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.
Accommodation overview
Gansu is a 1,600 km ribbon of oasis cities strung along the Hexi Corridor, so hotels cluster in a handful of hubs: Lanzhou (the capital, with the international chains), Dunhuang (desert resorts and mid-range hotels near the Mingsha dunes and the Shazhou Night Market), Jiayuguan (functional city-center hotels), Zhangye (gateway to the Danxia rainbow mountains), Xiahe (hotels and guesthouses near Labrang Monastery) and Tianshui (Fuxi Temple and Maijishan base). International brands are limited to Lanzhou and Dunhuang; elsewhere domestic four-star and chain hotels are the norm. Prices are indicative nightly rates and move with the season; July-August and the early-October Golden Week are the peaks.
- Budget
- CNY 100-250 (approx $15-37) for a budget chain or older local hotel in Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Zhangye or Tianshui
- Mid-range
- CNY 250-500 (approx $37-74) for a Jinjiang Sun Hotel, Dunhuang Hotel or Jiayuguan Hotel-style room
- Luxury
- CNY 550-1600 (approx $81-237)+ for Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton or a Dunhuang desert resort
- Where to stay
- Chengguan District (Lanzhou) for Zhongshan Road, the Yellow River and night markets; Yangguan Middle and East Road (Dunhuang) for the Shazhou Night Market; the streets near Labrang Monastery (Xiahe)
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Jiuquan Hotel Jiayuguan
Older budget-to-mid hotel on Jiefang Road in Jiayuguan, a low-cost option for an overnight stop between Zhangye and Dunhuang.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Jinjiang Sun Hotel
Long-running mid-range hotel on Donggang West Road in central Lanzhou, a practical base for first-time visitors on a mid-range budget.
Check rates on Booking.comDunhuang Hotel
Established Dunhuang hotel on Yangguan East Road with a garden setting, handy for the night market and for Mogao Caves transport.
Check rates on Booking.comJiayuguan Hotel
Well-rated central Jiayuguan hotel (9.3/10 on Trip.com) beside the Guancheng Silk Road Culture Expo Park, within a short taxi ride of Jiayuguan Fort.
Check rates on Booking.comJiugang Hotel
Central Jiayuguan hotel with two buildings; the west building offers distant views of the Qilian snow mountains and the fort, the east building has Silk Road-themed rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comZhangye Golden Holiday Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Zhangye's Ganzhou district, about 7 km from Zhangye Railway Station and roughly 50 minutes by road from the Danxia geological park.
Check rates on Booking.comLabrang Wangfu Hotel
Hotel on Renmin East Street in Xiahe, about 1.3 km from Labrang Monastery, suitable for visitors who prefer private rooms to a guesthouse.
Check rates on Booking.comTianshui Hotel
Four-star hotel on Yingbin Road in central Tianshui, a standard base for Fuxi Temple, the old town and Maijishan Grottoes day trips.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Hyatt Regency Lanzhou
Five-star riverside hotel in central Lanzhou with views over the Yellow River, a short taxi ride from the Zhongshan Bridge area and the Zhengning Road night market.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Lanzhou City Center
Hilton-brand high-rise in the middle of Lanzhou's Chengguan district, rated 9.5/10 on Trip.com from more than 3,800 reviews, within reach of Zhongshan Road, the Gansu Provincial Museum and the night markets.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Lanzhou Anning
Marriott-brand five-star in the western Anning district, rated 9.5/10 on Trip.com; quieter than the center and best for travelers using Didi or a car, since the old town is a 25-30 minute drive.
Check rates on Booking.comCrowne Plaza Lanzhou
Upscale IHG-brand hotel on the north bank of the Yellow River near the Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center; separate from the Crowne Plaza New Area property, which is at 1020 Huanghe Avenue.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Soluxe Hotel Dunhuang
Five-star hotel on Yangguan Middle Road, the main road through Dunhuang, close to the Shazhou Night Market and the booking points for Mogao Caves day trips.
Check rates on Booking.comSilk Road Dunhuang Hotel
Fort-style desert hotel on the edge of the Mingsha dunes, close to Crescent Lake; guests rely on the hotel's shuttle bus to reach the town and night market.
Check rates on Booking.comJangala Dunhuang, an SLH Hotel
Resort-style desert hotel in Qili Town, a few kilometers south of central Dunhuang near the Mingsha dunes, listed on Hilton's booking platform as part of the SLH collection.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Gansu with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and transportation.
Best for: First-time visitors, short stays
Old Town
Traditional architecture and local character. Walking distance to historical sites and authentic dining.
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Hyatt Regency Lanzhou
Five-star riverside hotel in central Lanzhou with views over the Yellow River, a short taxi ride from the Zhongshan Bridge area and the Zhengning Road night market.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Lanzhou City Center
Hilton-brand high-rise in the middle of Lanzhou's Chengguan district, rated 9.5/10 on Trip.com from more than 3,800 reviews, within reach of Zhongshan Road, the Gansu Provincial Museum and the night markets.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Lanzhou Anning
Marriott-brand five-star in the western Anning district, rated 9.5/10 on Trip.com; quieter than the center and best for travelers using Didi or a car, since the old town is a 25-30 minute drive.
Check rates on Booking.comCrowne Plaza Lanzhou
Upscale IHG-brand hotel on the north bank of the Yellow River near the Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center; separate from the Crowne Plaza New Area property, which is at 1020 Huanghe Avenue.
Check rates on Booking.comJinjiang Sun Hotel
Long-running mid-range hotel on Donggang West Road in central Lanzhou, a practical base for first-time visitors on a mid-range budget.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Soluxe Hotel Dunhuang
Five-star hotel on Yangguan Middle Road, the main road through Dunhuang, close to the Shazhou Night Market and the booking points for Mogao Caves day trips.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book Dunhuang and Xiahe rooms several weeks ahead for July-August and Golden Week (1-7 October); both towns are small and sell out.
The international chains (Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza) take English bookings on their brand websites; smaller hotels are easiest through Trip.com, which accepts foreign cards.
Carry a passport: every hotel in China registers foreign guests, and a few budget properties still refuse foreigners, so confirm acceptance before arriving.
In Dunhuang, choose between a central hotel near Yangguan Road (walkable to the night market) and a dune-edge resort such as Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel (scenic but dependent on shuttles or taxis).
Xiahe sits at about 2,900 m; allow a rest day and pick a hotel with reliable heating from October to April, when nights drop below freezing.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.