Gansu Photography travel itineraries

Where to shoot

Gansu province in China is home to a wide variety of landscapes and cultures, making it a great destination for photography. Some ideas for capturing unique images in Gansu include:

The Silk Road: Gansu was an important stop along the ancient trade route, and there are still many historical sites and ruins to explore and photograph, such as the Mogao Caves and the Dunhuang City Wall.

The Zhangye Danxia Landform: This unique geological formation features colorful, layered rock formations that are particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

The Gobi Desert: The Gansu section of the Gobi Desert offers a stark contrast to the lush, green landscapes in other parts of the province, and is a great place to capture images of sand dunes, camels, and desert nomads.

The Hui and Tibetan cultures: Gansu is home to a diverse population, including the Hui, who are a Chinese Muslim minority, and Tibetans, who have a distinct culture and religious traditions. Photographing the daily life, festivals, and traditional dress of these communities can provide a unique insight into their way of life.

When is the best time to do a photography tour

The best time to do a photography tour in Gansu province, China would be during the autumn months of September to November. This is when the weather is mild and comfortable, and the province's natural landscapes are at their most beautiful.

During this time, the trees in the mountains turn a vibrant array of colors, making for stunning landscapes and photo opportunities. The fall foliage is particularly spectacular in the Labrang Monastery, which is a popular photography spot in Gansu.

Additionally, the province's deserts and grasslands are also at their most beautiful during this time, with the clear blue skies and golden sand dunes providing a stark contrast to the fall foliage in the mountains.

It's important to note that the spring is also a great time to visit Gansu for photography, as the province's grasslands and deserts come alive with wildflowers and the local animals are more active.

Overall, the best time to do a photography tour in Gansu is during the autumn months of September to November when the weather is mild, the natural landscapes are at their most beautiful, and the fall foliage provides a stunning contrast to the deserts and grasslands.

Photography Itineraries

7 Days Photography Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. Visit the White Pagoda Hill and the nearby Confucius Temple.

Day 2: Take a day trip to the Bingling Temple Grottoes, located on the cliffs along the Yellow River.

Day 3: Head to the city of Tianshui and visit the Maijishan Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4: Drive to the city of Jiayuguan and visit the Jiayuguan Fort, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty fortress.

Day 5: Visit the Great Wall of China at the Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost point of the Great Wall.

Day 6: Travel to the city of Dunhuang and visit the Mogao Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Buddhist cave temple sites in China.

Day 7: Take a final day trip to the Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Dunes before departing Gansu.