Road map and strategy of Hexi corridor in the journey

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.

Total number of people traveling: 4 people

Model: Ford Classic Focus

Best travel time: June-August

Travel route: Lanzhou → Wuwei → Zhangye → Jiuquan → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang.

Total km: 1096 km

The trip is 1.

Natural scenery: mountains, grasslands, lakes, rivers, snow-capped mountains, Gobi, deserts and flowers (July-August). Hexi Corridor contains all terrain except the ocean. In the historical background, the magnificent natural scenery is shocking.

2.

Historical humanities: historical sites, religions, folk customs, museums, culture and arts. From Qin and Han Dynasties to Song Dynasty, the heavy history is dizzying. In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions, Huo Qubing retired the Huns three times, and in the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Yichao recovered eleven states in Hexi. The great achievements and lofty aspirations of countless superheroes will remain in the Hexi Corridor forever, which will impress future generations.

Travel preparation 1. Necessary articles for daily use: from summer, I mainly wear daily summer clothes and long pants in spring and autumn. Shandan racecourse is about 2850 meters above sea level, so it is necessary to prepare a set of winter clothes.

2. Humanities homework: Recommend the documentary "Hexi Corridor" and NHK "Dunhuang" in Japan, and make corresponding simple notes during the viewing process, which will help improve the travel experience.

3.

Daily necessities: it is difficult to find restaurants on the road, and self-heating meals are very useful. It is recommended to be well prepared; Hot water bottles and cups are also necessary; There are enough snacks, such as nuts, beef jerky, cakes, etc. With strong ultraviolet rays and dry weather, sunscreen, skin care products and lipstick are essential.

4. Photographing: In addition to the necessary cameras, the Qilian Mountains, grasslands and rapeseed seas from the perspective of drones are very eye-catching.

Hexi Corridor, a throat corridor at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain, starts from Wushaoling in the east, reaches Xingxingxia 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 Lin Mang, all geological forms except ocean are presented on the way, extending to Central Asia. In BC 12 1 year, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened the Hexi Corridor in an all-round way, and successively established "Hexi Four Counties" in Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang, as well as Yangguan and Yumenguan to the west of Dunhuang. Our route is based on

Opened the idea of "listing four counties and pressing two customs".

Hexi Corridor

Day 1 itinerary: all day in Lanzhou

Related history:

In 2 14 BC, Qin Meng Tian defeated the Xiongnu in the Western Expedition, and established Yuzhong County near donggang town, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, which was only under the imperial system. In BC 12 1 year, Huo Qubing won the Western Expedition and built the first castle "Jincheng" in Lanzhou history on the south bank of the Yellow River in Xigu District, Lanzhou, hence the name Jincheng Lanzhou.

Attractions: Lanzhou City

Gansu Provincial Museum, 16 national treasure, has more than 700 first-class cultural relics, among which the most famous bronze galloping horse is "stepping on the swallow". The tour is free and the opening hours are 9:00- 17:00.

Zhengning road night market. Business hours: 5 pm. From kebabs and hand-grabbed mutton to milk and mashed eggs, the dazzling array of local food is dizzying.

Yellow River amorous feelings line, Zhongshan railway bridge.

Recommended food: Mogouyan Lanzhou beef noodles (per capita 18 yuan), Goshawk Peng Hui beef noodles (per capita 18 yuan), Ye Mi cold noodles (per capita 15 yuan), Mayer fried noodles (per capita 15 yuan), Ruji barbecue (per capita 50 yuan) and Arcia mutton (per capita).

Accommodation: Lanzhou. If there are many people, hotels may be more affordable, and it is more convenient to choose hotels near the city center.

The second day of the trip: Lanzhou → Wuwei, G30 Lianhuo Expressway, 275 kilometers, about 3 hours and 40 minutes, the toll is in 98 yuan; Or choose 3 12 national highway, 280 kilometers, about 5 hours and 56 minutes.

Related history:

Wuwei, named after Huo Qubing's meritorious military service, is an important silk town on the Gulong-Gansu-Lianglu Road. Wuwei was first named "Ancient Tibetan" by Xiongnu, and was renamed after Huo Qubing recovered Hexi Corridor, which became the throat of Longyou entering 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 Wei Zhang, so there was "Golden Wei Zhang, Silver Wuwei".

