3-Day Zhangye Adventure: Canyons, Rainbows, Cliffside Temples & Grasslands

Step into Zhangye's diverse landscapes: hike the depths of Ping Shan Lake Grand Canyon, watch the sunrise paint Rainbow Danxia in gold, climb the precarious Matisi cliff temples, and ride horses across the Qilian grasslands with Yugur herders.

1. Tour Highlights:

2. Itinerary Overview: 

Day 1: Canyons and Ancient Temples – Pingshanhu Grand Canyon + Dafosi Temple + Ganzhou Night Market

Pingshanhu Grand Canyon (Camel Riding + Camel Cart + Adventure Vehicle + Sightseeing Bus)

Pingshanhu Grand Canyon is located in Pingshanhu Mongolian Township, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, about 56 kilometers from the city center. At an altitude of 1500 to 2550 meters, it integrates canyon exploration, geological research, and off-road driving. It has been praised by *China National Geographic* as a geological wonder "comparable to the Grand Canyon in Colorado, USA." Core experiences: Challenge the 90° vertical ladder and traverse the narrow "One Line Sky" section.

Zhangye Dafosi Temple

A royal temple of the Western Xia Dynasty, it is a national key cultural relics protection unit. It houses Asia's largest indoor wooden-framed clay reclining Buddha—34.5 meters long, with just one finger measuring 1.2 meters. Highlights: The *Journey to the West* mural behind the reclining Buddha predates the novel by 200 years; the digital ambassador "Princess Yunzhuo" interacts with visitors through holographic projection, answering questions about Western Xia history.

①The largest indoor reclining Buddha in Asia: The Shakyamuni Buddha statue enshrined in the Great Buddha Hall is 34.5 meters long and 7.5 meters wide at the shoulders. A person can lie down on one finger, and ten people can sit side-by-side on one ear. The statue is exquisitely crafted and has a serene expression.

②Journey to the West Mural: A huge mural on the wall behind the reclining Buddha depicts scenes from the novel, including "The Journey to the West: The River Between Mother and Child," "The Battle with Red Boy," and "The Road Blocked by the Flaming Mountain." It predates the novel by 200 years.

③Brick Carving Art Treasures: Each side of the hall entrance is inlaid with 6 square meters of brick carvings. The south side depicts "The Western Paradise," and the north side depicts "The Dharma Preaching in the Garden of the Dead." These are treasures of Chinese brick carving art.

④Buddhist History Exhibition Hall: Contains a replica of the "Golden Pagoda Temple" grotto, a masterpiece from the Northern Liang period, hailed as "a grotto among grottoes."

⑤Earth Pagoda and Sutra Repository:The Amitabha Thousand Buddha Pagoda stands 33.37 meters tall, and its Sutra Repository houses Buddhist treasures such as the Yongle Northern Canon bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty.

Ganzhou Night Market: 

Zhangye's largest night market, its antique architecture and dazzling lights create a vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular spot for tourists to experience local food culture. Local favorites include: "cuo yu mian" (a type of noodle dish), beef rice, rolled chicken, sizzling grilled lamb skewers, soft and sweet gray beans, apricot tea, and local beer.

Day 2: Danxia Wonders – Rainbow Mountains + Binggou Danxia

Zhangye Rainbow Mountains Scenic Area:

 A national 5A-level scenic area and a world geopark, renowned for its colorful and magnificent Danxia landforms, it is known as the "Rainbow Mountain of China."

Be sure to arrive at Viewing Platform No. 4 before 7:00 AM; the sunrise paints the rock formations golden and red, providing the best time for photography.

Binggou Danxia

Binggou Danxia is renowned for its majestic, perilous, and magical landscape, and is one of the most typical, well-developed, and uniquely shaped Danxia landforms in China's arid regions. Unlike the vibrant colors of the Rainbow Mountains, Binggou Danxia is famous for its window-like palace-like landforms, with rocks resembling castles, palaces, and colonnades in countless shapes. The "Louvre Shadow" rock formation is a must-see; wearing black clothing will enhance the photos.

