2025 Zhangye Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

#outdooradventures The Rainbow Mountains in Gansu Province are a surreal, colorful wonder that looks like something out of a dream. Located within the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, these vibrant, multicolored hills are the result of millions of years of geological activity and erosion. Layer upon layer of red, orange, yellow, and green create a breathtaking, striped landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. This natural masterpiece is a must-see for anyone looking to experience the unique and awe-inspiring beauty of China’s diverse landscapes. Travel Tips: * Visit During Sunrise or Sunset: The colors of the Rainbow Mountains are most vivid during sunrise and sunset, when the low angle of the sun accentuates the natural hues. These times also offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. * Stay Overnight in Zhangye: For a more relaxed visit, stay overnight in Zhangye city. This allows you to visit the mountains early in the morning or late in the afternoon, avoiding the midday heat and tour groups.

Unexpectedly, there is such a place hidden in Zhangye in the northwest. The desolate landscape formed over billions of years and the maze-like canyon are truly stunning; if you come to Zhangye, don't miss the chance to experience a deep canyon tour at Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. - 📌Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon 🚗It is recommended to drive or hire a car. There are shuttle buses at Zhangye Bus Station. ⏰Recommended playtime: 3-5 hours 🎫Regular ticket 130r (entrance ticket + sightseeing bus), deep tour 329r (entrance ticket + sightseeing bus + camel ride, adventure car + music festival) - Playing at Pingshan Lake is like a canyon adventure. You can hike or take a deep tour. For the best experience, if you have enough stamina, a deep tour is recommended. - 🗺This time we chose the deep tour, starting from the scenic area by sightseeing bus - Observation Deck 1 - Observation Deck 2 - Observation Deck 3 - taking the adventure car for 12 kilometers directly to the bottom of the valley - Observation Deck 5 - riding a camel for about 1 kilometer - walking 800 meters - taking the camel car for about 1 kilometer - walking about 1 kilometer - Yixiantian - Ladder to the Sky - walking to Observation Deck 4 - returning by sightseeing bus, the whole trip takes about 4-5 hours. - This time we happened to encounter the 🎶Canyon Mirage Summer Music Festival and bonfire party. It was the first time participating in an event in an outdoor canyon, but the live music was very exciting, and the atmosphere was really great. Sitting around the fire at night, singing and chatting was a great experience, making the wasted moments of life meaningful! - ‼️Little tips ✅There is a lot of walking, so it is recommended to wear sports shoes. Also, be sure to protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, hats, and sun-protective clothing, as the UV rays are very strong! ✅It is recommended to bring some water and energy-boosting snacks 🍰 to replenish energy during the tour. -

Copy this 3-day tour itinerary for your first visit to Zhangye. Poetic Gansu, Colorful Zhangye. A must-visit place in Gansu travel is Zhangye! How to play in Zhangye for the first time? Just copy this 3-day tour itinerary! Day1: Lanzhou West ➡️ Zhangye West ➡️ Stay in Zhangye ➡️ Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon Day2: Zhangye ➡️ Gaotai County Dahu Bay ➡️ Zhangye Rainbow Mountains Day3: Zhangye ➡️ Sunan Matisi Grottoes Scenic Area ➡️ Minle County Silk Road Pastoral Complex ➡️ Binhe Jiuliangye Scenic Area ➡️ Return trip ⭕️ 'Zhangye Attractions': ▫️ Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: Known as 'China's Colorado Grand Canyon', it boasts deep canyons, steep cliffs, and magnificent scenery. ▫️ Gaotai County Dahu Bay: With its picturesque lakes and scenery, taking a boat trip and climbing the tower, it's like a little Jiangnan in the northwest. ▫️ Rainbow Mountains: A must-visit in Zhangye, with its unique geological structure and colorful rock layers, like a rainbow. ▫️ Sunan Matisi Grottoes Scenic Area: A tourist destination that combines natural scenery and religious culture, the grotto temples are truly magical! ▫️ Minle County Silk Road Pastoral Complex: Experience the folk culture and rural charm of Zhangye. ▫️ Binhe Jiuliangye Scenic Area: Zhangye's 'national' ecological brand, learn about the profound historical and cultural connotations of Binhe Jiuliangye and its unique brewing process. ⭕️ 'Gourmet Strategy': When in Zhangye, don't miss out on the local cuisine. Specialty food recommendations: Fish Rubbing, Fried Cannon, Flavorful Baked Stuffed Buns, Bag Keng Lamb, Stir-Fried Bola, Zhangye Rolled Chicken, and more. Restaurant recommendations: Ganzhou Famous Eats, Sun Ji Fried Cannon, Yugur Ethnic Garden ⭕️ 'Transportation Strategy': ✈️: You can fly directly to Zhangye Ganzhou, or fly to Lanzhou and take the high-speed train from there. 🚄: Take the high-speed train from Lanzhou West for a little over 2 hours to Zhangye West For traveling in Zhangye, it is recommended to drive yourself or charter a car, customize a group tour, and of course, taking the public bus is also very convenient.

