2024 Jiayuguan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Jiayuguan is located in the northwest of Gansu Province and is the end point of the Great Wall. The climate here is dry and rainless, with magnificent natural scenery. Jiayuguan is an important fortress on the ancient Silk Road. Traveling west along the ancient Silk Road, visitors can find Jiayuguan at the foot of the Qilian Mountain in the vast Gobi Desert. Visitors can enjoy beautiful sunsets while standing atop the magnificent city tower.
Today's Weather
Clear 2-15℃
Popular Attractions
Guan City of Jiayuguan
Silk Road Dreamland
THE BEST part of the Great Wall | Gansu
Pictures speak louder than words ✌️
How to get there: we went with a rental car, but it’s close to the city
What’s to see: a fortress and the wall in front of the beautiful scenery of the mountaina
Time needed: half day easy
Don’t forget to bring your drone for some of these beautiful aerial shots 🛸
IG: andykoh_m8 #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld
West Great Wall
Getting There - This site is easy accessible. You can take a taxi, drive by yourself or go with your tour group. Our tour driver took us with a bus.
Attractions - Walking in the West Great Wall, climbing some steps and take photos are the things that you can do at this attraction. They've rebuilt this wall in 1989 so it's not the 'original' wall, but it's still nice to see and walk the Wall.
Hotels - There are loads of hotels to choose as close as 4,5km from the location.
Food & Restaurants - There are restaurants in close proximity of this tourist attraction. There's kiosks where you can buy something to drink or snack on at the site as well.
Shopping - There's kiosks where you can buy drinks, snacks and souvenirs.
#summervacation #silkroad #westgreatwall
Jiayuguan Pass
Getting There - You can take a taxi, drive yourself or arrange with a tour group to take you to Jiayuguan Pass. It will be easily found on the GPS or map since it's a popular historical site.
Attractions - There's a lot to see at Jiayuguan Pass. There's a museum you can walk throug, beautiful and interesting items it's just a pity the descriptions are only in Chinees. The Pass itself are wonderful...we walked around the wall, looked at the temples and watch towers. It's beautiful walking on the Fortress and looking down inside and outside of the wall. You can do a photoshoot on the wall and taste the delicious ice cream that's the replica of the Fort.
Hotels - There are different hotels to choose from in the surrounding area.
Food & Restaurants - There's are places to get snacks and drinks on the way to the pass. There's restaurants in the surrounding area.
Shopping - There is a kiosk to buy souvenirs, drink and snacks if you want. #silkroad
#summervacation #jiayuguan
Great Wall at Jiayuguan! ❤️
FYI: Go to Jiayuguan Pass first. The ticket you get there is also valid for this site. (55¥)✌️
📍How to get there - If you don’t have a drive, taking a DiDi is the most convenient way to get to this site.
⭐️ Attraction - Great Wall of China 🇨🇳
This is my 3rd time seeing the Great Wall at different locations and this is my favorite one. Unlike Mutianyu in Beijing, this location is much quieter. Of course it isn’t as big, but it’s a great place to visit.
⏰ Recommended time - The stairs are quite steep and uneven so it might take you about 1.5 hours or so.
🥤 Food and drinks - Get a bottle of water/snacks before you start climbing the stairs.
#gansu #passionpassport #china #greatwallofchina #jiayuguan #historicculture #historicallandmarks
First Pier of the Great Wall - Jiayuguan
FYI: Go to Jiayuguan Pass first. The ticket you get there is also valid for this site. (55¥)✌️
📍How to get there - If you don’t have a driver, taking a DiDi is your best bet.
⭐️ Attraction - This is the location of the first pier of the Great Wall. There’s also a little museum that you can check out. You can also buy some souvenirs at the museum.
⏰ Recommended time - About 1-1.5 hours.
🥤 Food and drinks - This is a small site, so there’s not that much you can buy. There are few things available but that’s about it.
Have fun! 😊
#passionpassport #gansu #china #historicallandmarks #historicculture #jiayuguan #summervacation
Jiayuguan’s City Wall ❤️
If visiting Jiayuguan, you must visit this scenic spot.
FYI: If you’re planning on visiting this site, first pier and the hanging Great Wall, visit this site first.
Why? Your ticket is valid for all 3 spots. (55¥) ✌️
📍How to get there - I had a driver, but DiDi is always the easiest and convenient option.
⏰ Recommended time - About 2 hours.
🥤Food and drinks - There are some shops where you can buy some snacks and cold beverages.
⭐️ Attraction- Jiayuguan’s city wall
#passionpassport #gansu #china #summervacation #chinalife #travelinspiration #scenicspotguide #citywall #jiayuguan #historicculture #historicallandmarks
First Time at the Great Wall
Who says you have to go to Beijing if you want to see the Great Wall of China?
