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甘青旅行家China

Explore Subei: A Hidden Gem in Gansu

It's not about lacking the money to visit Switzerland, but rather that Subei offers better value for money. This summer, come explore Subei with me! ✨ This little-known county in Gansu is a hidden gem, occupying a significant portion of the province. ✨ Nestled at the foot of the vast Qilian Mountains lies Subei Yugur Autonomous County, the only Yugur autonomous county in China and a dazzling pearl along the Silk Road. ✨ Be a "city shepherd" for a day. Subei's grasslands are the ancestral home of the Yugur people, and the pastoral experiences here allow you to deeply immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of "living by water and grass." In Subei, follow local herders as they guide their flocks across the grasslands, experiencing the freedom of "boundless skies and endless plains." Learn traditional Yugur milking techniques and use fresh milk to make butter tea. At the intangible cultural heritage workshop, join local women in crafting handmade wool products. 💡 Ma Ti Temple Founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, this temple combines Han and Tibetan Buddhism. Over 1,600 years later, the grottoes carved into the cliffs of Song Mountain still gaze upon the majestic Qilian Mountains. 💡 Jin Ta Temple Located in Ma Ti Tibetan Township, Jin Ta Temple's red Danxia cliffs are a symphony of nature and human effort. The stone cave pathways wind through lush greenery at the base of the mountain, leading to grottoes carved into the middle of the cliff. The eastern and western grottoes are ingeniously built along the cliff's recesses. Above the grottoes, horizontal rock layers protrude like "brims," shielding them from years of wind and rain. 💡 Balz Snow Mountain A rare snow-capped mountain on the Gansu-Qinghai loop. From the viewing platform, you can admire the glacially eroded terrain beneath the snowy peaks, with vast grasslands stretching behind you. 💡 Ping Shan Lake Grand Canyon A masterpiece of geological wonders 👍👍👍: Danxia formations: Featuring red cliffs and steep slopes, the landscape is vibrant and colorful, showcasing typical arid-region Danxia landforms. Strong winds have intricately sculpted the relatively soft rock layers 🌹, creating castle-like wind-eroded formations and stone pillars reminiscent of a ghost town, highlighting the rugged and mysterious beauty of the Yardang landforms. Water has continuously carved through structural fissures and weak rock layers, eventually shaping this deep, spectacular canyon with its crisscrossing ravines. 💕 🌈: Simplified Itinerary: D1 Various locations—Zhangye—China Yugur Museum—Shambhala Quco—Stay in Subei D2 Zhangye—Kangle Grassland 🍃—Colorful Danxia 🌈—Stay in Subei D3 Zhangye—Ma Ti Temple Grottoes—Jin Ta Temple Special Grottoes—Stay in Subei D4 Zhangye—Balz Sacred Mountain 🏔️—Hongwan Temple—Stay in Subei D5 Zhangye—Ping Shan Lake Grand Canyon 🌹—Khar Kha Town—Stay in Subei D6 Zhangye—Return to various locations
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Posted: Jul 24, 2025
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Mati Grottoes Tourism Area

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Mati Grottoes Tourism Area

Mati Temple is a comprehensive scenic area that blends grotto art, Qilian Mountain scenery, and Tibetan customs. It is not only a national cultural relic protection site, but is also considered one of the "Three Great Buddhist Art Treasures of Hexi," along with the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the Yulin Grottoes in Anxi. Mati Temple's uniqueness lies in its blend of diverse cultures and stunning architectural wonders. · Unique Grotto Art: The Mati Temple Grottoes were constructed during the Northern Liang Dynasty, dating back over 1,600 years. The most striking of these is the "Thirty-three Heavens" Grottoes, carved in layers in the shape of a pagoda, comprising five levels and twenty-one caves. Climbing through the steep and narrow passages requires the use of both hands and feet, creating a unique experience. · Blending Han and Tibetan Buddhism: The temples here feature both Han and Tibetan Buddhist temples, each with its own distinct styles coexisting in a unique setting. Mati Temple was originally a Han Buddhist monastery and later became a Gelugpa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Beautiful Legend and Natural Scenery: Mati Temple derives its name from a beautiful legend: a celestial horse is said to have left a horseshoe print while drinking water here. This legendary horseshoe print is now preserved in the Horseshoe Hall of Puguang Temple and is considered the temple's treasure. Furthermore, the scenic area is located within the Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve, and the surrounding Qilian Mountain grasslands have been named "one of China's six most beautiful grasslands" by China National Geographic magazine. Transportation Guide · Self-Driving: From Zhangye city center, the journey is approximately 65 kilometers, with good road conditions. · Public Transportation: From Zhangye Nanguan Long-Distance Bus Station, take a shuttle bus to Sunan, then take a taxi to Mati Temple. Alternatively, you can take a dedicated tourist bus directly from Zhangye city center to Mati Temple. · Climbing Safety: The passages of the "Thirty-Three Heavens" Grottoes are steep, requiring both hands and feet to climb. It is not recommended for the elderly and children. · Civilized Tour: Photography is prohibited in many areas within the grottoes. Please observe the regulations.

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