[2024 Sunan Attraction] Travel Guide for Mati Temple Scenic Area (Updated Sep)

Gansu's Mati Grottoes: Ancient Wonders

⛪️ Mati Temple Grottoes, located in Gansu, China, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and culture. As someone who loves exploring ancient sites, I found this complex of caves and temples to be absolutely stunning. The intricate carvings and sculptures inside the grottoes are a testament to the incredible skill and artistry of the people who created them so many centuries ago. 🤩 One of the highlights of my visit to Mati Temple Grottoes was the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible walks inside the rocks of these ancient structures. The attention to detail and dedication of the original artists is truly remarkable, and it's heartening to know that these cultural treasures are being preserved for future generations to enjoy. We stayed at a local hotel nearby, which was really nice to wake up and just walk to the temple. There are plenty of beautiful surrounding walk, and I would highly recommend going and walking up the many steps to the viewing platform opposite the stupas! Winner views!!! ⛰️ Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Mati Temple Grottoes for anyone traveling to Gansu. The combination of history, culture, and stunning natural beauty makes for a truly unforgettable experience. #roadtrip #tripleblazer #ancientlandmark

Top 3 in China MATI Temple horse 🐴

Pictures speak louder than words ✌️ How to get there: rental car from Xining (3h), best a 4 wheel drive as the last 5km are not good What’s to see: Nature, temple, local culture and horseback riding Costs: hotels are local, below 200RMb/night. For the horses we paid around 200/each for half day Time needed: full weekend What to look for: Go remote with the horses Don’t forget to bring your drone for some of these beautiful aerial shots 🛸 IG: andykoh_m8 #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld

Zhangye’s Stunning Mati Temple

Mati Temple is one of the most famous scenic spots in Zhangye. The temple is located over 50km from Zhangye city making it difficult and very long to get there by bus. If you can, hire a driver for your journey. Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 Tickets: 73 RMB/person 📍Address: Sunan Yugu Nationality autonomous county, Zhangye, Gansu ⏰Recommended time: 2-3.5 hours. There are quite a few stairs so it depends on how fast you can go. I recommend just taking your time and taking in the beautiful landscape as well as the grottoes. #grottoes #zhangye #gansu #summervacation #china #thisischina #beautiful

Mati Temple was built in the Jin Dynasty, and features a series of grottoes that blend into the cliff face! In total there are 7 small grotto groups that stretch over 30km, and legend has it that this temple was so named because a sacred horse left a footprint in the rock here - which you can also see inside the temple!). Aside from the grottoes, the area itself is super beautiful, with lush greenery surrounding the entire area. 📍Mati Temple, Gansu Province, China #leaveyourmark

Ma Ti So horse hoof temple 马蹄寺。 Very famous destination for travelling. The built in the rock temple is admirable pattern of ancient master piece and spirit! The temple is 1600 years old. The narrow corridors in tiny rock smells like a mysterious secret place. The artifacts also are not usual, especially, that Buddha stature with another Buddha in a belly. To get there it is important to catch one bus from south bus station in Zhangye. Note: the bus schedule are varied from time to time, usually there are three morning busses: 7-25, 8-25, 9-25; but when we have arrived to buy the ticket we were told there is only one at 9-15 because there are not enough tourists. Futher, please, precise the information from the driver, where and when he will pick passengers for return trip If this only one bus will be missed, well... you have to think over your returning. The temperature difference could shock! At the night there snow fall had happened, we came with very warm clothes, but after noon it became more than 20+ degrees Celsius and we took off all clothes, even T-shirts. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, just very very beautiful. #tripaway#triplocal

#thousandbuddhatemple was constructed during the Yuan dynasty in 1271-1368. This temple, also carved out of the cliff face and pockmarked with thousands of tiny holes like a Swiss cheese mountain #zhangye #silkroad #happynewyear

#matitemple is temple with legend a winged horse with dragon scales descended from the heavens and left a hoof print on where the temple was established. The site is mentioned as described as a chiseled-out cave in the process of being enlarged and decorated with Buddha statues in the fifth/ sixth centuries #zhangye #silkroad. #unforgetabletrip #temple #happynewyear

