Zhangye Travel Guide – A Stunning Gem on Hexi Corridor
Zhangye is a little city nestled in the middle of the Hexi Corridor, in the northwest of Gansu. Historically known as Ganzhou, it was once a bustling commercial hub on the Ancient Silk Road. This region is adjacent to several important Silk Road cities and hubs, including Wuwei to the east, Jiayuguan and Jiuquan to the west, Qinghai to the south and Inner Mongolia to the north. The advanced location makes it a convenient inclusion in any Silk Road tour.
The profound history has left the city with numerous cultural and historical sites. The Matisi Grottoes carved into cliff faces and the Giant Buddha Temple hidden in the bustling city center are the two most famous ones. These sites are where you can look into the unique Buddhist culture, history, and exquisite craftsmanship of the Gansu region.
The city’s natural landscapes are also breathtaking, far beyond the Rainbow Mountains. The majestic Qilian Mountains, Heihe River Wetlands, and the unique Danxia landforms together contribute to its diverse natural environment and fertile fields.
- Chinese name: 张掖 (zhāngyè)
- Area: 38,600 square kilometers
- Population: 1.2 million
- Average altitude: Around 1482.7meters above sea level in the city area.
- Highlights: Diverse Danxia landforms, ancient Buddhist grottoes and temples
- Best time to visit: June to October
- How many days to plan: 2-3 days to cover its iconic attractions; over 3 days are recommended for in-depth Zhangye travel.
Zhangye Danxia Landform
Danxia landform is a type of red-colored landform characterized by steep cliffs. These formations are widely distributed in 28 provinces of China. Typically, they feature flat tops, steep slopes, and gentle bases. The formation of Danxia landform was formed in the late Tertiary period. It was shaped and affected by the joint actions of Himalayan orogeny, and erosion of water, gravity, and wind.
As a top Danxia landform destination, Zhangye boasts a wide distribution and diverse shapes of Danxia landforms. The most famous Danxia scenic areas in Zhangye include:
- Rainbow Mountains: The most famous one; features vibrant colors spreading among undulating hills.
- Binggou Danxia: Known for its unique and diverse shapes and formations.
- Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: Features strong layers and textures, but has less striking formations compared to Binggou Danxia.
- Alien Valley: Features its extraterrestrial-like terrain, housing towering peaks, rugged ridges, steep gorges, sheer cliffs, and jagged rock pillars.
Essential tips for exploring Zhangye Danxia landforms:
- All of these four scenic areas are included in Zhangye Danxia Geopark.
- Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is in the north of Zhangye City. The other three areas are in the west of the city, about 1 hour’s drive from the city center.
- It is recommended to visit all of these four scenic areas if time permits. If time is limited, include Rainbow Mountains and Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon in your Zhangye trip.
Top Zhangye Attractions
While many people primarily associate Zhangye with the Rainbow Mountains, it also offers other remarkable Danxia landforms, such as the Binggou Danxia and the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. Plus, the rich history also left this region with many cultural and historical sites. See below the top recommended attractions in Zhangye.
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon features stunning Danxia landforms and allows visitors to reach the canyon floor. It is often referred to as the "Chinese version of the Grand Canyon". Visitors can take a desert off-road vehicle down to the bottom of the canyon and enjoy local featured camel rides and camel-drawn carriage.
Zhangye Weather & Best Time to Visit
Zhangye enjoys a temperate continental arid climate, featuring low rainfall and distinct seasons. Temperature differences between day and night are overall significant, even in summer.
The best time to visit Zhangye is between June and October. The summer months from June to August is its peak tourist season. The cool and refreshing climate makes it a great place for escaping summer heat. In autumn, from September to October, the city sees frequent blue skies. The slanting rays of the autumn sun make the Rainbow Mountains even more vibrant.
November to February is cold in Zhangye, with average temperatures often dropping below 0°C. Temperatures from March to May is still relatively low, and cloudy and windy days are common to see.
How to Get to Zhangye & Travel Around
How to Get to
Currently, visitors can fly to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport directly or via a stopover from Beijing, Xian, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, etc. It’s recommended to make a transfer in Xining, Lanzhou, or Xi’an. The airport is about 24 kilometers southeast of the city center.
