Gansu Province

Gansu Province, in northwestern China, is about the same size as California, with a population of about 26 million people. The aame of the Province was from two prefectures Gan and Su in the history. Most of its inhabitants are Han Chinese, with some ethnic Hui and Tibetans. Gansu’s diverse landscapes include parts of the Gobi Desert, the Yellow River, numerous mountain formations, and remnants of the Silk Road and the Great Wall of China.
The history of Gansu can be dated back as early as 200,000 years ago in the Paleolithic Period. About 3,000 years ago, agriculture was developed in the Jin and Wei rivers basins in the eastern part of Gansu, marking the beginning of the brilliant cultural history along the Yellow River. Since the famous Silk Road was set up about 2000 years ago, Gangsu was served as a channel for cultural exchanges and trade between the East and West. The administrative division of Gansu underwent several changes in the Yuan and Ming dynasties until the Qing (1644-1911 AD) when it was finally defined.
There are many historical towns in Gansu including Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Jiuquan and Dunhuang that attract thousands of tourists to visit. Particularly Mogao Grottoes are so well-know despite of nearly a thousand years’ of natural and human damage, there are still 492 caves in all that have been preserved, representing ten dynasties for over 1000 years. There are 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted statues in those caves. Binglingsi Grotto, 135 kilometres from Lanzhou, has been considered a gem decorating the Silk Road with its ancient stone-carving art. The mural tombs of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in Jiuquan, Jiayu Pass--- the western end of the Great Wall, Yangguan and Yumeng Passes in Dunhuang Country are all ready to receive travellers from both China and other countries with their different ancient outlook.