While survivors faced months of uncertainty ahead without permanent shelter.
The magnitude-6.2 earthquake jolted the northwestern region minutes before midnight on Monday (December 18).
Sending terrified residents out into the cold at the dead of night.
Over 130 people died and hundreds were injured in the quake, and when rescue operations ended on Tuesday (December 19), almost 80 people had been retrieved from rubble.
In Gansu, more than 207,000 homes were wrecked and nearly 15,000 houses collapsed, affecting more than 145,000 people.
And in the neighbouring Qinghai province, households in 22 towns and villages were affected.
This family was one of the many.
"My parents were pulled out from underneath this, but I don't know how. Anyway we ran to wherever we could."
"Immediately the power went out, there was nothing in sight. I panicked. I called out for my son, called my son's name, there was no response. And my daughter, she was buried under there. I had nothing on, and ran towards there. I called out for my daughter, my daughter responded. I said 'take mummy's hand, grab it and come out quickly'. And my husband and I dug her out. My parents, who lived over there, also managed to escape. Our whole family is fine, but our houses are gone."
The family of seven said they'd slept exposed to the freezing cold elements and hadn't eaten in the past two days.
However, efforts are underway to get relief to the earthquake victims, with volunteers stepping in.
"We are from a nearby construction team and spontaneously came here to volunteer in rescue efforts. We also have colleagues who are participating in the rescue. Currently we're moving some relief supplies, such as food, tents, beds, blankets and such. Whatever they need, we'll help transport it for displaced residents to use."
In the quake-hit region, it's not only houses but infrastructure that has been severely damaged, including roads, power and water lines, as well as agricultural production facilities, and triggering land and mudslides.
Recovery from Monday night's earthquake has been further challenged by the powerful cold snap that has gripped most of China since last week.
Temperatures around the quake epicenter in Gansu fell to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday night.
According to local media citing researchers, people trapped under rubble exposed to conditions of 14 degrees Fahrenheit without help could develop hypothermia and may only be able to live for five to 10 hours if uninjured.
The freezing cold was not the only concern weighing on rescuers.
The Gansu Provincial Seismological Bureau said through comprehensive analysis, strong aftershocks of magnitude 5 were still possible around the area in the coming days.
