14 Days Gansu Travel Itinerary

14 Days Gansu Travel Itinerary

Gansu is like a magnificent piece of jade, set among the Loess Plateau, the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Magnificent loess, boundless grasslands, endless Gobi deserts, and gleaming white glaciers come together to form a grand and awe-inspiring panorama. If you have fourteen days to explore Gansu, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable two-week trip, ensuring that you can explore Gansu to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

14 Days Gansu Itinerary for Family with Kids

Mingsha Mountain

Day 1: After arriving in Pingliang, enter the Kongtong Mountain Scenic Area and enjoy a restful night at a hotel within the park.

Day 2: Spend a full day exploring the Kongtong Mountain. In the evening, you may also stroll through Kongtong Ancient Town at the foot of the mountain.

Day 3: After breakfast, take a train to Tianshui to visit the Maiji Mountain Grottoes. After that, consider a visit to the Maijishan Hot Springs to enjoy some relaxing family time, and in the evening, you may also try Tianshui Malatang.

Day 4: Arrive in Lanzhou, take a cable car for a panoramic view of the Yellow River, then visit the Lanzhou Stele Fores. At dusk, you may take a leisurely walk across the Zhongshan Bridge. In the evening, cruise on the Yellow River for a beautiful night scenery.

Day 5: Head to the Xinglong Mountain to explore nature. If in winter, you can also enjoy a thrilling skiing experience at the Xinglong Mountain Ski Resort. During the dinner time, you will return to downtown and wander around the Zhengning Road Night Market.

Day 6: Start your day with a bowl of authentic Lanzhou beef noodles, head to the Liujia Gorge Dinosaur National Geopark to enjoy a pleasure family time.

Day 7: Head to the Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm, where you can learn horseback riding and experience the thrill of galloping freely across the grasslands. In the evening, stay overnight in a wooden cabin at the ranch.

Day 8: Arrive in Zhangye to admire the beauty of the Colorful Danxia National Geopark. In the afternoon, head to Jiayuguan for free time and independent exploration.

Day 9: Explore the Jiayuguan Fortress, the Greatest Pass Under Heaven, and experience the historical legacy of the ancient Silk Road. In the evening, arrive in Dunhuang for a rest.

Day 10: Visit the Mogao Caves, the treasure house of art, where digital technology brings new vitality to this ancient art. In the afternoon, head to the Mingsha Mountain to enjoy sand activities and camel riding, and take in the beautiful sunset over the Crescent Spring.

Day 11: Explore the Ancient City of Dunhuang and soak in the rich Northwestern Chinese atmosphere. Nearby, you can also visit Silk Road Heritage City to gain deeper insight into the glorious history of the Silk Road.

Day 12: Visit the Yangguan Pass to experience the ancient border-exit procedures. Then head south into Qinghai, crossing the Qaidam Basin to admire the sight of the Emerald Lake. Spend the night in Dachaidan.

Day 13: Take a bus to the Chaka Salt Lake, Mirror of the Sky. Ride the small train across the salt flats, touch the waters, and savor the sunset over the shimmering salt lake.

Day 14: Head to see the Qinghai Lake, the landmark of Qinghai, to admire its picturesque natural scenery. Then visit the Kumbum Monastery before finally arriving in Xining.

14 Days Gansu Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Colorful Danxia

Day 1: After arriving in Lanzhou, take some time to rest in your hotel. After dinner, you may take a cruise to enjoy the nightscape of the city.

Day 2: After breakfast, watch the Yellow River Mother Statue, then walk along the Yellow River Line, visit the Zhongshan Bridge and the Waterwheel Expo Garden. In the evening, you may watch the Yellow River Music Fountain, and head to the Lanshan Mountain to the Santai Pavilion for a stunning night view of Lanzhou.

Day 3: Head to the Wuquan Mountain Park to stroll around and appreciate the harmony between nature scenery and ancient architecture. In the afternoon, visit the Gansu Provincial Museum and the Dunhuang Art Gallery. In the evening, if you still have the energy, you can explore the Zhengning Road Night Marker.

