Hexi Corridor is very famous in the history of China, with a very long history and profound cultural connotation. There are too many allusions here, and every story is exciting. Now you can visit go on road trip along the ancient Hexi Corridor, and the experience is still very good. Journey overview
Number of people: 4 people
Model: Ford Classic Focus
Best travel time: June-August
Travel route: Lanzhou → Wuwei → Zhangye → Jiuquan → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang
Total kilometers: 196 kilometers. Travel highlights
1.
Natural scenery: mountains. Hexi Corridor contains all the terrain except the ocean. Against the background of history, the magnificent natural scenery is shocking.
2.
Historical humanities: historical sites, religions, folk customs, museums, culture and arts. From the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, the thick history is dizzying. Zhang Qian was sent to the Western Regions in the Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing retired the Xiongnu three times, and Zhang Yichao recovered eleven states in Hexi in the Tang Dynasty. Countless great feats and lofty aspirations of superheroes remain in Hexi Corridor forever, which impressed future generations. Travel preparation
1. Necessary articles for daily use: starting in summer, we mainly wear daily summer clothes and long trousers in spring and autumn. The altitude of Shandan Racecourse is about 285 meters, so we need to prepare a set of cold-proof clothes.
2. Humanities homework: Recommend the documentary Hexi Corridor and NHK Dunhuang in Japan, and make corresponding simple notes during watching, which will help improve the travel experience.
3.
Daily necessities: It is difficult to find restaurants on the highway, and self-heated rice is very useful. It is recommended to prepare enough; A hot water kettle and a water cup are also necessary; Have enough snacks, such as nuts, beef jerky, cakes, etc. With strong ultraviolet rays and dry weather, sunscreen, skin care products and lipstick are necessary.
4. Photographing: In addition to the necessary cameras, the Qilian Mountains, grasslands and rape blossoms from the perspective of drones are eye-catching.
Hexi Corridor, a throat-like corridor at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain, starts from Wushaoling in the east, reaches Xingxing Gorge in the west, reaches Qilian Mountain in the south, reaches Longshou Mountain, Helishan Mountain and Mazong Mountain in the north, connects the Loess Plateau and Tarim Basin in the east and west, and connects the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Mongolia Plateau in the north and south. From oasis to desert, from grassland to manglin, all geological forms except the ocean are presented on the way, extending all the way to Central Asia. In 121 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened the Hexi Corridor in an all-round way, and successively set up Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang "Hexi Four Counties", as well as Yangguan and Yumenguan to the west of Dunhuang. Our route started with the idea of
"listing four counties, according to two customs".
Hexi Corridor
Day 1 trip: Lanzhou all day
Related history:
In 214 BC, Meng Tian of the Qin Dynasty defeated the Xiongnu in the Western Expedition, and Yuzhong County was established near donggang town, Chengguan District of Lanzhou, and Lanzhou was only under the imperial system. In 121 BC, Huo Qubing triumphed in the Western Expedition and built the first castle "Jincheng" in Lanzhou history on the south bank of the Yellow River in Xigu District of Lanzhou, hence the name Jincheng Lanzhou.
Attractions: Lanzhou
Gansu Provincial Museum, with 16 national treasures and more than 7 first-class cultural relics, including the most famous bronze galloping horse, namely "Flying Swallows on a Horse". The visit is free and the opening hours are from 9: to 17: .
zhengning road night market. Business hours: 5 pm. From mutton skewers and hand-grabbed mutton to milk and egg mash, the dazzling array of local foods is dizzying.
yellow river amorous feelings line, Zhongshan railway bridge.
Recommended food: Mogouyan Lanzhou Beef Noodle (per capita 18 yuan), Eagle Penghui Beef Noodle (per capita 18 yuan), Miye Cold Noodles (per capita 15 yuan), Maye Fried Noodles (per capita 15 yuan), Ruji Barbecue (per capita 5 yuan), Assia Lamb (per capita 12 yuan) and Hongfeng Traditional Restaurant (per capita 8 yuan).
lodging place: Lanzhou. If there are many people, the hotel may be more affordable, and it is more convenient to choose a hotel near the city center.