Head over to Jiayuguan in Gansu province to visit the western end of the Great Wall!
It is a peaceful experience with much fewer tourists than you’ll find in Beijing 😌
I would say that the best time to visit is in the early morning when you can catch the tail end of the sunrise 🌅
Plus you will be able to avoid the hottest part of the day…believe me when I tell you you’ll work up a sweat after climbing all those stairs 🥵
I was lucky enough to have perfectly clear skies on my trip which made it all that more breathtaking
Check out the last photo - not a cloud in sight!
#thisischina #jiayuguan #greatwall #tripblazers #queenb_travels #gansu
Jiayuguan- The Great Wall of China!🇨🇳
Getting There - Upon arrival at Jiayuguan station hire a didi or driver to take you to this site on the outskirts of the city
Attractions - The Jiayuguan Eastern most section of
the Great Wall. This is different to other sections of the Great Wall, as instead of being built of stone and bricks, it’s made of rammed Earth giving it the yellow colour!
There is a small entrance fee to enter, it takes
about 30 minutes to walk up and down this section. There are also other
There is also a Jiayuguan pass and guard tower that can be visited within the same day (estimated 2-3 hours)
Hotels - we stayed at the Jiayuguan hotel which is
basic but the location is good.
Food & Restaurants - Wumai'er beef noodles, and
stayin cafe were some of our favourites.
2 days and one night here is plenty, food options are
fairly limited. However Alipay bikes and ebikes can be rented easily to travel around the city.
#culturalattraction
Great Wall of Jiayuguan
Getting There - 1hr train from Zhangye
Attractions - an ancient part of Great Wall
We stopped at this place just for few hours, but were pleasantly surprised how many fascinating sites Jiayuguan has to offer.
We first went to the pass and then took a Didi to the Great Wall (25rmb, 15min).
The entrance was free for us, because we showed them our tickets from the Pass.
Make sure that you are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, because you will have to walk a lot. We haven't spent too much time there - 2,5 hours were more than enough.
After visiting this place we took a Didi to the train station (60rmb, 35min).
I really enjoyed the scenery, it was nice and different from all I have seen in Gansu!
#couplestrip#historicculture#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer
The Fortress of Jiayuguan
Getting There - 1hr by train from Zhangye
Attractions - Jiayuguan Pass
Jiayuguan Pass used to be the starting point of the ancient Great Wall built during Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). We spent in Jiayuguan just couple of hours on the way from Zhangye to Dunhuang. We had about 5 hours transit between our trains so we jumped on the Didi and went directly to the Jiayuguan Pass. The ticket costs 80yuan and it allows you to visit both the Pass and the part of the Great Wall. In fact the distance from there to the Great Wall is about 15km, so you can easily visit both attractions in one day.
It was very windy and overcast when we arrived, but the scenery was just incredible. I was impressed by height of walls in the fortress, you can also walk up the wall and enjoy the view of Gobi desert from there.
#travelinspiration#couplestrip#historicculture#urbanexplorer
coal coated day on the Great Wall
#refreshed
#awesometrip
Finally got a few days of get away. Travelled with awesome people and travelled to an awesome place..
#discoveringchina
Jiayuguan, the first gate of the West Great Wall. Above the vast loess of the sky, the city is proud of this, it is magnificent. A hundred years ago, how many bloody men fought in this bloody battle to protect the country. In the face of the Wanli Huangsha standing here, the feelings of the world are born. On the "drunk lying in the sand field, Jun Mo laughed, the ancients came to fight a few people back." Next, talk about a few slots:
1. The three-spot bundled tickets are a bit less human.
2. The building is too new and has a little history.
3. The rented interpreter is too watery.
Finally, if there is plenty of time, the Great Wall Museum next to it should not be missed. The air conditioner is so cool that it is really interesting. You can learn a lot about the Great Wall architecture.
"The world's first Xiongguan" Jiayuguan, wind and rain for six hundred years
Jiayuguan is the starting point of the west end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, known as "Chinese and foreign defense", "Hexi first mouth". After six hundred years, the current Jiayuguan is still solid and golden, and the Megatron is square, with strict barriers and integration with the Great Wall. According to the end of the western end of the Great Wall, the male is backed by the rolling Qilian Mountains and stands on the top of Jiayu Mountain.
In the first place, Jiayuguan, all eyes are all khaki, the whole Guancheng is like the pile of loess, but it is the most intact one in the Great Wall.
