Things to do & places to visit in Jiayuguan, Gansu, China

Jiayuguan city in Gansu, China. Timezone: Asia/Chongqing, current date and time: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 17:02.

Jiayuguan Weather Statistics view more »

Top things to do (14)

• History Museums
• Geologic Formations
• Speciality Museums
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Architectural Buildings
• Religious Sites
• Bodies of Water
• Historic Sites
• Ancient Ruins
• Mountains
• Water Parks
• Hot Springs & Geysers
• Cemeteries
• Points of Interest & Landmarks

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

1. 5.0 Jiayuguan City Museum (1 review)
   - Finding out about China's remote steel city
   Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
   People go to Jiayuguan to see the western end of the Great Wall. But the city itself was born in the 1950s, on the back of vast local deposits of coal and iron ore. The city museum explains how the city started, what it was like in the early days and where it is going. All the introductions, and the object labels, are in English as well as Chinese. Highlights include a massive model of the city and reconstructions of steelworkers' homes in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Entry is free, but you need to pick up a ticket at the gatehouse. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Yemawan Castle (1 review)
   - Hidden castle ruin
   Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
   
   
   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..
   
3. 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..
   
4. 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..
   
5. 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..
   
6. 4.5 Qiyi Plateau Glacier (13 reviews)
   - 7 1 Glacier
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
   
   
   I visited this glacier QiYi(7 1 in English) in May 15 years ago for my first hike to a glacier. The glacier is at elevation of 4300 m or 12,000 ft . The hike from base park to mouth of glacier (2kms?) took about 2 hours. for every 3 steps forward I stopped to catch my breadth. There is no climbing needed but tracking up a path that followed the contour up. Many of the trip members complained about headaches as they ascend and feeling nauseous and gave up after walking 0.2km. We were not well prepared wearing only sport shoes. If we have snow shoes, we would have been able to walk into the glacier. This hike is not for the unfit and you need to walk 2km up the mountain to see the glacier. Don t try if you are unfit or have high blood pressure or heart problems . See more..
   
7. 4.5 East Barbican and West Barbican (5 reviews)
   - Late afternoon visit
   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..
   
8. 4.5 Rouyuan Tower (4 reviews)
   - Another important part of the fort
   Wednesday: 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..
   
9. 4.5 Qilian Mountains (3 reviews)
   - Great mountains
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountains
   
   
   Very rugged. Pretty and very different to the snow-peaks on the adjoining mountains. Great photo opportunities. Dont spend too much time here if you are not into nature or mountaineering. It will get boring for you. I enjoyed it especially in the areas where you dont see the electrical powerlines. See more..
   
10. 4.5 Guoyuan Xincheng Tombs (2 reviews)
    - Another amazing piece of history
    Cemeteries
    
    
    In our opinion, a must see addition to your itinerary. The location is not a popular tourist attraction but the tomb is just as spectacular as Wei Jin tombs. The colours on the walls and how they were built is amazing. In it's own way, just as spectacular as what you see in Egypt. See more..
    
11. 4.0 Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass (194 reviews)
    - Most Western Side Great Wall
    Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    The strategic outpost at the western end of the Great Wall is the best-preserved pass. See more..
    
12. 4.0 Jiayuguan Fortress (168 reviews)
    - Beautiful Fortress at Jiayuguan Pass
    Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Ancient Ruins
    
    
    This is a beautifully maintained fortress that is located at a strategic location - Jiayuguan Pass which is an important passage for the ancient Silk Road and it is also the location for the western end of the Great Wall.. This fortress is a very photogenic structure in this remote area of China - large and imposing. We walked around grounds of the fortress and on the fortress walls that overlook the Pass area. A must see place while in Jiayuguan because it served as an important location along the Silk Road. See more..
    
13. 4.0 Great Wall Museum of Jiayuguan (46 reviews)
    - Interesting and well done
    Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Speciality Museums
    
    
    This is now a part of the Jiayuguan pass area (not in the town where the map suggests.) When you buy a ticket for the fortress it gives you entry to the museum (as well as the West and East Great Wall areas.) The museum is a good introduction to the history of the wall from the construction to the military use. There is plenty of English to guide you through, although not for every single item displayed. See more..
    
14. 4.0 The First Strategic Post (39 reviews)
    - Jiayuguan site we enjoyed the most
    Wednesday: 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..
    
15. 4.0 East Great Wall (33 reviews)
    - Serene Desert Views
    Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    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..
    
16. 4.0 Jiayuguan Heritage Scenic Resort (10 reviews)
    - 西部雄关
    Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Ancient Ruins
    
    
    嘉峪关是历来兵家必争之地，位于黑山和祁连山之间，是一个交通要塞之地，站在巍巍的城楼上，你可以感受到当年那种兵戈铁马，浴血沙场的情形。
    一往无际的戈壁，即能洗涤你的心灵，同时感受到那种西出阳关无故人的悲凉。 See more..
    
17. 4.0 Guanghua Pavillion (8 reviews)
    - Beautiful yet very important
    Wednesday: 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..
    
18. 4.0 DaTang MeiShiJie (8 reviews)
    - Nice grilled chilli Toufu
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    A congregation of various food stalls selling all sorts of bites, had some grilled chilli toufu which were really yumz! 30min can easily finish walking the area if you are not there to eat. See more..
    
19. 4.0 Inner City Wall (7 reviews)
    - A TRUE THRILL
    Wednesday: 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..
    
20. 4.0 Jiayuguan Donghu Lake Ecological Scenic Spot (5 reviews)
    - Popular with the locals but not tourists but well worth a visit!
    Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Bodies of Water
    
    
    My hotel (Guanli Mansion) is about 4 bus stops away from Donghu and from the hotel window, we can see the dolphin tower and when lighted at night, it was so beautiful! We took a local bus to Donghu and it is a very massive park cum lake. The dolphin tower near the main entrance has more crowd and you can pay (RMB30) to go up to the tower to view the skyline of Jiayuguan. From Donghu, we strolled leisurely to Da Tang Meizhi Jie in freezing weather. See more..
    
21. 4.0 General Guerrilla Warfare Official Residence (3 reviews)
    - Very official
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    Its nice to see how the high ranked officials use to live lavish life on those days. i loved hanging in side. See more..
    
22. 4.0 Xincheng Mural Tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasty (2 reviews)
    - Worth a visit !!
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Cemeteries
    
    
    This is the only tomb in this burial ground of 3° century a.d. which is open for visitors The visit is only for 7 persons at a time as this 3 chambers tomb is very small . It is really interesting especially for the thousands of painted tiles which line the walls .They depict scenes of the every day life of that time of the merchant who occupied this tomb . Unfortunately pictures are forbidden and I have respected this rule ! See more..
    
23. 3.5 Theatre Pavilion (3 reviews)
    - fantastic attraction
    Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    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 miss See more..
    
24. 3.0 The First Beacon Tower (3 reviews)
    - Surprising nice
    
    
    
    I thought I was going there only to see the remains of the First Beacon. I was surprised to see that there is a whole reconstructed village--the First Pier--along the river below the tower. I was also surprised to see an original section of the Great Wall near the First Beacon. These made the trip more worthwhile. See more..
    
25. Jiuyan Spring (0 review)
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Hot Springs & Geysers
    
    
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26. Heishan Cliff Stone (0 review)
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
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27. Henggou Site (0 review)
    Historic Sites
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28. Xincheng Castle Site (0 review)
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites
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29. Jiugang Wonder World (0 review)
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Water Parks
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30. Shiyingzhuang Site (0 review)
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ancient Ruins
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