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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Northwestern District of China

Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot

8.7
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot is located in Linze and Sunan counties at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. The attraction is 40 km east of Zhangye city and 20 km north of Linze county. Covering a total area of 50 sq km with 4 sq km accessible to visitors, it's currently recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The attraction features seven viewing spots, including Colorful Cloud Sea, Colorful Fairyland, Colorful Splendor, Colorful Rainbow Glow, Crouching Tiger Gorge, Colorful Ao River, and Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley, along with over 30 scenic views such as Dragon Playing with Fire (colorful hills), Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Sky, Golden Toad Seeking the Way, Giant Scallop, Colorful Screen, Sleeping Beauty, and Crouching Tiger. It is a highly integrated area of colorful hills and Danxia landforms. The colorful hills amaze visitors with their vibrant hues, intricate layered patterns, majestic scale, and breathtaking vistas. The Danxia landform area of Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley features towering peaks resembling a forest, with a harmonious yet dramatic arrangement of sparse and dense formations. These extraordinary shapes, carved by nature's artistry, combine grandeur, peril, wonder, elegance, and serenity in one spectacular landscape. After being promoted to a national 5A-level attraction and global geopark, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot aims to become an international travel destination. By deeply exploring and optimizing regional cultural resources, the scenic spot will leverage its unique tourism assets and cultural heritage to transform into a western China-based international resort with scientific research appeal. Centered around colorful hills and Danxia landforms, it highlights the aesthetic and scientific value of geological resources while prioritizing their protection and development. The composite attraction primarily offers geological sightseeing and recreation, complemented by cultural experiences, folk customs, and leisure vacations.Zhangye · 32.2km from downtown
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Gansu

Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple

7.4
The Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is located in the urban area of Zhangye. It was first built during the Yong'an era of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of over 900 years. The temple is renowned for housing one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, along with other distinctive ancient structures such as the earthen pagoda and the Shanxi Guild Hall, which are open for visits. Exhibitions inside the temple help travelers understand Buddhist art and the history of the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple. As one of Zhangye's iconic attractions, it is a must-see for visitors to the city. The current site of the temple is not large, with a depth of approx. 200 m and a width of approx. 100 m. Visitors can enter from the western square and explore on foot. The main buildings open for visits, from west to east, include the Giant Buddha Hall, the Hall of Ten Thousand Saints (now the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall), the Scripture Hall (now the Buddhist Texts Exhibition Hall), the earthen pagoda, and the Shanxi Guild Hall. A complete tour takes approx. 1–2 hrs. The Giant Buddha Hall is the temple's most significant structure and the highlight for travelers. It features one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, depicting the Nirvana of Sakyamuni. The statue measures 34.5 m in length and 7.5 m in shoulder width—so massive that a single finger can accommodate a lying person, and one ear can seat 10 people side by side. The hall also houses statues of the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, along with exquisite murals depicting Journey to the West and the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Hall of Ten Thousand Saints and the Scripture Hall, located in the central area, now serve as exhibition spaces for Buddhist art and texts, displaying sculptures, grotto statues, scriptures, and other artifacts. Notable among these is a collection of over 6,000 Buddhist scriptures personally bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, many written in pure gold, which are the temple's prized treasures. The earthen pagoda, standing over 30 m tall, is east of the Giant Buddha Hall. Its two-tiered base features four small pagodas on each level, adorned with exquisite carvings and housing solemn Buddha statues. The Shanxi Guild Hall, situated northeast of the temple complex, was originally a merchant guild hall during the Qing Dynasty. This typical northwestern residential courtyard features ancient architecture with intricately carved beams and painted pillars, exuding rustic elegance.Zhangye · 760m from downtown
Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
No. 20 of Best Things to Do in Gansu-Qinghai Area

