Jinchang

Jinchang has a dry climate with a large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, so it is a good idea to bring a light jacket even when traveling in summer.

Jinchang combines Gobi landscapes, flower fields, and historic Silk Road sites. The city has a relaxed pace and relatively affordable prices, making it well suited to a short three-day, two-night trip.

• Zijin Flower Sea: The scenery is usually at its best from June to August, when 700 mu of vervain grows across the Gobi to create a vast purple flower field. Admission is free, and the area is ideal for landscape and portrait photography.

• Mars Base 1: Set against a red Gobi landscape, the base features spacecraft cabins, spacesuits, space vehicles, and other facilities. Its distinct sci-fi theme makes it a good place to take photos with a space-inspired feel.

• Jinchuan National Mine Park: From here, you can overlook Asia's largest open-pit nickel mine. The enormous pit creates a striking industrial landscape. The softer evening light is ideal for sightseeing and photography.

• Lijian Ancient City: This is a free-rated 4A scenic area featuring ancient Roman-style buildings and traditional Chinese temples. Local legend connects the site with descendants of an ancient Roman legion, and the historical atmosphere is especially evocative around sunset.

• Jinshui Lake: Located in the Gobi Desert, the lake reflects golden light across its surface at sunset. It is a pleasant place for a lakeside walk and for photographing reflections and people.

• Yushan Gorge Shengrong Temple: The temple was first built in AD 561 and sits in a quiet, secluded gorge. Remains of the Han-era Ming Great Wall are also scattered nearby, allowing visitors to experience the layered history of the ancient temple and the Great Wall in one trip.

Three-Day, Two-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Mine landscapes and city nightlife
  • Morning: Head to Jinchuan National Mine Park. Take the paved road to the right of the Longshou Hun sculpture up to the Kongque Peak viewing platform, where you can overlook the open-pit mine.
  • Afternoon: Depending on the season, visit Zijin Flower Sea (June to August) or Jinshui Lake, exploring the landscape between the Gobi and the oasis.
  • Evening: Return to the city center around Beijing Road or Guofang Square, browse the night market, and sample barbecue while experiencing local nightlife.
• Day 2: Sci-fi base and Silk Road relics
  • Morning: Drive to Mars Base 1 to try on spacesuits, explore spacecraft cabins and other facilities, and take photos with an interstellar theme.
  • Afternoon: Visit Lijian Ancient City to see its Roman colonnades and Chinese-style buildings, and learn about the legend linking the site to descendants of an ancient Roman legion.
  • Evening: Return to the city and try Jinchang's signature lamb dish, yangrou dian juanzi.
• Day 3: Ancient temple, Great Wall, and departure
  • Morning: Visit Yushan Gorge Shengrong Temple, explore the thousand-year-old temple and Great Wall remains, and learn about the local Silk Road culture.
  • Afternoon: Visit Jinchang Museum to learn about the industrial history of China's nickel capital, or take a self-drive trip around Jinchuan Gorge Reservoir before beginning your return journey.

Must-Try Northwestern Specialties

• Yangrou dian juanzi: A representative Jinchang intangible cultural heritage snack. The lamb is tender, while the rolled noodles absorb the lamb broth and become richly flavored.

• Chao bola: Lamb offal cooked on a hot plate with cumin and chili, making it a good choice for a late-night meal.
• Yongchang baked flatbread: An intangible cultural heritage snack with the fragrance of rose-scented bean paste. It is crisp and fragrant on the outside and soft inside, and tastes even better when reheated in an air fryer.

• Qinghe boiled chicken: Once recommended by television media, this dish features tender chicken and a deliciously savory broth.
• Sweet-fermented-grain milk tea: Made with sweet fermented grains, a Northwestern specialty, this refreshing drink pairs well with lamb and beef and can help cut through the richness.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Where to stay: Staying in Jinchang city center (around Beijing Road or Guofang Square) is convenient, with plenty of nearby restaurants and taxi options. Budget chain hotels generally cost just over 100 yuan per night, making them easy on the budget. If visiting Zijin Flower Sea in summer, you could also consider a distinctive guesthouse or stargazing tent near the flower fields, but availability is limited and advance booking is necessary.
• Transportation:
  • Getting there: You can fly to Jinchang Jinchuan Airport, which has flights to Lanzhou, Beijing, and other destinations. Alternatively, take a bus or train from Lanzhou to Jinchang; the journey takes about four hours.
  • Getting around: Jinchang's attractions are spread out, and Mars Base 1 and Lijian Ancient City are particularly far from the city center. Self-driving, hiring a car, or joining a shared ride is recommended. Road conditions are generally good and driving is not especially difficult.

Travel Tips

• Sun and wind protection: Northwestern China has strong UV rays, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Winds can be strong in the Gobi, and the temperature difference between day and night is significant, so even in summer you should carry a light windproof jacket.
• Stay hydrated: The local climate is dry, so drink extra water during your trip and bring lip balm and moisturizer. Travelers with sensitive stomachs may want to pack stomach medicine, and should avoid eating too much lamb or beef at once.
• Confirm fees before taking photos: At attractions such as the flower fields, if someone offers you a flower or asks to take a photo together, confirm in advance whether there is a charge and how much it costs to avoid disputes.
• Take care in the mining area: Large construction vehicles may use the roads near the mine park, and some sections are narrow. Keep to the side and watch for vehicles. The route includes slopes and steps, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended.
• Stargazing and astrophotography: Jinchang has relatively little light pollution at night, making it suitable for viewing and photographing the Gobi stars. If you plan to take photos, consider bringing a tripod.