The Great Northwest is really worth it
by JungleExplorer_
Oct 21, 2025
**✨"An unexpected surprise: Guazhou is far more worthwhile than I imagined"**
Friends had raved about Guazhou—"low costs, stunning scenery, and great accommodations." After visiting it myself, I finally understood what they meant! It's free from the crowds of Dunhuang's main city, yet boasts the same vast Gobi Desert, deep starry skies, and rich historical heritage. More importantly, it's a low-budget experience!**
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**🏨"Accommodation Experience: Guazhou County Guofeng Hotel—Four-Star Prices, Five-Star Experience"**
▪️ **Convenient Location**: The hotel is located in the heart of Guazhou County, making taxis to attractions like Suoyang City and Yulin Grottoes easy. There are also numerous restaurants and supermarkets nearby, and you can even stroll to the night market for skewers in the evening.
▪️ **Guofeng Design**: The lobby and rooms incorporate Han and Tang dynasty elements, with ingenious details like wooden screens and Dunhuang murals. The photos are truly stunning!
▪️ **Comfortable Room**: We booked a deluxe twin room, which was spacious and had floor-to-ceiling windows. The bedding was soft and supportive, making it incredibly relaxing after a long day of fun.
▪️ **Attentive Service**: The front desk lady proactively helped us plan a tour route recommended by locals, which was hassle-free and avoided pitfalls!
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**🌄"Attraction Recommendation: A Small but Stunning Pearl of the Gobi Desert"**
1️⃣ **Suoyang City Ruins**: Remains of an ancient Tang Dynasty city. Standing next to the loess beacon tower, you can almost hear the sound of camel bells from a thousand years ago (ticket price 50 yuan, worth it!).
2️⃣ **Yulin Caves**: The "sister cave" of Mogao Grottoes, the murals are well-preserved, the area is sparsely populated, and the explanations are detailed (a must-see for this particular cave!).
3️⃣ **Gobi Starry Sky**: The hotel recommended a dark sky park in the suburbs. The Milky Way is clearly visible in the absence of light pollution, and you can capture stunning starry night photos directly on your phone!
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**🍉"Food and Consumption: Overwhelming!**
▪️ **Guazhou Lives Up to Its Name**: Watermelons and honeydew melons are so sweet they'll make your throat ache, and street vendors charge just 2 yuan for a generous portion!
▪️ **Mutton Hot Pot**: Locals recommend the "Lao Wang Hot Pot," 40 yuan per person for a generous portion of meat, rich in flavor and a crispy aroma.
▪️ **Paoer Yougao**: Crispy, sweet, and sticky, 4 yuan each, perfect for breakfast!
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**📌"Practical Tips"**
✅ Transportation: A taxi from Dunhuang Airport/Railway Station to Guazhou takes about an hour (shared taxi costs 30 yuan per person). We recommend a 2-3-day stay for a more in-depth exploration.
✅ Sunscreen: The Gobi Desert's ultraviolet rays are incredibly strong, so sunglasses and a hat are essential!
✅ Hotel Booking: Search "Guazhou County Guofeng Hotel" on Ctrip for discounts if you book 3 days in advance.
Guazhou Xidun Guofeng Hotel (Xinzhouli Night Market Branch)
**Summary: Guazhou is an underrated gem of the Western Regions—it combines the richness of history with modern comforts at an exceptionally affordable price. If you're tired of crowded travel, stay at the Guofeng Hotel in Guazhou and discover a lesser-known and profound Dunhuang experience!**
Post by WorldWandererDiaries#7 | Aug 22, 2025