Northwest Travel | Zhangye Horseshoe Temple Caves Horseshoe Temple is a tourist area that combines the art of grottoes, the scenery of Qilian Mountain and the Yugu people. The entire Horseshoe Temple is very large. If you want to play the entire scenic spot, it is estimated that it will take a day. Because of the time, we only selected a few more famous points. The Horseshoe Temple is not the same as an ordinary temple. It has no majestic treasure hall. There is no Qionglou Yuyu. It only has a labyrinth of caves in the upper and lower layers. huge cave temple complex, multiple cave statues carved on the stone walls

As a bright pearl on the ancient "Silk Road", Gansu Zhangye has formed a beautiful picture with unique western characteristics with its long history, splendid culture, beautiful mountains and rivers, and simple ethnic customs. Many people come to Gansu. I definitely want to go to the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes to see it. I dont know that there is a temple in the Jin Dynasty in Zhangye. This is the Horseshoe Temple. It is a collection of grotto art, religious culture, ethnic customs and natural scenery. It has been around for more than 1600 years. History, the Horseshoe Temple is named after the legendary Tianma has a horseshoe print here. The legendary horseshoe imprint is now in the Horseshoe Hall of Puguang Temple and becomes the treasure of the town temple. It consists of Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Thousand Buddha Cave, Upper, Middle and Lower Guanyin Caves and Jinta Temple, which are distributed in more than 100 square kilometers.

The Horseshoe Temple, also known as the "Puguang Temple", was built in the Northern Liang Dynasty. It has a history of more than 1,500 years. Because of the obvious horseshoe imprint on the bluestone plate of the horseshoe temple of the temple, it is said that it is King Saars mount was left behind, so he got his name. The original scale of the Horseshoe Temple includes the Jinta Temple, the Thousand Buddha Cave, the North and South Horseshoe Temple, the Upper and Lower Guanyin Caves and other grottoes and monasteries. There are more than 70 grottoes. It is another group of grottoes in Gansu, which is second only to Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Tianshui Maiji Mountain and Yongjing Bingling Temple. The temple feels very peaceful because it is located in the suburbs. This is a "temple" that subverts the image of a traditional temple in your heart. It does not have a strict temple, no ancient trees, no monks. Although it was destroyed, it can be seen through the residual statues and murals that it is a place of fragrant pilgrimage.

Mati Si, the temple grottoes

Despite being far from Zhangye and finding little information about how to reach the place, it was impossible for us to miss it. After searching through the internet for hours, we were informed that buses were not reliable to go there and we're often canceled if it wasn't the busy season. Given the fact that the city was empty, we decided to ask our hostel if they could arrange something, and they did. We paid 70rmb for a round trip to Mati Si, as well as transportation inside, which I think is much needed if you don't have much time as some sites are far from the others. It's important to note that at the moment, there's no sidewalk so you have to walk on the road, and even though there's not much traffic , it's not really pleasant, and there's no shuttle bus service inside the scenic area. This price was definitely a good bargain as most taxis or drivers would take around three times that for the same service. Mati temple means "Horseshoe" temple. Legend says that a hoof's print was left by a horse descending from the sky. You can actually see the print in one of the temples. But the horseshoe is not the only reason to visit. Going through the many grottoes, narrow stairs, climbing even to reach some is definitely an adventure worth the trip. Witnessing this, you wonder how this was built, and marvel at the ingenuity of those people. There are some beautiful carvings, and some murals are definitely worth seeing. The unusual setting is something that shouldn't be missed while on a trip to Zhangye. When we were there, it wasn't very busy, but I imagine during summer it can get pretty crowded, and thus hard to reach some grottoes as climbing might be needed or going through narrow stairs and corridors. 💰Average Price per Person: 74rmb per person (first Price ticket for the main attractions, it can go to much more expensive if you want to see all the sights in the area) 💞Reasons to Recommend: rare sights, spiritual journey, impressive architecture ⏱️Time spent there: three hours, fast paced. #matitemple #zhangye #temple #spiritual #grottoes #travel #china

The grottoes of Mati Temple.