Zhangye, this city, no one will ask you whether you love it or not, only people will ask you why you love it. The colorful colors, brilliant ethnic groups, inclusive religions, ancient history, galloping horses, young heroes, there are many reasons to fall in love with Zhangye, and it seems that no reason is needed. Zhangye is located in the transition zone from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Inner Mongolia Plateau, and has gathered all the natural landscapes that people can imagine, such as glaciers, snow mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers, lakes, Danxia, wetlands, deserts, Gobi, mountains, and canyons. It can be called a world geomorphological landscape garden. Zhangye was originally a place where ethnic minorities lived. In history, it was a necessary place for the Western Regions to enter the Central Plains. It was also a strategic point for a strong dynasty to achieve unification and strength. Various ethnic groups blend here, and the ethnic culture is brilliant and colorful. As a 4,000-year-old civilization ancient city, Zhangye's history is old enough. The ancient history adds a bit of heaviness to this city. Rich historical relics have also become our carrier to look back at the past. 🚙Transportation The scenic spots in Zhangye are far apart, public transportation is not convenient, it is recommended to drive or charter. 📜Itinerary details D1️⃣: Zhangye Museum➡️Xilai Temple➡️Dafo Temple➡️Muta Temple ✅Zhangye Museum (2h) The first stop is at the Zhangye Museum, overlooking the 4,000-year-old civilization ancient city and entering the important town of the ancient Silk Road. Follow the footsteps of the commentator, step by step into the museum, in the exquisite cultural relics such as bronzes, pottery, coins, porcelain, etc., look back at the 4,000-year-old civilization ancient city, the important town of the ancient Silk Road. ✅Xilai Temple (1h) Feel the incense after the reconstruction in the Xilai Temple, which was built in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. ✅Dafo Temple (2h) Check in the only religious hall of the Western Xia minority in China, the largest indoor reclining Buddha Nirvana statue in China, and the murals of Journey to the West, which are 200 years earlier than the book. ✅Muta Temple (1h) Take a walk outside the Muta Temple in the evening and see the life of the locals outside the ancient building. D2️⃣: Biandukou➡️Binhe Jiuliang ✅Biandukou (3h) Many people rush to Qinghai to see a field of rapeseed flowers, but in Zhangye Biandukou, under the Qilian Mountains, the rapeseed flowers bloom, also blooming the colors of Zhangye. Biandukou has travel photography, hot air balloons and other projects to check in. ✅Binhe Jiuliang (3h) Come to the birthplace of Binhe Jiuliang, in the strong aroma of wine, from the Shen Zhou Qu Workshop to the brewing workshop, from the 10,000-ton wine cellar to the 10,000-acre sorghum raw material base, step by step to trace the roots, go into the past and present of Binhe Jiuliang, and explore this time-brewed Long legend. D3️⃣: Colorful Danxia ✅Colorful Danxia (sunrise and sunset, rest at noon) The colorful Danxia has long become the business card of Zhangye and the dreamland of many good “color” followers at home and abroad. When the colorful Danxia meets the hot air balloon, it is even more romantic in the summer of Zhangye. D4️⃣: Gaotai Site➡️Zhengyi Gorge➡️Camel City Site ✅Gaotai Site (1h) Not far from the Camel City site, history lovers check in, if time is tight, you can ignore it. ✅Zhengyi Gorge (3h) You can see the wild gorge of the Great Wall, desolate and wild. ✅Camel City Site (2h) Must check in, once the ancient capital of Beiliang, the military city of the Tang Dynasty, now only the broken walls remain, stubbornly standing in the desert alkali, desolate and solemn, telling the prosperity of the past with the wind and sand. The ruins are silent and persistent, this stubbornness that spans 1,800 years, makes people tearful. D5⃣️: Sunan Matisi➡️Kangle Grassland➡️Wenshu Temple➡️Sunan County ✅Matisi (3h) Mainly visit Matisi North Temple, Thousand Buddha Cave. Matisi North Temple is the most peculiar, most strictly arranged, and largest grotto in the Matisi Grottoes. Must check in Thirty-three days, Tibetan Buddha Hall. ✅Kangle Grassland (3h) The grassland in summer is close to the sky and not far from the snow mountain, which is very similar to the appearance of the dream far away. Here you can take a large travel photo of the Yugur style. ✅Wenshu Temple (2h) The ancient grotto group under the main peak of Qilian Mountain, for thousands of years, Tibetan Buddhism, Han Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese religious sects have intersected and integrated here. D6️⃣: Yanzhi Mountain➡️Shandan Horse Farm ✅Yanzhi Mountain (3h) Shandan Yanzhi Mountain, the waist of the Hexi Corridor, the throat of the Ganliang Ancient Road, has always been a must for the military. Huo Qubing defeated the Huns here, laying the foundation for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to "expand the Western Regions and open up the Silk Road". Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty held a "World Expo" here, which became the prototype of the modern World Expo. ✅Shandan Horse Farm (3h) Must check in, although the distance is relatively far, but it is currently the largest and oldest horse farm in the world.

