Lanzhou, Gansu Province

Gansu Provincial Museum: Home of the Bronze Galloping Horse

Home of Flying Horse of Gansu

🏯Old Towns 🛤️Silk Road(丝绸之路)

Altitude

1,525m

Best Time

🌸 🍂

Duration

~1 Hour

Ticket

Paid

Difficulty

Easy

ℹ️

About This Attraction

Highlights of the Collections

The museum features several world-class permanent exhibitions that cover history, art, and paleontology:

1.Gansu Silk Road Civilization: Located on the second floor, this is the core exhibition. Aside from the Bronze Horse, it features the "Messenger Brick" (Yi Shi Tu), a painting on brick depicting a Han Dynasty courier on horseback, which serves as the prototype for the China Post logo. The gallery also displays Persian silver coins, Roman glass, and brocades, narrating the flourishing trade between East and West.
2.Gansu Painted Pottery: Gansu is known as the "Hometown of Painted Pottery." This exhibition showcases the "Crown of the Neolithic Age," featuring over 400 exquisite pieces from the Majiayao and Qijia cultures, renowned for their mysterious patterns and vibrant designs.
3.Solemn and Dignified (Buddhist Art): This section displays Buddhist statues ranging from the Northern Wei to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It highlights the fusion of Indian and Chinese artistic styles (Hu style and Han rhyme) found in statues from the Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan.
4.Paleontology: The museum also houses an impressive collection of fossils, including the massive Yellow River Elephant (Huanghe Stegodon) and various dinosaur fossils found in the region, making it a favorite for families and children.

Visiting Experience

The museum provides a deep educational experience with modern amenities. Visitors can enjoy audio guides and volunteer explanations. A popular trend for recent visitors is the museum's creative cultural products (wenchuang), particularly the "Green Horse" plush toys based on the famous Bronze Galloping Horse, which have become a viral sensation for their "ugly-cute" appeal.

✨ Why Visit Gansu

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Home to the iconic Flying Horse of Gansu, a 2nd-century bronze national treasure unearthed at Leitai

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A comprehensive collection of over 350,000 cultural relics spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era

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Extensive Silk Road artifacts, including Han Dynasty bronze chariots, Tang Dynasty silk, and Buddhist statues

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Significant paleontological exhibits featuring fossil skeletons of the unique Gansu Mammoth and other species

Location & Nearby

📍 Lanzhou, Gansu Province • 🏔️ 1525m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Gansu Travel Guide

Where is the Gansu Provincial Museum located?

A: It is located at No. 3 Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province.

Is there an entrance fee?

A: No, the museum has been free to the public since 2008. However, visitors usually need to make a reservation (often via WeChat) and bring a valid ID to enter.

When can I see the real Bronze Galloping Horse?

A: The authentic Bronze Galloping Horse is generally on display from May 1st to October 15th. During the rest of the year, a high-quality replica is usually exhibited.

What are the must-see artifacts?

A: The three most famous artifacts are the Bronze Galloping Horse (Tourism Symbol), the Messenger Brick (Post Symbol), and the Painted Pottery collection,.

How much time should I plan for a visit?

A: A comprehensive visit covering the Silk Road, Pottery, Buddhist Art, and Paleontology halls typically takes 3 to 5 hours.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Gansu?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.