The preferred route is to fly from your city to Xining, then take a high-speed train from Xining to Zhangye West Railway Station in 1.5-2 hours. If flying to Xining is not convenient, then flying directly to Lanzhou. And the high-speed train ride from Lanzhou to Zhangye is about 2-3 hours. A stopover in Xi’an is relatively inconvenient, as the flights from Xi’an to Zhangye are limited and the high-speed train ride takes more than 6 hours.
Zhangye can also be easily reached by high-speed train from nearby cities, like Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, and Jiuquan. Compared to Zhangye Railway Station, Zhangye West Station in the city center is more used, offering more convenient access.
How to Travel Around Zhangye
Attractions in the city center, like Giant Buddha Temple, can be easily reached by walking, taxi, or public transportation. To reach attractions in the suburbs of Zhangye, visitors need to take coaches from Zhangye Xiguan Bus Station:
- Rainbow Mountains: With frequent coaches per day. A single trip takes about 45 minutes and CNY 15 per person.
- Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: With three bus services each day; A one-way trip takes about 55 minutes and costs CNY 30 per person
- Mati Temple: There is only one bus departing from Zhangye Bus Station at 9:00 AM, and the return bus departs from Mati Temple at 2:30 PM.
- Shandan Military Horse Farm: Take a high-speed train from Zhangye West Station to Shandan Horse Farm Station, then take a shared taxi to reach the farm.
Explore Zhangye with Us
Since these major attractions in Zhangye are 30-60 kilometers from the city center, with inconvenient transportation connections. Consider hiring a private vehicle with a local driver or booking a Zhangye tour with a reliable travel agency like Chinaxiantour.
How Many Days to Plan for a Zhangye Tour?
Most travelers arrange Zhangye as one of the stops on a Silk Road tour from Lanzhou to Dunhuang. If short on time, we recommend spending 1-2 days visiting its iconic sites, like the Rainbow Mountains, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, and Binggou Danxia.
Three or more days are required for an in-depth Zhangye exploration. Then, it’s possible to include more famous attractions, like Giant Buddha Temple, Mati Temple Grottoes, Shandan Military Horse Farm, etc.
Recommended Zhangye Tours:
Accommodation in Zhangye: Where to Stay
Accommodations on South Street of Zhangye City are the first choices for a convenient stay. Both the Bell and Drum Towers and the Giant Buddha Temple are located on this bustling street. It is also close to the Zhangye Bus Station where you can take shuttle buses to reach many classic attractions.
For people who want to experience the stunning sunrise and sunset at the Rainbow Mountains, staying in the nearby Kaoshan Tent (Kaoshan Daying) should be your best choice. The camp is just at the foot of the Danxia Mountains, only 10 minutes’ walking away. It is a high-end camp with over 70 Mongolian yurt-style accommodations.
Zhangye Food
Zhangye’s unique geographical location and rich historical and cultural heritage have greatly influenced its distinctive culinary culture. Ganzhou Night Market and Zhangye Ming-qin Ancient Street are the top two places to experience the culinary delights and vibrant nightlife in Zhangye.
Typical delicacies and dishes you can try during your visit to Zhangye include:
- Zhangye Beef Xiaofan (牛肉小饭): Though its name suggesting rice, it actually consists of noodles cut into tiny pieces and tender and flavorful beef.
- Sao Noodles (臊面): Made with elastic and thin noodles, tofu, eggs and green onions, it is served with a delicious sao zi soup.
- Hui Dou Zi (灰豆子): A popular dessert made from peas, red dates, white sugar, and rose petals.
- Lamb Dian Juan Zi (羊肉垫卷子): A traditional dish made by cooking lamb and rolled noodles with various seasonings.
- Cuo Yu Zi (搓鱼子): This classic noodle dishes features noodles in unique small fish shapes. Can be served either dry mixing or stir-fried.
- Juan Zi Ji (卷子鸡): A signature dish in Zhangye, it is made by stewing local chicken with rolled noodles. After absorbing the rich broth, the chewy noodles infused with robust flavor.
Practical Zhangye Travel Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes and carry enough water as most scenic areas in Zhangye require a lot of hiking.
- The region experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, so bring appropriate clothing and wear in layers.
- Pay attention to the sun protection due to the intense sunlight here.
- When visiting the Rainbow Mountains, plan to arrive 3-4 hours before sunset to catch more vibrant hues of the hills. Booking in advance is essential if you want an in-depth tour in Zhangye Danxia National Geopark.