Note: Pay attention to the roof decoration of Wuwei Temple. Looking up at the roof, you will find that the roofs of the following scenic spots are decorated with exquisite kissing animals and wild animals. Different styles, various types, vivid and rich, are not to be missed visual art enjoyment.

Attractions:

Confucius Temple/Wuwei Museum, the oldest and most magnificent temple in Hexi Corridor, is also 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 30 yuan, opening hours: 7:30- 18:00 in summer and 8:00- 18:00 in winter. It is recommended to visit 1-2 hours.

Leitai Park, bronze galloping horses unearthed in the late 1960s. Leitai Han Tomb is the largest han group ever discovered in Hexi Corridor. Visiting is free. Tickets for Leitai Han Tomb 45 yuan. Opening hours: 9:00- 17:00. Suggested tour: 1-2 hours.

Haicang Temple is one of the well-preserved ancient buildings in Hexi Corridor, and is known as "the crown of Vatican Palace". Admission: 8 yuan, opening hours: 9:00- 17:00.

Recommended food (Wuwei): Qiujiahang noodles (20 yuan per capita), Tiantiandou noodle restaurant (Wuwei specialty food, per capita 10 yuan) and Qinjia mutton restaurant (per capita 150 yuan).

Accommodation: Wuwei City.

Confucian temple

Day 3: Wuwei → Shandan Racecourse → Biandukou → Zhangye.

(1) Wuwei-Shandan Racecourse, Lianhuo Expressway-Ordinary Highway, 163 km, about 2 hours and 59 minutes, the toll is in 33 yuan; Or choose 3 12 national highway-ordinary highway, 155 kilometers, about 4 hours.

(2) Shandan Racecourse-Biandukou, common highway, 65 kilometers, about 1 hour 34 minutes.

(3) Biandukou-Zhangye, G30 Lianhuo Expressway, 95 kilometers, 1 hour 50 minutes; Or choose national highway 227.

Related history:

Border Ferry: In BC 138, 27-year-old Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions. It was at the border ferry that he was captured by tarquin, and tarquin was suddenly killed and put under house arrest for ten years. He escaped the house arrest of the Huns for ten years, crossed the Taklimakan Desert, crossed the Pamirs, trudged to Dayue, was detained by the Huns again on his way back to the Central Plains, and then fled to Chang 'an again.

Shandan Racecourse: Since Huo Qubing's first expedition to Hexi Campaign wiped out 10,000 Huns and seized the Rouge Mountain grassland, he has been raising horses ever since. The horses in Shandan Racecourse are mainly a new variety "Shandan Horse" which has been improved through 50 years of hybridization, and are good at cross-country with heavy load. More than two thousand years ago, the blood of Huns who were good at riding horses was still flowing in their bodies, and they were still regarded as military horses in China.

Note: Shandan Racecourse has a high altitude, so it needs to prepare cold-proof clothes, and the traffic is not very convenient. In Macheng, there is no time for horses to drink water, and horses are basically not seen (except for tourists), so you must stay around the racecourse at around 7: 30 in the morning, or around 4: 00 in the afternoon (sometimes horses don't drink water in the afternoon).

Attractions:

The scenery on the road. In Xiongnu language, "Qilian" means "Heaven". Against the strong blue sky on the plateau, the ever-changing clouds over the majestic Qilian Mountains and the top of the mountain are breathtaking. "If you don't look at the snow in Qilian Mountain, you mistake Ganzhou for Jiangnan", and the magnificent picture scroll of Jiangnan slowly unfolds.

Biandukou is an oasis in the desert, which is in full bloom in July and August. The Pacific monsoon moistens the central Qilian Mountains, and the snow on the top of the mountain melts and flows into the Heihe River. The river winds down the canyon, with lush mountains, paving an endless sea of rape flowers at the foot of the mountain.

There are four races at Shandan Racecourse. On the way from the second to the first, Qilian Mountain Grassland, one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China, is worth a stop. The southernmost charger is the best color in the scene. Mirror blue plateau lakes, like forests and valleys in fairyland, and rugged caves and canyons, Shandan Racecourse may be the most beautiful existence in Hexi Corridor. Opening hours: 8:00- 19:00, and riding price: 50 yuan/hour. (1) It takes about 2 hours to get passengers from the entrance to the observation deck, which is the choice of most people and is suitable for the basic needs of riding and sightseeing.