Day 2 trip: Lanzhou → Wuwei, G3 Lianhuo Expressway, 275 kilometers, about 3 hours and 4 minutes, toll in 98 yuan; Or choose 312 national highway, 28 kilometers, about 5 hours and 56 minutes.
related history:
Wuwei, named after Huo Qubing's military exploits, is an important silk town on the ancient Gansu-Gansu cool road. Wuwei was first named "Gu Zang" by Huns, and it was renamed after Huo Qubing recovered the Hexi Corridor and became the throat for Longyou to enter the western regions. During the Sixteen Kingdoms Period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Wuwei was the capital of cool before, cool after, cool in the south and cool in the north, and it was the most prosperous place in Hexi Corridor at this time. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the prosperity of Wuwei was gradually replaced by Zhang Wei, so there was "gold Zhang Wei, silver Wuwei".
Note: Pay attention to the roof decoration of Wuwei Temple. When looking up at the roof, you will find that the roofs of the following scenic spots are decorated with exquisite kissing animals and beasts. Different styles, various kinds, vivid and rich, are not to be missed visual art enjoyment.
Attractions:
Confucian Temple/Wuwei Museum, the oldest and grandest temple in Hexi Corridor, the largest and most well-preserved Confucius Temple in Gansu and the largest ancient architectural complex in Wuwei. Museums that must be visited to understand the history of Wuwei. Admission to 3 yuan, opening hours: 7:3-18: in summer and 8:-18: in winter. It is recommended to visit for 1-2 hours.
Leitai Park, where the bronze galloping horse was unearthed in the late 196s. Leitai Han Tomb is the largest han group ever discovered in Hexi Corridor. Visit is free, tickets for Leitai Han Tomb are available in 45 yuan, and the opening hours are from 9: to 17: . Suggested tour: 1-2 hours.
Haicang Temple, one of the well-preserved ancient buildings in Hexi Corridor, is known as the "crown of the Vatican Palace". Admission: 8 yuan, opening hours: 9:-17:.
Recommended food (Wuwei): Qiujiahang noodle (2 yuan per capita), Tiantiandou noodle restaurant (Wuwei specialty food, 1 yuan per capita), Qinjia mutton restaurant (15 yuan per capita).
lodging place: Wuwei city.
The third day of the Confucian Temple
Journey: Wuwei → Shandan Racecourse → Biandukou → Zhangye.
(1) Wuwei-Shandan Racecourse, Lianhuo Expressway-Ordinary Highway, 163 kilometers, about 2 hours and 59 minutes, and the toll is 33 yuan; Or choose 312 national highway-ordinary highway, 155 kilometers, about 4 hours.
(2) Shandan Racecourse-Biandukou, an ordinary highway, 65 kilometers, about 1 hour and 34 minutes.
(3) Biandukou-Zhangye, G3 Lianhuo Expressway, 95 kilometers, 1 hour and 5 minutes; Or choose national highway 227.
Related History:
Biandukou: In 138 BC, 27-year-old Zhang Qian embarked on a mission to the Western Regions. It was in Biandukou that he was captured by tarkan who was suddenly killed and put under house arrest for ten years. He escaped from the house arrest of the Huns for ten years, crossed the Taklimakan desert, crossed the Pamirs, trudged to Dayue country, was detained by the Huns again on his way back to the Central Plains, and then fled again to Chang 'an.
Shandan Racecourse: Huo Qubing has been raising horses since his first expedition to Hexi Campaign to annihilate 1, Huns and seize the grassland in Yanzhishan. The horses in Shandan Racecourse are mainly the new variety "Shandan Horse" which has been improved by crossing for 5 years, and they are good at cross-country with heavy load. The blood of Huns who were good at riding more than 2, years ago still flows in their bodies, and they are still regarded as military horses in China.
note: Shandan racecourse is at a high altitude, so it is necessary to prepare cold-proof clothes, and the transportation is not very convenient. In Macheng, there is no time for horses to drink water, and horses are basically not seen (except those that tourists ride), so you must wait for horses at the water's edge around 7: 3 in the morning (you need to stay around the racecourse), or around 4 pm (sometimes horses don't come to drink water in the afternoon).
