Gansu is a long, narrow province in northwest China that follows the Hexi Corridor, the Silk Road passage between the Qilian Mountains and the Gobi. It joins the Yellow River city of Lanzhou, the Mogao Caves and Mingsha dunes at Dunhuang, the Ming fort at Jiayuguan, the rainbow Danxia hills of Zhangye, and the Tibetan monasteries of Xiahe and Langmusi into one of China's richest cultural and landscape routes.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Mingsha Mountain Camel Ride and Sand Sledding, Dunhuang
Dunhuang's signature family activity: riding a Bactrian camel along the dune crest, sliding down on a sand sled, and walking to the crescent-shaped spring at the foot of the dunes, with sunset the best time
Duration: Half day
Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou
Air-conditioned galleries with the bronze Galloping Horse, Silk Road artifacts, and dinosaur and fossil exhibits; the open halls are stroller-friendly and a good break from heat or cold
Duration: 2-3 hours
Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains
Short boardwalks and four viewing platforms among striped red, orange and yellow hills, reached by shuttle bus, so even young children walk only short distances
Duration: Half day
Jiayuguan Fort and Great Wall Museum
The western end of the Ming Great Wall, with a huge fort, towers, archery and horse-riding demonstrations, and a good place for children to run on open walls
Duration: 3-4 hours
Yellow River Water Wheel Garden and Riverside Park, Lanzhou
Giant wooden water wheels, riverside paths and playgrounds along the Yellow River in central Lanzhou, with the Zhongshan Bridge nearby and ice cream and snack stalls
Duration: 2 hours
Bingling Temple Speedboat Trip, Yongjing County
A fast boat ride across Liujiaxia Reservoir to a canyon of Buddhist cliff carvings, including the 27 m Maitreya statue; suited to older children who can handle a long day
Duration: Full day from Lanzhou
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
4-star hotels near Zhongshan Bridge, Lanzhou
Modern hotels in Chengguan District within walking distance of the Yellow River promenade, Water Wheel Garden and the Zhengning Road food streets, with easy taxi access to Gansu Provincial Museum
Family features: Family or connecting rooms, buffet breakfast, central location, restaurants nearby
Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, Dunhuang
A large hotel in Dunhuang built in Silk Road style near the Shazhou Night Market, with a short drive to Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves; rates rise sharply in July and August and on holidays
Family features: Family rooms, on-site restaurants, near the night market and bus stop for Mingsha Mountain
Courtyard-style hotels in Dunhuang's Shazhou Market area
Mid-range hotels and guesthouses a short walk from the night market, offering easy dinners for children and quick taxis to Mingsha Mountain (10 minutes) and Mogao Caves (25 minutes)
Family features: Triple and family rooms, kettles and heating, walkable restaurants
Mid-range hotels near Zhangye West Railway Station, Zhangye
Convenient hotels in Zhangye city near the high-speed station, from where taxis or private cars reach Danxia National Geological Park in about 40 minutes
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast, close to the station and Giant Buddha Temple
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Lanzhou beef noodles (niurou lamian) are mild and a reliable first dish for children; ask for the broth without chili oil (bu fang la).
Hui halal restaurants serve plain lamb skewers, steamed buns (mantou), flatbreads and fried rice that suit picky eaters; Dunhuang night-market stalls sell fresh fruit and apricot juice.
In Xiahe and Gannan, yak-butter tea and tsampa can be strong for children; order plain noodles, momos or fried rice instead.
Carry snacks, bottled water and instant formula supplies for road days between Lanzhou, Zhangye and Jiayuguan, where roadside restaurants are limited.
Most restaurants have no high chairs; ask for a bench seat and carry a portable booster if needed.
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Altitude: keep young children in Lanzhou and Dunhuang unless the family is used to high altitudes; Xiahe sits at roughly 2,900-3,000 m and Gannan grasslands are higher, so consult a doctor about children and acclimatization.
Sun and dryness: use SPF 50 sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and moisturizer, and keep children drinking water regularly, particularly at Mingsha Mountain, Jiayuguan and Zhangye.
Book Mogao Caves tickets early because tours are limited and strictly timed, and note that children under a certain height may receive discounted tickets; bring passports for everyone.
Travel by high-speed train between Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Liuyuan; seats are comfortable and children under 1.2 m ride free on an adult ticket, while 1.2-1.5 m pay a reduced fare.
Baby supplies such as diapers and formula are available in Lanzhou and Dunhuang supermarkets, but not in rural Gannan; carry what you need.
Temperatures change quickly, with cold evenings even in summer; pack warm layers for every child.