Where are the best cycling destinations in Gansu? Boasting resources like desert戈壁, the Great Wall and ancient passes, Danxia landforms, Gannan grasslands, forested valleys, and the Yellow River scenery, Gansu is a premier domestic cycling destination. We’ve compiled six of Gansu’s most beautiful cycling routes, including the classic Silk Road journey, the Qinghai-Gansu loop, the Gannan route, the Zhangye to Xining route, and the Longnan route. The Silk Road tour stands out as the quintessential Gansu cycling experience.
The Silk Road Journey
Route: Lanzhou → Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County → Wuwei → Yongchang County → Shandan County → Zhangye → Jiuquan → Jiayuguan → Yumen → Guazhou County → Dunhuang
Characteristics:
This route from Lanzhou to Dunhuang is the golden path of the ancient Silk Road. Known among cyclists as the Hexi Corridor route, it’s a classic favored by domestic cycling enthusiasts. The journey is defined by Silk Road landscapes: vast desert戈壁, oasis towns, Yardang formations, glacial peaks, and forested grasslands. It’s rich in cultural themes like grotto art and religious history. Cycling along the Hexi Corridor, you’ll pass grasslands,戈壁, and deserts, see remnants of ancient city walls, beacon towers, and Great Wall fortifications, feel the frontier spirit at Jiayuguan, Yangguan, and Yumenguan passes, and admire the stunning beauty of the Mogao Caves, Singing Sand Mountains, and Crescent Lake.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 1130+ km
Duration: 10-15 days
Following the flat asphalt of National Highway G312, the route starts in Lanzhou and passes through Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Jiayuguan, Yumen, Guazhou County, finishing at the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. Key attractions include the Dunhuang Ancient City, the Wuwei Leitai Han Tomb (home to the “Horse Stepping on a Flying Swallow” emblem), Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, the Shandan Horse Ranch, the Yongchang Liqian Ancient City, the “First Pass Under Heaven” at Jiayuguan, the Yardang Devil City, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, and the Yumen Pass Great Wall and beacon tower ruins.
Recommendations:
The ideal period is September-October for the pleasant autumn weather and harvest season. Some sections experience strong winds and sand; carrying two buffs to cover your head is advised. Accommodation and food are plentiful, ranging from motels to star-rated hotels and budget snacks to full-course meals.
Qinghai-Gansu Loop Cycling Route
Characteristics:
This classic loop crosses from Gansu into Qinghai, finishing at Xining, Qinghai Lake, and Chaka Salt Lake. The ride offers a diverse tapestry of temples, highland lakes, verdant grasslands, boundless戈壁, Yardang landscapes, arid deserts, desert oases, and blooming flower seas. The journey transitions from bustling cities to serene temples, from vibrant lakes and grasslands to desolate戈壁 and deserts, then to the Qilian Mountain scenery before returning to urban life. It’s a profound cleansing for the soul and an insightful reflection on life.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 1300 km
Duration: 13-17 days
Following highways G312, G227, G109, G225, S2013, and G3011, the route starts in Dunhuang, heading to Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Zhangye, and the Colorful Danxia landforms. From Zhangye, head south on G227 through Minle County, Biandukou Ecological Tourism Zone, Qilian Mountain Grasslands, Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea, Daban Mountain Viewing Platform, Menyuan, Datong, to Xining. From Xining, take G109 past Ta’er Monastery, Riyue Mountain, and Daotang River, then cycle around Qinghai Lake via Erlangjian (151 Base), Jiangxigou, and Heimahe River. Continue on G109 and G225 to the final destination: Chaka Salt Lake.
Gannan Cycling Route
Characteristics:
This route highlights ethnic culture and religious heritage against a backdrop of alpine meadows, forested valleys, and river wetlands. It’s a ethnic风情 and grassland scenic line in Gansu, connecting classics like the Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges, Bingling Temple Grottoes, Sangke Grassland, Gahai Lake, and the Zhagana Scenic Area.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 600+ km
Duration: 6-7 days
Starting from Lanzhou via Lanyong Highway to Yongjing for the Yellow River Three Gorges and Bingling Temple. Then, take G213 to Linxia, stopping in Dongxiang for authentic hand-grabbed mutton. If visiting Linxia in April-May, explore Bafang Thirteen Lanes and Dong Mansion, and admire the regal Peony blossoms. Continue on G213 and S312 to Gannan’s Xiahe County for Labrang Monastery and Sangke Grassland. Proceed via X408 and G213 to Luqu County, passing Zecha Stone Forest and Gahai Lake (“Plateau Pearl”). Finally, head to the Zhagana Scenic Area via Maqu’s “First Bend of the Yellow River.”
Recommendations:
The best time is June-August when the grasslands are carpeted with wildflowers and lush, colorful vegetation, offering the finest plateau views.
Zhangye to Xining Cycling Route
Characteristics
Following the West-Zhang Highway (the renowned ‘Most Beautiful G227’), this route is a painted scroll of snowy mountains, grasslands, flower seas, wheat fields, glaciers, river valleys, grazing livestock, and yurts.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 350 km
Duration: 4-5 days
Riding south on G227 from Zhangye, the route is mostly downhill or flat, offering moderate difficulty. It crosses Daban Mountain, Jingyang Ridge, the Heilin and Baoku Rivers, and traverses over 100 km of the Qilian Mountains, passing Minle County, Biandukou, Qilian Mountain Grasslands, Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea, Daban Mountain Viewing Platform, Menyuan, and Datong, ending in Xining. Cyclists can enjoy the Menyuan Rapeseed Sea, Zhuocr Mountain, Jinynitan Grassland, and the stunning vistas of the Qilian Mountain Grasslands, renowned among China’s most beautiful.
Lanyong Highway Cycling Route
Characteristics:
Dubbed Gansu’s most beautiful cycling path, this route offers views of the Yellow River, lakes, gorges, and wetlands. It’s a poetic journey along the mother river, connecting the Yellow River Three Gorges, Dinosaur National Geological Park, Taiji Island, and Bingling Lake. In deep autumn, the riverbanks are awash with fall colors, and majestic bridges link wetlands and villages like strokes on a masterpiece oil painting.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 50+ km
Duration: 5-6 hours
Starting from Lanzhou, this ride on the scenic Lanyong Highway passes the Dinosaur National Geological Park, Taiji Island, and Bingling Lake, ending at the Yongjing Yellow River Three Gorges. The route crosses the Yellow River four times via distinctive bridges like the Hekou Cable-Stayed Bridge and Sanjiangkou Major Bridge, showcasing nature’s marvels: the Bingling, Liujia, and Yanguo Gorges, and the imposing dams at Liujiaxia, Yanguoxia, and Bapanxia.
Longnan Cycling Route
Characteristics
This “South of the River in Long” route is a landscape line featuring Qin-Long culture and Red culture, set amidst pristine natural scenery of streams, waterfalls, high mountains, valleys, and forests.
Itinerary Overview:
Total Distance: 540 km
Duration: 6-7 days
Starting from Lanzhou via Lintao to Weiyuan to visit the Wei River Source National Forest Park. Then, follow G212 past Zheyang Mountain and Guiqing Mountain, entering Longnan through Min County, famed as the “Home of Chinese Angelica.” Pass through Hadapu and Guange Gou, where you can stay in Qiang and Tibetan villages within the gorge. Continue on G212 to Longnan City, finishing at the武都 Karst cave “Wanxiang Dong” (Ten-Thousand Scene Cave).
