No offense, but think twice before traveling to Gansu in July-August!

In-Depth Gansu Travel Guide: Three Routes to Unlock the Secrets of Longyuan Gansu, this land spanning the Loess Plateau, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Inner Mongolia Plateau, holds countless surprises of history and nature. Whether it's the camel bells of the Silk Road, the imprints of civilization along the Yellow River, or the ancient battlefields of the Three Kingdoms, all are worth exploring in detail. The following three routes will help you understand Gansu from different perspectives. Best Time to Visit - Summer (June-August): The grasslands turn green, rapeseed flowers bloom, and snow-capped mountains complement the grasslands, making it the best time for natural scenery and the peak tourist season. - Winter (December-February): The land is covered in snow, temples appear more solemn, and the monastery rituals in the Gannan region (such as the Labrang Monastery Sun Buddha Festival from the 8th to the 16th of the first lunar month) offer a unique opportunity to deeply experience Tibetan culture. 1. Classic Silk Road Route (Lanzhou → Wuwei → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang) This route connects the core of the Hexi Corridor, with every step echoing history. Lanzhou (1-2 days) - Must-visit: - Zhongshan Bridge (First Bridge over the Yellow River): Watch the sunset over the Yellow River in the evening as the lights on the White Pagoda Mountain opposite gradually light up, creating a magical atmosphere. - Gansu Provincial Museum: Don’t miss the authentic "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" and the Silk Road artifacts exhibition, offering a vivid glimpse of the Silk Road's prosperity. - Wuquan Mountain Park: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of Lanzhou, where ancient temples and lush forests create a peaceful retreat in the bustling city. - Food recommendations: - Beef noodles: Look for "first-pot broth," with clear soup, white radish, red chili oil, green cilantro, and yellow noodles. Choose between thin (capillary) or thicker (second-thin) noodles as you prefer. - Sweet fermented barley: A refreshing drink made from fermented barley or oats, with a light alcoholic aroma, perfect for cutting through greasy flavors. Wuwei (1 day) - As one of the "Four Prefectures of Hexi," this was once a vital Silk Road hub. The Leitai Han Tomb is a must-visit, where the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" (Bronze Galloping Horse) was unearthed, now a symbol of Chinese tourism. The tomb also features a complete array of Han Dynasty chariot and horse figurines. - Haizang Temple: Ancient cypresses tower in the temple, and the Ming Dynasty archway and main hall are well-preserved, offering a serene atmosphere. - Food: Liangzhou fermented cold noodles, chewy and served with secret sauce and garlic paste, offering a spicy and sour kick. Zhangye (2 days) - A blend of nature and culture: - Danxia National Geological Park: The colorful Danxia at sunset is breathtaking, with red, yellow, orange, and green rock layers changing with the light, as if the earth spilled its palette. - Mati Temple: A thousand-year-old temple hidden in the Qilian Mountains, with cliffside grottoes. The Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes are particularly spectacular, offering views of the grasslands. - Shandan Horse Ranch: Asia's largest military horse ranch. In summer, rapeseed flowers stretch to the foot of snow-capped mountains, and you can ride horses, experiencing the poetic scene of "grass bending low under the wind, revealing cattle and sheep." - Food: Zhangye beef rice soup, with tiny dough cubes in beef broth, topped with scallions and cilantro, warming body and soul. Jiayuguan (1 day) - The western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, the "First Pass Under Heaven" still impresses. Climb the pass to see the Qilian Mountains and Gobi Desert, with the Overhanging Great Wall like a dragon stretching into the Gobi. The Taolai River Fort (First Pier Under Heaven) stands by the river, a testament to ancient military defense. - Food: Roasted lamb leg with onions, crispy outside and tender inside, paired with local jujube wine, embodying the flavors of the northwest. Dunhuang (2-3 days) - A spiritual journey: - Mogao Caves: Book in advance! The murals and statues span millennia, with flying apsaras and pipa players bringing the "Dunhuang art" to life. - Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake: Ride camels by day, watch the sunset from the dunes, and see the lake glow under the stars at night. - Yumen Pass and Han Great Wall: The desolation of "spring breezes never reach Yumen Pass" is palpable here, with ruins standing in the Gobi, evoking frontier poetry. - Food: Donkey meat noodles at Shazhou Night Market, with chewy noodles and rich braised donkey meat; apricot kernel water, sweet and sour, is a must-try while exploring the market. 