Mati Temple is located in Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan Yugu Autonomous County, 60 kilometers away from Zhangye. It was built in the Northern Liang Dynasty. It is said that when the heavenly horse descended to the world, it left a horseshoe on a rock here, leaving a hoof print, and the temple was named after it. Mati Temple is now a large group of grottoes. It includes seven small grotto groups, stretching nearly 30 kilometers, with Qianfodong, North and South Mati Temple, Shangzhongxia Guanyin Cave and Jinta Temple. Among them, the most famous is the 33-day grotto of Beisi, which was excavated from the Northern Dynasty and lasted for hundreds of years. It is on the red sand rock wall, with a large bottom and a small top in the shape of a pagoda. There are 7 layers and 21 caves, and there is only one "Z" shaped internal passage up and down, and the corridor is winding. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, it still stands on a cliff of hundreds of feet. Jinta Temple Grottoes, in Zhangye Mati Temple Scenic Area, in the south of Zhangye near Qilian Mountain. The three-dimensional flying sky in Jinta Temple, with a twisted body in the shape of a V, is simple and childish, 300 years earlier than the flat flying sky of Mogao Grottoes. Looking at the grottoes from the viewing platform, there is a spectacular and magnificent feeling. When you walk closer and look up, the rough and heavy oppressive feeling is overwhelming, which is shocking! Thirty-three days grotto

Zhangye is so beautiful, are you sure you don't want to come this Mid-Autumn Festival?

🌈 Zhangye, a place with magnificent natural scenery and rich history and culture. 📍 Recommended attractions: 1. Seven-Colored Danxia: One of the most representative attractions in Zhangye, the colorful hills are like a palette knocked over by God. Under the sun, the various colors complement each other, creating a breathtaking view. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus or hike to the observation deck to enjoy this natural wonder from different angles. 2. Binggou Danxia: Unlike the Seven-Colored Danxia, Binggou Danxia is famous for its unique shapes and spectacular momentum. The peaks here are diverse, some like castles, some like camels, and some like Buddha statues, making people marvel at the wonders of nature. 3. Mati Temple: A tourist destination that combines cave art, Qilian Mountain scenery, and Yugur ethnic customs. The temple houses a large number of caves and murals, which are of high artistic value. You can visit the caves, admire the murals, and climb to the top of the mountain for a panoramic view of the Qilian Mountains. 4. Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: The deep canyon and unique peaks have been praised by China National Geography Magazine and renowned geologists and tourists as "rivaling Zhangjiajie" and "comparable to the Grand Canyon of Colorado". Here, you can hike through the canyon and experience the grandeur and mystery of nature. 📅 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Zhangye - Seven-Colored Danxia • Morning: Arrive in Zhangye, take a bus or private car to the Seven-Colored Danxia Scenic Area. • Afternoon: Visit the Seven-Colored Danxia and admire the colorful Danxia landforms. • Evening: Check in to a hotel or guesthouse near the scenic area. Day 2: Binggou Danxia - Mati Temple • Morning: Visit Binggou Danxia and experience the unique Danxia landforms. • Afternoon: Visit Mati Temple, see the caves and murals, and experience the charm of history and culture. • Evening: Check in to a guesthouse near Mati Temple. Day 3: Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon • Morning: Depart for Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon and begin your hiking adventure. • Afternoon: Continue exploring the canyon and take photos. • Evening: Return to Zhangye City and check in to a hotel. 🛎️ Recommended food: 1. Beef Rice: The noodles are cut into small pieces and served with beef soup and various seasonings, which are delicious. 2. Saomian: The noodles are long and thin, and the sauce is fragrant. It is one of the traditional delicacies in Zhangye. 3. Fried Cannon: Shaped like firecrackers, the texture is chewy. Served with braised meat and vegetables, it is very delicious. 4. Fish Roe: Shaped like small fish, the texture is smooth. It can be stir-fried or boiled, with a variety of flavors. 💡 Precautions: 1. Zhangye has a dry climate, so pay attention to moisturizing and sun protection. 2. The distance within the scenic area is long, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. 3. When visiting caves and murals, please follow the regulations of the scenic area and do not touch or damage the cultural relics. 4. Check the local weather conditions in advance and arrange your itinerary accordingly.

