Lanzhou + Xian worth it from PEK in November
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Lanzhou + Xian worth it from PEK in November
I've been to Beijing so many times, I want to do something else.
In early November, nice $400 rt fares from California to PEK, but then what?
Most destination from PEK to where-ever in China are $400 rt,
Beijing to Lanzhou is only about $150 rt in November.
High-speed train is only 3 hours Lanzhou to Xian
I have up to the whole first half of November to play with.
Is PEK-Lanzhou rt by air, followed by Lanzhou-Xian by train a reasonable plan?
Are there nearby destination in Gansu Province or near Xian that I'm missing?
In early November, nice $400 rt fares from California to PEK, but then what?
Most destination from PEK to where-ever in China are $400 rt,
Beijing to Lanzhou is only about $150 rt in November.
High-speed train is only 3 hours Lanzhou to Xian
I have up to the whole first half of November to play with.
Is PEK-Lanzhou rt by air, followed by Lanzhou-Xian by train a reasonable plan?
Are there nearby destination in Gansu Province or near Xian that I'm missing?
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,825
@Bowgie:
There isn't a lot to do in Lanzhou, but I kind of like it. The drive from the airport to the city is longish, but beautiful, the food is nice, and the cityscape reminds me of HK in a strange way.
If you've already been to Xi'an, I'd recommend Dunhuang. LHW-DNH is cheap. DNH-PEK is quite expensive, but is a great use of *A miles. I'm actually not a huge fan of the grottoes (Dunhuang's main attraction), but I love the sand dunes, and the town is pretty cool. Furthermore, the airport is one of the most convenient I know of in all of China (e.g. 10 minutes from everything). If you have more time, you could also slot in Jiayuguan (western end of Great Wall), though it's nothing to write home about (well, the spa near the train station --if it still exists-- defies words, but I digress).
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,090
Xi'an is certainly worth a visit. Lanzhou is certainly not. But Xiahe not too far away is worth a detour, with a stop midway in very Moslem Linxia recommended. There's also touristy but still nice Pingyao between Beijing and Xi'an, though train tickets out of Pingyao are often a problem. Consider too Huashan very near Xi'an as well as Wutaishan.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 171
Xi'an is definitely worth a visit. You could also see Hua Shan just 30 minutes by train from there. Or you could go to Dunhuang. Not wonderful the caves, but Gobi is interesting.
Between Dunhuang and Xi'an is absolutely not to be missed Zhangye. Between Beijing and Xi'an you can visit Pingyao...
Between Dunhuang and Xi'an is absolutely not to be missed Zhangye. Between Beijing and Xi'an you can visit Pingyao...
#7
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chengdu,China
Programs: http://www.chengdutravelagency.com
Posts: 47
Near Lanzhou, Bingling Temple is worth visiting. It is a world heritage site.The Labrang Temple of Xiahe is famous.
Danxia Mountain Geological Park in Zhangye is a world heritage site. You can see different colorful mountains.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Thanks for the Help
(Kunming and Chengdu are also $160-ish on ctrip around November)
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,825
I really appreciate everyone's help. I got plenty of great ideas. True that weather is not ideal in early November in Gansu. Trouble is I've been to some of the warmer great alternatives multiple times already like Kunming (and all over Yunnan), Chengdu (with a long side trip by bus to panda nature reserve), Haikou (once).
(Kunming and Chengdu are also $160-ish on ctrip around November)
(Kunming and Chengdu are also $160-ish on ctrip around November)
#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,090
Zhangye the city is nothing special and the Danxia formations are a real disappointment if you've seen all those Photoshopped pictures before. Those colors aren't really there. Apparently the colors do seem more intense around sunset, but if travelling by public transport you have to take the last bus back to Zhangye well before then.
However, the train trip between Xining and Zhangye is beautiful, especially after an early light snow, as it passes through the hills. Scenic train rides are pretty rare in China.
However, the train trip between Xining and Zhangye is beautiful, especially after an early light snow, as it passes through the hills. Scenic train rides are pretty rare in China.
#11
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chengdu,China
Programs: http://www.chengdutravelagency.com
Posts: 47
Danxia Mountain, the beautiful time is Sunset time, especially after the rain.
There are three Danxia parks here. Zhangye Danxia Mountain Geological Park, Binggou Danxia Park, Pingshan Lake Grand Park.
There are three Danxia parks here. Zhangye Danxia Mountain Geological Park, Binggou Danxia Park, Pingshan Lake Grand Park.
In Zhangye, there are Dafo Temple and Matisi Temple.Many tourists go to the Badain Jilin Desert.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
I decided
Thanks again for all the excellent tips.
This is my decison:
Beijing-Lanzhou by air
Lanzhou-Linxia-Xiahe-Lanzhou by bus
Lanzhou-Xian-Lanzhou by train
Lanzhou-Beijing by air
Lots of Lanzhou in there, but it works as a hub. In past experience, I enjoyed "nothing" cities, so who knows?
The more distant suggestions are excellent. Mostly just a matter of personal preference to not hop around too much by air.
Thanks again, you guys are amazing!
This is my decison:
Beijing-Lanzhou by air
Lanzhou-Linxia-Xiahe-Lanzhou by bus
Lanzhou-Xian-Lanzhou by train
Lanzhou-Beijing by air
Lots of Lanzhou in there, but it works as a hub. In past experience, I enjoyed "nothing" cities, so who knows?
The more distant suggestions are excellent. Mostly just a matter of personal preference to not hop around too much by air.
Thanks again, you guys are amazing!