Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Gansu, China

1. 4.5 Bingling Temple Grottoes (82 reviews)
   - A great adventure with stunning scenery!
   Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites
   
   
   A bit of an adventure trying to see these grottos but well worth it! The speed boat was a brilliant ride, seeing some stunning scenery along the way, and the wind blowing through your hair only added to the experience. Note - it is not a speedboat like on the films, instead a 9 seater enclosed mini boat which crashes against waves - but with the windows open you can you use your imagination and pretend! 40 minutes later we arrived and had a lovely walk around the grottos, saw the giant buddah and the amazing mountain scenery. Make sure you buy your ticket down where the boats arrive, you can't actually buy a ticket at the entrance. It is all outside, mini caves containing various religious statues. An interesting place to see off the beaten track - away from main tourist routes! A must see if you are in this area See more..
   
2. 4.5 West Wall (60 reviews)
   - Nice view in winter
   Wednesday: 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..
   
3. 4.5 Dunhuang Grotto Art Protection,Examination and Exhibition Center (55 reviews)
   - Tibetan statues in Dunhuang Exhibition Center
   Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Art Museums
   
   
   Tibetan statues are the real masterpieces of art. Great and unexpected experience. The most striking fact is that statues are real. Rest of items and pictures in the Center are copies. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Langmu Temple (50 reviews)
   - There are two temples (gompas) in Langmusi
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites
   
   
   It is unfortunate that TripAdvisor lists "Langmu Temple" as if there is only one temple in town, but there are actually two distinct, independent temples with very different architectural structure (not to mention separate entrance fees). Serti gompa: the shiny gold temples to the north. Kerti gompa: the wooden, seemingly run-down temples to the south. Kerti is the original temple of the town, but Serti was constructed with financial support from the Chinese government. Note that the entrance to Namo Gorge (which is unfortunately unlisted on TripAdvisor; it is quite beautiful) is behind Kerti Gompa. It is possible to go independently, but plan at least 4 hours to explore the gorge and come back. Make SURE that you come back before it starts to become dark, as the Tibetan nomads who live in tents in the gorge will unchain their dogs at night to protect the livestock. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Mati Temple Scenic Resort (44 reviews)
   - Beautiful Setting
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks • Forests
   
   
   I visited here as part of a 32-day solo holiday with China Private Tours. The Mati Temple is a 90-minute or so scenic drive out of Zhangye. Tourists have been flocking to Zhangye with the growing popularity of the Danxia Rainbow Hills and I was able to see Mati in the morning and the hills in the afternoon quite comfortably. Mati Temple is set in the side of a sheer mountain rock wall, surrounded by snow-peaked mountains, which makes the scene quite beautiful. There is a bit of a walk involved from the village parking but nothing too strenuous. I was lucky to be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who was able to explain all the significance of the temple to the local Tibetan people. The intricately inked coloured flags are particularly fascinating. The gold Buddha inside a cave is an impressive sight. Mati Temple should absolutely be on your to-do list if in Zhangye. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Wei-Jin Tombs (39 reviews)
   - Spectacular, beautiful impressions from the Wei-Jin period
   Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Cemeteries • Religious Sites
   
   
   Spectacular tomb ruins from the Wei-Jin period that somehow seem to get little attention. The little museum and preserved brick paintings are stunning. Tomb no. 6 (only one you can visit) show scenes from daily life of the couple in the middle chamber (women on the left, men on the right; in three stages youth - adult - old age). The local gatekeeper can explain many details and the shop outside has souvenirs from the 80s with historic value. See more..
   
7. 4.5 North Great Wall (36 reviews)
   - the most impressing view of the western great wall of china.
   Wednesday: 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..
   
