4.0Great Wall of Han Dynasty(98 reviews) - Go quick as it's disappearing Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
I've been here five times over the last 13 years and each time it's smaller and smaller than the previous visit. The most recent visit, there was a team of workers injecting some sort of 'secret' solution (they wouldn't tell me what it was) that they said was to help preserve the remaining layers of straw, reeds, pebbles and sand that the wall consists of. They've also roped off more areas to keep idiots from climbing on the crumbling walls to take selfies. It's so sad seeing the destruction that has happened to this amazing site. If you visit -- look only. Help preserve it. Don't discard bottles or anything in the vicinity.See more..
4.5West Wall(60 reviews) - Nice view in winter Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
What we enjoyed most is the view along the way up to the top tower. We went there in the late afternoon around 4:30 and stayed till 6:00. The sunlight ripened and gilded whatever were facing it. But the sky and snow-covered mountain range remained blue. We think it’s a wise choice to visit in winter cuz we owned the place by ourselves and took tons of pictures. The ways up and down are separate. But they lead to the same spot and you exit where you enter. See more..
4.0The First Strategic Post(39 reviews) - Jiayuguan site we enjoyed the most Thursday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
This is one of the sites offered on the Combined ticket for Jiayuguan. Senior discounted ticket RMB 55, with passport, 60+. Initially we didn't want to visit since it just looked like a "pile of rocks" left, bu we had still lot's of time "to kill" on that day. Are we glad we went it was definitely the highlight of our day. In the museum (which usually we ignore) they had this great photo exhibit of the great wall taken by the missionary Willian Edgar Geil in 1907/1908 and then in comparison by William Lindesay starting in 1987 at the same spots. Initially it's not visible but the the museum side is on top of a cliff with a beautiful colored river at the bottom. There is some kind of fort below with a hanging bridge to cross the river. You have a view across the steppe and see two mountain ranges, one capped with snow. It was quite enjoyable to hang out there. Since we travel between Mid Autumn Festival and National days is was very quiet there.See more..
4.5North Great Wall(36 reviews) - the most impressing view of the western great wall of china. Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
this is by far the most striking and impressing view of the western side of the great wall of chine here you can really view and appreciate this immense architectural project, wow !!! do not dare to miss See more..
Great serene views up to the top part, you will have a bird's eye-view of the endless desert. An evening walk was just nice as you strolling slowly enjoy the views without get sun burn.See more..
3.0White Horse Pagoda of Dunhuang(28 reviews) - Great place for a quiet picnic. Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Monuments & Statues
A taxi should only cost 20 Kuai, but it really isn't that far out of town for a walk. The street is marked with an English sign, and you can see some of the rural aspects of life in Dunhuang, like mountains of corncobs drying in the sun. It's 15 Kuai to get in, and it's very peaceful. We enjoyed the sun and ate on one of the many benches around. One tourist arrived while we were there. Nice picnic location.See more..
4.0Liujia Gorge(12 reviews) - beautiful & special landscape Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Architectural Buildings
take a boat to acoss Liujia Gorge for going to Bing Ling temple. the view was so beautiful & getting special landscape. impressiveSee more..
4.5Milariba Buddha Pavilion(10 reviews) - Great Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
I wouldn't go out of my way to visit, but if you get stuck in town (like we did) or if you have to transfer, it is definitely worth it to visit the Milarepa tower. A taxi from the busstation takes 5 minutes (4 RMB) and visiting the tower costs 20 RMB and will not take more than an hour. If you get lucky you'll find monks praying on the ground floor and all 9 floors have beautiful paintings, statues and other Tibetan artefacts.See more..
3.0Zhangye Zhenyuan Tower(9 reviews) - Round about view Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Nice looking fortress in the middle of the road. Didnt try to get inside. Wasnt planned as we were exploring the area when we saw it. Took a few picture and moved on See more..
4.0Shanxi Guild Hall(8 reviews) - Small but beautiful Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
It might because we visit in a rainy day, the whole complex looks so beautiful! Shanxi Guild Hall was technically not part of the original temple but has since been incorporated into the complex. The Shanxi Guild was founded in 1724 during the Qing Dynasty and still contains a well-preserved gate, theatre stage, audience tower, bell and drum tower, memorial archway, wing rooms, and hall. The guild was used by traveling merchants from Shanxi province to help them network with one another, as well as making them feel more at home in this far-flung city.See more..
4.0Guanghua Pavillion(8 reviews) - Beautiful yet very important Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Guanghua Pavillion is internal and important part of Jiayuguan fort. It s beautiful standing and pagoda style room gives great character.See more..
4.0Inner City Wall(7 reviews) - A TRUE THRILL Thursday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
this part of the wall is a real jam, lively colorful, with parades of actors in ancient dressings, a lot of crowds , music and fun !See more..
Please be aware there are two large courtyards, the South Mansion and the North Mansion. Most of people only visit the South one, which is bigger with opera performance. But the north one is quiet and also beautiful! The architecture in Hu Mansion is quite unique because it mixed the traditional Han culture in the central mainland and local art in Northwestern China. I will not suggest to buy the guide service. The girl only spent less than 10 minutes and talked very quickly.See more..