When the Hexi Corridor of a thousand years ago collides with contemporary science and technology🚀, what kind of sparks🔥 will it produce from Lanzhou to Zhangye, to Jiuquan, to Jiayuguan, and then to Dunhuang This time, it will be a journey across a thousand years to marvel at the development of technology and taste deep humanities~ 💕Space is the most romantic existence, but most people have not come into contact with real space objects, they all know a little bit from various online reports This time, we can walk the Hexi Corridor of a thousand years together, explore the 🌌 space dream and have your unique Hexi Corridor and space memories, and find your stars and sea✨ . 👣Quick look at the itinerary Lanzhou gathering—Lanzhou free travel Lanzhou—Colorful Danxia—Zhangye Zhangye—Jiayuguan—Overhanging Great Wall—Jiuquan Jiuquan—Space Launch Center—Jiayuguan Jiayuguan—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Shazhou Night Market—Dunhuang Dunhuang—Mogao Caves—Dunhuang Bookstore—Dismiss —— 💖Highlights of the itinerary ✅Exclusive arrangement for Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center 1 day 🔅Explore China's only manned space launch site 🔅Manned space launch tower (manned space starts here) 🔅Wentian Pavilion (the place where astronauts live and train) 🔅Exhibition hall (feel the spirit of two bombs and one star, manned space and Dongfeng) 🔅Feitian Park (feel the storm rocket, spaceship escape tower and other real objects) ✅Dunhuang Mogao Caves 12 caves + 1 special cave (156 special caves) In the off-season, in addition to being able to see 4 more caves than forgetting, we have also specially arranged a special cave to check in the upcoming "Dunhuang Hero" and the legendary story of the returning army👍 ✅Jiayuguan is arranged for separate manual explanation, no longer a cursory view, understand the story of every brick and tile of Jiayuguan and the repairs of the past dynasties ✅Overhanging Great Wall, the Overhanging Great Wall is a long distance from Jiayuguan, and it is rarely visited in the past itinerary, so it is specially arranged to deeply feel the history and culture ✅Dunhuang Bookstore afternoon tea🍵In the Dunhuang Bookstore with Dunhuang's unique elements and a strong bookish atmosphere, have a cup of special 1900 coffee and immerse yourself in the charm of Dunhuang culture and art —— 📜Classic humanities —The treasure of a thousand years of cultural art, even after a thousand years, the murals made from gemstone powder are still brightly colored —The first majestic pass in the world, the starting point of the Great Wall🚩 Overhanging Great Wall —It looks like it is hanging in the air, it is located on the Black Mountain, standing on it, you can see the desolate scenery of the desert Satellite Launch Center —The "cradle" of China's🛰 space —— 🏞Natural landscape Colorful Danxia —The white snow in winter and the colorful Danxia blend into one, which has a different desolate mood Mountain Crescent Spring —Look at the snow scene love letter written by nature to Mingsha Mountain, look at the frozen Crescent Spring🏜 —— 🏨Selected quality accommodation ✓1 night Lanzhou Hilton Huanpeng ✓1 night Zhangye Fuldeng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel ✓1 night Jiuquan Silk Road Wenhua Holiday Hotel ✓2 nights Dunhuang Huaxia International Hotel

