Wuwei travel guide
武威
Beginning in 111 BCE, over the course of a decade, Emperor Wu of the Han drove the Xiongnu out of the Hexi Corridor and built four commandery seats on the largest oases: Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang.…
5 places · In the guidebook: pages 731–734
Wuwei, Gansu Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Wuwei in 1 days
- Day 1
- Wenmiao (Confucius Temple)→
- Luoshi Temple Pagoda→
- Leitai Han Tomb
The feel of the place
- Four Commanderies of Hexi
- Beginning in 111 BCE, over the course of a decade, Emperor Wu of the Han drove the Xiongnu out of the Hexi Corridor and built four commandery seats on the largest oases: Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang. He also built the Yangguan and Yumen Passes west of Dunhuang to keep the Silk Road open. These four commanderies are collectively known as the Four Commanderies of Hexi, and they are historic cities on the western route of Gansu.
Galloping Horse Trampling a Flying Swallow. In 1969, construction workers digging an air-raid shelter under Leitai in Wuwei unexpectedly unearthed a brick-built Han-dynasty tomb. It comprised a 19.2-metre passageway, a front chamber, a middle chamber, and four side chambers. A total of 231 artefacts were excavated. The most exquisite is a bronze statue of a galloping horse. Three of its hooves are off the ground, and its right hind hoof treads on the back of a startled flying swallow, exaggerating yet accurately capturing the swiftness of the flying horse.
Things to see
Tianti Mountain Grottoes
1 hour · ¥30
Tianti Mountain Grottoes, also called the Great Buddha Temple, are located in the cliffs of the south face of Dapo Mountain in Dengshan Village, Zhonglu Township, south of Wuwei city. The site is magnificent in scale and exquisite in craftsmanship. Excavated between 397 and 439 CE, it is known as “the ancestor of China's grottoes.”
Leitai Han Tomb
1–2 hours · Leitai Park is free; Leitai Han Tomb ticket ¥45
The site has recently been expanded into Leitai Park. The park is not large and its scenery is ordinary, but it is famous because the “Galloping Horse Trampling a Flying Swallow” and 99 other bronze chariot-and-horse sculptures were unearthed here. Visitors can enter the 20-metre-deep tomb passage, which leads to several tomb chambers. Apart from replica chariots and horses in procession, the walls are simply lined with grey bricks.
Wuwei Western Xia Museum
The Western Xia Museum mainly displays precious Western Xia cultural relics unearthed in Liangzhou, the most valuable of which is the Western Xia Stele. Its full title is the “Inscription on the Rebuilding of the Gantong Pagoda at Huguo Temple in Liangzhou.” It is the only stele of its kind in China that survives, is the most completely preserved, and has the largest amount of parallel text in Western Xia and Chinese. In 1961, the Western Xia Museum was announced by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key cultural heritage protection units.
1 hour · Free; advance reservation required for visits
Luoshi Temple Pagoda
Luoshi Temple Pagoda was first built during the Later Liang period to commemorate Kumarajiva (鸠摩罗什), an eminent monk from the Western Regions. Kumarajiva had a legendary life and devoted his career to translating and lecturing on scriptures. After his death, his body was cremated and only his tongue remained, known as the “tongue relic.” The Luoshi Temple Pagoda is where this tongue relic is enshrined. The pagoda is octagonal, has twelve storeys and stands 32 metres tall.
2–3 hours · Free
Qilian Mountain Binggou River Scenic Area
The Binggou River is a unique geographical wonder of the Qilian Mountains, a magnificent river formed as glacial meltwater gathers together. Immerse yourself in nature amid primeval forests, alpine meadows, plump and adorable marmots, and goats and cows grazing at leisure in poetic, picturesque scenery.
2–4 hours · ¥120
Getting there & around
Getting There and Away
Once you enter Gansu, long-distance coach is the most convenient way to travel.
By Rail
Trains from Lanzhou to Urumqi stop at Wuwei Station, so rail is an option. However, Wuwei is only worth a quick look for travellers, so it is recommended to explore Gansu's western route by long-distance coach along National Highway 312.
By Road
Road conditions are very good both east and west of Wuwei, and shuttle buses to Lanzhou or Zhangye depart every half hour to one hour.
Getting Around the City
Wuwei has several bus routes. Minibus Line 5 goes to Haizang Temple, one of the city's sights.
Taxis are the fastest way to get around Wuwei and greatly help residents and visitors alike.
Wuwei Railway Station
Rail- Phone:
- 0935-5929222
Wuwei South Station
Rail- Phone:
- 0935-5929442
Wuwei Passenger Transport Center Station
Wuwei Passenger Transport Center Station- Phone:
- 0935-6338283
Wuwei North Bus Station
Wuwei North Bus Station (武威汽车北站)- Phone:
- 0935-2315069
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 731–734. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version