(2) A title of generals in ancient times rides horses in general camp, with a small circle 1 hour and a large circle for 2 hours, surrounded by cattle and sheep, as far as the lake. This place is suitable for drinking with horses. (3) Riding in Huaixi Town,

You can ride into the valley in 2 hours, where there is the most beautiful scenery. (4) When the observation deck returns to the fork in the road at the entrance of the scenic spot, you can take a bus into the forest canyon.

The Flame Mountain, where Huo Qubing defeated the Xiongnu, left an eternal sad song, "The death of Qilian Mountain, my six animals are unhappy, the loss of Yanqi Mountain, my daughter is colorless!" Marching towards Yanqi Mountain, the boy of 17 got on his horse and led 800 cavalry. Blood rushing to Yanqi Mountain surged in his veins.

Arrive in Zhangye city

Recommended food (Zhangye): Ganzhou Special Flavor Food Plaza (20 yuan per capita), Ji Sun Fried Cannon (20 yuan per capita) and Lekouzhai Cuo Fish (25 yuan per capita).

Accommodation: Zhangye City.

The majestic Qilian Mountains

Shandan racecourse

Day 4: Zhangye → Jiuquan, Lianhuo Expressway, 207 kilometers, about 4 hours, 10 minute, toll 7 1 yuan; Or choose 3 12 national highway, 226 kilometers, about 5 hours.

Related history:

The Great Wall was built near Zhangye during the Qin Dynasty. In BC 1 1 1 year, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established Zhangye County, making it an important town leading to countries in the Western Regions. During the Northern Liang Dynasty, Zhangye was the center of Buddhism in northern China. In the Tang Dynasty, Zhangye culture was unprecedentedly prosperous. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Uighurs established a kingdom here. After the rise of Xixia, a large-scale Xixia National Temple was built. Kublai Khan was born here.

Attractions:

Giant Buddha Temple, Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, built in 1098, has the largest indoor nirvana reclining Buddha statue in Asia. You can feel the shock of Kyle Poirot when he first saw it. Admission is 4 1 yuan, opening hours: 8:00- 18:00 in summer and 8:30- 17:30 in winter.

Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, tickets for 50 yuan and 20 yuan, sightseeing bus, tickets for 60-69 years old are half price. The scenic spot is divided into four parts, and you need to take sightseeing bus three times. The tour time is recommended to be more than 4 hours, and it is best to travel on sunny days. Suggest going in the afternoon. Sunset is the highlight of colorful Danxia, which is worth waiting for.

Arrive in Jiuquan.

Recommended food (Jiuquan): Song Ji paste pot (special breakfast), Hengyuan home-cooked special pimple (6-20 yuan per capita).

Accommodation: Jiuquan City.

Day 5: Jiuquan → Jiayuguan, G3 13 National Road, 26 kilometers, 46 minutes.

Related history:

Jiuquan was in the hands of the central government during the heyday of imperial power and military power in the Western Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. During the period of weak imperial power, nomadic peoples such as 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 China garden in Hexi Corridor, with a history of more than 2,000 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.

The Drum Tower, the center of Jiuquan, was built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (base) and its interior is not open to the public. Visiting is free.

Jinchengmen, the oldest ancient city gate in China, has a history of 1600 years, and is known as "the first gate in the world". Visiting is free.

Jiuquan Satellite Launching Center

Gobi's most punk science fiction world, the pride of China. Usually, the launch site 10 is open to the public, and the Shenzhou spacecraft are launched here. You can take the elevator to the 80-meter-high launcher and climb to the endless Gobi. Admission: 150 yuan.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is not on the highway, 270 kilometers away from Jiuquan City. You need to arrange your time separately. ※.

Arrive at Jiayuguan.

Recommended food (Jiayuguan): big bowl and small bowl of agile noodle restaurant (27 yuan per capita).

Accommodation: Jiayuguan.

Day 6: Jiayuguan → Dunhuang, G30 Lianhuo Expressway-G301KLOC-0/Liu Ge Expressway, 364 kilometers, 1 16 yuan, about 4 hours and 50 minutes; Or choose 3 12 national highway, 377 kilometers, about 7 hours.

Related history:

Jiayuguan: In the early Ming Dynasty, the conquering general Sheng Feng discovered Jiayuguan, which is the narrowest place in the Hexi Corridor, where the Ming government built the Great Wall. More than 600 years later, Jiayuguan became the dividing line between the Central Plains and the frontier.