We made a Trip to Zhangye in Gansu province to see the spectacular rainbow mountains with our own eyes. We flew from Beijing Daxing airport and it took 2:45 hours to get to Zhangye. On arrival we found our hotel and it was just by a food market, we had lunch and breakfast here during our stay. We were five persons traveling together so we asked our hotel to arrange trips for us around Zhangye. They had a mini bus to take us around. First stop: 🌈 Rainbow mountains We had certain expectations and were not disappointed. You can actually see the colors in the mountains. Its reddish sandstone that has been eroded to create magnificent rock formations with gorgeous colors over billions of years. By entrance of the park we had to take a bus to the different viewing points. Second stop: Bingguo Danxia landform Bingguo is the lesser known Danxia in the shadow of Rainbow mountain with less colors, mainly red. However we found it extremely cool to do a 3 hour hike in this spectacular landscape. Third stop: Giant Buddha temple With the largest sleeping Buddha in China. We had a little stroll inside the temple to kill time before our train Dunhuang. #instagramworthydestinations #Rainbow mountains #china #gansu

Imagine standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, marveling at its sheer size and breathtaking beauty. The vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold dance across the rugged walls, creating a masterpiece that nature has painted over millions of years. It's a place that leaves you feeling small and humbled, reminding you of the incredible power of time and the earth. Now, picture yourself in Zhangye, China, at the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park. Here, you'll find a different kind of wonder, but one that is just as awe-inspiring. The rainbow mountains stretch out before you, resembling a giant artist's palette. Layers of mineral deposits have been sculpted by wind and water, creating a landscape that seems too vibrant to be real. While the Grand Canyon boasts towering cliffs and deep, winding canyons, Zhangye showcases rolling hills and peaks that seem to blend together in a colorful harmony. As you walk along the trails, you can't help but be captivated by the unique geological formations that surround you. It's like stepping into a painting that has come to life. Both the Grand Canyon and Zhangye offer a sense of tranquility and serenity that can only be found in nature's embrace. Standing in either place, you can't help but feel a sense of calm wash over you, as if the worries of everyday life melt away in the face of such natural splendor. So, whether you find yourself in the United States or China, take the time to visit these incredible sights. Let yourself be immersed in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon or the vibrant beauty of Zhangye. Allow these natural wonders to remind you of the power and beauty of our world, and let them leave an indelible mark on your soul. #danxia #zhangye #trip #grandcanyon #China #chinatravel #chinalife

The Thousand Buddha Caves, located in Zhangye, are a spectacular sight to behold. These caves, beautifully carved into the rock, contain an impressive collection of Buddhist sculptures and paintings that date back to the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Visitors can marvel at the intricate designs and details of the artwork, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich history and culture of the region. The temple itself is peaceful and serene, making it an ideal place for contemplation and reflection. The caves are located just a short five-minute drive from the Mati Temple Grottoes, adding to the overall historical and cultural significance of the area. One thing to note is that there are no food options in the immediate vicinity of the caves, so it is advisable to bring snacks and water with you. Additionally, the area is home to a charming small walking suspension bridge, which adds to the scenic beauty of the location. Overall, the Thousand Buddha Caves are a must-see attraction for anyone interested in art, history, or religion. The intricate designs and peaceful atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience. #roadtrip #tripleblazer

The Crescent Lake (Chinese: 月牙泉; pinyin: Yuèyá Quán) is famous for its shape of a crescent moon. It is located in an oasis surrounded by the sand dunes of Mingsha Mountain. The lake is nearly 100 meters long from south to north. The largest width is 25 meters, and the largest depth is 5 meters. Crescent Lake is known as the First Spring in the Deserts because it has never dried out since its origin. It was already a famous attraction in Han Dynasty (BCE 202-8). During Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), there used to be a large complex of halls and towers by the side of lake, but many of them ruined in the later eras. At present, travelers can see several Tang-style architectures which make the lake scenery much peaceful and exquisite.