Core Attractions (Daxitian Scenic Area):

①Louvre Phantom (Palace of Bliss): The most famous anthropomorphic stone, resembling the outline of the Louvre Museum in France

②Divine Turtle Exploring the Sea (Bixi Peak): Resembling a divine turtle gazing at the sea of ​​clouds

③Golden Camel's Deep Affection: A lifelike camel sculpture

④Suoyang Divine Pillar: A towering group of stone pillars

⑤Egyptian Pharaoh: A naturally formed pharaoh's head

Day 3: Cliffside Buddhist Kingdom – Mati Temple Grottoes + Yugur Ethnic Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience + Qilian Grassland

Mati Temple Grottoes

The Mati Temple Grottoes Scenic Area is located in the foothills of the Qilian Mountains within Sunan Yugur Autonomous County. Also known as Puguang Temple, it is a vast grotto temple complex, integrating Han and Tibetan Buddhism in a unique style. The grottoes, blending Indian, Chinese, and Central Asian artistic styles, bear witness to the convergence of Silk Road civilizations.

①The Thirty-Three Heavens Buddha Caves (a key attraction): Seven levels and twenty-one caves are embedded in the cliff face, requiring a 70° steep wooden ladder climb to experience the piety of "stepping towards the Buddha."

②The Thousand Buddha Caves: Buddha statues scattered throughout the mountains.

③The Gesar King Temple: A temple commemorating the Tibetan hero Gesar.

④The Heavenly Horse Hoofprints: Ancient relics of hoofprints left by the legendary heavenly horse.

Yugur Ethnic Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: 

The Yugur people are a unique ethnic minority in Gansu. The Ke Cuiling Yugur Ethnic Folk Museum, built at a cost of 7 million yuan by a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, features an exhibition hall on the first floor and a research and learning base on the second floor.

Experiences include: 

①Traditional sports such as pole balancing and stick pulling; trying Yugur embroidery; learning to sing ancient folk songs; and taking photos in Yugur costumes from the Uyghur period to the present day.

②Songmutan Village (National Ethnic Minority Characteristic Village): Experience making the traditional Yugur delicacy "Shaokezi" (roasted in a pot buried in sheep dung), and stay in a pointed-roof wooden house.

③Dongniumao Village (Khalkha Mongolian Characteristic Village): 22 modern Mongolian yurts of various styles; ethnic costume performances; and handicrafts for sale.

④Sunan County Cultural Center/Intangible Cultural Heritage Center: Regular intangible cultural heritage displays; free Yugur song and dance performances during festivals.

Qilian Mountain Grassland: 

The Qilian Mountain Grassland stretches along National Highway G227. Driving south from Zhangye, after passing through the Biandukou Gorge, the grassland scenery gradually unfolds, forming a natural corridor connecting Gansu and Qinghai. A side trip to Kangle Grassland is recommended; in summer, the lush green grass and snow-capped mountains provide a perfect backdrop for photos. Horseback riding on the grassland is available at an optional fee.

3. Pricing & Practical Information：

3.1. The Fee Includes

• Attraction entrance fees:[Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon ticket + camel riding + camel cart + adventure vehicle + park sightseeing bus, Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, Ganzhou Night Market, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, Binggou Danxia ticket + park transportation (sightseeing bus), Mati Temple Grottoes ticket (including North Temple Grottoes ticket) + round-trip sightseeing bus, Yugur ethnic intangible cultural heritage experience, Qilian Mountain Grassland]

• English-speaking tour guide (3 days).

• Local transportation (based on the number of participants, with one seat per person guaranteed).

• Car expenses during the tour, including a local driver (3 days).

3.2. The Fee Does Not Include

• Additional expenses due to force majeure such as traffic delays, strikes, weather, aircraft or equipment failure, flight cancellations or rescheduling;

• All personal expenses and any other expenses not mentioned in the fee inclusions;

• International airfare is not included;

• Visas on arrival are not included;

• Meals, alcoholic beverages, and other personal expenses are not included;

• Expenses incurred by the traveler;

3.3. Child Policy

Please contact customer service if you are traveling with children.

3.4. Tips: Before You Go - Essentials

1. Visa: Make sure your passport and Chinese visa are valid.

2. Cash & Payments: While mobile payments are popular, please bring some cash (RMB). We strongly recommend setting up Alipay and linking your international credit card; this will solve 95% of payment issues.

3. Internet: Purchase a Chinese data SIM card or activate international roaming in advance. Download a VPN (such as Astrill or ExpressVPN) if you need to use Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.

4. Translation App: Download Google Translate or Microsoft Translate. Their "Live Chat" and "Camera Translation" features are lifesavers.

5. Maps APP.