided tours lead you through some of the most notable caves, like the hidden Library Cave and Cave 96, which houses two 35-meter-tall Buddha statues. Considering that the booking can be challenging for non-Chinese speakers, I highly suggest booking through trip.com to get your ticket.
2. Singing Sand Dunes & Moon Crescent Lake
🚌 How to get there:
Just 6 km south of Dunhuang lies the stunning desert and Crescent Moon Lake. From the dunes, you can watch as the city gives way to an endless sea of sand. Climbing the dunes is a workout, but it’s worth it. At the top, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view: on one side, the peaceful Crescent Moon Lake sits like an oasis, and on the other, the vast desert stretches as far as you can see. It’s a place that’s truly magical!
Forget the peaceful and almost mystique desert vibe. The Dunhuang Desert is 100% a tourist attraction. You will find many activities, including paragliding on the dunes. However, you can find peace from Chinese tourists if you climb the dunes. Not all Chinese are ready for a sweat!
✈️ Despite Dunhuang being a tiny city, it’s the perfect place to wrap up your Gansu Travel Itinerary, as you can fly back from the Dunhuang Airport. The airport has direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai.
Extend to a 10-Day Gansu Travel Itinerary.
Unfortunately, only one week would not be enough to discover all the beautiful wonders on the ancient Silk Road Route. Above, I described the same Gansu Travel Itinerary I took in 2019. However, if you have more time, consider including two beautiful locations I regret not visiting: the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe and the Maijishan Caves close to Tianshui. Both places are more challenging to reach, so if you plan on extending your tour, consider the time needed to arrive at the destination.
🚌 How to include it in your tour: From Xi’an North Station, you take a train to Tianshui South Railway Station (around 2 hours). You visit the caves during the day and stay in Tianshui for the night. In the morning, you take another high-speed train to Lanzhou and then a bus (4 hours) to Xiahe. You stay one night in Xiahe. From there, you return to Lanzhou by bus and then take the high-speed train to Zhangye. Note that including both stops will require at least four additional days.
1. Labrang Monastery in Xiahe
🚌 How to get there: Before the stop in Zhangye, you could fly from Xi’an to Xiahe Gannan Airport. You can visit the monastery one day and then take a bus to Lanzhou (around a 4-hour journey). In Lanzhou, you can catch then the train to Zhangye.
👩🌾 Guided Tours: book a guided tour to visit most of the halls at the Labrang Monastery. You can check this tour from Trip.com.
Monastic town Xiahe, located at almost 3000m on sea level, has developed around the Labrang Monastery. Xiahe is the perfect place if you are looking for a peaceful and spiritual escape. You can explore the monastery and surrounding mountains at your own pace here. The Labrang Monastery is the most important Tibetan monastery outside of Tibet, and visitors come here to pray and find spiritual fulfillment.
As you wander through, you’ll discover golden-roofed temple halls, monastic colleges, residences, and quarters where monks live and study. While some areas, like the main prayer hall where monks gather to chant, are accessible only through guided tours, they’re well worth it. Highlights include the Institute of Medicine, the Manjushri Temple, and the Serkung, or “Golden Temple.” Remember that photos aren’t allowed in most temple halls, which only adds to the reverence you’ll feel here.
2. Maiji Shan Grottoes
🚌 How to get there: From Xi’an North Station, you take a train to Tianshui South Railway Station (around 2 hours). After visiting the caves, you can take the high-speed train to Zhangye West. To arrive at the Maiji Shan, take a taxi or ask your accommodation if a bus from the Tianshui Railway Station will take you to the ticketing office. (N.34)
👩🌾 Guided Tours: considering the complexity of adding stops to this Gansu Travel Itinerary, you can consider booking a guided tour for the Maijishan.
Maijishan, located southeast of Tianshui, is a must-see for Buddhist art lovers. The Buddhist art you will find here is typical Chinese style, different from other caves in China. The first sculptures were carved here around the 4th century and continued until the Qing Dynasty Period.
This stunning site features 221 caves with over 7,800 intricate sculptures and carvings. The caves’ location, a 142-meter mountain, is surrounded by lush, green mountains, and it’s a highlight in itself. The caves are carved high into the mountainside, adding a thrill to every step along the narrow walkways as you explore. The surrounding Maijishan Scenic Area makes it a perfect day trip, with plenty of trails for hiking, scenic waterfalls, and hidden temples to discover.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering traveling to Gansu, you have probably already been to other Chinese cities and are ready to discover a different side of China. Compared to Beijing and Shanghai, people are less used to foreign tourists in this region. Therefore, it’s less likely to meet people who can speak English, even in hotels and hostels. Moreover, some locations’ remoteness requires effort in organizing your transport with Chinese taxi drivers (who don’t speak English). However, I’m sure that with good planning, the help of Google Translate, a good dose of adventure lust, and my travel tips to navigate Gansu! 100% you will have funny stories to tell your friends once you’re back home!
Hopefully, this Gansu Travel Itinerary will provide all the information you need to plan a beautiful and enriching trip to one of China’s most intriguing and culturally rich provinces. Happy traveling 🇨🇳
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DISCLAIMER: This travel itinerary is purely based on my own experiences during my trip and is meant to provide inspiration and suggestions for your adventure. Feel free to adapt it to your preferences—no need to follow it in detail. All prices, transport options, and instructions mentioned reflect my personal experiences at the time of writing and may have changed since. You must double-check all the details before your trip to ensure accuracy. All opinions and recommendations shared here are my own, rooted in my unique journey through China.
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