Pictures speak louder than words ✌️ How to get there: rental car from Xining (3h), best a 4 wheel drive as the last 5km are not good What’s to see: Nature, temple, local culture and horseback riding Costs: hotels are local, below 200RMb/night. For the horses we paid around 200/each for half day Time needed: full weekend What to look for: Go remote with the horses Don’t forget to bring your drone for some of these beautiful aerial shots 🛸 IG: andykoh_m8 #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld

Headed to the amazing Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. It was such a great hike!! We started by hiking down and eventually climbed up and out. With many steps, caves and ladders it was one for the books. As one of the magnificent grand canyons along the silk road, it is the best place where you can not only enjoy the special landform but also visit some precious animals and plants. It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Grand View Garden of Zhangye Landscape, and it has been praised as " Comparable to the Grand Canyon of Colorado " and " the new discovery of the Silk Road " by China Geographic Journal and well-known geologists and tourists at home and abroad. Special note: Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon needs hike around 2-3 hours.

On our Silk Road Tour we stopped and visited the beautiful Kangle Grassland. Located in Zhangye City of Gansu Province. We took a bus that dropped us off at one point and picked us up at the next stop. Kangle grassland is one of the most popular grasslands in China. It was such a breath of fresh air. The best time to visit is in summer. Its hot out everywhere but here you will get sun and some fresh wind that will cool you down. The green grassland is dotted with colorful flowers, birds, and cattle and sheep scattered among the grasses. The day we visited the grassland, there was almost no one, so we could really just enjoy the scenery, relax and take in the everything. #holidayvacation #

Place of interest : Zhangye National Wetland Park Location : XCCR+Q9G, 312 Guo Dao, Ganzhou District, Zhangye, Gansu, China, 734099 Getting here : Take a speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye the cab down to the Wetland. It was -13⁰ celcius that afternoon. The locals insist us on going outside. I told them it's too cold to do anything. They said NOOOOOOO you are so wrong today is a good day the sun is out you can have a good day outside. So we took a cab from the hotel to Zhangye National Wetland Park. Boy was I wrong. I did had a fun time out in the cold under the bright sun. The lakes in the wetlands has been tranformed to ice. We decided to hop on those ski bikes. Never in my life have I ride on those. I enjoy skating but ever since my sports injury. My professor forbids 🚫 me going on skating,sking, anything that needs huge amount of pressure on my legs lol. I was sad that I would not be able to ski...at least ski bikes is there to soothe my soul lol. Winter is the perfect time to come here for winter activities. #gooutside

We drove to the exciting Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area which is located in Linze County. It features in its bright color and is better to enjoy in the late afternoon. I think the best time to go is at sunset, which is chosen by most travelers. Seen from the high platform, the rising layers of mountains in beautiful red, with different saturation is bathed in rosy sunlight, depicting a gorgeous picture. After an eventful day, we booked into Mongulian yurt in Kaoshan Tent which is just nearby the rainbow mountains tourist area. It was a great experience and a nice, peaceful place to rest after a long day. #passionpassport #travelinspiration #holidayvacation

Getting There - You can take a taxi, seive yourself or go with your tour group. I just tyoed in Crescent lake in the Didi and it dropped me of at the entrance. Attractions - The Crescent Lake is a spectacular scenic spot that's very popular. I would recommend buying drinks and snacks before you climb out the sandhill. When you get to the top breathless you will be glad for some refreshments while you sit and take in the exquisite scenery around you, including the Crescent Lake. After taking all the beauty of the nature around you in you can take stunning photos to remember this beautiful view. Hotels - There are loads of hotels in close proximity of the Crescent lake. I would recommend trying the glamping for one night, it's really a wonderful experience sleeping in the desert in a tent. Food & Restaurants - There's a few places to buy snacks, drinks amd ice-cream. Shopping - There's shops and kiosks that you can buy ice-cream, drinks, snacks and souvenirs. #summervacation #passionpassport #silkroad #gooutside #crescentlake #viewfromthetop

Place of interest : Rainbow Mountains Location : Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is in the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains in Gansu Province Getting here : Flight to Lanzhou, Bullet train to Zhangye Satisfaction Level : 100% 💯 I love China so much.....that my chinese friends hate the fact that I love China hahahaha This National Park is so huge that you need at least 4hrs to cover the whole area...hiking around with the ease of shuttle buses between valleys and mountains. Mind you with shuttle bus 4HRs. Without shuttle bus maybe 4 to 5 days if you have short legs like mine 🤣....Please wear comfortable pair of shoes because there is alot of walking and climbing. They only take cashless payments so you need to standby your WEChat app. Senior citizens has discounted special price. Most of them at the counter and service counter do not speak English so you need to have google translate at hand and throw some basic Mandarin to impress them a little. 😂 This place is beyond words to describe and the photos do not do any justice to this beautiul place. You just have to visit it. I went in winter it was negative -13⁰ degress celcius in the day and at nights is around -22⁰ degress celcius. If you wanna avoid crowds come in winter. I love the cold and I hate crowds so winter is the perfect timing. Please do wear layered clothing and wind breaker on the outside because the winds here are harsh. I got a few nose bleeds and chest pain due to the harsh weather. But you still gotta smile for those photos hahahaha. #passionpassport