attractions:
scenery on the way. In Xiongnu language, "Qilian" means "sky". Against the strong blue sky on the plateau, the rapidly changing clouds over the majestic Qilian Mountain and the top of the mountain are amazing. "If you don't look at the snow in Qilian Mountain, you will mistakenly regard Ganzhou as the south of the Yangtze River", and the magnificent picture of the south of the Yangtze River will slowly unfold.
biandukou is an oasis in the desert, which is in full bloom from July to August. The Pacific monsoon moistens the middle part of Qilian Mountain, and the snow on the top of the mountain melts and merges into Heihe River. The river winds down the canyon, bringing with it the lush mountains and paving an endless sea of rape flowers at the foot of the mountain.
Shandan racecourse, there are four races in the racecourse. On the way from the second race to the first race, Qilian Mountain Grassland, one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China, is worth stopping at. The southernmost military horse has the best color in the scene. The mirror-blue plateau lake, like forests and valleys in fairyland, and the rugged cave gorge, Shandan Racecourse is probably the most beautiful existence in Hexi Corridor. Opening hours: 8:-19:, and riding price: 5 yuan/hour. (1) It takes about 2 hours to get back and forth from the gate of the scenic spot to the observation deck, which is the choice of most people and meets the basic needs of riding and sightseeing.
(2) A title of generals in ancient times rides horses in general camp, with small circles for 1 hour and large circles for 2 hours, surrounded by cattle and sheep, as far as the lake. This spot is suitable for drinking with horses. (3) Riding in Huaixi Town,
You can ride into the valley in 2 hours, and the scenery is the most beautiful. (4) The observation deck returns to the fork in the road at the entrance of the scenic spot, and you can ride into the forest canyon.
Yanqi Mountain, the place where Huo Qubing defeated the Huns, left an eternal sad song, "Death to Qilian Mountain makes my six animals unhappy, loss to Yanqi Mountain makes my women colorless!" Marching towards Yanqi Mountain, the 17-year-old boy mounted his horse and led 8 cavalry. The blood rushing towards Yanqi Mountain surged in his veins.
Arrive in Zhangye City
Recommended food (Zhangye): Ganzhou Special Flavor Food Plaza (2 yuan per capita), Sun Ji Fried Cannon (2 yuan per capita), Lekouzhai Fish Rub (25 yuan per capita).
lodging place: Zhangye city.
The majestic Qilian Mountain
Shandan Racecourse
Day 4 trip: Zhangye → Jiuquan, Lianhuo Expressway, 27 kilometers, about 4 hours and 1 minutes, toll in 71 yuan; Or choose 312 national highway, 226 kilometers, about 5 hours.
Related History:
The Great Wall was built near Zhangye during the Qin Dynasty. In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty set up Zhangye County, making it an important town leading to the western countries. During the Northern Liang Dynasty, Zhangye was the center of Buddhism in northern China. In the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Ye's culture was unprecedentedly prosperous. In the late Tang Dynasty, the Uighurs established a kingdom here, and after the rise of Xixia, a large-scale Xixia National Temple was built. Kublai Khan was born here.
Attractions:
The Great Buddha Temple, which was built in 198, has the largest indoor reclining Buddha statue in Asia. When you look at the Buddha statue, you can feel the shock that Kyle Polo felt at the first sight. Admission to 41 yuan, opening hours: 8:-18: in summer and 8:3-17:3 in winter.
Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, admission to 5 yuan, sightseeing bus 2 yuan, and half-price admission for 6-69 years old. The scenic spot is divided into four parts, and you need to take sightseeing bus three times. The tour time is suggested to be more than 4 hours, and it is better to travel on sunny days. It is recommended to go in the afternoon. Sunset is the highlight of colorful Danxia, which is worth waiting for.
arrived in Jiuquan.
Recommended food (Jiuquan): Song Ji paste pot (special breakfast), Hengyuan home-cooked special pimple (6-2 yuan per capita).
lodging place: Jiuquan city.
Day 5: Jiuquan → Jiayuguan, G313 National Road, 26 kilometers, 46 minutes.
Related History:
During the prosperous period of imperial military power in the Western Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, Jiuquan was firmly held in the hands of the central government. During the weak period of imperial power, the nomadic peoples of Tubo, Uighur, Xixia and Mongolia became the masters of Jiuquan.