Approaching Jiayuguan, the gates of the towers are engraved with the three characters "Jiayuguan". A three-storey three-five-family building is built on the gate. His Majesty has Zuo Zongtangs inscription The First Xiongguan in the World. The layout of the building is exquisite and powerful. It echoes with the the worlds first customs Shanhaiguan, which is far away from the distance. Standing on the imposing Jiayuguan City Tower, you can see the Gobi Desert, the mountains and the mountains in the north and the south. The snow on the top of the mountain is clearly visible. Qilian Snow Mountain is vast and vast. For hundreds of years, it has been like a silent guardian, and spent more than 600 years with Jiayuguan.
I saw a piece of grass in front of Jiayuguan, camels and horses moving slowly, and I heard the crisp camel ringing on the ancient Silk Road.
Jiayuguan is like a history-old man who has experienced vicissitudes of life. He is standing between Montenegro and Qilian Mountain in the face of hunting hurricanes. He watches the loneliness of the desert and tells the people who have been here for centuries. In the long years, singing old songs.
By car, you can't imagine how many unknown people are hidden in this city called Gobi Pearl. In this place where the desert is full of desert Gobi, the most ugly one is the rushing river, but the magic is that there is a river in the northwest of Jiayuguan that has not been exhausted for thousands of years. Many of the wonders in nature that seem to be unable to coexist are actually gathered in this vast desert. The scenery of the Grand Canyon in the section of the ice ditch is not only spectacular, but the waterscape seen in different seasons is also very different. If it comes to the ice ditch in the winter, you can see it is different from the spring, autumn and summer. The scenery, the cold air from the Qilian Mountains will cause the river to begin to freeze, and there will be a few trickles on the glaciers slowly passing through the Grand Canyon. Standing at the center of the cable bridge, looking at the whole view of the Grand Canyon of the Lai River, looking around, the nearby Gobi Desert surrounds the entire canyon, showing a yellow-orange-orange piece under the setting sun, leaving the original desolate and lonely. The desert of the Gobi became splendid in a moment, and the texture of the red rock wall between the canyons danced along with the light and shadow of the sun. The weeds growing in the desert of Gobi also became a unique embellishment due to the setting sun. Adding a touch of color to the yellow Gobi, and the Qilian Mountains behind it are also true, as if the snow-capped mountains are not far away, but when they really touched it, they found that they were actually beyond reach. This is a paradise for photographers, and its a wonderful visual experience.
Jiayuguan is famous for its Jiayuguan City, but there are two little-known beautiful scenery about 20 kilometers outside Jiayuguan City, Black Mountain Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Lai River.
I used to think that Crescent Moon Spring is the most beautiful oasis in the desert, until I met the Black Mountain Lake in Jiayuguan, where the Danxia landform and the desert oasis coexist, and the lake water shows a high saturation dark green under the sunlight. The expansive lake is exquisite and refreshing.
This section of the canyon we have visited has not yet been developed. It took about half an hour to drive from Heishan Lake. After going down the highway, it went to the Gobi. The car was up and down by the stones on the Gobi, and suddenly stopped on the edge of a cliff. For the first time, I felt the ground cracked in front of my eyes. The Grand Canyon is a natural surface fracture, such as a knife and axe. The inner walls on both sides of the Grand Canyon are steep and steep, and their terrain is dangerous. In the canyon, the snow melts of the Qilian Mountains flows all the year round. The layers of the mountains are painted by the sunset, and the cliffs of the canyon are also hooked on the Phnom Penh.
8 days of fun at Qinghai Lake and other places, so beautiful you won't want to go home.
My dear friends! Here's a super detailed guide for an 8-day tour of Qinghai Lake and other places! Save it now and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Northwest!
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🚩Itinerary:
D1: Gansu Provincial Museum🏛️
Explore the history and culture of Gansu and see the ancient artifacts.
D2: Erlangjian Scenic Area, Qinghai Lake🌊
Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Qinghai Lake and feel the tranquility and cleansing of nature.
D3: Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan Emerald Lake Scenic Area💚
Walk on the mirror of the sky in Chaka and explore the emerald oasis of Dachaidan.
D4: Mogao Caves🎨
Travel through time and enjoy the thousand-year-old beauty of the murals and statues in the Mogao Caves.
D5: Crescent Lake, Mingsha Mountain - Mingsha Mountain - Son of the Earth - Sculpture Without Borders🏜️
Ride a camel through Mingsha Mountain, visit the miracle of Crescent Lake, and enjoy the artistic charm of the sculptures.
D6: Jiayuguan Pass - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest🌅
Climb Jiayuguan Pass and overlook the Great Wall; the colorful Zhangye Danxia and the golden Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest are mesmerizing.
D7: Ta'er Monastery🙏
Visit the sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and experience the profound religious culture.
D8: Depart from Lanzhou🛫
End the pleasant journey with fond memories and look forward to the next meeting!
