Zhangye
Zhangye
Rainbow Mountains of the Silk Road
Best: June-October
4 Must-See Attractions
1 Tours Available
About Zhangye
Located on Gansu’s Hexi Corridor, Zhangye is a historic Silk Road city widely known as "Golden Zhangye". It charms travelers with unique northwest oasis scenery and splendid geological landscapes. It is best famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Zhangye Danxia, featuring stunning rainbow layered rock formations. The spectacular Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, with red cliffs and deep desert valleys, adds another breathtaking natural highlight to this ancient frontier city.
Highlights
- 1Zhangye Colorful Danxia – UNESCO rainbow layered rock wonderland
- 2Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon – Vast red rock valley known as China’s Grand Canyon
- 3Mati Temple Grottoes – Cliffside Tibetan Buddhist caves with Qilian Mountain views
- 4Giant Buddha Temple – Western Xia royal temple housing Asia’s largest indoor reclining Buddha
- 5Hexi Corridor Silk Road Culture – Ancient frontier trade and multi-ethnic heritage
- 6Local Northwest Cuisine – Braised chicken with noodles, lamb skewers and sour milk tea
Must-See Attractions
Colorful Danxia Scenic Area
Admire layered rainbow rock hills, catch stunning sunset glow at No.4 viewing platform
3-4 hours
Zhangye Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Astonishing stratified rock formations shaped by millions of years of natural erosion
3-4 hours
Mati Temple Grottoes
Climb the Thirty-Three Heaven Cliff caves, view integrated Han-Tibetan Buddhist art
2-3 hours
Giant Buddha Temple
Appreciate the giant clay reclining Buddha and preserved ancient Buddhist scriptures
1-1.5 hours
Weather & Best Time to Visit
spring
8–22°C
Dry and windy, large day-night temperature gap
summer
18–28°C
Cool and dry, ideal summer retreat, vibrant colorful Danxia tones
autumn
10–25°C
Clear blue skies, saturated rock colors, top photography season
winter
-8–10°C
Cold and windy, quiet snow-covered Danxia landscapes
Our Recommendation
Summer brings comfortable cool weather; autumn delivers crisp light for landscape shots. Visit Danxia after 3 PM for soft sunset lighting.
Land of Hexi Silk Road Cultural Heritage
As a pivotal administrative and trade hub on the ancient Silk Road with over 2,100 years of history, Zhangye preserves complete frontier civilization integrating Han, Tibetan, Yugur and Hui cultures. It retains Western Xia royal Buddhist architecture, cliff grotto art, ancient caravan trade relics and nomadic farming mixed folk customs, forming a unique Hexi cultural heritage that records east-west cultural exchange along the corridor.
Giant Buddha Temple Western Xia reclining Buddha and ancient scripture collectionsMati Temple cliff grottoes featuring mixed Han-Tibetan Buddhist carving artSilk Road caravan relics and ancient city ruins of Hexi CorridorYugur ethnic nomadic customs, folk songs and grassland lifestyleAncient frontier military sites and multi-religious coexistence heritage
Getting Around
From Airport
Airport shuttle bus or taxi (around 30–40 min to downtown)
Public Transport
City buses and shared bikes serve downtown areas; tourist shuttle buses, private vehicles, or organized tours are recommended for distant scenic sites
Our Recommendation
Private vehicles or organized tours are recommended for Zhangye Danxia, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, and Mati Temple; use public transit for city attractions
Travel Tips
Wear windproof outerwear for big temperature swings
High-SPF sunscreen essential for strong plateau UV
No stepping or climbing on Danxia rock formations
No flash photography inside grottoes and temples
Book chartered vehicles in advance for remote scenic spots
Key Locations
Main Airport: Zhangye International
High-Speed Rail: Connected
Zhangye Tours
View All Tours →PERSONALIZED
Customize This Trip
Want to explore Zhangye your way? Our travel experts will craft a personalized itinerary just for you.
- Private guides & vehicles
- Flexible scheduling
- 24/7 trip support
Quick Facts
- Best Season
- June-October
- Top Attractions
- 4
- Tours Available
- 1