Day 4: Travel to the Shichuan Pear Orchard for a walk where you may take some photos, enjoy a picnic, and experience authentic rural leisure.

Day 5: Go to Qingcheng Ancient Town, stroll through its time-worn , explore the traces left by history, and immerse yourself in the rich traditional cultural atmosphere.

Day 6: Return to Lanzhou and visit the Xinglong Mountain, hike up or take the cable car for a more relaxed ascent. In the evening, have a good rest in the downtown.

Day 7: In the morning, head to the Lanzhou Wildlife Park to see the fascinating animals, letting their presence uplift your spirit. In the afternoon, take a train to Zhangye for rest.

Day 8: Visit the Colorful Danxia, and take on the sightseeing bus to reach the viewpoint, capturing stunning photos and enjoy the breathtaking sunset. If you still have energy in the evening, you can explore the night market in the Colorful Town.

Day 9: Drive to the Mati Temple to admire the magical stone Buddhas and mural art. By noon, head to visit Biandukou, and you might see endless fields of vibrant rapeseed flowers during the summer.

Day 10: Arrive in the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon for a pleasant yet challenging hiking adventure. In the afternoon, return to the downtown to visit the Zhangye Dafo Temple.

Day 11: Take a train to Dunhuang, experience the charm of northwest China, and visit the Dunhuang Museum. In the evening, you may stroll in the Shazhou Night Market.

Day 12: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Mogao Caves and admire the mural art. In the afternoon, head to the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring to enjoy the oasis wonder in the desert. In the evening, watch the performance of See Dunhuang Again.

Day 13: Drive westward, passing by the West Thousand Buddha Caves, the Sites of Yang Pass, and Yumen Pass. You will reach Yangguan Town for lunch, and visit the local graperies. Then continue to the west to the Yardang Devil City to watch the amazing craftsmanship of nature bathed in the golden sunset.

Day 14: Visit the Dunhuang Ancient City for a relaxing exploration, where you can immerse in the ancient-style area, and make the most of your remaining time for free.

14 Days Gansu Itinerary for Young Travelers

Langmu Temple

Day 1: Arrive in Lanzhou, take a leisurely citywalk in the downtown, admire the beautiful cityscape along the Yellow River. Have a good rest for the following adventure.

Day 2: Depart for Linxia and head to the Liujia Gorge Reservoir, to enjoy the speed boat or parachuting. Then you may visit the Bingling Temple Grottoes.

Day 3: Explore the Ganjia Secret Realm, and you may head to the White Stone Cliff Karst Cave and follow a local herdsman to explore its hidden wonders.

Day 4: Arrive in Xiahe to visit the Labrang Monastery, then head to the Sangke Grassland for an experience of traditional herdsmen activities such as horseback riding and archery. In the evening, stay in a local guesthouse or camping on the grassland.

Day 5: Drive to visit the Milarepa Buddha Pavilion. After that, turn to Luqu and watch the birds at the Gahai Lake.

Day 6: Enter Qinghai and arrive at the Lianbao Yeze, a fairyland on earth, where you can admire its breathtaking stone peaks. Afterwards, visit the Ge'er Monastery, and then go to the First Bend of the Yellow River to watch the stunning sunset. Stay at Tangke for rest.

Day 7: Set out for Zoige in Sichuan and arrive at Huahu Lake, where the wetland scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Then travel to the Langmu Monastery, and continue on to Zhagana for free exploration and a well-deserved rest.

Day 8: Rise early to catch the sunrise over Zhagana, then spend the entire day exploring it at a leisurely pace. Climb to higher vantage points to take in sweeping views, and capture stunning, postcard-worthy photos with every shot.

Day 9: Travel to Dangchang to visit the Guan'e Valley, the Little Jiuzhaigou, and immerse yourself in its pristine forests where mountains and waters reflect in harmony.

