Exploring Gansu Museum with Kids: Making History Fun

Preparation Before Visiting 🌟 Ticket Reservation: Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance via the "Gansu Museum" WeChat account. Reservations can be made up to 3 days in advance, and for holidays, set an alarm to book at midnight. Check Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays (except national holidays). Last entry is at 4:30 PM. 🌟 Transportation Options Bus: Take routes 106, 129, 136, 137, 158, 18, 1, 31, 32, 50, 53, or 58 to "Qilihe Bridge" and walk to the museum. Metro: Take Lanzhou Metro Line 1 and exit at Qilihe Station (Exit C/D) or Xizhan Shizi Station (Exit C/D). 🌟 Other Preparations: Research the museum exhibits online beforehand; wear comfortable shoes; bring a notebook for stamping and check-ins. 🌟 Museum Services Guided Tours: Free guided tours are available at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, meeting in the second-floor lobby. Alternatively, hire a guide at the first-floor west service desk: ¥100 for groups of up to 10 people, ¥150 for groups of 10-30 people. Self-guided audio devices with headphones can be rented at the entrance for ¥20. Luggage Storage: Free luggage storage is available; ask staff for the location. 🌟 Suggested Routes 2-3 Hour Efficient Route Second Floor: Start at the "Gansu Silk Road Civilization" exhibit to experience the ancient Silk Road's prosperity. Highlights include the Bronze Galloping Horse, Brick Painting of Courier, and Han Dynasty Bronze Chariot and Procession. Then visit the Fossil Area to learn about ancient creatures. The "Red Gansu" exhibit is optional based on interest. Third Floor: Explore the "Solemn and Wonderful—Gansu Buddhist Art" exhibit, featuring Buddhist art like statues from Maijishan and Tiantishan Grottoes. Next, visit the "Gansu Painted Pottery" exhibit to appreciate unique pottery culture, including the Human-Headed Painted Pottery Jar and Abalone Pattern Pottery Jar. The "Gansu Ancient Fossil Exhibit" with ancient elephants and dinosaurs is optional. Second Floor: Take a break at the cultural café to enjoy creative coffee and Blue Lotus Cake. First Floor: End your visit at the cultural center to shop for creative products. 1-Hour Highlights Route Second Floor: Head straight to the "Gansu Silk Road Civilization" exhibit for a quick dive into Silk Road culture. Third Floor: Visit the "Gansu Painted Pottery" and "Solemn and Wonderful—Gansu Buddhist Art" exhibits, the museum's highlights. Second Floor: Stop by the cultural café for a short break. First Floor: Shop for cultural products at the first-floor center. 🔥 Key Exhibits 1️⃣ Bronze Galloping Horse: One of the museum's treasures, located in the Han Dynasty Hall on the second floor. Its unique design showcases ancient craftsmanship and is a symbol of Chinese tourism. 2️⃣ Human-Headed Painted Pottery Jar: Found in the pottery hall on the third floor, this Yangshao culture artifact dates back 5,500 years. Its distinctive design is nicknamed "Fringe Girl." 3️⃣ Wooden Slips of "Etiquette": Displayed in the Han Dynasty Hall on the second floor, these slips are valuable for studying Han Dynasty culture and etiquette. 4️⃣ One Buddha and Two Bodhisattvas Statue: Located in the Tang Dynasty Hall on the second floor, this exhibit highlights Tang Dynasty Buddhist art and craftsmanship. 5️⃣ Gilded Silver Plate: A Tang Dynasty artifact in the second-floor hall, reflecting the era's metalworking skills and cultural exchanges. ✅ Cultural Products Creative Ice Cream: ¥15 each, available in flavors like cantaloupe and shaped like the Galloping Horse. Plush Toys and Keychains: Items like Galloping Horse keychains for ¥49, pink frogs for ¥69, black yaks for ¥59, and lotus-holding figures for ¥59—cute and unique. Bookmarks: ¥49 each, elegant and perfect as souvenirs or gifts. Fridge Magnets: ¥35 each, featuring diverse designs to decorate your fridge. Postcards: ¥10 each, with original designs for sending greetings to friends. Jewelry: Mostly inspired by Dunhuang elements, priced between ¥100-300, with various earring designs. Pins: Around ¥30 each, small and exquisite, perfect for clothing. Blind Boxes: ¥69 each, high-quality and full of surprises. Nearby Food Options Close to the museum are food hubs like Lanzhou Center and Jianlan South Road, where you can enjoy local specialties such as Lanzhou noodles, hand-grabbed lamb, niangpi, and sweet fermented rice.