Truly Worthy of the Title "Jiangnan of the North" - Golden Zhangye

🌟Attraction Recommendations - Colorful Danxia Scenic Area: One of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms, featuring colorful hill formations that resemble an oil painting at sunset. Viewing Platform #4 is the best photography spot and was a filming location for "Three Guns." You can also take a hot air balloon or helicopter for an aerial view. - Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: A geological wonder "comparable to Colorado," where you can hike through the canyon to appreciate its deep and unique features, or choose to ride camels or off-road vehicles through the canyon interior. - Mati Temple Grottoes: A thousand-year-old cave complex where Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism coexist. Climb steep wooden ladders to reach the "Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes" at the summit to admire unique cave architecture and Buddha statues. The Horseshoe Temple is said to be where a celestial horse left its print in the snow, making it a powerful place for prayers. - Great Buddha Temple: A Western Xia dynasty temple housing Asia's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha, measuring 34.5 meters long. The hall walls are painted with complete murals of "Journey to the West," and the Scripture Hall preserves the "Great Ming Tripitaka Northern Buddhist Canon" bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of Ming. - Binggou Danxia: Known for its "majestic and magical" features with towering red cliffs and unique formations resembling natural castles, palaces, and sculptures. Recommended spots include the Little Western Paradise scenic area and Louvre Shadow. 🚗Transportation Guide - Getting There: Fly to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport and take the airport shuttle to downtown; or take high-speed rail to Zhangye West Station and taxi to downtown. If driving, the Lianyungang-Khorgas Expressway runs through the entire region. - Local Transportation: Zhangye West Bus Station has direct buses to major attractions; alternatively, you can hire a private car for about 500 yuan per day for a group of 4. 😍Food Recommendations - Ganzhou Ribs: Sweet and sour crispy fried ribs, recommended at "Wu Ji Meat Restaurant." - Cuo Yu Zi (Fish-shaped Noodles): Handmade noodles shaped like small fish, served with chili oil. Try them at "Miao's Rolled Chicken." - Lamb with Steamed Rolls: Rolls absorb the meat juices for a two-in-one meal. "Sun Ji Chao Pao" offers an authentic version. Also worth trying at Ganzhou Night Market: apricot skin tea, grilled lamb chops, and rice wine with milk and eggs. 🏭Accommodation Options - Downtown: Recommended is the Fulaideng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, a five-star standard hotel with hot springs, near the Great Buddha Temple; or choose the Danxia Stone City Hotel, a traditional-style guesthouse where you can also watch the "Return to Zhangye" night performance. - Near Colorful Danxia: Colorful Danxia Photography International Hotel, a 10-minute walk from the viewing platform, convenient for sunrise photography. ☑️Itinerary Planning - Classic 3-Day Tour: Day 1, Zhangye Great Buddha Temple → Mati Temple → Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon; Day 2, full day at Colorful Danxia, with in-depth activities and hot air balloon rides; Day 3, Binggou Danxia → Zhangye National Wetland Park. - In-Depth 5-Day Tour: Building on the 3-day tour, Day 4, visit Shandan Horse Farm, horseback ride across the grasslands, stay in a Mongolian yurt, and join a bonfire party; Day 5, Alien Valley Space-themed Geological Park to photograph sci-fi-like landscapes.