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Tips for your trip:
🚗Airport transportation: Choose a taxi for a quick and easy ride, avoid rush hours and transfers, and go straight to the airport without missing your flight.
📸Photo spots: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and Erlangjian Scenic Area are must-sees, with beautiful scenery all around.
❄️November weather: The temperature is moderate, but the temperature difference between day and night is large, so remember to bring a down jacket and sunscreen.
💊Altitude sickness: Prepare medicine in advance, take proper rest, and adapt to the plateau environment slowly.
🍽️Local food: Don't miss the authentic Qinghai cuisine and let your taste buds enjoy the fun of traveling.
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Come to Qinghai Lake and experience the unique plateau style! Take action now and book your trip to start your dream journey!
You must visit Jiayuguan! The clouds roll by as if you have traveled through a thousand years.
ℹ️ About Jiayuguan
Jiayuguan, an important town on the ancient Silk Road, is located in the northwest of Gansu Province and is the starting point of the western end of the Qin Great Wall. It is a place where the culture of the Silk Road and the Great Wall meet and is known as the "important town of Hexi" and the "key to the frontier". Jiayuguan City attracts many tourists with its rich tourism resources, including Jiayuguan Pass, the First Pier of the Great Wall, and the Overhanging Great Wall.
🚗 Transportation
✈️ By air: Jiayuguan Airport is located 9 km northeast of the city center and has flights to Beijing, Lanzhou, Xi'an, and other cities. There are minibuses at the airport, and the fare is CNY 15💰, or you can take a taxi, which costs about CNY 20💰.
🚞 By train: Jiayuguan Railway Station is located 5 km southwest of the city center and has trains to many cities. You can take bus No. 1, 2, 3, or 4 to the city center, and the fare is CNY 1💰; a taxi costs about CNY 10💰.
🚐 By coach: Dunhuang Long-distance Bus Station has Feitian Express buses to Jiayuguan, and the fare is CNY 80💰, with a journey time of about 5 hours.
🗺️ Main attractions
• Jiayuguan Pass: Known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven", it is one of the most spectacular passes along the Great Wall. You can climb the tower and enjoy a distant view of the Qilian Mountains.
• Overhanging Great Wall: Located 8 km north of the pass, it was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty to strengthen defense.
• The First Pier of the Great Wall: The southernmost pier of the western Great Wall of Jiayuguan and the westernmost pier of the Ming Great Wall.
🎫 Tickets and opening hours⏰
The ticket price for Jiayuguan Scenic Area is CNY 61💰 in the low season (November 1 to April 30) and CNY 101💰 in the peak season (May 1 to October 31). Opening hours vary with the season.
🧣 Dress code
Jiayuguan has a dry climate with a large temperature difference between day and night. You need to protect yourself from the sun in summer and keep warm in winter.
⏰ Travel time
The recommended travel time is half a day to one day. If you have limited time, you can visit Jiayuguan Pass first.
With its unique history, culture, and natural scenery, Jiayuguan is a must-visit destination in the northwest region. We hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Jiayuguan.
Zhangye-Jiayuguan 5-Day In-Depth Tour: The Ultimate Guide is Here!
Zhangye-Jiayuguan 5-Day Tour: Explore the Northwest! This super practical guide will take you to the magnificent scenery of the desert and the sunset over the long river. Save it now!
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🏃Itinerary:
DAY 1: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town
Visit the colorful Danxia and marvel at the wonders of nature. In the evening, head to Danxiakou Cultural Tourism Town to experience the local culture.
DAY 2: Jiayuguan Pass - Son of the Earth
Visit Jiayuguan Pass and admire the grandeur of the ancient military fortress. Then head to the Son of the Earth sculpture to experience the fusion of art and nature.
DAY 3: Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
Visit the Mogao Caves and explore the thousand-year-old Buddhist art treasures. In the afternoon, head to Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring to ride camels, slide on the sand, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Crescent Spring.
DAY 4: Dunhuang Ancient City - Yumen Pass - Han Great Wall Ruins - Yadan National Geological Park
Travel through Dunhuang Ancient City and feel the vicissitudes of history. Then visit Yumen Pass and the Han Great Wall Ruins to trace the history of the ancient frontier. Finally, arrive at Yadan National Geological Park to admire the unique landforms.
DAY 5: Arrive in Lanzhou in the morning and end the pleasant journey
Arrive in Lanzhou in the morning and end this wonderful trip to Zhangye-Jiayuguan. See you next time!
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🎒 Travel Checklist: Must-Have Items for Zhangye-Jiayuguan!
👕 Clothing: Bring a lightweight jacket for wind and warmth. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so remember to bring a thick coat.
🕶️ Accessories: High SPF sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses are essential. Also, don't forget to bring comfortable sneakers!
