Destinations

Gansu

Gansu is the Silk Road corridor: a thousand-kilometre passage between mountains and desert, strung with oasis towns, rainbow rock formations and the greatest Buddhist cave art on earth at Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves.

Gansu

Places to visit

Jiayuguan Fort嘉峪关

Landmark · Half a day

Practical info

Duration: Half a day
Hours: 8:30–18:00 (May–Oct); 9:00–17:00 (Nov–Apr)The combo ticket also covers the Overhanging Great Wall and the First Beacon Tower, a short drive away — allow extra time for both.
Tickets: Combo (fort + Overhanging Wall + First Beacon)¥110Student / Senior¥55valid ID
Booking: No booking neededTickets at the gate or via WeChat; rarely sells out.
Verified: July 13, 2026

Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake鸣沙山月牙泉

Nature · Half a day (sunset)

Practical info

Duration: Half a day (sunset)
Hours: Roughly 6:00–19:30 (extended for sunrise/sunset in summer)Summer afternoons hit 40°C on the dunes — locals go at 6am or after 5pm. Tickets are valid for re-entry within 3 days.
Tickets: Adult¥110Camel ride¥100optional, fixed circuitSand-sledding¥25optional
Booking: No booking neededTickets at the gate or WeChat; only golden week needs forethought.
Verified: July 13, 2026

Mogao Caves莫高窟

Museum · Half a day

Practical info

Duration: Half a day
Hours: 8:00–18:00 (Apr–Nov); 9:00–17:30 (Dec–Mar)Timed entry with two ticket classes: the full Type A ticket includes 8 caves with a guide plus two dome-screen films; the cheaper Type B covers 4 caves.
Tickets: Type A (8 caves + films)¥238foreign-language guided slots availableType B (4 caves)¥100
Booking: Book in advanceReal-name timed tickets on the official Mogao Caves reservation site or WeChat account, up to 30 days ahead — summer slots genuinely sell out. Passport required.
Verified: July 13, 2026

Zhangye Danxia张掖七彩丹霞

Nature · Half a day

Practical info

Duration: Half a day
Hours: Roughly 6:30–18:00 (seasonal; opens for sunrise in summer)Colours are strongest in low sun — go for the last two hours before sunset, ideally after rain has darkened the rock.
Tickets: Adult (entry)¥54Shuttle bus¥20mandatory loop between viewpoints
Booking: No booking neededTickets at the gate or WeChat; sunset slots never sell out outside golden week.
Verified: July 13, 2026