Gansu Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Gansu.

1. 1

   Mogao Caves (Mogao Grottoes)

   historic siteAdult Category A ticket CNY 238 in peak season (about $35), CNY 140 off-season (about $21), covering two films, the shuttle and a guided visit of about 8-12 caves; a cheaper Category B ticket (about CNY 100, about $15) is released only after A tickets sell out. Verify current prices on the official booking page · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or IDHalf day (about 3-4 hours including the visitor center films and shuttle)

   A UNESCO World Heritage cave complex 25 km southeast of Dunhuang with fourth- to fourteenth-century Buddhist murals and painted sculptures, and the Library Cave where the Diamond Sutra manuscript was found.

   Tip: Book timed tickets 1-2 weeks ahead for May-October and holiday periods · Bring a passport, as it is required for booking and entry · Photography inside the caves is not allowed; cameras may need to be stored · Wear a warm layer, as caves are cool and dim even in summer · Allow 3-4 hours including films and shuttle transfers · Consider a local guide for English commentary, where offered

2. 2

   Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring

   natureAdult Peak season CNY 110 (about $16); off-season CNY 55 (about $8); camel ride and sandboard rentals extra (camel about CNY 100, about $15). Tickets can be reserved through the official Mingshashan Yueyaquan WeChat account or Trip.com · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID2-4 hours (or one sunrise or sunset session)

   A 40 km-long field of towering singing-sand dunes beside a spring-fed crescent-shaped lake, 5 km south of Dunhuang, famed for camel rides, sandboarding and sunset views.

   Tip: Go late in the afternoon or early in the morning to avoid midday heat · Reserve tickets through the official WeChat account or Trip.com · Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and a scarf or glasses against blown sand · Camel rides and sandboard rentals cost extra, so compare prices before agreeing · Shoe covers help keep sand out during the dune climb · The eastern tourist shuttle links the site with the Mogao Caves

3. 3

   Yumenguan (Jade Gate Pass)

   historic siteAdult CNY 40 (about $6); an optional in-park electric shuttle costs extra (about CNY 50, about $7) · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID1-2 hours

   The ruins of a Han-dynasty frontier fort and desert gateway west of Dunhuang, once the checkpoint for Silk Road traffic heading to the Western Regions.

   Tip: Visit in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and cooler temperatures · Bring water, a hat and sun protection, as there is little shade · Combine with the Yadan geopark on one chartered-car day trip · Check the shorter late-autumn and winter hours before setting out · Decide in advance whether to pay for the optional shuttle or walk · Carry cash or a mobile payment option for small purchases

4. 4

   Yadan National Geopark (Dunhuang Yardang)

   natureAdult About CNY 120 including park transport (about $18); older sources list CNY 50 entry plus CNY 70 shuttle (about $7 plus $10). Verify current price · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID2-3 hours inside the park (allow a full day with transfers)

   A wind-sculpted desert badlands of yardang ridges in the Gobi northwest of Dunhuang, nicknamed the Ghost City and used as a filming location for desert scenes.

   Tip: Arrange a day tour or chartered car, as no public bus serves the park · Bring water, snacks and a windproof layer for the long, exposed day · Check opening hours and any temporary closures before the trip · Last entry is about 4:30PM, so plan the drive accordingly · Combine with Yumenguan to share the cost of the car · Time the final viewpoint for sunset if the schedule allows

5. 5

   Yangguan Pass

   historic siteAdult CNY 50 (about $7); camel ride, horse ride and sightseeing cart extra (about CNY 10-60, about $1.50-9) · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID1-2 hours

   A Han-dynasty southern gateway on the Silk Road, 75 km southwest of Dunhuang, where a single beacon tower still stands over desert and the Nanhu oasis.

   Tip: Check the closure from January 1 to mid-March before planning a winter trip · Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest hours · Bring water, a hat and sun protection, as shade is limited · Combine with the Nanhu oasis on the same day trip · Rides and carts cost extra, so confirm prices first · Allow one to two hours for the grounds and beacon tower

6. 6

   Jiayuguan Fort (Jiayu Pass)

   historic siteAdult Peak season (May 1-Oct 31) CNY 110 (about $16); off-season CNY 90 (about $13); ticket valid 3 days and includes the Overhanging Great Wall and the First Beacon Tower · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID2-3 hours

   The best-preserved Ming-dynasty fortress pass at the western end of the Great Wall, built from 1372 between the Qilian Mountains and the Heishan range.