💳 Documents: ID card, student ID, and Mogao Caves ticket. Make sure to bring all important documents. Especially the Mogao Caves ticket, book online in advance for peace of mind.
💊 Medicine: Cold medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, and stomach medicine. Prepare some common medicines. Worried about altitude sickness? Prepare related medicines in advance!
🔋 Others: Power bank and memory card, so you won't run out of battery or space for photos. Also, moisturizing skincare products and lip balm to keep your skin hydrated in the dry climate.
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🎉Zhangye Danxia, Jiayuguan Great Wall, and more are waiting for you to explore! Like and save this post, follow me for more Northwest adventures!🎉
Floral Luxury Hotel Jiayuguan|The throat of the Hexi Corridor.
🏡 Jiayuguan, Gansu
Jiayuguan, the western end of the Great Wall!
Step into this ancient city and feel the charm of the Ming Dynasty. The towering city walls are magnificent, and you can almost hear the sound of horns from the past!
Natural beauty
🌄 Explore the natural beauty of Jiayuguan
In Jiayuguan, you can enjoy not only the weight of history but also the beautiful natural scenery! Walk out of the city and stroll along the ruins of the Great Wall, feeling the gentle breeze and warm sunshine, and your mood will become open and relaxed.
Food recommendations
😋 Walk into the snack street and feel the lively atmosphere of the market. The collision of taste buds and culture makes me fall in love with this city!
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit!
Must-visit attractions: Jiayuguan City, Iron Chain Bridge, Museum
Must-try food: Lamb Pao Mo, local snacks
Hexi Corridor, History of the East and West [4] Jiayuguan Overhanging Great Wall.
Guide 🧱: First, a friendly reminder, if you plan to visit the three attractions of Jiayuguan Pass in one day, be sure to plan the order. Please refer to the map in picture 2⃣️. The full-price ticket includes all three attractions, so visit Jiayuguan Pass first, then the Overhanging Great Wall while you still have the energy to climb, and finally the First Pier of the Great Wall.
The Hexi Corridor is the area where the Han Great Wall is most concentrated and best preserved today. These Great Wall beacon towers stretch across the Hexi land, standing tall in the vast desert for two thousand years.
In 1539, after 168 years, Jiayuguan Pass and its two wings of the Great Wall and the beacon towers along the line were all completed. It starts from Mount Wenshu, a branch of the Qilian Mountains in the south, connects to the steep cliffs of Heishan Mountain in the north, and links Jiayuguan Pass in the middle, forming a 15-kilometer-long wall. This complete and rigorous military defense system was later known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven."
Transportation: Take a taxi directly from the entrance of the Pass Scenic Area.
Preparation: Wear comfortable shoes and windproof clothing.
Gansu Travel Guide
🔥Gansu Travel Guide🔥
Gansu, a magical land, combines enchanting natural scenery with rich cultural heritage, waiting for you to explore.
🌈Must-Visit Attractions
1️⃣ Mogao Caves
Located in Dunhuang, Jiuquan, it is known as the "Oriental Art Treasure" and is the largest and most content-rich Buddhist art treasure in existence. The murals and Buddha statues here are an excellent window to ancient Buddhist culture.
2️⃣ Zhangye Danxia Landform
A treasure of Zhangye, it is known for its colorful and magnificent scenery and is considered the most beautiful Danxia landform in China. It combines the fantasy of Dunhuang's "Devil City" with the charm of Xinjiang's "Five-Colored Bay." Don't miss the Seven-Color Gorge and Seven-Color Tower.
3️⃣ Jiayuguan Great Wall
Located in Jiayuguan, it is the westernmost end of the Ming Great Wall and an important pass on the Silk Road, known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven."
4️⃣ Maijishan Grottoes
A cultural treasure of Tianshui, it is famous for its exquisite sculptures and murals and is a valuable resource for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist art.
5️⃣ Kongtong Mountain
Located in Kongtong Ancient Town, Pingliang, it is an important birthplace of Taoism and one of the famous mountains in northwest China, attracting countless tourists.
6️⃣ Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake
Another wonder of Dunhuang, it combines unique natural scenery with mysterious legends, making it a must-see.
7️⃣ Zhagana
A treasure of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it attracts tourists with its unique landforms and Tibetan cultural charm.
8️⃣ Gansu Provincial Museum
A cultural treasure of Lanzhou, it showcases Gansu's rich history and precious cultural relics, making it an excellent window to understand Gansu.
🍴Food Recommendations
1️⃣ Lanzhou Beef Noodles
A famous dish in Gansu and nationwide, its unique seasoning and delicious meat are aromatic and unforgettable.
2️⃣ Hand-Pulled Lamb
A famous dish in Lanzhou, it is fragrant and flavorful, tender and juicy, and tastes even better with pepper and garlic.
