A province in the North West region of China, Gansu is filled with centuries-old cities that offer rich traditions and vibrant cultural attractions. See striking historical landmarks on the Great Wall of China, visit a museum housing ancient artifacts or go on an outdoor adventure to desert lakes and multicolored mountains.
Things to do in Gansu
Head to the slopes of the Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang County to see the spectacular Mogao Grottoes, also known as the “Thousand Buddha Cave”, which is considered the most significant discovery of Buddhist art in the world. Explore the grounds where 492 caves contain over 2,000 statues and 45,000 square meters of murals.
Even if you’ve already seen the iconic Great Wall of China, a visit to Jiayuguan Pass is a must. History enthusiasts will be impressed by the oldest pass along the Great Wall, which was the starting point and most important military defensive project built during the Ming dynasty.
If you want to learn more about Gansu’s history, visit the Gansu Provincial Museum to admire more than 350,000 collections ranging from fossils to bronze ware and ceramics. To see exhibitions of jade work from the Neolithic origin, head to Jiuquan’s Silk Road Museum.
Have you ever seen a lake in the desert? Crescent Lake sits five kilometers from Dunhuang City and is surrounded by sand mountains and traditional Chinese architecture. Don’t miss visiting Zhangye National Geopark, which is known for its rainbow mountains with layers of multicolored sandstone and minerals.
Getting around Gansu
The main airport of the province of Gansu is Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, which has domestic and international flights. Trains and buses are available in most cities, while taxis and private cars are the most convenient way to get around the region.