Gansu Jiandu Museum

Reserve ahead and arrive early in the day

Admission is free, and a real-name reservation through the museum's WeChat account is required. The regular schedule is Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:30; the museum is closed on Mondays.

Walk from Matan Station and check the day's guided-tour schedule

Take Metro Line 1 to Matan Station, then walk about 500 metres from Exit A or D. On arrival, ask in the lobby about the meeting time for scheduled guided tours.

Use the second floor to understand what bamboo slips are before moving into Silk Road history

Start with the Age of Bamboo Slips gallery to learn how the documents were made, written, and preserved. Then continue to A Brief Account of the Silk Road, where route records and administrative documents explain the working network behind long-distance travel.

Move to the third floor for frontier life and personal records

Continue with Frontier Households and Writing on Bamboo and Silk. Look beyond official records for letters, everyday documents, and the development of Han-era calligraphy.

Build in a break, then combine the visit with Lanzhou Old Street if you wish

Allow 3-4 hours for the full museum. There are simple food and coffee options inside, and Lanzhou Old Street is across the road for a meal or walk afterwards.