3️⃣ Liangpi
A specialty snack in northwest China, its unique production process and taste make it unforgettable.
4️⃣ Sour Noodles
A traditional summer snack in Gansu, it is refreshing and appetizing.
5️⃣ Jingning Roast Chicken
Made from high-quality local chicken, it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a delicious aroma.
6️⃣ Jingyuan Braised Lamb
A famous northwest dish, popular in Gansu, Qinghai, and other places, it is nutritious and delicious.
7️⃣ Yuquan Roast Whole Lamb
A classic dish in Gansu, it combines a golden crispy skin with tender and juicy meat.
8️⃣ Lamb Soup with Bread
A specialty dish in Lanzhou, it is original and flavorful, paired with local bread for a unique taste.
💡Travel Tips
Gansu has a dry climate, so sun protection and hydration are essential in summer. Bring sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other sun protection items, and drink plenty of water to prevent heatstroke.
Legend of the Desert, Jiayuguan.
Here is a travel guide for Jiayuguan:
Must-visit Attractions
• Jiayuguan Great Wall Cultural Tourism Scenic Area: A 5A-level scenic area and a great place to learn about the Great Wall. It includes Jiayuguan Pass and other attractions, where you can experience the rich history and culture.
• First Pier of the Great Wall Scenic Area: Located 7 km south of Jiayuguan Pass, you can take a sightseeing bus to enjoy the ancient architecture and natural scenery.
• Overhanging Great Wall: Located 8 km north of Jiayuguan Pass, you can experience the beauty of the integration of the ancient Silk Road and the Great Wall culture.
• Donghu Ecological Tourism Scenic Area: A 4A-level scenic area with clear lake water and spectacular mountain views, suitable for outdoor activities.
• Xiongguan: Located in Jiayuguan Great Wall Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, it is famous for "Xiongguan" and has a rich history.
Accommodation Recommendations
• Far East Joy Hotel: Close to the city center, good breakfast, good service, and high ratings.
• Jiayuguan Bailu Yinjv Resort Hotel: Elegant environment, close to scenic spots, and family-themed rooms.
• Jiugang Hotel: Great breakfast, convenient parking, close to Fuqiang Market and Datang Food Street.
Food Recommendations
• Breakfast: Special beef noodles, clear soup with rich flavor; Hu Guo, chicken soup with rich ingredients.
• Snacks: Guokui, golden color, crispy and fragrant; Lamb soup, tender lamb with fresh soup.
• Noodles: Fried noodles, fried paozhang, saozi noodles, etc., each with its own flavor.
• Barbecue: Jiayuguan barbecue is fresh, fragrant, and tender, with roasted cauliflower, roasted tripe, etc.
Transportation Guide
• Air: Jiayuguan Jiuquan Airport has flights to many cities. There are shuttle buses to and from Jiuquan city center. It is about 13 km from Jiayuguan city center.
• Train: Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway and other lines pass through. Jiuquan Station and Jiuquan South Station have buses to the city center.
• Road: You can choose to drive or take a bus. Jiuquan Bus Station has routes to surrounding cities and counties.
Notes
• The temperature difference between day and night in Jiayuguan is large, especially in autumn when it is cold at night. Bring warm clothes.
• Some scenic spots are large, so wear comfortable sports shoes.
• Pay attention to food hygiene when tasting food to avoid stomach discomfort.
• Learn about the opening hours and ticket information of the scenic spots and plan your itinerary reasonably.
The Guerilla General's Mansion in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province.
📍Address: Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province
🚗Transportation: We drove there
👍️Must-visit: The Guerilla General's Mansion in Jiayuguan, also known as the Guerilla Yamen, was first built during the Longqing period of the Ming Dynasty and later became the place where the Guerilla Generals of the Ming and Qing Dynasties stationed in Jiayuguan handled military affairs.
The current building was restored and rebuilt in 1987 based on the original building. It is a two-courtyard, three-hall, and four-compound style building, covering an area of 1,755 square meters and a building area of 808 square meters.
In the ancient military history of Jiayuguan, the Guerilla General's Mansion was not only the command center of the Jiayuguan Great Wall defense system, but also the hub of the imperial court's local rule, the inspection of merchants and envoys, and the connection between the Western Regions and Central Asia and various ethnic minorities.
The exhibition of the Guerilla General's Mansion in Jiayuguan is divided into two parts. The front yard is centered on the conference hall, focusing on the scenes of ancient Guerilla Generals and civil and military officials commanding the enemy and issuing passes. The backyard is the place where the Guerilla General and his family live, vividly showing the life of the Guerilla General and his family. The exhibition form is both simple and has a certain ornamental and interesting, making it a highlight of the visit to Jiayuguan.
