Gansu Sunan is legendary! A Northwest secret destination unknown to 99% of people—fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and lots of fun

Who gets it! Avoid the crowds in Zhangye and dive into Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, where the wildness and gentleness of Northwest China will shock you deeply✨ Here hides even more magnificent Danxia landforms than Zhangye, accessible glaciers, millennium-old grottoes, and pastoral songs on the grasslands. A 3-day, 2-night in-depth trip where every spot makes your heart race. This hidden guide is a must for niche travelers! 🌟3 days 2 nights in-depth itinerary (unlock unique experiences + stunning scenery) Day 1: Binggou Danxia (Red Castle) → Matisi Temple (Grotto Secret) - Transportation: Fly first to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport, then taxi 1.5 hours to Sunan County (about 180 RMB), or take a shuttle bus from Zhangye West Bus Station (25 RMB/person, 2 hours direct). It’s recommended to start early to avoid the harsh midday light. - Morning: Rush to Binggou Danxia (ticket + sightseeing bus 74 RMB/person)! Unlike the colorful Danxia in Zhangye, this is the “palace-style Danxia” pinnacle🏯 Red sandstone forms windowpane and honeycomb-like landforms, like a millennium castle sculpted by nature. Key spots: “Louvre Phantom” and “Root of the Earth.” Under morning light, the rock layers glow red, making silhouette photos incredibly stunning. Insider tip: Walk along the hiking trail to the mid-mountain viewpoint to overlook the entire Danxia group without crowds—every shot looks cinematic. - Noon: Eat Yugur home-style dishes at the scenic area entrance. Recommended: hand-pulled lamb (freshly cooked and sliced, delicious with pepper salt) + barley cake. The lamb is tender and odorless, carbs paired with meat bring ultimate happiness. - Afternoon: Drive 40 minutes to Matisi Temple (ticket 44 RMB/person), a millennium grotto group hidden under the Qilian Mountains, more niche and tranquil than Mogao Caves. Must climb the “Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes,” 218 steep steps embedded in the cliff. At the top, overlook the grasslands and temple panorama—super rewarding. Also visit the “Thousand Buddha Cave,” with well-preserved murals and solemn Buddha statues, experiencing Buddhist culture from the Northern Liang period. - Evening: Stroll the grasslands beside Matisi Temple, cattle and sheep scattered on the meadow, distant Qilian snow mountains stretch endlessly, sunset dyes the grassland golden red, and the air carries the scent of butter. - Night: Stay in Sunan County (recommended Yugur-style guesthouse with wooden structure + ethnic embroidery decoration, very atmospheric). Dinner: yak hot pot with yak meat and local mushrooms simmering, paired with Yugur milk tea (salty and rich, warming and anti-cold). Chat with the guesthouse owner after dinner and listen to Yugur migration stories. Day 2: Qiyi Glacier (Ice and Snow Secret) → Kangle Grassland (Pastoral Charm) - Morning: Drive 1.5 hours to Qiyi Glacier (ticket 120 RMB/person), the closest accessible glacier to a city in China! Transfer to the scenic area’s off-road vehicle (100 RMB/person, must buy) to go up the mountain. The scenery changes from grassland to snow mountain. After arrival, hike 1 km to see the full glacier view. The blue-white ice tongue extends downward, ice cracks look like sapphire veins. Standing before the glacier, feel the grandeur and purity of nature❄️ Insider tip: Bring a bottle of mineral water and fill it with melted glacier water to drink—sweet and refreshing, a “glacier direct drink” experience. - Noon: Have a simple meal at the glacier scenic area (recommended yak beef rice bowl, generous portion), or bring self-heating rice and picnic under the snow mountain for full atmosphere. - Afternoon: Drive 1 hour to Kangle Grassland (ticket 60 RMB/person), a high-altitude grassland under the Qilian Mountains. In summer, the grass is lush green; in autumn, golden yellow. White tents of herders dot the grassland like stars. Special experiences: horseback riding (50 RMB/hour) galloping on the grassland with snow mountains in the distance; wear Yugur costumes for photos (30 RMB/set), embroidered long skirts + silver jewelry, perfect for shooting on the grassland; also milk cows and make milk skin with herders to feel authentic life. - Evening: Watch the sunset on the grassland, the snow mountains turn orange-red, cattle and sheep return to the