Gansu Travel Routes

The Hexi Corridor is one of the most easily underestimated routes in China. It compresses the Yellow River, the Great Wall, Buddhist grottoes, Danxia landforms, and Gobi oases onto a straight highway stretching about 1,100 kilometers from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, which is just right to travel in 7–10 days. This site organizes Gansu into combinations of a 6-day direct Lanzhou-to-Dunhuang trip, an 8-day full corridor tour, and a 10-day trip including Qinghai Lake.

How to Plan Routes in Gansu

We break Gansu down into two ready-made routes, covering short, medium, and long durations. Routes within the same province can be freely combined: if time is tight, take the shortest one; for a deeper experience, connect both routes together.

Cities and Highlights on This Route

• Lanzhou/Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang:

Travel Reminders

• Popular attractions (the Forbidden City, Mogao Caves, Jiuzhaigou, Zhangjiajie, etc.) have real-name entry limits, so it is recommended to book 15–30 days in advance.
• High-speed train tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. During peak season, they sell out the first day, so be sure to set a reminder.
• Highland routes (Tibet, Qinghai, Western Sichuan) require a health declaration, and it is recommended to take Rhodiola 7 days in advance.
• Senior citizens over 60 and children under 1.2 meters should be noted when booking, as ticket prices and beds have different arrangements.
• All itineraries can be adjusted by month, number of days, and travel companions. For details, see "Customized Itineraries."