I went there before National Day.
90% of people don't know about this attraction in Jiayuguan.
There is a hidden gem in Jiayuguan
Who would have thought that at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, on the vast Gobi Desert, there would be a blue tear 💧
I can't help but sigh at the wonders of nature
This is a very niche and cost-effective place to take photos
Even the locals don't know much about it
There are also very few tourists here
About 20 kilometers by car from Jiayuguan city
You can see this healing pearl on the Gobi Desert
Its name is Heishan Lake
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Many people come to Jiayuguan and only know about Jiayuguan Pass, but few people know about this place
Jiayuguan really lacks publicity and exploration
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🏔Address: Navigate to Heishan Lake, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province
🎫Ticket: Free
⏰Opening hours: All day
🚗Travel: Self-driving required
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⚠️Please note that this place is fenced, and the fence is quite far from the lake. Cars cannot enter, and can only be parked next to the fence. If you want to enter, there is a small hill next to the lake, you can climb the hill to overlook the lake, or you can climb over the hill and walk to the lake
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It is recommended to use a drone for shooting, the effect will be better, and the aerial photography will be more effective
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Gansu Jiayuguan | Play Jiayuguan in one day!
Jiayuguan is located in the west of Hexi Corridor, known as "the First Pass under Heaven".
1️⃣ The First Pass under Heaven - Jiayuguan Pass City
Jiayuguan consists of three lines of defense: inner city, outer city, and moat. It is an ancient military defense. The inner city is the main part of the pass city, with an area of 25,000 square meters. It is built with rammed earth, majestic and solid.
Jiayuguan Pass City is an important checkpoint and defensive fortress on the ancient Silk Road. It has witnessed history, weathered storms but still stands strong, which is enough to show the superb construction skills and wisdom of the ancients.
The surrounding area of the pass city is an endless desert🌵. Walking on the city wall, one can't help but wonder how the soldiers guarding the frontier spent each dark night...
"Walking on the city wall, clouds roll and unfold, as if traveling through a thousand years."
📍Location: Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area, Yuquan Town, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province
2️⃣ Hanging Great Wall
The Hanging Great Wall is the last stop of the Great Wall, built in the 18th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1539). With a total length of 750 meters, it is one of the important military defenses of Jiayuguan.
Climbing to the highest point, you can overlook Jiayuguan City. On a clear day, you can even see the snow-capped mountains🏔️
Tour time: about 40 minutes.
📍Location: North of Jiayuguan Pass City, Gansu Province
3️⃣ Taolai River - First Beacon Tower
The Great Wall starts here...
The First Beacon Tower is located on the cliff of Taolai River Grand Canyon. It is the southernmost beacon tower of Jiayuguan West Great Wall and the westernmost beacon tower of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It was built in the 18th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty.
The water in Taolai River Grand Canyon comes from Qilian Mountains. After years of river erosion, the current grand canyon has been formed.
📍Location: First Beacon Tower Cultural Relics Scenic Area, 7 km south of Jiayuguan Pass City, Gansu Province
🎫Ticket: Combined ticket 110 yuan, including all three attractions.
🚕Transportation: Taxi or chartered car.
🍝Food - Dawan Xiaomian Pinjie Noodle Restaurant
Six kinds of noodles (white flour, buckwheat, oat, mung bean, corn, black rice)
Self-service small ingredients, adjust yourself
📍Location: 1st floor, E area, Fuqiang Market, Xinhua North Road, Jiayuguan City
💰Price: 18 yuan/person, eat as much as you want
I met a red-clothed warrior in Jiayuguan, which was very fitting.
📍Address: Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province
🚗Transportation: We drove there
👍️Must-visit attractions: Jiayuguan is a World Cultural Heritage site, a national 5A tourist attraction, a national key cultural relic protection unit, and a national patriotism education demonstration base. The main attractions are Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall, the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, the Wei and Jin Tombs, the Heishan Stone Carvings, Mulan City, the July 1 Glacier, and the Gliding Base.
Jiayuguan was built in the fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1372), nine years earlier than Shanhaiguan. It is the largest pass on the existing Great Wall and the largest pass in China.
🎟️Ticket info: No reservation required, CNY 108
💗Other tips: If you're coming from Dunhuang and going to Zhangye, you should go to the Overhanging Great Wall first so you don't have to backtrack
Buy Jiayuguan tickets including the Overhanging Great Wall, self-driving, parking strategy.
📍Attraction address: 8 kilometers north of Guancheng, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province
🚗Attraction transportation: We drove there
👍️Must-visit attractions: The project was completed in the 19th year of Jiajing (1540), making the defense of the city more strict, and it was called the "Broken Wall Great Wall". Because the Great Wall fell steeply from the mountain, it was suspended on the ridge, and the iron wall was suspended in the air, blocking the mouth of the Shiguan Gorge, commonly known as the "Overhanging Great Wall".