   Tip: Use the three-day ticket to also visit the Overhanging Great Wall and First Beacon Tower · Arrive in the morning or late afternoon to avoid midday crowds and heat · City bus no. 4 to the terminus is the cheapest way to reach the fort · Bring water and sun protection, as the ramparts are exposed · Check seasonal hours, which extend into the evening in summer · Allow two to three hours for the fort alone

7. 7

   Overhanging Great Wall (Xuanbi Great Wall)

   historic siteAdult Included in the Jiayuguan Pass ticket (CNY 110 peak, about $16) · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID1-1.5 hours

   A restored stretch of Ming Great Wall climbing a steep ridge of the Heishan mountains northeast of Jiayuguan Fort, with steep steps and valley views.

   Tip: Climb in the morning for cooler temperatures and good light · Wear shoes with good grip, as the stone steps are steep and can be slippery · Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade · Taxi from the fort takes a few minutes, while walking along the road takes about an hour · The ticket is included in the Jiayuguan Pass ticket, so keep it · Stop at a lower tower if the steep stairs feel too demanding

8. 8

   Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (Linze)

   natureAdult CNY 108 (about $16) including a compulsory shuttle fee of about CNY 38 (about $6), valid two days · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID3-4 hours (or two sessions: sunset and sunrise)

   A UNESCO-listed field of striped red, orange and yellow sandstone hills in the Qilian foothills, with four viewing platforms reached by shuttle bus.

   Tip: Use the two-day ticket for one sunset and one sunrise session · Arrive early and visit the farther platforms first to avoid crowds · The shuttle fee is included in the ticket and the bus is compulsory · Bring water, sun protection and a windproof layer for early mornings · Check the forecast, as colours appear strongest in clear light or just after rain · Expect long queues at sunset in summer and on national holidays

9. 9

   Binggou Danxia

   natureAdult About CNY 40 entry plus CNY 20 bus (about $6 plus $3) · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID2-3 hours

   A quieter, canyon-like Danxia area in Sunan County with red cliffs, a stream valley and a long gorge walk, known for filming locations.

   Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the fewest crowds · Wear sturdy shoes, as paths can be uneven and wet near the stream · Bring water and sun protection for the longer gorge walk · Pay the separate park bus fee at the entrance · Avoid walking the gorge after heavy rain · Plan the trip together with other Zhangye sights by hiring a car

10. 10

    Mati Temple Grottoes (Horse's Hoof Temple)

    culturalAdult Roughly CNY 52-73 (about $8-11) depending on the ticket bundle; separate fees apply to some special grottoes (about CNY 35-80, about $5-12) and a few need reservation by phone · Child Children under 1.2 m are commonly free and 1.2-1.4 m half price at ticketed Chinese sites; seniors 60+ and students often get discounts with passport or ID2-3 hours

    A cliff-side complex of Buddhist grottoes and Tibetan monasteries in the Qilian foothills, 65 km south of Zhangye, with the Thousand Buddha Caves and the Thirty-Three Heavens grotto.

    Tip: Visit in the morning from spring to autumn for clearer light and cooler temperatures · Reserve special grottoes by phone where required, and expect separate fees · Wear sturdy shoes, as the paths and stairs are steep · Dress modestly and stay quiet at active religious sites · Follow signs about photography in each grotto · Arrange a private car or shuttle from Zhangye South bus station

Attractions by category

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Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Hours

Most Gansu sites run about 8:30AM-6:00PM in peak season (April-October) and close earlier in winter; museums are usually closed on Mondays; Mogao Caves and the Gansu Provincial Museum admit only pre-booked time slots.

Fees

Entry ranges from free (Gansu Provincial Museum, Zhongshan Bridge) to about CNY 238 for the Mogao A ticket (about $35); most sites cost CNY 40-120 (about $6-18). Prices and hours were checked against recent public listings but change often, so confirm before travel.

Best Times

May-June and September-early October balance desert heat and mountain cold; the Hexi Corridor and Dunhuang are best at sunrise and sunset; the Tibetan plateau sites (Xiahe, Langmusi) are best June-September.

Booking

Book Mogao via the Dunhuang Academy site (mgk.org.cn) or its WeChat official account, and the Gansu Provincial Museum via its WeChat account. Other tickets are sold at gates and on Trip.com, Meituan or Ctrip apps; foreigners need a passport number for reserved tickets.

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Frequently asked questions