Gansu's hidden gem! Tianshui is the true treasure of the Silk Road, with colorful forests and millennia-old culture so beautiful it leaves you speechless

If it weren’t for the soul-stirring, spicy and savory Tianshui malatang, I almost missed this city nestled deep in the northwest, the root of Chinese civilization! While everyone crowds to Lanzhou’s Yellow River and Dunhuang’s desert, Tianshui—hometown of Fuxi and a Silk Road hub—is quietly showcasing the most stunning other side of Gansu with 3,000 years of civilization and mountains of colorful forests 🌍 As the birthplace of Chinese civilization, Tianshui’s history is etched into its very fabric, starting from the cultural ancestor Fuxi who created the Bagua. This is a golden node on the ancient Silk Road; the camel bells of Han envoy Zhang Qian once echoed here, and the footprints of Tang monk Xuanzang’s westward pilgrimage are imprinted on the bluestone paths. Strolling through Tianshui Ancient City, there’s no homogenized commercial noise, only the flying eaves of Ming and Qing architecture blending with the lively atmosphere of old alleys. Running your fingers over the mottled earthen walls, you can almost touch the winds of Qin and Han, the moon of Tang and Song dynasties. History is never cold text but stories shared by elders at the alley’s mouth and the long-lasting years in the temple bell’s chime. Don’t think Gansu is only about desert and lone smoke! Tianshui hides the spiritual beauty of “Little Jiuzhaigou on the Long Mountains” — Xiaolongshan National Forest Park, which turns into God’s palette in autumn! Driving along the mountain roads, the red, orange, yellow, green, and purple forests stretch as far as the eye can see, streams babble around red leaves, sunlight filters through branches casting dappled shadows. The car moves through the scenery, people wander in a painting, every snap is a masterpiece needing no filter, completely overturning stereotypes of the Northwest! 🎫 Ticket info for key cultural sites: - Fuxi Temple (China’s First Temple): Adult ticket 40 RMB/person, student ticket 20 RMB (with student ID), free for children under 1.2m and seniors over 60; - Maijishan Grottoes (Treasury of Eastern Sculpture Art): Adult ticket 90 RMB/person, student ticket 45 RMB, includes grotto visit + shuttle bus, free for seniors over 65; - Xianren Cliff (Hidden Cultural Gem): Adult ticket 40 RMB/person, combo ticket (including Shimen Scenic Area) 60 RMB, free for children under 1.4m; - Tianshui Ancient City: Free entry, some special courtyard experiences 10-30 RMB each, optional. 💡 Thoughtful travel tips: 1. Best time: September to November, when the colorful forests are at their peak, the weather is cool, and you avoid summer crowds; 2. Must-do: Pay respects to the cultural ancestor at Fuxi Temple and feel the solemnity of “China’s First Temple”; enjoy a bowl of authentic malatang in Tianshui Ancient City, paired with liangpi and guagua, unlocking the flavors of the Northwest; 3. Transportation: Self-driving or chartered cars are recommended for flexibility around Xiaolongshan and nearby spots; taxis are convenient in the city; 4. Clothing: Mountain areas have big temperature differences between morning and night, bring a windbreaker + light sweater, and wear comfortable hiking shoes; 5. Ticket deals: Maijishan + Fuxi Temple combo ticket 120 RMB (save 10 RMB), buy online 3 days in advance for an extra 5 RMB off, supports ID card entry. This ancient city, rich in millennia of culture and as charming as Jiangnan’s scenery, holds Gansu’s gentlest secret. Avoid the crowds, grab your ticket to civilization and beauty, and come to Tianshui for a date with the Silk Road and colorful forests—this is the right way to explore the Northwest~