Gansu Introduction

A relatively barren province in western China, Gansu has been on the very borders of "civilized" China. The westernmost point of the Great Wall officially end here, at the fortifications of Jiayuguan. As a region of highly mixed nationalities and personalities, Gansu was often absorbed in infighting, especially during some of the darker days of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976 AD).

Yet it remains one of China's most interesting and colorful areas. The traders, traveling camel-hoof worn tracks, risked lives to bring into the country a more varied culture. Most of them traveled as far west as the Roman Empire, bringing back numerous exotica, including grapes, alfalfa, Buddhism, Western art forms and settlers.

Gansu is one of China's best locations for travelers who are interested in Chinese culture. The architectures are of various styles, from numerous Buddhist grottoes to bright green, onion domed mosques. Some travellers even spent days and nights exploring and observing the wonders of some well-preserved sights such as the grottoes at Dunhuang, Maijishan, Binglingsi and little Tibetan areas of Mati and Xiahe.