Zhangye City, Gansu Province | Zhangye, the arm of the Zhang Dynasty, leads to the Western Regions.

| Zhangye, the arm of the Zhang Dynasty, leads to the Western Regions. Zhangye is known as the "Jiangnan of the Frontier", a large-scale geomorphological park with diverse landscapes such as canyons, Gobi deserts, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, Danxia landforms, Yardangs, and wetlands. It is very suitable for in-depth tours. Experience summary: 1⃣️🚕 Transportation: Taxis start at 5 yuan, very convenient 2⃣️🏨 Hotel: We stayed at the Hanting Plus (Zhonggulou Branch) for 250+ yuan. It is very convenient to get around (booked half a month in advance) 3⃣️ The portions are quite large, so try to order less 4⃣️ Must-have items for travel: motion sickness pills, lip balm, and hydrating products 5⃣️ Pay attention to sun protection, sunglasses, sun protection clothing, long pants, sunscreen, and umbrellas ✅ Itinerary (3 days and 2 nights) Day 1⃣️ Zhangye Museum 👉🏻 Dafo Temple 👉🏻 Zhenyuan Tower 👉🏻 Ming and Qing Streets 👉🏻 Ganquan Park 📍 Zhangye Museum A comprehensive introduction to the characteristics of Zhangye in different historical periods, showcasing the development and integration of the Han and minority ethnicities here 📍 Dafo Temple A royal temple of the Western Xia Dynasty, the temple has three treasures: the most complete Western Xia temple complex; the largest indoor reclining Buddha; the most complete collection of the Northern Tripitaka. The couplet of the main hall of Dafo Temple is very Zen: "The sleeping Buddha sleeps for a thousand years and never wakes up, the questioner asks for a hundred years and never understands." 📍 Zhenyuan Tower The largest bell and drum tower in the Hexi Corridor, a three-story wooden tower, is a landmark of Zhangye City 📍 Ming and Qing Streets There are many delicious and fun things to do here, and you can experience the local life up close 📍 Ganquan Park Known as the "Royal Garden" of Zhangye, with a history of over a hundred years, it is mainly water-based, with mountains and water interspersed, and winding paths leading to secluded places Day 2⃣️ Mati Temple 👉 Ganzhou Night Market 📍 Mati Temple Scenic Area Tickets are required for the Thirty-Three Caves, Thousand Buddha Caves, and Special Caves ➡️ Visiting order: First go to the Thirty-Three Caves inside, limit the flow and queue in advance, then go to the Special Caves, then the Thousand Buddha Caves. The documentary "Hexi Corridor" mentions that Mati Temple was a cave temple excavated by Guo Yu, a university scholar, and his disciples. It was a place for them to stay away from worldly disputes. It is a witness to the confluence of Confucianism and Buddhism. 📍 Jin Tower Temple 24 kilometers away from Mati Temple, limited number of vehicles, need to make an appointment with the "Mati Temple Management Office" a few days in advance, belongs to the Mati Temple Grottoes, and is known as the Three Great Buddhist Art Treasures of the Hexi Corridor along with Mogao Caves and Yungang Caves.⚠️ Must make an appointment in advance❗️ 📍 Ganzhou Market Also known as Ganzhou Alley, similar to a food court, there are many delicious things to eat Day 3⃣️ Seven-Colored Danxia → Jiuquan 📍 Seven-Colored Danxia There are a total of 4 viewing platforms. No. 1 is generally, No. 2 is impressive, No. 3 has a wide view but the color changes are generally, and No. 4 is the most famous and has the richest colors. The sunset is very beautiful, don't miss it! Tickets for Seven-Colored Danxia can be used for two days 🥯 Special food: Beef noodles, scallion and egg stir-fry, roasted lamb, apricot skin tea, Forward milk, chicken rolls, Lao Zhou stir-fried Polla, try to buy and experience less.

Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves, it's better to visit niche attractions for viewing grottoes

Where is the best place to see grottoes? Dunhuang and Maijishan have too many tourists. In fact, there are many grottoes in Gansu with high artistic and historical value. I recommend a scenic spot with good scenery and fewer tourists, the Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves. Mati Temple Grottoes is one of the important Buddhist grottoes in China. It is located in the Lin Song Mountain, more than 80 kilometers southeast of Sunan Yugur Autonomous County in Gansu Province. There are North Temple, South Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, Jinta Temple, and Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves. The distances between these places range from several kilometers to more than ten kilometers. Due to the coarse red sandstone of the mountain cliffs, which is not easy to carve, most of the statues are made of clay. The Northern Dynasty grottoes are mostly concentrated in the Thousand Buddha Caves. Located on the cliff about 3 kilometers northeast of Mati Temple, there are more than ten caves. Caves 2 and 8 are central pillar style, with four layers of statues on the four sides of the pillar, preserving some statues and murals from the Northern Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties. Caves 1 and 4 are similar to the Kizil Grottoes in Xinjiang, with statues from the Northern Wei or Western Wei dynasties, later renovated. Cave 6 contains a standing Buddha and two disciples and two Bodhisattvas from the early Tang Dynasty, about 3 meters high. The Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves Grottoes include four special caves, which can be visited with a combined ticket. Overall, the statues in the special caves of the Thousand Buddha Caves are not well preserved, and their artistic value is average. 🚗 There is a parking lot opposite the Thousand Buddha Caves, which is not large. If it is full, temporary parking on the roadside is also possible.

Gansu Zhangye | Is the Matisi Temple worth the best guide?

Gansu Zhangye | Is the Matisi Temple worth the best guide? |||| At Matisi Temple, you can learn and experience Tibetan and Southern Yugur culture, appreciate cave art, enjoy the scenery of Qilian Snow Mountain from afar, and personally experience climbing caves. I think it's really worth a visit!!! Tickets ▪️ Basic ticket: Adult 67r, Student/Elderly 37r Natural scenery, Thousand Buddha Caves, King Gesar Hall, Matisi North Temple Grottoes (33 Heavens Grottoes, Matisi Temple, Tibetan Buddha Temple, North and South Sitting Buddha Temples) (excluding parking fees, Jinta Temple, Special Caves 1-4) ▪️ Full package ticket: 415r Route: Thousand Buddha Caves - Special Caves 1-4 - Matisi North Temple - Jinta Temple East and West Boutique Special Caves ▪️ Jinta Temple and Matisi Temple package ticket: 335rmb Route: Thousand Buddha Caves - Matisi North Temple - Jinta Temple East and West Boutique Special Caves ▪️ Others: 1. Matisi Special Caves 1-4 (tickets purchased separately): 80r 2. Jinta Temple (reservation required): 300r ⏰ Play time: Matisi Temple Grottoes: Half a day Matisi Temple Grottoes and Jinta Temple: A full day is more relaxed ️ I chose the basic ticket. Here are my feelings and introductions to some basic ticket attractions️ Thousand Buddha Caves: The passage to the Medicine Buddha Hall is the hardest to climb, with a vertical 90-degree angle, making your legs weak after climbing down, haha. 33 Heavens Grottoes: The climbing difficulty is not high because the number of people going up each time is limited, so there are many people queuing during the peak season. It is the most famous and iconic building of the Matisi Temple Grottoes. However, the damage here is also shocking, as you can clearly see tourists scribbling on the walls. Entrance: King Gesar Hall 🈶 Horse riding, a vast grassland is very impressive, and you can also see the snow-capped mountains️. It is said that King Gesar is the incarnation of Guru Rinpoche, who spent his life as a warhorse, promoting good and suppressing evil, spreading Buddhism, and promoting ethnic culture. ️ Tips: 1. About 60 kilometers from the city center, public transportation is inconvenient. It is recommended to charter a car/self-drive/join a tour group. 2. 🈶 Climbing and drilling holes, girls should not wear skirts/shorts, mainly sportswear! 3. It must be mainly casual sportswear, and no slippers. 4. It is recommended not to come during the peak season, as the queues are very long and you have to wait for a long time.

