I'm back! Here's my advice for your first trip to Gansu...

Gansu, a vast territory stretching across northwestern China, is both a masterpiece of nature and a historical corridor of thousand-year-old civilization. From snow-capped mountains to vast Gobi Desert, from cave art to ethnic customs, every corner holds breathtaking beauty. This comprehensive guide will help you deeply appreciate Gansu's unique charm! 🌟 Must-Visit Areas and Highlights 📍 Lanzhou and Surroundings - Yellow River Scenic Belt: Stroll through Lanzhou's "city living room," visit the iconic Zhongshan Bridge, a century-old iron bridge spanning the Yellow River that has witnessed the city's transformation; climb White Pagoda Mountain for a panoramic view of the Yellow River and city; don't forget to take photos with the lifelike Yellow River Mother Sculpture and feel the profound Yellow River culture. - Shuimo Danxia Scenic Area: Not far from Lanzhou, featuring red bay landforms with rock textures resembling ink-wash paintings. Colors are most stunning during sunrise and sunset, perfect for photography. - Hekou Ancient Town: An ancient ferry port from the Ming and Qing dynasties, preserving numerous old residences and temples. Walking on the bluestone paths feels like traveling back in time, and you can taste authentic Jiangshui noodles. 📍 Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture - Labrang Monastery: As one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, it has the world's longest prayer wheel corridor. Join pilgrims for morning prayer wheel turning to feel the power of faith; enter the temple to admire exquisite thangkas and butter sculptures. - Zhagana: A "stone city wonderland" like a paradise on earth, with Tibetan villages nestled among mountains, especially mysterious when shrouded in clouds. Here you can hike to explore Fairy Beach and Fairy Lake, experiencing nature's serenity and grandeur. - Langmusi Temple: The White Dragon River flows through the town, dividing it between Gansu and Sichuan. Known as the "Little Switzerland of the East," it features both magnificent natural scenery and rich Tibetan-Han cultural fusion. - Sangke Grassland: More pristine and pure than Dangzhou Grassland. In summer, wildflowers bloom across the prairie where you can go horseback riding or enjoy authentic milk tea and hand-pulled mutton in a yurt. 📍 Hexi Corridor Region - Dunhuang: - Mogao Grottoes: A World Heritage site with 735 existing caves, featuring exquisite murals and colored sculptures that carry a thousand years of Buddhist art glory. Recommend booking A-type tickets in advance on the official website for access to 8 caves with professional guide service. - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring: The "Desert's First Spring" Crescent Spring is embraced by Mingsha Mountain. At sunset, ride camels through the desert, watch the dunes turn golden, and feel the desert's magnificence and romance. Star camping is available at night. - Jiayuguan: - Jiayuguan Fortress: The western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven." Climb the tower to view the Qilian Mountains and imagine the grand historical scenes of warfare. - Overhanging Great Wall: Built along the ridge like a cantilever, offering exciting climbing experiences and panoramic views of the vast Gobi Desert beyond the pass. - Zhangye: - Rainbow Danxia Geological Park: Like God's spilled palette, the colorful Danxia landforms are dazzling in sunlight. Platform No. 4 is the perfect spot for sunset viewing. - Binggou Danxia: Distinctly different from Rainbow Danxia, featuring majestic and mysterious palace-like Danxia landforms with window-like formations, showing more primitive and rugged beauty. - Mati Temple: With over 1,600 years of history, its grottoes and temples are carved into steep cliffs. The spectacular Thirty-three Heavens Grottoes are awe-inspiring. - Wuwei: - Wuwei Confucian Temple: The best-preserved Confucian temple in Northwest China, with ancient cypresses and magnificent architecture. Its plaque museum houses numerous valuable Ming and Qing dynasty plaques. - Leitai Han Tomb: Famous for unearthing China's tourism symbol "Flying Horse," with murals and artifacts inside showing Han Dynasty social life. 📍 Southeast Longnan Region - Tianshui: - Maiji Mountain Grottoes: One of China's four major grottoes, renowned for its clay sculpture art. Grottoes are carved into steep cliffs with winding plank roads, allowing close-up appreciation of thousand-year-old Buddha statues. - Pingliang: - Kongtong Mountain: A famous Taoist mountain combining spectacular natural scenery with ancient cultural sites. Take the cable car up to visit Middle Platform, Imperial City, and other attractions to experience the profound Taoist culture. - Qingyang: - Nanxiaohe Valley: A "green pearl" on the Loess Plateau with beautiful ecology and attractions like "Eastern Gansu's First Dam," perfect for leisure vacations and nature experiences. 📍 Longnan Region - Guan'e Valley: Known as "Little Jiuzhaigou," featuring 13 lakes of varying sizes and shapes set in canyons, with opposing green mountains and waterfalls, ideal for summer cooling and fresh air. - Yunping Three Gorges: Composed of Tudi Gorge, Guanyin Gorge, and Xigu Gorge, with dense forests, flowing streams, and many rustic villages full of pastoral poetry. 🍜 Gansu Cuisine - Lanzhou: Besides the nationally famous Lanzhou Beef Noodles (featuring clear soup, white radish, red chili oil, green herbs, and yellow noodles with chewy texture and savory broth), try special snacks like gray peas and sweet fermented rice. Recommend visiting Dazhong Lane, home to many time-honored restaurants. - Gannan: Must-try hand-pulled mutton, tender meat dipped in salt and pepper, authentic flavor; Tibetan dumplings with unique taste, usually filled with beef and green onions, perfect with butter tea. - Hexi Corridor: Dunhuang donkey meat yellow noodles, thread-thin noodles with tender donkey meat; Zhangye beef rice with unique small flour bits in beef soup; Jiayuguan barbecue including lamb legs and kidneys, paired with local apricot drink for refreshment. - Longnan: Stirred flour balls are a specialty, made from corn or buckwheat flour with sour and spicy soup; Wudu potato stirred balls are worth trying, with soft mashed potatoes and rich seasonings. 🚗 Classic Route Recommendations 1. Hexi Corridor Cultural Discovery Route Dunhuang (Mogao Grottoes, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring) → Jiayuguan (Jiayuguan Fortress, Overhanging Great Wall) → Zhangye (Rainbow Danxia, Binggou Danxia, Mati Temple) → Wuwei (Wuwei Confucian Temple, Leitai Han Tomb) Perfect for history and culture enthusiasts to deeply experience the Silk Road's glory. 2. Gannan Grassland Circuit Lanzhou → Xiahe (Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grassland) → Langmusi → Zhagana → Hezuo (Dangzhou Grassland) Experience unique prairie, temple, and Tibetan village culture, feel Tibet's tranquility and sacredness. 3. Southeast Cultural Journey Tianshui (Maiji Mountain Grottoes) → Pingliang (Kongtong Mountain) → Qingyang (Nanxiaohe Valley) Explore cave art and Taoist culture while enjoying unique Loess Plateau scenery. ⚠️ Practical Tips Gansu is vast with long distances between attractions. Recommend chartered car or self-driving for flexibility; trains and long-distance buses are also options but require careful planning. Northwest climate is dry; stay hydrated and protect against sun and moisture loss; prepare thick jacket even in summer due to large temperature differences. In Tibetan areas like Gannan, respect local religious beliefs and customs, such as turning prayer wheels clockwise and not photographing monks without permission. Book Mogao Grottoes tickets 30 days ahead on official website; arrive early at popular sites like Rainbow Danxia to avoid crowds. Gansu's beauty needs to be measured by footsteps and felt with the heart. Pack your bags and start this thousand-year journey through Northwest China!