The original wall of the Overhanging Great Wall is only one section left, with a bottom width of 4 meters, a top width of 2 meters, and a height of 0.5-6 meters. The thickness of the stone layer is 10-15 cm, and the thickness of the soil layer is 10-12 cm. The existing 750-meter-long Great Wall was rebuilt in 1987, of which 231 meters of the city wall was suspended at a height of 150 meters, because it was inclined on the ridge of 45', it looked like it was hanging in the air, very similar to a person's arm in an S shape on the mountain, hence the name "Overhanging Great Wall". It is 6 meters high, and the thickness of the stone and soil layers is the same as before.
Crenellations and eaves walls were added to the wall, and a pier was added at the beginning and end, and a step-shaped mantou road was built on the first pier and the slope. Visitors go up the stairs, the flat place is like walking on the ground, and the steep place is like climbing a cliff. It is quite similar to the Simatai Great Wall in Beijing. Therefore, the Overhanging Great Wall is also called "Western Simatai". There is a poem praising: "The Great Wall of Ten Thousand Miles, Ten Thousand Miles, and the Black Mountain Dark Wall Hanging"
🎟️Ticket related: No reservation is required, 108 yuan
💗Other tips:
1️⃣From Guazhou to Zhangye, you must go to the Overhanging Great Wall first, so you don't have to go back.
2️⃣The Overhanging Great Wall does not charge parking fees. There are parking spaces on the side of the scenic spot. You can park directly, which is closer to the entrance of the scenic spot, and you don't need to drive into the parking lot.
Jiayuguan: Embracing Nature Amidst Deserts and Snow-Capped Peaks
#closetonature As I stood at the edge of this historic landmark, I was awestruck by the striking contrast between the endless Desert and the distant Qilian Mountains, their snowy peaks gleaming under the clear blue sky.
Walking through the desert plains, the vast, open landscape felt both desolate and majestic. The crisp, dry air carried the scent of earth, and the wind swept across the sands, creating ever-shifting patterns. In the distance, the snow-covered Qilian range provided a dramatic backdrop, their towering presence a constant reminder of nature’s power. The fusion of barren desert and pristine snow created an awe-inspiring scene, where the silence of the desert is met by the distant hum of the mountain winds.
Jiayuguan is a place where history and nature blend seamlessly, offering a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of extremes—harsh desert landscapes juxtaposed with the purity of alpine peaks. It’s a serene and humbling reminder of the intimate relationship between humans and the vast, untamed world around them.
Jiayuguan Night Tour: Enter the Dream and Travel Through a Thousand Years
📍Attraction address: Jiayuguan
🏝️Booking guide: Tickets are available from 8:00, and sales stop at 22:30:
2. The tour is available from 20:00 to 24:00 every night (entry starts at 20:00, and stops at 23:00. Entry is not allowed after 23:00. If you miss the entry time, please reschedule your visit according to the rules of the ticketing platform);
3. Night tour area
Take the shuttle bus from the Jiayuguan Tourist Service Center to the East Gate (Tianxia Xiongguan), enter the attraction from the East Gate to the outer city wall of the stele corridor, Wenchang Pavilion, Chaoyong Gate, East Urn City, Yanwu Square, West Urn City, and exit from the West Gate (Jiayuguan Pass). Take the shuttle bus back to the tourist center;
4. Route inside the attraction
Enter from the East Gate to the outer city wall of the stele corridor - Wenchang Pavilion - Chaoyong Gate - East Urn City - Yanwu Square - West Urn City - Jiayuguan Pass;
5. The night tour has a variety of performances, and live NPC performances. Due to the characteristics of outdoor venues and props, live NPC performances will be cancelled in case of heavy rain, sandstorms, and other extreme weather conditions: After 21:00, the city wall and horse path of the attraction will be closed. Please plan your time if you want to visit the city tower;
🚗Transportation guide: Search for No. 2122, Shuangyong Road, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province on the navigation system. Park your car on the roadside nearby, and then walk for a few minutes to the north gate of the attraction. The night tour enters from the north gate and takes the sightseeing bus to exit. Daytime tickets enter from the south gate next to it and exit from the north gate. You can go at 7:30. As long as the daytime tour is cleared, you will be allowed to enter. After entering the north gate, walk about 500 meters to the official ticket check. The paper ticket is in the far left channel, and the two on the right are for e-tickets. After entering, you will be given a paper wristband to wear, which serves as a proof of purchase for the free sightseeing bus.
💗Other tips: The temperature difference between day and night in Jiayuguan City is large. Please dress according to the weather forecast
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