2026 Gansu County Tourism Report: Three-Tier Rankings Reveal Operating Chains

Key points

• In H1 2026 Gansu received 217 million visits and RMB 152 billion in tourism spending, up 10.1% and 15.2% year on year, both record highs for the period.
• Inbound tourism stood out with 146,800 inbound visitors, up 44.3% year on year, among the fastest growth rates nationally.
• In the county communication index top 10, Dunhuang (96.58) and Qingshui (95.08) lead the first tier, with four Tianshui counties and three Longnan counties forming clusters.
• In the group tier, Gansu Provincial Highway Aviation Tourism Group leads at 120.26, while fifth-placed Gannan drops to 28.43, a clear gap.
• The scenic-area tier is led by Mogao Caves (260.95) and Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake (240.82), with the Gansu Provincial Museum and Yumen Pass also in the top ranks.
• The report identifies operating-chain completeness as the key variable separating brief virality from sustained leadership, with only Dunhuang aligned across all three tiers.
• Trend analysis says the competitive focus is shifting from customer acquisition to carrying capacity, and revenue structures from ticket dependence to content and consumption monetisation.
• Over-reliance on peak season is pushing destinations to build four-season product matrices spanning wellness stays, winter study tours and ice-and-snow outdoor activities.