Top 50 Best Things to Do in Gansu
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 50 Best Things to Do in Gansu

right-leaf
Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
󰴉
Theme filters
District
Theme filters
District
  • Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Springtop_1
    󰺂8.9
    7
    Dunhuang.Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoHalf-Price Tickets to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring for 4 Consecutive Months | Dec 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Sand dunes and springs: A desert oasis
    󱓊Desert dunes & spring coexistence
    󱨠Saved by 824 users󱨠23489 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M60***29M60***29

    It was a lot of fun, but we arrived too late to ride camels or sandboard. It was also too cold and windy to climb the mountain after sunset. The ticket allows entry for three days, so there should be plenty of time. However, we were in a rush, so we couldn't go.

  • Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spottop_2
    󰺂8.7
    Zhangye>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoWinter light and shadows at Zhangye National Geopark, a magnificent spectacle after the snow | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱨜World Geopark-level Colorful Zhangye Danxia landform
    󱓊Danxia landform's seven scenic wonders
    󱨠Saved by 1122 users󱨠24514 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    树味冰淇淋树味冰淇淋

    Public transportation is quite convenient, with shuttle buses running between the scenic area and the park. There are some restrictions on shuttle buses within the scenic area, but you can really feel that they are seriously protecting the environment, which is excellent! The weather was so-so the day we went, but the elegant Danxia landforms were still amazing www. It was a bit chilly and windy in the scenic area, so be sure to wear warm clothes.

  • Mogao Cavestop_3
    󰺂8.2
    213
    Dunhuang>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoHalf-Price Tickets for Core Dunhuang Attractions | Dec 1, 2025-Mar 31, 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Guided tour of select grottoes
    󱓊Watch two 20-minute Mogao films
    󱨠Saved by 687 users󱨠5603 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    E34***86E34***86

    It’s worth it!! It’s my second time visiting. Event though i book 1130, we reached at 0900+ and able to queue and enter! For non mandarin tour, the group is MUCH smaller and hence you would be able to ask more questions. The gathering point is also different. The tour guide is professional.

  • Guan City of Jiayuguan
    4
    󰺂8.2
    117
    Jiayuguan>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Night Attractions in Gansu
    Highlights:
    󰀆Watch ancient military drills
    󱨜Ancient military drills in season
    󱨠Saved by 137 users󱨠10681 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Jiayuguan's charm goes far beyond its reputation as "the First Pass Under Heaven." It is a unique city where you can simultaneously experience the weight of history, the grandeur of nature, and the joy of modern life.

  • Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
    5
    󰺂8.0
    107
    Yongdeng88.4 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions
    Highlights:
    󰀆Geological & rural tourism destination
    Danxia trail: 1.6 miles views
    󱨠Saved by 260 users󱨠2118 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    M39***13M39***13

    The scenery was so beautiful that we kept taking photos and lost track of time. Around 6 pm, we got off at the "Daydream Cinema," but there were no more buses or minibuses, and no staff members were around. No one had reminded us of the last shuttle bus time, so the two of us had to walk to the visitor center, about 4.5 kilometers away. The wind was strong, the temperature was -1.5 degrees Celsius, and it got dark quickly. The further we walked, the more scared we became. We tried calling the scenic area, but no one answered. Finally, we called 110 (the police emergency number) and asked them to contact the scenic area staff. After hanging up, a Li Auto electric scooter passed by, and the driver stopped and readily gave us a ride to the parking lot. We chatted along the way, and the driver said he was from the Space Capsule Hotel. His surname was Wang; he was probably the owner or manager. We were extremely grateful to him and will definitely stay there again next time! The first photo was taken on the way to the visitor center.

