Things to do in Gulang

Thank goodness the weather was perfect; it snowed the day before we went. The mountain scenery, the snowscape, and the grottoes blended together beautifully. The scale of the grottoes exceeded our expectations. We didn't have time to climb the Thousand Buddha Temple later. I'll definitely come back next time! ✅ The climb itself was a process of spiritual practice, and the beautiful scenery along the way cleansed my soul. A place I must visit in this lifetime.

Revered as the crown jewel of Longyou Confucian temples, this is the largest and best-preserved Confucian temple in Northwest China. Construction began during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty, nearly 600 years ago. Its unique layout, combining temple and academy (Wenchang Palace + Confucius Temple + Confucian Academy), is quite distinctive. The biggest highlight is the dozens of ancient plaques in the Guiji Hall, spanning from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period. The calligraphy is rich and varied, with two particularly noteworthy plaques: "The City Never Sleeps" and "Gathering Talent and Promoting Discipline," both renowned in China, showcasing exceptional calligraphic quality and well worth close examination. The courtyard is filled with ancient cypress trees, red walls, and gray tiles, offering a tranquil and serene atmosphere, rarely crowded, making it perfect for taking photos. Located in the city center, not far from the Leitai Han Tomb, it's a convenient stop along the way, ideal for tourists interested in history, calligraphy, and ancient architecture. The Pan Pond and Zhuangyuan Bridge are worth a stroll, symbolizing success in the imperial examinations.

The walkway was damaged in the middle, and I accidentally stepped into it, scraping my arm and leg. My arm immediately swelled up into a big bump, and the scraped area on my leg turned purple.

The scenic area seemed reasonably priced, and the scenery was very beautiful. However, the facilities within the area weren't particularly interesting. It's best to come here at sunset to watch the Yellow River. Overall, the experience was still worthwhile.

The Leitai Han Tomb, located in Wuwei, Gansu Province, is the site where the iconic "Flying Horse of Gansu" (bronze galloping horse) was unearthed, a symbol of Chinese tourism. Above ground lies the Leitai Temple, a Taoist holy site from the Ming and Qing dynasties, while underground lies a Han Dynasty tomb dating back nearly two thousand years. The main attractions are threefold: First, the national treasure, the bronze galloping horse (Flying Horse of Gansu), currently housed in the Gansu Provincial Museum. Second, the bronze chariot and horse procession, composed of 99 bronze figurines (including warriors, servants, chariots, and horses), is the largest Eastern Han Dynasty bronze chariot and horse procession discovered to date, recreating the grandeur of the tomb's occupant, "Zhang Jun" (who held the official position of "Governor of Zhangye"). Third, the ancient Han Dynasty well, where coins thrown in appear magnified due to perspective and optical principles. The tomb is low and cramped, requiring visitors to crouch in many places.

Taking kids to see the Maya Snow Mountain? A distant view is enough! The jagged, snow-capped mountain stands majestically before you, a truly breathtaking sight. No need for a long hike; simply park along the roadside to admire the view, making it incredibly family-friendly. Climbing to the summit would be quite challenging, so enjoying the scenery from afar with children is perfect. The journey follows the Hexi Corridor, with snow-capped mountains paired with grasslands, creating a rich and varied landscape. Stop along the way to take photos and experience the unique grandeur of Northwest China.

I was fortunate enough to encounter autumn snow in Qilian County, and the mountains of Zhuoer Mountain were blanketed in silver. Shepherds grazed their sheep on the mountaintop meadows, and the view from the observation deck was exceptionally magnificent. Transportation: Take a bus from Xining to Qilian County, then a taxi to Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area. During the off-season, the scenic area shuttle bus is not running; you can ask the driver to take you directly to the visitor center. There are sightseeing buses within the scenic area that go directly to the summit platform. Dining: Limited options during the off-season; you'll need to find your own food. Delivery services are limited and do not deliver to guesthouses near the scenic area. Seeing the snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows, and Danxia landforms made the trip worthwhile!

This package is amazing value! The 718 yuan four-person package includes a full boat tour of the Yellow River Grand Canyon (Route B, sightseeing bus, water conservancy hub, viewing bridge, 108 pagodas, boat tour of the ten-mile-long canyon, Qingtongxia Stone Carvings, Sleeping Buddha Mountain, Dayu Cultural Park, and shuttle bus), plus a hot pot for four. Sitting on a panoramic glass-bottomed boat, with the magnificent scenery of the Yellow River Grand Canyon outside and a steaming hot pot inside, this "raising chopsticks towards the Yellow River" experience is absolutely unique! A review could go like this: Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon, a double treat of boat tour + hot pot! The 718 yuan four-person package is incredibly cost-effective, including all attractions on Route B. The most amazing part is enjoying hot pot on the boat—outside the window are the towering mountains of the ten-mile-long canyon, below is the rolling Yellow River, and inside the steaming boat, every bite is a mouthful of fresh, flavorful food and a taste of the landscape—you won't find this experience anywhere else! Passing by the 108 Pagodas and the Dayu Cultural Park, you can enjoy both food and sights, a double treat for your eyes and taste buds. Highly recommended for those who want to add a unique experience to their trip; remember to make a reservation in advance!

A treasure trove of historical knowledge. Adults and children can visit and learn more about Wuwei during the Five Liang Period and the Western Han Dynasty.

Upon arriving at the Yellow River area, we headed straight there. We wanted to try the famous "Flying Yellow River" (Yellow River Zipline). The package included a round-trip cable car ticket uphill, which was thoughtful, but it was incredibly crowded today. We queued for almost an hour, put on the ropes, and when it was our turn, we were told we couldn't wear glasses! My heart sank. But the ride itself was still exhilarating, and we were even able to ride back up – excellent value for money! Afterwards, we went sandboarding. No long queues! We found a less crowded, steep slope, sat firmly, gripped the board tightly, didn't brake, closed our eyes, and just went down. The sand was fine, the speed was fast, the wind was whistling, and landing with a mouthful of sand was still fun. Finally, a reminder: bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be careful as dust easily gets into your phone in the sand. Put it in a sealed bag, and wash your face in the Yellow River afterwards – perfect!