Travel Guide to Mati Temple Scenic Area in Zhangye, Gansu

I have shared with friends the guide to the museum and the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye city, and now we have arrived at the renowned Mati Temple Scenic Area! To visit Mati Temple Scenic Area, if you are taking public transportation, you would generally depart from Zhangye South Bus Station, with usually one round-trip bus per day; there might be more buses during holidays, so it's necessary to confirm and book tickets in advance; if you are driving by yourself, then it doesn't matter. Mati Temple Scenic Area is located within the territory of Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Gansu, about 65 kilometers north of Zhangye city center, roughly an hour's drive from the city. The scenic area is a tourist zone that combines grotto art, Qilian Mountain scenery, and Tibetan culture. It consists of seven parts: Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, Jinta Temple, Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves, with more than 70 grotto niches in total, founded during the Northern Liang dynasty. Folklore has it that when a heavenly horse descended to earth, it drank water here and left a hoof print on a rock, which is how the temple got its name. The legendary hoof print is now preserved in the Mati Hall of Puguang Temple and has become the treasure of the temple. Mati Temple Grottoes are a grand group of grottoes, including seven smaller grotto clusters stretching nearly thirty kilometers, and are a national cultural heritage site. The Mati Temple Grottoes were first constructed during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Sixteen Kingdoms period of the Northern Liang, and have experienced the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song (Western Xia), Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China, spanning over 1600 years. They were carved by Guo Yu and his disciples, initially as a retreat for Guo's teaching, and later expanded with more Buddha statues. At its peak, there were more than 300 monks. However, it is regrettable that due to the warlord era in the north at that time, coupled with the changes of dynasties and prolonged wars, many of the original grand buildings of Mati Temple were destroyed, including Jinta Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, South and North Mati Temples, Guanyin Caves, and many other grottoes. The surviving Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, Hoof Print Grotto, Tibetan Buddha Hall Grotto, Shengguo Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves Grotto, etc., were mostly restored after the reform and opening up. The main buildings in the temple, such as the Mahavira Hall, Standing Buddha Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Medicine Buddha Hall, are mostly relics from the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era. It is fortunate that these halls, despite being battered by centuries of weather, still stand majestically on the cliffs, a testament to the ancient people's extraordinary architectural skills, offering a profound visual and spiritual impact. The temple's collection of artifacts, including a standing Buddha from the Jin Dynasty, a precious sword of Manjushri from the Northern Wei, an emperor's dragon robe from the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi era, and a saddle from Emperor Qianlong, all evoke a sense of the historical vicissitudes and the past glory of Mati Temple. Mati Temple boasts a beautiful environment, with green mountains, clear waters, peculiar peaks, and unique caves, known as the 'Four Wonders,' making it a place where visitors linger and forget to return.

Hexi Corridor

This is an ancient and mysterious place, resembling a golden ribbon lying across the northwest border of China, unfolding a millennia-old scroll of vicissitudes of history—'Hexi Corridor', its splendor still shines brightly! According to relevant literature, the Hexi Corridor has a history of more than 2000 years, dating back to the Han Dynasty. It is a scenic corridor that integrates mountains, glaciers, oases, colorful hills, deserts, and Gobi, as well as a civilization corridor that encompasses the Great Wall, frontier passes, ancient cities, and grottoes. This place possesses a long history and a brilliant culture, and is a treasure of the Chinese nation.