  • Zha Ga Na
    6
    󰺂7.7
    107
    Diebu>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoZha Ga Na Winter Ice and Snow Carnival Begins | Nov 2025-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions
    Highlights:
    󱓊Two-day hike: lakes & rocks
    󱓊Taste yak butter tea & visit
    󱨠Saved by 129 users󱨠2489 positive reviews
    4.2/5
    梅韵芬芳梅韵芬芳

    The scenery in the scenic area is beautiful. The only regret is that it was foggy in the morning, so we didn't see the sunrise. The mountains and water are beautiful. It's a pity that we didn't have time to walk the whole Runwu Valley. I will definitely go again if I have the chance!

  • Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
    7
    󰺂7.6
    173
    Zhangye>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoPingshanhu Grand Canyon: A high-speed train journey through the Jurassic era | Dec 2025-Dec 2025
    Highlights:
    󱨜Panoramic view of stunning canyon
    󰋄2.5-mile glass walkway overlooks canyon
    󱨠Saved by 240 users󱨠2205 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    M83***34M83***34

    Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is located in Pingshan Lake Mongolian Ethnic Township, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, about 60 kilometers from the city center. It is a national 4A-level scenic area. Formed by millions of years of wind and water erosion, this red-bed canyon covers an area of ​​100 square kilometers. It features attractions such as Nine Dragons Converging at the Sea and General Stone, combining geological wonders, canyon exploration, and the opportunity to experience Mongolian culture. It is hailed as a "new discovery on the Silk Road."

  • Gansu Provincial Museum
    8
    󰺂7.3
    Lanzhou.Gansu Provincial Museum/Lanzhou Center57.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe Green Horse at Gansu Provincial Museum is still a top attraction
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰀆Paint pottery & experience history
    󱨜Archaeology & artifact restoration workshop
    󱨠Saved by 122 users󱨠2471 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    猫小妖333猫小妖333

    The number of visitors was absolutely enormous; you were basically just being pushed around by the crowd. I saw the Flying Horse of Gansu and the Little Girl with the Curtain-like Hairpin. There weren't many exhibits inside; pottery made up a large portion. Overall, it was alright. I hired a guided tour, so at least I didn't just wander around aimlessly.

  • Zhangye Buddha Temple
    9
    󰺂7.3
    51
    Zhangye.Dafo Temple>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Majestic & sacred winter snow景。
    󱓊Buddha statues & cave carvings
    󱨠Saved by 113 users󱨠3149 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Yan咕噜Yan咕噜

    The area isn't large, and with very few tourists at the end of November, it was very quiet and offered a truly immersive experience. The Buddha statue was absolutely stunning; unfortunately, my photography skills weren't up to par, so I couldn't capture the entire reclining Buddha in a photo. Because I had to catch a train, I only had an hour to visit and couldn't appreciate it properly. I recommend allowing at least two hours for your visit.

  • Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
    10
    󰺂7.3
    70
    Sunan>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄360° glass deck overlooking mountains
    󰀆Qilian Mountains & Hexi Corridor
    󱨠Saved by 122 users󱨠1393 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    食色心情食色心情

    The scenery in Qilian is stunning! What a shame about the grottoes! The murals and statues have been damaged, but the remaining fragments reveal the exquisite "blue-green" paintings of the Western Xia Dynasty. The Thousand Buddha Caves are also closed, so we can only relive them from the past. The most beautiful part, however, is the first stop, the Thousand Buddha Caves. It's worth taking a leisurely stroll and admiring. We spent 33 days just checking in, leaving only the grottoes.

What Best Things to Do are there in Gansu?
These are all Best Things to Do in Gansu:Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot, Mogao Caves, Guan City of Jiayuguan, Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Gansu?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Gansu include:Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring:4.7, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot:4.7, Mogao Caves:4.4, Guan City of Jiayuguan:4.5, Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park:4.5
At what locations in Gansu can Best Things to Do in Gansu be found?
The Best Things to Do in Gansu are mainly located in:Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring:Dunhuang, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot:Zhangye, Mogao Caves:Dunhuang, Guan City of Jiayuguan:Jiayuguan, Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park:Yongdeng
󰴉