Mati Grottoes Tourism Area

7.3
The Mati Grottoes Tourism Area is located at the foot of the Qilian Mountains in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye. This grotto temple complex was first built during the Northern Liang period of the Sixteen Kingdoms and continued to be carved for over a thousand years. It was renamed Puguang Temple during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and was historically renowned alongside the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yulin Caves in Guazhou as a major center of Buddhist art along the Hexi Corridor. The grotto complex consists of Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, the Thousand Buddha Caves, Jinta Temple, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves, with over 70 surviving cave niches. Early on, Han Buddhism flourished here, while Tibetan Buddhism gradually rose after the Yuan Dynasty. The coexistence of Han-style halls and Tibetan Buddhist temples on the same mountain is a distinctive feature that sets this grotto complex apart from most others. Legend has it that a heavenly horse left its hoofprint here, giving the mountain and temple their names. The deep hoofprint can still be seen on a bluestone slab in the Mati Hall today. The "Thirty-three heavens" grotto is the iconic view here: over 20 caves across seven tiers are carved into the steep red sandstone cliff in a pagoda-like formation, with halls and pavilions suspended layer by layer. All passageways are hewn into the rock—some so narrow and steep that only one person can pass at a time, requiring visitors to climb on hands and knees along zigzagging stone steps and wooden ladders. From the upper caves, one can overlook the river valley and grasslands at the foot of the Qilian Mountains. The grand Tibetan Buddha Hall, also called the Standing Buddha Hall, extends over 30 m deep, with niches densely lining its encircling corridor, most housing statues from the Yuan Dynasty. The Thousand Buddha Cave, an earlier-excavated section of the complex, preserves intact stone sculptures of one Buddha flanked by two disciples, while nearby cliffs feature extensive relief carvings of stone pagoda forests. The attraction stretches several km deep, with the main route connecting several areas including the "Thirty-three heavens" grottoes, King Gesar's hall and the Thousand Buddha caves, which are some distance apart. Taking the shuttle bus within the attraction will save energy, and walking through the main grotto areas generally takes approx. three hrs. King Gesar's hall features statues depicting the heroic tales of the Tibetan epic figure King Gesar, which can be viewed along the way. It's worth noting that many of the early statues and murals in the grottoes have suffered damage over time, and some of what we see today are later restorations. Rather than fixating on the original millennium-old artworks, it's better to focus on the experience of climbing the cliffside grottoes themselves, along with the Qilian snow-capped mountains, pastoral grasslands and rich Yugur ethnic culture.Sunan · 79.8km from downtown
Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Zhangye

Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm

5.9
Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm is located south of Shandan County in Zhangye, covering a vast grassland on the northern side of the Qilian Mountains. The farm boasts expansive terrain, with endless stretches of grasslands and rapeseed fields spanning dozens of kilometers, offering breathtaking and majestic scenery. Historically serving as an imperial horse breeding ground, it has now become the world's largest horse farm, where visitors can experience galloping across the open plains. Additionally, the farm offers unique local delicacies such as wild mushrooms, specialty lake fish, yogurt, and honey, all worth trying. The attraction is divided into several areas, including the main farm and sections one to five. Section three features the most spectacular natural scenery, while section one concentrates most visitor facilities like hotels and restaurants. The distance between these two sections is about a 2-hour drive. A typical itinerary involves entering through section three on the first day to enjoy its stunning landscapes before heading to section one for overnight stay, followed by horseback riding the next day before departing toward Shandan County. Due to its high altitude, the farm has short summers, making July and August the ideal months to visit when the grasslands and rapeseed fields are lush and green. Visitors usually access the farm via National Highway 227, which connects Xining to Zhangye.Turn into the ranch at BiandukouUpon arrival, you'll first reach the Third Ranch, which boasts the most stunning scenery in the military horse farm. Dozens of kilometers of grasslands and fields stretch along both sides of the road. When summer arrives and the rapeseed flowers bloom, the area transforms into a golden sea, offering breathtaking photo opportunities. Follow the signs toward the First Ranch while enjoying the views along the way—it takes about 2 hours to reach. The First Ranch serves as the main tourist destination of the entire horse farm. The highlight activity here is horseback riding. Upon arrival, you can arrange your experience directly through the guesthouse at the First Ranch. There are two options for horseback riding: one involves riding to the Kulong Gorge attraction, but the scenery there isn't particularly remarkable, and the rough terrain means you'll be led slowly by a handler, making it less recommended. The better option is learning to ride on the grasslands near the First Ranch. This experience differs from typical touristy horseback activities—Shandan military horses are generally gentle and obedient, and the vast, flat grasslands allow visitors to trot or even gallop after some basic instruction. Another must-see is the daily morning horse release ceremony. Around 6 AM near the First Ranch headquarters, professional herders drive hundreds of military horses out to graze, creating a spectacular scene reminiscent of a thundering cavalry charge—perfect for stunning photographs. Additionally, about 2 km from the ranch headquarters lies a reservoir where you can enjoy peaceful evening walks by the lakeside. Accommodation and dining options are limited, primarily concentrated at the First Ranch. The Danma Sihai Resort Hotel by the reservoir offers comfortable rooms (around CNY 300 per standard room) with beautiful grassland and lakeside views. The Shandan Horseman Hotel near the ranch headquarters provides standard rooms for CNY 150–200. During peak season and holidays, local accommodations fill quickly. The horse farm offers affordable dining. Try the large Fushenglong Restaurant near the ranch headquarters—don't miss the wild mushrooms and local lake fish specialties. Braised lamb and hand-grabbed lamb are also must-try dishes. You'll frequently see beekeepers along the roads—buy some honey and pair it with highland yogurt from local shops for a unique, delicious treat!Shandan · 83.7km from downtown
Bars Snow Mountain
No. 18 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Gansu

