Things to do in Gansu

Lina, the lecturer at the Gambo Museum, is exceptionally skilled. During the two-hour learning experience, she demonstrated a thorough understanding of the chronological order and comparative analysis of the artifacts, meticulously integrating historical evolution with everyday life. I look forward to the completion of the new Gambo Museum and visiting it again next time.

It's a great choice for learning about the Hexi region, its religious art, history, and culture. Nearby attractions include the city museum and the Wooden Pagoda. Overall, it offers good value for money and is worth visiting.

This is extremely important, and I must say it first: don't trust the bookstore's own mini-program for booking a visit at a specific time. The description said there was a 9 PM visit after closing time, but I booked that one. Luckily, my itinerary ended early, and I arrived around 8:30 PM, only to be told they were closing and I should go to the second floor first. Closing time was 9 PM, and I almost missed it! Remember to wear shoe covers once inside. They're in the basket on the right. Put them on before entering. The bookstore is quite spacious, with the second floor being the main attraction, perfect for taking photos.

The museum is located in the city center, very close to the night market. It gets dark quite late in Dunhuang, so after visiting the Mogao Grottoes, it's a good opportunity to review the visit at the museum. Admission is free, just make a reservation. Guided tours are available for a fee. The advantage of the museum is that the exhibits are arranged chronologically, making them clearer. Finally, the souvenir and creative shops are also great to browse; the prices are very reasonable. Don't bother with fridge magnets and other items at the night market; they're much better quality here.

Lanzhou Old Street is quite close to the Yellow River Tower. We walked there after visiting the Yellow River Tower. The old street area isn't small, and it feels like a newly built commercial district. In the afternoon during the off-season, there were very few people. I wonder if it will be more crowded at night? The shops are mainly restaurants, plus souvenir shops. If you're passing by, you can check it out!

Before coming to Lanzhou, I had no idea what this bridge was like. I arrived around 3 PM; the sun was still blazing, and the iron railings on the bridge felt hot to the touch. This iron bridge, built in 1909, spans the Yellow River, looking sturdy yet silent. Standing on the bridge, the Yellow River surged beneath my feet, carrying the scent of silt. Speedboats darted out from under the arches, splashing up waves, and children on the bank screamed excitedly—their jubilation was unstoppable. I didn't rush up the mountain; instead, I found a seat at a teahouse under the bridge. I ordered a cup of "Sanpaotai" (a type of local tea), 15 yuan, with refills. The bamboo chair was a bit old, but just the right amount of comfortable. Several local old men around me were cracking sunflower seeds and playing chess, occasionally glancing up at the river and saying, "The water's risen again." That relaxed feeling is rare in tourist spots. You absolutely must try the Sanpaotai at the teahouse. Don't rush; sit for at least half an hour, just gazing at the river and daydreaming—that's the real deal. The cruise ticket is only a few dozen yuan, not expensive at all, and worth experiencing the view from under the bridge. Speedboats and sheepskin rafts are available on the shore; thrill-seekers can give them a try. Regarding photography: the "Zhongshan Bridge" stone monument on the south side of the bridge is a classic spot for photos. Take your time; although the sun is strong 🌞, the river breeze is very pleasant.

The Shazhou/Dunhuang Night market is clean, cohesively decorated, and conveniently located in the city center! As part of your silk road travels visit this well put together market for delicious food and souvenir buys! 🛍 We bought cashmere wool scarves, magnets, and knick knacks all for great prices. The vendors are not pushy at all! We had a pleasant experience wandering the shops and the vendors were very friendly and accommodating. I'd recommend having alipay or wechat pay set up as this is the most convenient payment method when travelling China but at this market the vendors did accept cash from our fellow tour guide travellers. 🐟 The food court area gives camping vibes. You'll see small camp stools and chairs around small fires. Our tour guide told us that the fish and beef cakes are the most popular. We tried the fish which was yummy and the beefcakes welllll the line was a little too long for us but our fellow tour group travellers said it was delicious and even bought some for the road the next day! 🎐 Since the market was in the city center we explored the shops nearby and then caught a Didi back to our hotel. The night market is worth visiting, probably one of the best I have visited in my travels. 

Gangjia Grassland is located in Gangjia Township, Xiahe, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, 33 kilometers north of Xiahe County, and is directly accessible by road. Gangjia Grassland is a meadow grassland, vast and boundless, with an average altitude of more than 3,000 meters. It is one of the main animal husbandry bases in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There is a reception desk at the Muyun Tent Camp, which prepares fresh milk tea, tsampa, Tibetan buns, hand-pulled mutton and other Tibetan specialties for tourists. It also prepares grassland tourism programs such as horses, yaks, shooting bonfire parties, etc. for tourists. Visitors can fully experience the mysterious and simple Tibetan customs here.

The Wuwei Confucian Temple, located on Chongwen Street in Liangzhou District, Wuwei City, Gansu Province, is the largest and best-preserved Confucian temple complex in Northwest China, renowned as the "Crown of Confucian Temples in Longyou." 🏛️ Key Highlights • Guiji Hall Plaque Complex: The most exquisite part of the temple, displaying 46 giant plaques from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China period. Among them, "Jujing Yangji" (聚精扬纪) and "Shucheng Never Sleeps" (书城不夜) are included in the "Famous Plaques of China," making it a treasure trove of calligraphy and sculpture art. • Ming Dynasty Architectural Complex: Built between 1437 and 1439 (the second to fourth years of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty), this complex retains the complete layout of the Lingxing Gate, the Pan Pond, the Zhuangyuan Bridge, and the Dacheng Hall, allowing visitors to directly experience the magnificent style of Ming Dynasty architecture. • Suggested Itinerary: The Wuwei Western Xia Museum is located directly opposite the Confucian Temple, which can be visited at the same time for a one-stop understanding of Liangzhou's history.

The Liujiaxia Reservoir is a large-scale hydroelectric power station built independently during the First Five-Year Plan. The green Yellow River and the earthy yellow mountain valleys complement each other beautifully, and the scenery along the bridge is also stunning. It's definitely worth a visit!