8. 4.5 Maiji Mountain (33 reviews)
   - The mountain and its caves
   Wednesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Mountains
   
   
   The mountain is noted for its caves, Maiji Grottoes. One hour or so away from the city, we took a nap on the way for our later climb at the mountain. After entering the main entrance, we took a buggy car to the mountain feet and walked uphill. The mountain looks like a hay stack, or a bump on the plain vast land with dense trees. Yet the climb was a strenuous task coz it is very tiresomely steep, even worse when the sun comes out at noon. Once we were on the top, it was all worthy! We got to see some important caves and open our eyesight on the forest under our foot. It was like the stairway to heaven, ha. * The climb is not suitable for young kids and elders, or people with acrophobia. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Pingshan Grand Canyon (26 reviews)
   - Amazing View
   Spent 2-3 hours Canyons
   
   
   You can take a bus from the west bus station at 9:45 about CNY 15 but not positive and it will drop you at the park entrance. The return bus leaves between 16:00 and 16:30 but whatever time it is, you will have plenty of time in the park. We did the main bus/walking tour although they have a new part for over CNY 300 they tried to sell us. The food stalls near the park entrance were well priced and we had a nice lunch before entering. The park is amazing and I highly recommend! See more..
   
10. 4.5 Dunhuang Theater (26 reviews)
    - Unbelievably excellent
    Spent 2-3 hours Theaters
    
    
    We were strongly recommended to attend this by our tour guide (who we rather unfairly suspected of getting a commission, but actually got us a large discount). It's easily the most spectacular show in the world. It's outdoors and can be quite chilly, but don't be deterred. There are four separate outdoor stages and the whole auditorium rotates to face each in turn - quite a surprise the first time it happens. It's a usual sort of star-crossed lovers but the spectacle makes the story not very necessary. DO NOT MISS THIS See more..
    
11. 4.5 Kongtong Mountain (24 reviews)
    - Kongtong Mountain -- Very Pretty
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountains • Nature & Wildlife Areas
    
    
    Most Chinese-language reviewers adore this place and deservedly so. Though the original Daoist structures were almost certainly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, unlike elsewhere in China -- notably Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi -- the replacement temples are at least likely similar to what was destroyed. The mountain is high and grand, especially the side with the Daoist (not the side with the Buddhist) temples. So a lot of steep climbing will be before you. But my wife and I found it very rewarding. Try to go during the week and not on holidays to avoid the crowds. Kongtong Mountain looks like one of these Chinese medieval landscape paintings. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Binggou Danxia Scenic Area (22 reviews)
    - Number 1 choice over rainbow mountains!
    Spent 1-2 hours Canyons
    
    
    Arguably better than the rainbow mountains and much quieter! A great place to spend a few hours with incredible scenery! Great value for money, and worth paying extra for the buggy ride. The ticket included golf carts around the full park, a go on an army duck, camel ride (although I refuse to do this on principle) and walking scenic routes. Staff were all very jolly and helpful! Was lovely being somewhere so beautiful without many tourists! See more..
    
13. 4.5 Yellow River Stone Forest of Jingtai (22 reviews)
    - Breathtaking geological creation
    Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Parks • Geologic Formations
    
    
    Spectacular, breathtaking scenery in all directions. The stone forest is massive and has an estimated creation date going back four billion years. See more..
    
14. 4.5 Yulin Grotto (21 reviews)
    - Worthwhile stop
    Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Caverns & Caves • Monuments & Statues
    
    
    A nice stop , worth visiting grottoes without the massive crowds of Mogao- you will likely be alone. Not as comprehensive or as impressive as Mogao but still quite amazing. Most of the caves are redone by Ming dynasty but original sculpture bases from Tang and Song can be observed and the paintings are generally in good shape as well, with a fair number from the Western Xia period. Tour will cover about 6-7 caves and last about 1 hr. About a 2.5 hr drive from Dunhuang, so if you are on the way to or from the town it makes sense to visit but would not advise going if you are in Dunhuang already- the Mogao will be more than sufficient and you will likely feel the long drive was not worth it. See more..
    
15. 4.5 Dunhuang Leiyin Temple (21 reviews)
    - Beautiful Buddhist temple complex in Dunhuang
    Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Religious Sites
    
    
    Dunhuang was my first stop during my trip to the Silk Road. Dunhuang is a small town but very rich in the history of the Silk Road, and is home to extraordinary sites with Buddhist art. The Lei Yin temple complex is located inside the town of Dunhuang, and is easily accessible from several nearby hotels. The complex consists of several temples with Buddhist art, all of which are very well preserved. Worth a visit! I highly recommend contacting China Highlights, who organized my tailor-made itinerary to the Silk Road in China. See more..
    

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.