Gansu Cultural Exploration: 5 Days of Scenic Beauty and Ancient Sites
Gansu Cultural Exploration: 5 Days of Scenic Beauty and Ancient Sites
Day 1: Arrival in Lanzhou – Explore The Yellow River
Arrive in Lanzhou and start your trip with a visit to the Lanzhou Waterwheel Garden. Walk along the Yellow River, where you can visit the Iron Bridge and enjoy panoramic views of the river. In the evening, try Lanzhou’s famous Beef Noodles at a street-side noodle shop and explore the Gansu Provincial Museum to get an introduction to the region's long history.
Day 2: Zhangye – The Rainbow Mountains and Ancient Temples
Travel toZhangye, located about 2-3 hours from Lanzhou. Spend the day at the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, famous for its rainbow-colored mountains. Afterward, visit the Giant Buddha Temple to see the impressive reclining Buddha statue, one of the largest in China. Don’t miss the Mati Temple (Horseshoe Temple), an ancient temple complex built into cliffs. Overnight in Zhangye.
Day 3: Jiayuguan – Great Wall and the Silk Road
Travel toJiayuguan and spend the day exploring its historical significance. Visit the Jiayuguan Pass, where The Great Wall of China stretches over the mountains, and the Jiayuguan Fortress to see one of the best-preserved military fortifications. Then head to the Overhanging Great Wall, an amazing stretch of the Wall that seems to hang above the valley. Overnight in Jiayuguan.
Day 4: Dunhuang – Mogao Caves and the Silk Road Legacy
Arrive inDunhuang, one of the most significant cities along the ancient Silk Road. Visit the Mogao Caves, where Buddhist monks created stunning murals and sculptures over 1,000 years ago. Explore the Dunhuang Museum, which provides historical context to the city’s role as a cultural exchange hub along the Silk Road. Spend the night in Dunhuang, where you can enjoy the local Uyghur cuisine.
More Silk Road itineraries:
Silk Road Adventure Tour From Xi'an
Legendary Silk Road Tour from Beijing
Day 5: Dunhuang – Crescent Moon Spring and the Desert Adventures
On your final day in Dunhuang, head to theCrescent Moon Spring and Singing Sand Dunes. You can take a camel ride, try sandboarding, or simply enjoy the surreal beauty of the desert. Afterward, relax and explore the city’s vibrant night markets before heading back to Lanzhou.
If you want to know more about Gansu travel guides and itineraries, please contact us.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
