Travel Destinations: The Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province, China

The Hexi Corridor is a thin region of land in Gansu Province with the Qilian Shan mountain ranges to the south and the Mazong and Longshou ranges to the north. It was this region that was the only way in and out of the Middle Kingdom. As such, there are so many reasons why to visit this part of China.

ZHANGYE:

With a population of 98,000 people, this delightful town is a pleasant way of spending a few days. The main reason to come here is to visit the country’s largest sleeping Buddha as well as to get in some hiking and see the scenery in the Qilian Shan ranges. The Great Buddha Temple is a beautiful place to visit; it was originally constructed during the Western Xia kingdom with a 35m long sleeping Buddha nestled inside.

MATI SI:

Mati Si is a series of Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist grottos nestled away in the icy Qilian Shan range. There are dozens of good hiking trails here, including ones that will take you to the Linsong Waterfall and then past Sword Split Stone. But for the most incredible panoramic views, take the trail up to Sanshisantian Shiku.

JIAYUGUAN:

With a population of 131,000 people, this town as a long history as an important town on the Silk Road. During the Ming Dynasty when the fort was constructed, this town became known as the Mouth of China, whilst the Hexi Corridor was called the Throat. Even today, the locals still see this town as the symbolic end of the Great Wall. This was the place where Imperial China believed that nowhere began.

Jiayuguan Fort is a good reason to stop here for a few days. This was where criminals and exiles were sent – the end of the civilised world. The Overhanging Great Wall is a good place to explore one of the furthest sections of the Great Wall of China.

In addition, take the time to explore the Wei Jin Tombs, where thousands of tombs dating from the Wei and Western Jin Dynasties are found. The July 1^st Glacier cannot be overlooked; set up high in the Qilian Shan ranges, come prepared for cold weather.

DUNHUANG:

If you only have time for one place in Gansu, Dunhuang should be it. This is an oasis in the harsh desert landscape, home to the famous Mogao Caves. These caves hold within them the world’s greatest repositories of Buddhist art, as well as the earliest in China. Wealthy traders would commission new caves and artworks to give thanks for safe passage along the Silk Road.

You can also see the incredible, Northern Wei, Western Wei and Northern Zhou Caves, the Tang caves, the Sui Caves and the Post-Tang Caves; all of these are incredible locations not to be missed.

The Hexi Corridor is a great part of China to visit; as part of the Silk Road, it has a long and vibrant history which should not be overlooked by the glittering lights of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and other such cities in this extraordinary country.