All Cities in China

Notable points about Jinchang

1. Jinchang, Gansu is home to the vast Jinchuan Nickel Mine, making it one of the few cities in the world whose skyline is shaped by industrial mining infrastructure against a desert backdrop.
2. Unlike most cities in China, Jinchang is known as the "Nickel Capital" and features a surreal blend of Martian landscapes and high-tech metallurgy.
3. Visit between May and October for comfortable temperatures and to catch the Jinchang Space Tourism Festival, celebrating the city’s aerospace role.
4. With few international tourists and affordable local pricing, meals and accommodations here cost significantly less than in eastern Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
5. Experience a local camel trek across the Gobi edges or stargazing tours in the desert plains—an immersive nod to Silk Road-era travel traditions.
6. Try Jinchang-style beef noodles at family-run stalls near Longquansi Street, where local wheat noodles are hand-pulled and served with Gansu’s distinct spice blend.
7. Taxis are cheap, but the best way to explore the city and nearby desert sculptures is by hiring a local driver familiar with rural backroads and mining routes.
8. Explore the underground Cold War-era tunnel network beneath the city—largely unknown even to domestic travelers but accessible via local guides.
9. Though generally safe, English is rarely spoken, so bring a translation app and always greet shopkeepers with a respectful nod or "nǐ hǎo."
10. Stand at the edge of the city’s satellite-launch testing site and feel the thrill of China’s space ambitions juxtaposed with quiet desert silence—it’s unforgettable.