Day 10: After an exploration at the Guanzhu Valley close to the Guan'e Valley, take a bus to Tianshui and enjoy Tianshui Malatang which is famous in China.

Day 11: Visit the Maiji Mountain Scenic Area. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Lanzhou and explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, you may also explore local food at the Zhengning Road Night Market.

Day 12: Visit the Zhongshan Bridge, and enjoy the sceneries along the Yellow River such as the Statue of Mother Yellow River and the Waterwheel Expo Park.

Day 13: Head to the Xinglong Mountain to immerse in the refreshing mountain scenery. If visiting in winter, you can also go skiing at the nearby ski resort.

Day 14: Experience the Yellow River cableway to view the cityscape, and the take a ride on a traditional sheepskin raft. After that, enjoy your free time in Lanzhou.

14 Days Gansu cultural Immersion Itinerary

Mogao Caves

Day 1: After arriving in Dunhuang, first visit the Dunhuang Museum. In the evening, you can watch the large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again. Then at the Shazhou Night Market, you may also enjoy the delicious food and exquisite handicrafts.

Day 2: In the morning, head to visit the Mogao Caves, watching the mysterious artworks. In the afternoon, head to the Mount Sanwei, renowned for its Buddhist art. Then, arrive at the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, linger to admire the night view.

Day 3: Travel west to see around the West Thousand Buddha Caves, the Yang Pass and the Yumen Pass. By evening, return to Dunhuang and explore the Shazhou Night Market.

Day 4: Visit the Leiyin Temple, and then explore Dunhuang Ancient City, where you may experience Chinese traditional recreational activities such as Touhu and archery.

Day 5: Depart for the Statue, Son of the Earth, and enjoy along the way the magnificent scene of the Heishan Gobi set against the snow-capped peaks of the Qilian Mountains. Then visit the Suoyang City Ruins and the Yulin Grottoes and stay at Guazhou.

Day 6: Continue to Jiayuguan City, and explore the Jiayuguan Fortress. You may visit the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and climb on the city wall, experiencing the magnificence along the ancient Silk Road.

Day 7: Take a bus to Zhangye, stopping along the way to visit the Colorful Danxia. Then in the downtown, you may visit the Dafo Temple, Jinta Temple and Muta Temple.

Day 8: Head to visit the Mati Temple and then reach the Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm, where you will experience horseback riding while tracing the legendary footsteps of the famed general Huo Qubing. Stay overnight in a distinctive local wooden cabin.

Day 9: In the morning, watch the sunrise over the grasslands and witness the spectacular sight of galloping horses, and then head to Wuwei. Visit the Wuwei Museum, which conceals the past and present of Liangzhou, an important Chinese ancient state.

Day 10: Head to Lanzhou, and along the way you will see the Wuqiao Mountains. While arrive in Lanzhou, you may feel the charm of the Yellow River and Gansu's delicacy.

Day 11: In the morning, visit the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Museum, where you can not only taste authentic beef noodles but also experience the traditional craft noodle-pulling. In the afternoon, take the cableway to the top of the White Pagoda Mountain, then visit the Lanzhou Stele Forest. In the evening, enjoy a night cruise on the Yellow River.

Day 12: In the morning, visit the Xiguan Mosque, then head to Qingcheng Ancient Town after lunch, where you can stroll through its historic streets, admire ancient architectural styles, and listen to the stories of how people lived in the past. In the evening, return to Lanzhou.

Day 13: Drive to the Bingling Temple and visit its grottoes by cruise. Then arrive in Xiahe and you might see the Sangke Grassland.

Day 14: Visit the Labrang Monastery, try to walk along the world's longest prayer wheel circumambulation and observe the daily life of local pilgrims and monks.

Customize Your Unique Gansu Silk Road Trip

If you are interested in one of the Gansu itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Gansu Tour, please visit our Gansu Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

Informative Articles for Your Gansu Trip

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• Travel itineraries: itineraries for your reference
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• Weather: the best time and seasons to visit Gansu
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• Dunhuang Tours: customized Gansu tours for your reference