Bars Snow Mountain

5.7
Sunan Bars Snow Mountain Ecological Tourism Attraction is located in Xichahe Village, Dahe Township, Sunan Yugu Autonomous County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, in the middle of the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. Bars means "tall, majestic, and sacred" in Yugu language. There are six snow-capped mountains distributed from east to west in the Attraction, among which the main peak, Bars Snow Mountain, with an altitude of 5,118 meters, is a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Yugu people. The Attraction is mainly composed of snow-capped mountains, glacial relics, rivers, lakes and alpine grasslands. The ancient ethnic minority Yugu people live at the foot of the mountain. Its scenery maintains the purity of the nearly extinct nature. Because of its unique landform and cultural landscape, rich glacial relics and original natural scenery, it is known as the "Qilian Mountain Secret", "the dazzling pearl of the Silk Road", and "the paradise of outdoor sports". It is a paradise for ice and snow experience and hiking photography enthusiasts, and it is also a good mountain for primary snow mountain climbing training. The Attraction area not only has magnificent glacial geological relics, magnificent and sacred snow-capped mountains, but also has vast grasslands, colorful forests and the blue and transparent Snow Mountain Lake. It has the naturalness, novelty, rarity and beauty of geological relics and ecosystems, presenting the natural beauty of "majestic, strange, beautiful, secluded and vast". Almost all the beautiful scenery of the plateau is gathered here. The Attraction is an eco-tourism Attraction mainly integrating snow mountain viewing, ecological experience, natural education, scientific research and popular science. Its resource endowment and ice and snow landscape value are not inferior to Yulong Snow Mountain in Yunnan and Yading in Daocheng, Sichuan. CCTV's "Home in the Distance" in 2012 and CCTV's "Golden Route" in 2015 conducted special filming and publicity for the Attraction, further improving the popularity of the Bars Snow Mountain Attraction.Sunan · 25.3km from downtown

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Featured Day tours in Zhangye

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One-Day Tour of Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains & Mati Temple (Explore Geological Wonders, Discover Millennia-Old Buddhist Grottoes)
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4.4/5
· 10 reviews· 81 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
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Hotel Pickup & Drop-off | Zhangye Two Scenic Spots Day Tour | Pingshanhu Grand Canyon + Zhangye Rainbow Danxia | Pure Sightseeing
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5.0/5
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Duration: 7.8 hrs
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Zhangye Private Day Tour: Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon & Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
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5.0/5
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Duration: 6.5 hrs
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Zhangye Mati Temple half-day tour (Buddhist chants hidden in sheer cliffs, a half-day exploration of the millennia-old secret realm beneath the Qilian Mountains)
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From€37.74

Featured Culture & history in Zhangye

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Zhangye Mati Grottoes Tourism Area Half-Day Tour: Private Car + Ticket [Hassle-Free Trip]
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot + Mati Temple 1-day Tour (Private Tour)
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Duration: 8 hrs
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Private Zhangye Day Tour | 3 Packages: Danxia, Mati Temple, Binggou & Pingshanhu Canyon
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Zhangye Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon & Mati Grottoes Day Tour: Private Car + Ticket
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Duration: 4.5 hrs
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[Zhangye Departure] Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot & Mati Temple Day Tour: Private Car+Ticket
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Duration: 7 hrs
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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot & Mati Grottoes Tourism Area Private Day Tour
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Duration: 4.5 hrs
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When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include One-Day Tour of Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains & Mati Temple (Explore Geological Wonders, Discover Millennia-Old Buddhist Grottoes), Hotel Pickup & Drop-off | Zhangye Two Scenic Spots Day Tour | Pingshanhu Grand Canyon + Zhangye Rainbow Danxia | Pure Sightseeing, and Zhangye Private Day Tour: Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon & Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Zhangye is around EUR 19.96 – EUR 63.45. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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