2. Yellow River Upstream Route (Ningxia Zhongwei → Jingtai → Lanzhou → Linxia → Xiahe → Maqu → Zhagana → Longnan) This route follows the Yellow River, showcasing plateaus, wetlands, canyons, and Tibetan culture. Jingtai (1 day) - Yellow River Stone Forest: Pillar-like stone formations carved by millions of years of water erosion. Drift on sheepskin rafts while listening to folk songs for a wild adventure. - Suoqiao Ancient Ferry: Where the Ming Great Wall meets the Yellow River. Though the ferry ruins are weathered, they hint at past bustling trade. Lanzhou (as above, focus on Yellow River scenery) - Yellow River Mother Sculpture: Symbolizing the river nurturing the Chinese nation, perfect for photos. - Sheepskin rafting: Near Zhongshan Bridge, ride the rafts on the Yellow River for unique views of the banks. Linxia (1 day) - Bafang Thirteen Lanes: A Hui ethnic neighborhood with blue-brick houses hiding artisan workshops. During the "Flower Festival," you might hear vibrant folk songs. - Donggong Mansion: A Republic-era building with exquisite brick and wood carvings, epitomizing "Linxia art." - Food: Dongxiang hand-grabbed lamb, boiled and dipped in garlic paste, tender and non-gamy. Xiahe (1-2 days) - Labrang Monastery: A world-renowned Tibetan Buddhist institution. Walk the long prayer wheel corridor, watch monks debate at dawn, and feel the solemnity of Tibetan Buddhism. - Ganjia Secret Land: A mix of grasslands, stone forests, and ancient ruins, with villages under White Cliff Mountain perfect for hiking. Maqu (1 day) - First Bend of the Yellow River: The river curves beautifully here, with wetlands and grasslands dotted with yaks and sheep, and blooming wildflowers in summer, a paradise for photographers. - Awancang Wetland: Known as the "wetland at the edge of the sky," with winding rivers like ribbons against the grasslands. Zhagana (2 days) - A village hidden in mountains, shrouded in morning mist, with stone houses, barley fields, and forests like a fairyland. Hike Fairy Beach and One-Line Sky to see the blend of snow mountains and villages. Stay in a Tibetan homestay, try butter tea and tsampa. Longnan (1-2 days) - Guanyangou: Called "Little Jiuzhaigou," with waterfalls and blue lakes in canyons, stunning in autumn. - Wenxian Tianchi: A high-altitude lake like a sapphire, surrounded by forests, perfect for a peaceful boat ride. - Food: Longnan stirred dough, a cornmeal staple with vinegar and chili, tangy and spicy. 3. Three Kingdoms Culture Route (Pingliang → Tianshui → Longnan) A must for Three Kingdoms fans, following Zhuge Liang’s northern expeditions to ancient battlefields. Pingliang (1 day) - Kongtong Mountain: A Taoist sacred site and Silk Road fortress, where the Yellow Emperor is said to have sought wisdom. Hike to see Danxia landforms and temples, and feel the essence of "Kongtong martial arts." - Food: Pingliang lamb paomo, with rich broth and torn bread, served with sweet garlic, hearty and satisfying. Tianshui (1-2 days) - Maijishan Grottoes: The "Oriental Sculpture Gallery," with cliffside grottoes and statues, especially the smiling "Maijishan Smile," unforgettable. - Jiang Wei’s Tomb: A memorial for the Three Kingdoms general, with steles recounting his life, ideal for history lovers. - Food: Tianshui guagua, a buckwheat snack with chili and garlic, chewy and a local breakfast staple. Longnan (Three Kingdoms extensions) - Qishan Road: Zhuge Liang’s northern route, with remnants of plank roads, winding and steep, imagining the hardships of ancient marches. - Jieting Ruins (Qin’an County): Where Ma Su lost Jieting. The terrain explains its strategic importance, evoking historical regret. - Wenxian Yinping Ancient Path: Deng Ai’s secret route, through dense forests with stone steps, embodying the "difficulty of the Shu roads." Gansu’s beauty lies in its diversity and depth. Whether it’s the Silk Road’s bells, the Yellow River’s flow, or the Three Kingdoms’ battles, all deserve slow exploration. Take this guide and set off!