When visiting Zhangye, the Pingshanhu Grand Canyon is a must! The canyon is absolutely stunning! It does get very hot and if you’re there on a sunny day, bring sunscreen!! 📍How to get there: I hired a driver and I suggest you do the same. It is located quite far from Zhangye city and I’m not sure if you can take a bus from the city. ⏰Recommended time: About 3.5-4.5 hours. There are a lot of stairs, depending on how fit you are, going up the stairs when leaving the canyon could potentially take you about 45mins. *Bring A LOT of water and some snacks! While exploring the site, I came across only 1 little shop about 1.5 hours into the hike. The shop wasn’t selling any food and the drinks weren’t cold. When reaching observation deck 4, there’s another shop selling some snacks and drinks but you reach that shop only at the end of your hike. #passionpassport #gansu #canyon #naturalwonders #china #summervacation #zhangye

Getting There - Our tour bus took us there. You can drive yourself or take a taxi to the parking lot of Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, from.there a shuttle bus will pick you up to take you to the scenic spot of the Grand Canyon. Attractions - What a spectacular site! The Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is quit exquiste. So glad we had the opportunity to see this scenic spot. At the lookout points you can far and beyond and walking between the canyons just admiring the wonde of the canyon. There's also a lot of stairs to bring you back to reality😁 but in the end you can reward yourself with an ice cold drink or ice cream. Hotels - There's place to sleep on site other than that there's not hotels nearby you need to drive awhile. But it's definitely worth it. Food & Restaurants - At the Canyon there's a restaurant/shop where you can eat something, buy some drinks or ice cream and some souvenirs. Shopping - There's a shop at the entrance to buy some souvenirs and drinks.#silkroad #summervacation #pingshanlakegrandcanyon

If in Zhangye, I’m sure you’re here for the Mati temple, the Grand Canyon, and the Rainbow mountain but this place is also nice. If you have a bit of time (all you need is about one hour), go and visit the Big Buddha Temple! How to get there - During my time in Zhangye, I had a private driver. There’s most likely a bus that could drop you off near the temple but taking a DiDi is always convenient. Attraction - There are a few temples and some beautiful flowers. Have a nice little stroll and enjoy the beauty of this scenic spot. 😊 Cost - If I remember correctly, the ticket was about 40-50¥. #zhangye #gansu #temple #urbanexplorer #summervacation #thisischina

Welcome to Zhangye’s Ganzhou Night Market! Just like the vast majority of cities in China, Zhangye has quite a few night markets. I didn’t have enough time to explore them all but the one I went to was pretty good! Whenever I visit a city or a province I’ve never been to, I always ask what the typical dishes/drinks are. I was told to try the apricot juice and the yogurt. Both were sold at this market and I was pleasantly surprised! At the market , you can also find typical street food such as meat skewers, bread, nuts, and other typical Chinese delicacies. Enjoy! 😊 #summervacation #urbanexplorer #foodie #streetfood #nightmarket #china #zhangye #thisischina

Location - The wooden pagoda temple is located pretty much in the city center of Zhangye. It isn’t too far from the Giant Buddha temple so I’d suggest visiting both scenic sites the same day. Attraction - If you go there during the day, you can go up the pagoda and enjoy the view. The view itself isn’t that phenomenal but if you have time to do it, why not?! If you go there at night, you cannot go up, so if you have time, go during the day and at night. Cost - 25¥ *FYI, the stairs are very steep. Be careful! 😊 #gansu #zhangye #china #beautiful #travelinspiration #pagoda #thisischina #exploreasia #summervacation #urbanexplorer

Getting There - 1 hour drive Northeast from Zhangye West station. We arranged a driver to take us there and wait to pick us up after as it’s quite a remote location Attractions - Grand canyon scenery, walking trails that take 2-4 hours to cover. Optional camel rides are available based on what ticket option you buy. Food & Restaurants - limited food options but there are vending machines and a cafe restaurant at the end of the trail Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this area has a nice balance between being tourist friendly but not too busy #culturalattraction

