Gansu
Gansu is a northwest Chinese province on the Silk Road, known for the Mogao Caves, desert dunes and banded cliffs at Zhangye.
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Gansu is a province in northwest China that runs along the Hexi Corridor, a narrow strip between the Qilian Mountains to the south and deserts to the north. For centuries the corridor carried trade between China and Central Asia, and the Silk Road passed through its oases and towns. Lanzhou, the provincial capital, lies on the Yellow River.
The best-known sight is the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, Buddhist cave temples with painted walls and sculptures made over many centuries. Farther east, the Zhangye Danxia landform shows banded cliffs in red, orange and yellow. Jiayuguan, a Ming-era fort at the western end of the Great Wall, marks the old frontier. Gansu suits travelers who enjoy history and long overland trips. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons, because summer is hot in the desert and winter is cold. Allow about a week for the main sights.
Gansu in five
- Book Mogao Caves tickets before you travelThe Mogao Caves are the main reason to visit Dunhuang. Visits run on set time slots with a guide, so reserve a slot through the official ticket channel before you arrive.Dunhuang travel guide
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany small shops and taxis take mobile payment. Foreign cards work at some hotels and larger shops, so carry some yuan cash for stalls and day trips.Money and costs
- Get mobile data for Amap or Baidu MapsGoogle Maps does not work in mainland China. Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps show bus routes and taxi pick-up points, so load them with data on arrival.Phones and eSIM
- Plan a separate half day for the dunesMingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake sit side by side a short drive from town. Camel rides and sand sledding cost extra. In summer the morning is cooler than midday.
- Carry your passport on day tripsHotels register foreign guests with the passport, and some ticket counters ask to see it. Keep the original on you when you leave town.
Things to do in Gansu
See all attractions in Gansu
Need to know
- Currency
- Renminbi, yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports on short stays; check your nationality
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, dry
- MarchCold, windy
- AprilWindy, dusty
- MayDry, mild
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberMild, clear
- OctoberCool, clear
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Gansu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Gansu
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°2°78%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Wed14°3°12%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Thu14°1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°2°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat7°3°41%Saturday: Snow. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sun9°-1°7%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Mon14°-3°6%Monday: Clear. High 14°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 12:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Lakea short taxi ride from townSand dunes beside an oasis lake, with camel rides and sand sledding as paid extras.Read the guide
- Mogao Cavesa longer drive from townThe Buddhist cave temples along the Silk Road, the main reason to visit Dunhuang.Read the guide
- Jiuquanabout 3 to 4 hours by roadA Gansu city on the old route west, with a railway station and bus links to Dunhuang.Read the guide
Before you go to Gansu
Rules for Gansu, checked
- Check the visa-free rule for your passport on the Chinese embassy or consulate site before you book flights.
- Photography inside the Mogao Caves is restricted, so follow the signs and the guide's instructions at each cave.
- Declare cash and currency above the customs limit on the arrival form. Check the current limit before you fly.
- Drones need registration and are not allowed in some scenic areas. Check before you fly one near the dunes.
Plan around Gansu
Mogao Caves, dunes and the Silk Road town
Read the guideChina overviewCities, entry and the wider country
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains and buses from Lanzhou and Jiuquan
Read the guideMoney and costsMobile payment, cash and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayTown centre and dune-side bases
Read the guideGansu FAQ
Is Dunhuang worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the Mogao Caves, the dunes and Silk Road history in one trip. It is a small desert town, so expect few late-night options.
How many days do you need in Dunhuang?
Two full days covers the Mogao Caves, Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake. A third day suits a slower pace or a trip to Yangguan Pass.
How do you get to Dunhuang?
Trains and buses run from Lanzhou and Jiuquan, and there is an airport outside town. Check current schedules in the operator's app before you book, since services change.
Can you visit the Mogao Caves on your own?
You book a timed slot and join the guided visit, so you cannot wander the caves freely. Reserve a slot before you go and arrive early on the day.
What is the weather like in Dunhuang?
Winters are cold and dry, and summers are hot by day with cooler nights. Spring winds can raise dust, so bring a light scarf and eye drops.