4.0Jiuquan Bell Tower(5 reviews) - 酒泉 Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
This barracks/ fortress visit was great. Complimentary performance of dance warriors happened to be on the go in the courtyard. Start of the Sulk Road traders route. Steeped in history. There is also a comprehensive display of the great wall at various locations showing the before and after restorations.See more..
4.5Rouyuan Tower(4 reviews) - Another important part of the fort Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Rouyuan tower is important place in the fort and have played vital roll in the history of Silk route. See more..
3.5Zhangye Bell of Tang Dynasty(3 reviews) - Surprise! Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
As my second time in China I could go to different places this time, I realized that this Bell Tower is a symbol of power! It stands proud on the middle of the city. It is really beautiful. See more..
join this traditional theater show, and enjoy this fantastic unique drama, that you may not understand the words, but you will definitely will be able to grasp the meanings, and of course enjoy the music, don't missSee more..
Travelling from Wushan County in Gansu to Dangcheng County, our driver suggested a short visit to the Li Family Ancestral Hall in the Longxi County since he noticed that we were keen on heritage buildings. He confided that apart from foreign Chinese with the Li surname, very few of the local Chinese were curious of who their ancestors were nor bothered with where their ancestral hall is located. Intrigued by his narration of the history of the complex which dated back to Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, we explored the complex of palace-like buildings with their intricate architectural detials, courtyards and gardens. The Longxi County has restored and maintained these buildings and the spaces and opened it to both foreign and local visitors particularly those whose surname is "Li". Restoration and painting works are currently in full progress. During our visit, there was no admission fee and one can spend as much time as they want, wandering around and taking in the beauty of the architecture!See more..
5.0Qingyang Cave Dwellings(2 reviews) - 平地起烟囱，塬上巧天工。 Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Architectural Buildings 庆阳位于黄土高原最大的一整块平原，董志塬上，之前有一句话说的好，“八百里秦川，比不上一个董志塬”，描述的就是董志塬物产丰饶，拉ing是产量高的景象。其实不仅仅是粮食产量高，庆阳还有很多好吃好玩儿的，比如皮影、香包，而最受人瞩目的当地风俗便是庆阳的窑洞。 我给这篇点评的名字就是对窑洞的最真实的写照，其实不仅仅是在董志塬上，董志塬周边依托黄土高原的特殊地理结构也有很多窑洞，最明显的是环县。在环县的山里，人们将窑洞装饰的甚至要比砖瓦房那种农村房屋结构更加漂亮实用。要说是最大的特点，就只有四个字“冬暖夏凉”。 窑洞建造历史悠久，从外面看有时候甚至看不出来是窑洞，需要深入到里边去。刚开始看到窑洞，其实和外面的房子没什么区别。夏天的时候，一进门最直接的感就是凉快，就像是吹空调一样。如果有机会在里边睡上一觉，还需要盖上被子或者稍微厚一点的衣服，不然会被冻感冒。 从外形上，窑洞是从外面挖到里边去的，所以实际上外面看不出来外形是啥，远远看去就是山上开了一个洞（找了一个废弃的窑洞看到的）。几乎所有的窑洞都是深入山中的。因为土的结构的原因不能挖的过宽，不然会坍塌。同样，之所以被称作窑洞是因为他的内里和山洞基本一样，上面是拱形，这样就可以让受力点集中起来，使得墙体本身承担的力量变小，因此，这样的窑洞就不会坍塌。 See more..
3.5Haicang Temple(2 reviews) - Small Temple in Wuwei Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Visited this site in Sept 2016. The Haicang Temple in Wuwei is not so distinguish and well known as the other temples in Gansu Province. Across the rod of the Haicang Temple is a Lake ParkSee more..
3.5Bajiao City Ruins(2 reviews) - ancient 8 walled Tibetan village Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
The Bajiao village is ancient and has Tibetan nomads living in it. It houses not more than a few families, it is surrounded by grasslands and the Takkar rocky mountains is right behind it. We enjoyed the time we spent there, for the beautiful countryside also for the experience spending time with the simple nomadsSee more..
4.5Lingmingtang Mosque(2 reviews) Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
4.0Gongbei Building of Mosque(1 review) - Unplanned visit to HQ of Qadiriyyah school of Islam Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Gongbei is a term used by Hui people in Northwest China for an Islamic shrine complex centred on the grave of a Sufi master. The Da Gongbei Mosque in Linxia contains the remains of Khawaja Abdul-Allah a descendent of the Prophet and an important leader of the Qadiriyya order of Islam. There are some intricate and delicate stone carvings on the front gate of the Mosque that are worth a look. The architecture overall is in the Chinese style of Islam, more colourful than many of the Islamic buildings further west in Iran and Turkey. The Main Prayer Hall in particular has some lovely colourful detailing on the roof eaves.See more..
This is very off the beaten track and you will need to ask a driver to take you there because it is not an active tourist site. Hidden in farm fields of corn, pumpkin and sunflowers lies the enormous and very striking ruin of this castle. It's quite near the Wei Jin Tomb site and I'm sure your driver can take you for no extra, just be sure to negotiate a flat rate for both to start. Also ask to stop and buy watermelon as it is grown here and was excellent in late July!See more..
