Gansu Self-Driving Travel Guide

Of course! With a budget of 5,000 RMB, you can plan a 7-day self-driving tour in Gansu, allowing you to enjoy a flexible itinerary while taking in the magnificent scenery of Gansu. Below is a detailed self-driving guide tailored for you, covering routes, attractions, accommodations, dining, and important tips to help you have a great trip without exceeding your budget. 7-Day Gansu Self-Driving Travel Guide (Budget 5,000 RMB) 1. Itinerary Overview Days Main Attractions Accommodation Suggestions Transportation Day 1 Lanzhou Arrival, city tour (Yellow River Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain) Lanzhou budget hotel or homestay Self-driving start point, short city driving Day 2 Lanzhou—Jiayuguan (First and Greatest Pass of the Great Wall) Jiayuguan budget hotel Via G30 Expressway, about 370 km Day 3 Jiayuguan—Dunhuang (Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain) Dunhuang budget hotel Via G30 Expressway, about 380 km Day 4 Dunhuang (Crescent Lake, Shazhou Night Market) Same as above Free arrangement Day 5 Dunhuang—Zhangye (Danxia Landform, National Geopark) Zhangye budget hotel Via G30 Expressway, about 500 km Day 6 Zhangye (Colorful Danxia, Giant Buddha Temple) Same as above Free arrangement Day 7 Zhangye—Lanzhou (Return) About 650 km Return or continue sightseeing Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Lanzhou Arrival in Lanzhou: Starting point for self-driving; it is recommended to arrange your vehicle in advance. Attractions: Yellow River Iron Bridge (free) White Pagoda Mountain Park (free, offers panoramic views of Lanzhou city and the Yellow River) Accommodation: Lanzhou budget hotel or homestay, about 150 RMB/night. Dining: Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (20-30 RMB per person) Day 2: Lanzhou—Jiayuguan Driving distance: about 370 km, estimated 4-5 hours Along the way: You can rest in small towns and enjoy the scenery. Attractions: Jiayuguan Great Wall (free or small ticket fee) Jiayuguan Pass City Museum (ticket about 20 RMB) Accommodation: Jiayuguan budget hotel, about 150 RMB/night Dining: Local specialties, about 20-30 RMB per person Day 3: Jiayuguan—Dunhuang Driving distance: about 380 km, estimated 4-5 hours Attractions: Mogao Caves (ticket about 200 RMB, book in advance) Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (ticket about 100 RMB) Accommodation: Dunhuang budget hotel, about 150 RMB/night Tip: Start early and plan your time well. Day 4: Dunhuang Attractions: Crescent Lake, Shazhou Night Market You can choose to ride camels or experience the desert Free arrangement: photography, relaxation, tasting Dunhuang local snacks Accommodation: same as above Day 5: Dunhuang—Zhangye Driving distance: about 500 km, estimated 6 hours Route: Along G30 Expressway, with magnificent scenery Attractions: Zhangye National Geopark (ticket about 80 RMB) Danxia Landform (Colorful Danxia, ticket about 100 RMB) Accommodation: Zhangye city budget hotel, about 150 RMB/night Day 6: Zhangye Attractions: Giant Buddha Temple (free) Colorful Danxia (if not finished, continue sightseeing) Free arrangement: photography, relaxation, enjoy Danxia scenery Accommodation: same as above Day 7: Zhangye—Lanzhou Driving distance: about 650 km, estimated 7 hours Return: You can choose to depart early with breaks along the way or stay longer in Zhangye End: Arrive in Lanzhou, pack up, and return Budget Estimate (Total about 5,000 RMB) Item Budget (RMB) Fuel (total about 2,500-3,000 km) 1,500 RMB (fuel price 7-8 RMB/liter, consumption 7L/100km) Accommodation (7 nights, 150 RMB/night) 1,050 RMB Attraction tickets and parking fees 400 RMB Dining (about 50-80 RMB/day) 500 RMB Others (emergency, car wash, miscellaneous) 550 RMB Total about 5,000 RMB Tips Vehicle preparation: Ensure the vehicle is in good condition, with spare tire and tools ready. Navigation: Use Gaode or Baidu Maps, download offline maps in advance. Accommodation: Book in advance to secure good prices. Route planning: Adjust according to weather and road conditions, avoid peak hours. Safe driving: Take breaks and arrange driving time reasonably. Gear: Bring power bank, sunscreen, desert hat, and comfortable shoes. I hope this self-driving guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Gansu! If you need more detailed attraction introductions or route suggestions, feel free to ask! Have a great trip!