Q: What is the best route from Beijing to explore the Hexi Corridor?
A: For the ultimate Hexi Corridor adventure, ditch direct flights and embrace the overland journey—this is where the real magic happens. Here’s how to conquer the ancient Silk Road like a pro:
The Classic Route: Beijing → Lanzhou → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang
Lanzhou (Gateway to the West)
Must-see: Bingling Temple Grottoes—take a speedboat through the Yellow River canyon to see Tang dynasty Buddhas carved into cliffs.
Eat: Hand-pulled beef noodles at Mǎ Zǐ Lù—the breakfast of Silk Road champions.
Travel: 6-hour high-speed rail from Beijing West Station.
Zhangye (Rainbow Mountains & Hidden Buddhas)
Danxia Landform: Sunset at Colorful Danxia Geopark—photograph psychedelic hills like layered rainbow cake.
Matisi Temple: Day trip to "Horse Hoof Temple" for cliffside grottos with Uighur-style murals.
Transport: 3-hour train from Lanzhou.
Jiayuguan (Where the Great Wall Ends)
Jiayuguan Fort: Stand at the "First Pass Under Heaven" and imagine exiled poets gazing into the desert.
Overhanging Wall: Hike the Great Wall section clinging to Black Mountain ridges.
Pro move: Rent a bike to explore desert ruins beyond the tourist zone.
(Source: Jiayuguan Guancheng Scenic Area)
Dunhuang (Grand Finale)
Mogao Grottoes: Book premium tickets for Cave 45 (Tang dynasty sculptural perfection) and Cave 57 (Goddess of Mercy).
Night Market: Swap stories with backpackers over lamb skewers and apricot juice at Shazhou Night Market.
Transport: 4-hour train from Jiayuguan.
How to Travel:
For Efficiency: High-speed rail + domestic flights (Beijing → Lanzhou → Dunhuang).
For Authenticity: Slow travel by train—overnight sleeper to Lanzhou, then local trains westward.
For Mavericks: Rent a car in Lanzhou and drive the G30 Highway—stop at random desert stupas and melon farms.
Pro Tips:
Season: April-June or September-October—avoid summer scorchers (45°C!) and winter sandstorms.
Packing: Sunglasses, moisturizer, and a headlamp (for grotto murals in dim light).
Hidden Gem: Detour to Yulin Grottoes near Guazhou—fewer crowds, Tang art rivaling Mogao.
Why This Route Works:
You’re tracing the historical Silk Road sequence: from Lanzhou’s river valley to Zhangye’s oasis, Jiayuguan’s military frontier, and Dunhuang’s desert finale. Each stop layers history—Han forts, Buddhist art, Mongol ruins—into an epic narrative. Skip package tours; this is a journey best shaped by your own curiosity.
Any suggestions for a two-day grotto exploration trip in Gansu?What should I note for my first trip to Dunhuang in autumn, especially near the National Day holiday