Attractions:
Jiuquan Park, a scenic spot in the Western Han Dynasty, is the only well-preserved Chinese-style garden in Hexi Corridor with a history of over 2, years. But most of the buildings were built in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. There are springs in the park as the origin of the city name. Visiting is free.
Drum Tower, the center of Jiuquan, was built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (pedestal) and its interior is not open to the public. Visiting is free.
Jincheng Gate, the oldest ancient city gate in China, has a history of more than 1,6 years and is known as the "first gate in the world". Visiting is free.
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
The most punk science fiction world in Gobi is the pride of China. Usually, the launch site No.1 is open to the public, and the Shenzhou series spacecraft are launched here. You can take the elevator to the 8-meter-high launcher and climb to overlook the boundless Gobi. Admission: 15 yuan.
※ Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is not on the road, 27 kilometers away from Jiuquan City. You need to arrange the time separately.
Arrive at Jiayuguan.
recommended food (Jiayuguan): big bowl and small bowl of Minjie noodle restaurant (27 yuan per capita).
lodging place: Jiayuguan.
Day 6 trip: Jiayuguan → Dunhuang, G3 Lianhuo Expressway -G311 Liuge Expressway, 364 kilometers, 116 yuan, about 4 hours and 5 minutes; Or choose 312 national highway, 377 kilometers, about 7 hours.
Related History:
Jiayuguan: In the early Ming Dynasty, Feng Sheng, the general of the Lu Dynasty, discovered Jiayuguan, the narrowest place in the Hexi Corridor, where the Ming government built the Great Wall. More than 6 years later, Jiayuguan became the dividing line between the Central Plains and the frontier.
Dunhuang: It is nearly 4, years since the earliest Qiang and Rong people settled nomadic in Guguazhou, which belongs to Dunhuang, and established Shazhouwei in Dunhuang in Yongzheng three years. In 755 AD, An Lushan rebelled, which caused Hexi region to fall into the hands of Tubo, and this fall lasted for nearly a century. Until 848 AD, Zhang Yichao, a Dunhuang native, led a military and civilian uprising in Dunhuang to fight against the whole Tubo Empire and vowed to return home. After a bloody battle in Tubo, Tuyuhun, Huihe and the end of _, Zhang Yichao recovered Shazhou, Guazhou, Yizhou, Suzhou, Shanshan, Ganzhou, Hezhou, Kuozhou, Minzhou, Lanzhou and Liangzhou with the power of one county.
Attractions:
Jiayuguan, entrance ticket to 8 yuan. For those aged 6 to 69, holding an old-age certificate or ID card is half price (for middle-aged and elderly people outside the province), and for those aged 7 and above, holding an ID card (for elderly people outside the province) is free of charge. However, the experience of Jiayuguan is far less than that of Yumenguan and Yangguan, and many scenic spots are rebuilt. History is not afraid of loss, but of increase, and it lacks a sense of nostalgia.
Dunhuang city, downtown Dunhuang, Dunhuang night market, from Danghe amorous feelings line to Dunhuang night market, every step is history.
Recommended food (Dunhuang): Li Guangxing (August), apricot skin water (per capita in 1 yuan), barbecue on the edge of the city (per capita in 5 yuan), and authentic donkey meat yellow noodles and Dunhuang cuisine of Lao Heji (per capita in 5 yuan).
lodging place: Dunhuang.
Day 7
Itinerary: Dunhuang City → Yumenguan → Yangguan → Mingshashan Desert Camping. Urban area-Yumenguan is 82 kilometers, about 1 hour and 27 minutes; Yumenguan-Yangguan 49 kilometers, about 43 minutes; Yangguan-Mingshashan desert campsite is 62 kilometers, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
related history
Yumenguan: In 111 BC, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened the Hexi Corridor in an all-round way and set up four counties of Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang Hexi, a Guancheng located in the Gobi Desert, 9 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, was built as a gateway to the western regions. On the barren Gobi, caravans are flowing in an endless stream, and camel bells are leisurely. Precious jade imported from Khotan is continuously transported to the Central Plains through this pass and enters the Central Plains as Hetian jade.