The flight here from Beijing was a little long (and my tour cost wayyyyy too much) other wise this could have been a day trip. I made it a weekend trip instead. Spend the first day roaming around town, not a bad town but you can smell the farms near by. There were some really beautiful temples, I didn't get to go into all because of Covid but I also picked up a weird-o and I decided i was better off skipping the temple if it meant I could get away from him. Hate when that happens. The next day I got up early to go see the rainbow mountains, not as bright as some of those edited photos but still amazing. Then we drove out to the grottoes. They really are amazing, being built into the mountain like that before we had the equipment we have now. Warning though if you go prepare your self for heights and small spaces, I got no warning at all.

Far out in remote Gansu Province is the Ping Shan Lake National Geopark, aka China’s Grand Canyon. If you’ve ever been to the Southwest United States, you’ll know how beautiful this type of landscape can be. Your best bet is to get a hotel in Zhangye, which is about an hour away by car. There are tours that go to the several national parks in the region. Give yourself maybe 3-5 hours to explore Ping Shan Lake so you can take your time. We went in mid-May, which was great because it’s still the low season so there was hardly anyone there and the weather was totally fine. Just needed a light jacket. Recommended for anyone who likes natural landscapes. #unforgettableexperiences#couplestrip#awesomepic#nationalpark#roadtrip#urbanexplorer

Getting There - From Lanzhou you can either take a bullet train or fly there. Same if youre coming from Dunhuang or Jiayuguan. Attractions - Apart from the Danxia Colourful Rainbow mountain you can also visit the Alien Valley and the Wetland Park. We recommend to atleast stay in Zhangye for 2 days so you can see multiple tourist sights. There are more rourist sights like Pingshan Lake and Binggou Canyons. Hotels - Kaoshan Tent . We highly recommend this hotel/yurt. It is conveniently located near the rainbow mountain's entrance.. Food & Restaurants - There are options of restaurants outside the rainbow mountain and the hotel has an onsite restaurant too. Shopping - Few shops outside the rainbow mountain. You can buy many types of souvenir items there. #zhangye #danxia #rainbowmountain

Mati Temple was built in the Jin Dynasty, and features a series of grottoes that blend into the cliff face! In total there are 7 small grotto groups that stretch over 30km, and legend has it that this temple was so named because a sacred horse left a footprint in the rock here - which you can also see inside the temple!). Aside from the grottoes, the area itself is super beautiful, with lush greenery surrounding the entire area. 📍Mati Temple, Gansu Province, China #leaveyourmark

🌈 ⠀ ⠀ Definitely thought the colours were not going to be as impressive as we’d hoped. While colours IRL were a little more muted than we had seen online, we were still blown away by the sprawling mountain scenery. ⠀ ⠀ These mountains cover an area of over 200 square miles, and are made from Cretaceous sandstone and siltstone that boast a primarily ‘deep red’ colour. We were lucky enough to be staying at a nearby ‘campsite’ where a number of traditional Kaoshan tent (similar to that of a yurt) gave us shelter for the night and enabled us to see the mountains up close and personal as soon as the sun rose!⠀ ⠀ 📍Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, Gansu Province, China Price: 60 RMB for entry to the colourful hills (includes a 20 RMB sightseeing bus ticket) #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel

Ma Ti So horse hoof temple 马蹄寺。 Very famous destination for travelling. The built in the rock temple is admirable pattern of ancient master piece and spirit! The temple is 1600 years old. The narrow corridors in tiny rock smells like a mysterious secret place. The artifacts also are not usual, especially, that Buddha stature with another Buddha in a belly. To get there it is important to catch one bus from south bus station in Zhangye. Note: the bus schedule are varied from time to time, usually there are three morning busses: 7-25, 8-25, 9-25; but when we have arrived to buy the ticket we were told there is only one at 9-15 because there are not enough tourists. Futher, please, precise the information from the driver, where and when he will pick passengers for return trip If this only one bus will be missed, well... you have to think over your returning. The temperature difference could shock! At the night there snow fall had happened, we came with very warm clothes, but after noon it became more than 20+ degrees Celsius and we took off all clothes, even T-shirts. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, just very very beautiful. #tripaway#triplocal