pens, pastoral songs linger, healing to the point of speechlessness. - Night: Stay in a grassland tent guesthouse (book in advance), bonfire party arranged! Sing and dance with Yugur people, roast whole lamb crispy outside and tender inside, paired with barley wine for a slight buzz, and look up to see a sky full of stars and a clear Milky Way. Day 3: Wenshu Temple Grotto Group → Yugur Folk Resort → Return - Morning: Drive 1 hour to Wenshu Temple Grotto Group (ticket 40 RMB/person), millennium grottoes on the Silk Road, divided into front and back mountains. The front mountain has Buddhist grottoes, the back mountain Taoist grottoes, a unique coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism. Focus on “Thousand Buddha Cave” and “Ten Thousand Buddha Cave,” with vivid murals and lifelike Buddha statues. Few people and quiet, perfect for slowly savoring the weight of history. - Noon: Eat Yugur specialty snacks near Wenshu Temple. Recommended: fried noodle chunks (mixed grain noodles + lamb + vegetables, savory and flavorful), buttered zanba (eat with milk tea, the more you chew the more fragrant). - Afternoon: Head to the Yugur Folk Resort, visit the Yugur intangible cultural heritage workshop, see ethnic embroidery and silver jewelry making, try embroidery on small pendants (50 RMB each) and take home exclusive souvenirs; also visit the Yugur Culture Museum to learn about the Yugur language, clothing, and festival culture, feeling the unique charm of this “horse-riding ethnic group.” - Evening: Before returning, buy local specialties. Recommended: yak jerky (vacuum-packed, half the price of scenic area), butter, milk skin. Then drive back to Zhangye, ending the Northwest secret trip. - Optional: If time allows, add 1 day to visit Huangcheng Grassland, the birthplace of the Yugur people. The grassland is vast with wildflowers everywhere, and you can see the “Huangcheng Ruins,” experiencing the relics of the ancient Silk Road. 🍜 Must-try food list (Yugur specialties + Northwest flavors) - Staples: hand-pulled lamb, yak hot pot, fried noodle chunks, yak beef rice bowl, buttered zanba - Snacks: milk skin, milk tofu, barley cake, fried oil cake, lamb offal stew - Drinks: Yugur milk tea (salty or sweet options), barley wine, glacier mineral water - Restaurant recommendations: Yugur-style restaurants in Sunan County, home-style dishes at grassland tent guesthouses, restaurants at Binggou Danxia scenic area entrance 🏡 Accommodation recommendations (choose according to needs, no pitfalls) - Comfortable in county town: Yugur-style guesthouse (strong ethnic features, complete facilities), Sunan Hotel (cost-effective, near business district) - Grassland experience: Kangle Grassland tent guesthouse (bonfire party + starry sky, suitable for niche travelers) - High-end comfort: Sunan Yugur Autonomous County Hotel (good hardware, rich breakfast, suitable for families) 📌 Practical tips (avoid pitfalls + special guide) 1. Best season: June to August (green grassland, clear glacier), September to October (golden grassland, redder Danxia, fewer crowds and quiet) 2. Transportation: Sunan’s attractions are scattered; car rental with driver recommended (about 300 RMB/day), more flexible than shared rides, can stop anytime for photos; self-driving requires caution due to many mountain roads. 3. Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night (up to 20℃), wear windbreaker + sweater + thermal underwear, hiking with non-slip sports shoes, bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (strong UV in Northwest). 4. Altitude sickness: Qiyi Glacier is about 3700 meters high; take Rhodiola 3 days in advance, avoid strenuous exercise, carry glucose and oxygen bottle. 5. Special experiences: Follow herders’ guidance when horseback riding, pay attention to safety; book intangible cultural heritage workshops in advance; respect Yugur customs, do not casually photograph herders’ private life. 6. Avoid pitfalls: Prices inside scenic areas are high; bring your own snacks and water; buy specialties outside scenic areas, county shops are cheaper; wear non-slip shoes for glacier hiking to avoid slipping on ice. The beauty of Sunan is a blend of Northwest wildness and gentleness—the red of Danxia, the blue of glaciers, the green of grasslands, the white of snow mountains, and the simple charm of the Yugur people. Every place is unforgettable~ Save this guide and set off quickly to unlock this off-the-beaten-path but incredibly stunning Northwest secret!