Yang Guan(Yangguan Scenic Area)
阳关景区
based on 60 reviews
No. 5 of Family-friendly Attractions in GansuOpen Opening hours of Yang Guan
Yang Guan Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions
Yang Guan, a 4A-rated attraction located 70 km southwest of Dunhuang city in Gansu province, combines historical relics from the Han and Tang dynasties, desert landscapes, eco-agricultural tours, and the iconic Yang Guan view.
Yang Guan, named for its location south of Yumen Pass, was established during Emperor Wu's reign in the Western Han Dynasty. As a crucial stronghold on the southern Silk Road and a vital gateway for East-West transportation, Yang Guan gained widespread fame. The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei immortalized it in his timeless verse: "I urge you to drink one more cup of wine, for west of Yang Guan you'll meet no old friends," further enhancing its allure. Today, Yang Guan stands as an integral part of Silk Road culture and one of China's most representative Great Wall heritage sites.
The attraction is rich in historical relics and cultural significance, featuring sites such as the Yangguan Ruins (located at Gudongtan), the Yangguan Beacon Tower (Dundunshan Beacon Tower) ruins, remnants of the Southern Silk Road, the Tang Shouchang City (Han Longle County) ruins, Han Wowa Pool relics, ancient fortress walls, tombs, and kiln sites. These showcase the cultural landscape of the Silk Road, the military heritage of the frontier passes and the Great Wall, and the ethnic traditions of the border regions.
The Yang Guan attraction, constructed within the scenic area, serves as the cultural heart and showcase of the site. Designed as a Han Dynasty-style fortress complex, it features the Two Passes Han Frontier Hall, Silk Road Hall, Ancient Dunhuang Military Culture Exhibition Hall, Han Dynasty-style ceremonial gate, replica Han military barracks, Commandant's Residence, replica Han-era Yang Guan fortress gate, Yang Guan ancient street, and study tour experience hall—all embodying a majestic, rustic aesthetic true to its historical roots.
Yang Guan boasts a rich collection of cultural relics with innovative exhibition designs. These artifacts, along with the surrounding field ruins and historical sites, provide tangible evidence for studying Dunhuang culture, ancient military culture, and the multicultural heritage of the Silk Road frontier regions. They hold significant historical, scientific, and artistic value.
After over two decades of dedicated efforts, Yang Guan has grown into a cultural brand and travel destination with notable recognition and influence. Yang Guan has been designated as a National Second-Class Museum, a Gansu Provincial Cultural Industry Demonstration Base, one of the first Historical Reenactment Project Model Museums, a National Study Travel Base (Camp), a China Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism Destination, a Chinese Poetry Research and Creation Base, a Yang Guan Teaching and Research Base of the China Great Wall Institute, a Jiuquan City Primary and Secondary School Study Travel Demonstration Base, a Jiuquan City Patriotic Education and National Defense Education Base, a Dunhuang City Primary and Secondary School Off-Campus Labor Education Practice Base, and a Yang Guan Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance Base.
Yang Guan offers visitors a range of unique activities, including guided tours (extra charge), themed transportation (horseback riding, camel rides, donkey cart rides), ancient costume rentals, and simulated border-crossing experiences. You can also participate in various educational programs such as archery drills, beacon signal relays, frontier poetry sessions, and Great Wall construction workshops. Step back in time and immerse yourself in Yang Guan's profound historical culture, breathtaking natural landscapes, and authentic local customs.
Yang Guan attraction package details
Yang Guan is a national study travel base dedicated to preserving and promoting China's excellent traditional culture. It offers numerous study courses and activities, allowing visitors to rediscover brilliant culture and inherit national wisdom through listening, observing, participating, experiencing, and feeling. The base provides over 20 study courses and activities, including the Yang Guan beacon fire relay, Great Wall construction, archery range, painted pottery making, rubbing creation, wooden slip production, mural copying, ceramic flute playing, and poetry chanting. To facilitate visitor choices, we've combined different packages. Please purchase your preferred package at the ticket window based on your needs, then redeem different study contents at designated redemption locations within the attraction. Contact: 0937-8833089.
Package for CNY 48: Choose any 2 study programs (options: rubbing making, 20 arrows at the archery range, fire making by friction)
Package for CNY 78: Pottery experience (wheel throwing) + 1 research project (options: rubbing making, fire making by drilling wood, pottery drilling, or 20 arrows at the archery range)
Package for CNY 108: Access pass + mural outline tracing + 1 research activity (options: rubbing creation, fire making by drilling wood, pottery drilling, or 20 arrows at the archery range)
Package for CNY 128: Access pass + mural outline tracing + 2 research activities (options: rubbing creation, fire making by drilling wood, pottery drilling, or 20 arrows at the archery range)
Explore Yang Guan in traditional attire: Costume rental set selling price CNY 58
Premium sightseeing tour: 1 border pass for CNY 30 + 1 set of ancient costume rental + 20 arrows for archery. Selling price: CNY 100
Premium experience tour: 1 CNY 30 border pass + horse or camel ride (choose one) + beacon relay + 1 rubbing copy. Selling price: CNY 160
Immersive ancient costume experience: 1 CNY 30 customs pass + choice of horse or camel ride + 1 set of ancient costume rental + 10 arrows for archery. Selling price: CNY 168
Premium souvenir tour: 1 border pass for CNY 30 + choice between horse or camel riding + 1 Yangguan ocarina + 10 arrows for archery. Selling price: CNY 168
Featured project images:
Costume rental
Rubbing creation
Archery range
Fire making by friction
Beacon signal relay
Pottery drilling
Pottery making
Mural reproduction
CNY 30 passport
CNY 30 passport
Fast pass
Camel riding
Horse riding
Take a donkey cart ride
Other visitors' reviews of Yang Guan
Show More Reviews1. Immersive Farewell Scenery: The scenic area evokes the atmosphere of Wang Wei's famous line, "I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for beyond Yangguan there will be no old friends." Yangguan was a pass on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road, symbolizing parting and long journeys. The area features a statue of Wang Wei and a large rock beach inscribed with frontier poems, creating a strong atmosphere suitable for reflection and contemplation. 2. Comprehensive Facilities and Diverse Experiences: The area includes the Yangguan Museum, with exhibits explaining the history of the Silk Road and the two passes, eliminating the need for rote memorization of historical materials. There's also a replica of a Han Dynasty military headquarters where visitors can experience the process of obtaining official travel documents (关照), simulating the formalities of leaving the pass, creating a strong sense of ceremony. Additionally, there are replicas of ancient military camps and educational activities, making it more accessible to general tourists and families. 3. Authentic Remains Preserved: The true cultural relics are the Yangguan beacon towers (烽火台), the "eyes and ears" of Yangguan. At your feet lies the Antique Beach, where numerous Han Dynasty artifacts have been unearthed throughout history. A sightseeing bus takes you directly to the ruins, and you can walk along the Yangguan Avenue wooden boardwalk to experience the farewell atmosphere of the Gobi Desert up close. 4. Relaxed Tour Pace: The scenic area is well-planned with a clear tour route, and the entire tour can be completed in about 2 hours. Compared to Yumenguan, there are more man-made facilities, so it's not just bare mounds of earth, making it easier for novice tourists to understand and participate.