Dunhuang: The earliest Qiang and Rong people settled nomadic in Guguazhou under the jurisdiction of Dunhuang in the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and established Shazhouwei in Dunhuang in the third year of Yongzheng, nearly 4,000 years ago. In 755 AD, An Lushan rebelled, which led to the Hexi region falling into the hands of Tubo, which lasted for nearly a century. Until 848 AD, Zhang Yichao, a Dunhuang native, led a military and civilian uprising in Dunhuang, opposing the whole Tubo Empire and vowing to return to China. After the bloody battles of Tubo, Tuguhun, Huihe and the end of _, Zhang Yichao recovered Shazhou, Guazhou, Yizhou, Suzhou, Shanshan, Ganzhou, Hezhou, Shuozhou, Zhou Min, Lanzhou and Liangzhou with the help of one county.

Attractions:

Jiayuguan, 80 yuan, tickets, 60-69-year-olds holding old-age cards or ID cards (middle-aged and elderly people outside the province) are half-price, and 70-year-olds and above holding ID cards (elderly people outside the province) are free. 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 losing, but of increasing, lacking nostalgia.

Dunhuang city, Dunhuang city, Dunhuang night market, from Danghe customs line to Dunhuang night market, every step is history.

Recommended food (Dunhuang): Li Guangxing (August), apricot skin water (per capita 10 yuan), city barbecue (per capita in 50 yuan), authentic yellow noodles of Lao Heji donkey meat, Dunhuang food (per capita in 50 yuan).

Accommodation: Dunhuang.

Seventh day

Itinerary: Dunhuang City → Yumenguan → Yangguan → Mingshashan Desert Camping. Urban area-Yumenguan 82 kilometers, about 1 hour 27 minutes; Yumenguan-Yangguan 49 kilometers, about 43 minutes; Yangguan-Mingshashan desert campsite is 62km, about 1 hour,15min.

Related history

Yumenguan: In BC11/year, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened the Hexi Corridor in an all-round way and established four counties of Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang Hexi, he built a Guancheng on the Gobi Desert, 90 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, as a gateway to the western regions. On the barren Gobi, caravans are in an endless stream, and precious jade imported from Khotan is continuously transported to the Central Plains through this pass. As the first pass for Hetian jade to enter the Central Plains, this pass was named "Yumenguan".

( 1)

Xiaofangcheng: The earth walls of Xiaofangcheng are not all made of earth, but materials such as reeds and Achnatherum splendens are sandwiched in the process of stacking adobe layer by layer. Due to the lack of bricks during construction, local materials were used, and the construction method called "tamping method" was adopted at that time, and only plants were combined with sand. Xiaofangcheng did not represent Yumen Pass, but played the role of a customs clearance port at that time.

(2)

Han Great Wall: The Han Great Wall once started from Yongdeng in the east, went to Jiuquan in the west, crossed the Yellow River all the way to the west, extended from Jiuquan to Yumen and crossed the Hexi Corridor. The beacon tower is an information station to convey the enemy's situation. It uses reeds to make a pile of wages, lights fireworks, adjusts the number of reeds according to the number of enemies, and announces the distance of enemies by holding banners. Each beacon tower is progressive in turn. From Yumenguan to Chang 'an, it only takes 24 hours to deliver the message. This "fire lifting system" was the most advanced military system at that time.

(3)

Wo Cang Cheng: The soldiers and horses have not moved, and the grain and grass go first. From the Han Dynasty to the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Hecang City, as the most important munitions warehouse in Hexi Corridor, has been providing food and grass for the military horses stationed inside and outside the frontier fortress. Hecang city is built on the edge of the basin three meters above the Shule River ancient road, and the terrain is lower than the surrounding highlands. The beacon tower at the commanding heights surrounds Cangcheng, and further south is surrounded by Gobi, which is higher than the city wall. There are meadows and swamps in the east, west and north, so it is difficult to find them from any direction. As the archaeologist Stein wrote in the Excavation Record of Yumenguan: "? When defending this line of defense, people fully consider and make use of the natural characteristics of the surface. "

Scenic spot

Yumenguan Pass, tickets to 40 yuan, shuttle bus to 50 yuan. Yumenguan is divided into three sites: Xiaofangcheng, Han Great Wall and Hecang City. These three places are far apart, so you need to buy a joint ticket. It is recommended to visit for 2 hours.

Yangguan, more desolate and lonely than Yumenguan, is a must-see for Yangguan Museum. Tickets for 50 yuan are open all day.

