The silk road starts (or ends) in Xian, the former capital of the Chinese empire. The route continues from there through Tianshui, Langzhou and via the Hexi corridor in the state of Gansu to Dunhuang

This part of the silk road attracts far less tourists.I found the trip very worthwhile, as is mostly the case when you wonder off the beaten track. The cities all are a short day-ride apart, so travel was was relatively easy. And the sights in and around Dunhuang were wonderful.

Tianshui

A midsized town (for China) that still has a strong link with the countryside. Farmers vent their groceries from bicycle carts at tiny markets. When you walk the streets you can see the architectural styles of the periods in recent history. Farmhouses, Stalinist blocks of bare concrete and the 'white tile-blue window' style with lots of small shops under the apartments. The present and the future are present in finished and half finished high rises in light pink and black colors. The big attraction here are the Maiji Shan caves. High against a cliff this piece of rock cut architecture contains over 1000 square meters of murals and over 7200 Buddhist sculptures. The latter are very lifelike and sometimes brightly colored. Not all grottoes are accessible but there is enough to be seen to make these grottoes a real gem that is not overrun by tourists.

Lanzhou

Supposedly the worst polluted city on earth. However, not without charm. And pollution wise I have seen worse (also in China of course).

Zhangye

A pleasant place, tiny food plaza's with atmosphere, an interesting park, some old architecture and in the park with a Giant Buddha. Alas mostly under construction when I was there. In the evenings tables are set up and cool beer and barbequed food are served outside in parks and in front of the local fast food restaurants.

Jiayuguan

Looks like a suburb without a city. Everything is relatively new, neat and devoid of anything that could be defined as character. The overhanging great wall looks like a replica. The -UNESCO Heritage- fort is interesting in itself, even in a haze and covered with dust but the newly build 'World Heritage - Unesco - National Tourist Attraction' is quite tasteless.

Dunghuang

The grottoes of Dunhuang are a marvel. You won't find pictures from inside the caves, since photography is not allowed. Around Dunhuang you can see the remains of the Chinese Wall crumbling in the desert.