Gansu

Gansu Province in China's northwest stretches from the deserts near Xinjiang to the mountains bordering Sichuan Province. The capital of Lanzhou does not have a lot to attract attention, but is a good stepping stone to get into the western regions or the Tibetan areas to the south.

The desert oasis of Dunhuang is home to the stunning Mogao Caves, a very large collection of Buddhist images that were carved out of the rock surface during the course of centuries. Near Dunhuang you can also visit the western part of the Tengger Desert, and it is possible to arrange horse treks and sleep under the open sky out here. Further west still is the grape-producing town of Turpan, an good place to stop over when traveling between Xinjiang and Lanzhou. Closer to Lanzhou is Zhangye, home to Silk Road-related sights, and Jiayuguan, where you can visit the splendid Jiayuguan Fortress, a part of the Great Wall of China.

To the south of Lanzhou the country road will take you deep into the remoteness of the Tibetan areas of Gansu. Liujiaxia Town is home to the Bingling Temple Grottoes, another place to see Buddhist carvings. You will need to cross the Yellow River Resevoir by boat to reach the grottoes. Further south still the somewhat drap town of Hezuo is home to the Mila Repa Monastery, rich in atmosphere, while the charming and very atmospheric villages of Langmusi and Xiahe are home to incredible Tibetan temples. This part of Gansu is rich in stunning nature that makes a fantastic backdrop when visiting the Langmu and Labrang Temples in Langmusi and Xiahe.