More about hotels in Gansu
Picture sand dunes that hum in the wind, cliffs striped red and gold like a rainbow, and a wall of hand-painted Buddhist art that has stood for more than a thousand years, all within a few hours' drive of each other. That is Gansu, the long, narrow stretch of northwest China where the old Silk Road once carried caravans of silk, tea and spice between East and West.
Gansu is not a one-stop destination. Most travellers base themselves in a few different towns along the corridor, so it helps that there is a stay to match every leg of the trip, from backpacker dorms near the train station to five-star towers on the riverfront in the capital.
Where to stay in Gansu
- Lanzhou: Gansu's capital and biggest transport hub, sitting where the Yellow River curves through the city. It is the easiest base for flights and trains, and the place to try the dish the whole province is famous for: hand-pulled beef noodles served in a clear broth with white radish, red chilli oil and a scatter of green coriander. See stays in Lanzhou.
- Dunhuang: a desert oasis on the edge of the Gobi, best known for the Mogao Caves' hand-painted Buddhist art and the singing sand dunes that ring Crescent Lake, where you can still ride a camel out to watch the sunset. See stays in Dunhuang.
- Zhangye: home to the Rainbow Mountains, layers of red, orange and yellow sandstone laid down over 24 million years and tilted upright by the same tectonic shift that pushed up the Himalayas. One of the most photographed landscapes in China. See stays in Zhangye.
- Jiayuguan: home to the 14th-century fort marking the far western end of the Great Wall, a square of packed earth and brick standing over 22 metres tall against the Gobi. A good stop for history and architecture fans heading further into the desert. See stays in Jiayuguan.
How much is Gansu accommodation?
Gansu's hotel rates run from budget through to genuine luxury. A basic hostel bed starts from around AU$5 a night, while a comfortable three-star room averages closer to AU$60, and five-star stays in Lanzhou or Dunhuang can run past AU$150.
- Backpackers/Hostels: From AU$5 per night. Dorm beds and simple private rooms, usually near a train station, fine for a night or two between towns.
- Budget hotels/Guesthouses: From AU$30 per night. Clean, no-frills rooms, often run by local chains, with the basics covered.
- Mid-range/Apartments: From AU$60 per night. Extra space, better bedding and usually breakfast included, solid value for families or longer stays.
- Boutique: From AU$100 per night. Smaller hotels with more character, often closer to a town centre or a specific attraction.
- Luxury/Resorts: From AU$150 per night. International brands with pools, spas and the kind of service that makes a long desert road trip feel a lot less tiring.
Top-rated hotels in Gansu
- Hyatt Regency Lanzhou: a riverside tower with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, plenty of them looking straight out over the Yellow River.
- Hilton Lanzhou City Center: guest rooms start on the 33rd floor, so the skyline views are hard to beat, and there is an indoor pool for after a day of sightseeing.
- Four Points by Sheraton Dunhuang: built in a style that borrows from the Han and Tang dynasties, and a five-minute drive from Shazhou Night Market.
- Wanda Vista Ganman Dunhuang: a resort-style stay with an outdoor pool, a teahouse and a quiet meditation room, a good pick for slowing down after a hot day in the desert.
- Zhangye Yujing International Hotel: just two kilometres from Zhangye's old drum tower, and a handy base for the early start most people make for sunrise at the Rainbow Mountains.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Gansu
- Book Dunhuang and Zhangye stays early for July and August. Domestic tourism peaks hard in summer, and rooms near the Rainbow Mountains and Mogao Caves sell out first.
- Base yourself in Jiayuguan or Dunhuang if the fort or the caves are the priority, rather than day-tripping from Lanzhou. Gansu is bigger than it looks on a map, and the towns are spread along one long corridor.
- Pack for a big swing in temperature. Gansu's desert towns can hit warm afternoons and cold nights even outside winter, so check what your hotel provides before you travel light.
- Look for a hotel near a train or high-speed rail station if you are moving between towns. The train is usually faster and more comfortable than the road for this route.
- Sunrise matters more than star rating for the Rainbow Mountains. A hotel a little closer to the park gate can save you an hour of driving in the dark.
Planning a longer Silk Road route? Gansu pairs naturally with stops further along the corridor. Check Traveloka's China hotel page for stays across the rest of the country.