Mingshashan desert camping, Dunhuang Polaris outdoor camping base, pets are allowed. The price for four people is 528 yuan. Sign in at 5: 00 pm, and the activities are: sand biking, sand skiing, watching the sunset, hot pot, camping and watching the sunrise. Riding a camel is extra. Because of the large temperature difference in the desert, pillows and quilts are not provided for camping, and winter clothes can be used as quilts.

If you choose to camp in Mingsha Mountain desert, it is no longer recommended to buy tickets to Crescent Spring. The spring water of Crescent Moon Spring is artificially irrigated, and the ticket is more expensive, which is not cost-effective than camping in the desert. ※.

Accommodation: Mingsha Mountain Desert.

Xiaofangcheng

Day 8: History of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes;

In 366 AD, a monk who visited Sanwei Mountain was happy to dig a hole on the spot and meditate, thus opening the first cave of the Mogao Grottoes. There are 735 caves in the Mogao Grottoes, with 45,000 square meters of murals and 24 15 painted sculptures, which have a profound historical and cultural heritage. Before visiting, I suggest reading Fan Jinshi's My Heart is in Dunhuang.

Attractions:

Mogao grottoes (more attention)

When to go: March-May is the spring of Dunhuang desert oasis, but it is windy and dusty at this time. On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, you can visit the nine-story Buddha in Mogao Grottoes. On this day, the passage behind the giant Buddha will be opened, and you can walk around the giant Buddha for a week.

June-10 Golden Week is the peak season for visiting relatives. After the golden week, the weather is more comfortable and the flow of people is gradually reduced, which is suitable for sightseeing.

12- In February of the following year, the number of caves developed in summer decreased13, and there were fewer tourists, so they had the opportunity to experience one-on-one explanation service. It is closed in rainy and snowy weather.

Opening hours: 8:30- 18:00.

You need to make an appointment in advance to visit the Mogao Grottoes. It is recommended to make an appointment at least three days in advance. Tickets are divided into Class A and Class B. Class A tickets can visit 8 caves, Class B tickets can visit 4 caves, and Class A and Class B tickets are not repeated. If you are interested, you can book both tickets.

Class A fare is 238 yuan (Mogao Grottoes 180 yuan+Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center 48 yuan+round-trip transportation 10 yuan);

Discount tickets: the ticket price is 148 yuan (the half-price discount ticket price of Mogao Grottoes is 90 yuan +48 yuan+round-trip transportation of Mogao Grottoes 18 yuan), and the discount target is China teenagers aged 6 to 18, domestic full-time students with master's degree or below, and China citizens aged 60 to 70 (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

Special discount ticket: fare 68 yuan/person/time (free visit to the Mogao Grottoes +48 yuan Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center+transportation fee to and from the Mogao Grottoes 10 yuan+explanation fee in the Grottoes 10 yuan), especially for children aged 4 to 6, China citizens over 70 (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), disabled people, active servicemen (excluding military and civilians) and armed police.

Free visit: children under 4 years old (excluding 4 years old) are free.

Class b fare 100 yuan (90 yuan in Mogao Grottoes+transportation fee to and from Mogao Grottoes 10 yuan).

Concessionary admission: the ticket price is 55 yuan/person/time (45 yuan is a half-price discount for the Mogao Grottoes+10/transportation to and from the Mogao Grottoes in 0 yuan), and the preferential target is China teenagers aged 6 to 18, as well as domestic full-time students with master's degree or below and China citizens aged 60 to 70 (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

Special discount ticket: the fare is 20 yuan per person (free visit to the Mogao Grottoes+transportation fee to and from the Mogao Grottoes 10 yuan+explanation fee in the Grottoes 10 yuan), and the special discount targets are children aged 4 to 6, China citizens over 70 years old (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), disabled people, active servicemen (excluding soldiers and civilians), armed police and "Teachers' Day".

Free visit: children under 4 years old (excluding 4 years old) are free.

How to visit: You are not allowed to take photos, let alone touch them. You can prepare a cold flashlight.

Preparation before the visit: The culture of the Mogao Grottoes is profound and all-encompassing, so you must make full preparations before the visit, so as to make you glad you came. By watching the documentary of Mogao Grottoes, reading the books of Mogao Grottoes and taking notes, it is beneficial to the tour experience.

The ninth floor of Mogao grottoes