Zhangye | The brave are the first to see the world

| The brave are the first to see the world. Zhangye An underrated tourist city Both natural and cultural landscapes are exceptional More itinerary details will be edited later ———————————————— 1️⃣ About transportation: We had arranged for a driver in Zhangye in advance, including airport transfers and trips to various attractions, which was really convenient. The specific cost depends on the itinerary. We landed at Ganzhou Airport in Zhangye on the 10th afternoon. There are also taxis at the airport, but it is recommended to contact a driver in advance because the airport is really far from the city center! Our driver, Master Chen, was great and even brought us apples from his own garden, which were super delicious! 2️⃣ About attractions Since we landed on the 10th and it was already close to evening, we didn't visit any attractions. After checking into the hotel, the driver took us to have dinner in the city and then we rested. On the 11th, our itinerary was to spend the whole day at Matisi and Jinta temples. Master Chen told us in advance to bring some food because almost no restaurants in the scenic area were open and he said the food was not good, haha. Since you need to book in advance, you can ask the driver to help buy tickets. The scenery along the road from Matisi to Jinta Temple is really not to be missed, and there are photo spots along the way. The driver will ask if you want to take pictures and can stop and wait for us (scenery in p4, p5). Here, you must not miss Jinta Temple. Photography is not allowed in the grottoes here, and the artistic value is extremely high. It's a pity that it was protected by the state too late, and some parts were stolen. Also, due to geographical conditions, half of it has collapsed, which is a pity. But the scenery outside is super beautiful, right at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, with a clear view of the snow mountains (scenery in p6). Our driver is very skilled, and not all cars can drive up the mountain roads, but ours could! On the 12th, we first went to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon in the morning. There are two types of tours: a basic tour and an in-depth tour. We chose the basic tour because we wanted to walk more. This place is really the 'flat substitute' for the Grand Canyon of Colorado, and since it was the off-season, there were hardly any tourists, almost like walking in the middle of the canyon by ourselves, with only the sound of footsteps on sand and stones and the wind. Moreover, the bottom of the valley is also very photogenic, and if you're not in a hurry, you can take pictures while walking. At around 3 pm, they took us to the Rainbow Danxia. We bought our own tickets, which also come in two types: a standard tour and an in-depth tour. This time we chose the in-depth tour, which includes a shuttle bus, a personal guide, drinks and snacks for everyone, and visits to several additional attractions with no crowds, allowing for free photography! 3️⃣ About food For breakfast, according to Master Chen, they would eat beef rice, Zhangye Sàozi noodles, buns, etc. There is a Xinhui Food City in Zhangye, where various local delicacies are gathered, and many locals eat there too, which is very convenient! There are dishes like rolled chicken, stir-fried Bo La, spicy hot pot, apricot peel tea, grey bean soup, and so on. In short, we didn't repeat any meals during our stay! On the morning of the 13th, we returned, and Master Chen took us to the airport, ending our trip to Zhangye!

Beneath the Qilian Snow Mountain, on the cliffs, stands the ancient temple of a thousand years, the Mati Temple

The history of the Mati Temple Grottoes dates back about 1600 years. These grottoes not only contain a wealth of Buddhist art but also many precious cultural relics and murals. Looking up from the foot of the mountain, it gives a visual impression similar to the Hanging Temple of Mount Heng in Shanxi. The grottoes spread from the base of the mountain to the summit, layered upon each other, compelling admiration for the ancient people's imagination and perseverance.

The magnificent cultural and natural scenic spot

#chinatrip A place that is really impressive but rarely mentioned in Gansu tours. The high-quality religious grotto art and monument environment is well-preserved and complete. It is a tourist attraction suitable for families, friends and individuals to visit. It is a magnificent cultural and natural scenic spot in Zhangye, China. Best to come is in winter, and the snow-covered Horseshoe Temple scenic spot is even more interesting. It is highly recommended to come here to see the beautiful snow scenery. It is so beautiful and touching. It is a highly recommended attraction in Zhangye.

Qilian Mountain Snowy Mountains, Mati Temple

🌟Highlights: The stunning scenery of the Qilian Mountain snowy mountains attracts tourists from afar. The Hexi Corridor is a model of the blend between Buddhism and Confucianism, showcasing how Buddhist culture integrates with Confucianism in the region. Experience the aspirations and ideals of literati such as Guo He and Guo Yu, which collectively reflect the Confucian life realm of self-cultivation, family management, and governance for peace. ⛰【Travel Tips】 📍Detailed address: Mati Temple Scenic Area 🚗Transportation tips: Ctrip day tour, choose the vehicle type according to the number of people, very convenient, about an hour's drive from the city to the scenic spot. 🌟Suggested visiting time: Half a day is enough, especially during holidays when it's crowded. If you want to visit the Thirty-Three Heavens caves, you need to enter in batches. 🎫Ticket: Great value for money, combo ticket 74 (including the Thirty-Three Heavens grottoes) 📌Little Tips: 1. For snow mountain photography, the ticket office parking lot is a good spot, as well as the Thousand Buddha Caves entrance parking lot, and there is a special viewing platform next to the Thirty-Three Heavens grottoes (requires climbing). 2. The interior passages of the Thirty-Three Heavens are narrow, and the view from the outside is already stunning. Those who want an in-depth visit can enter the caves for a closer look.

The first stop in Zhangye, Gansu - Matisi (Horse Hoof Temple)

Matisi is 60 kilometers away from Zhangye city. Our group of seven chartered a car to go there, expecting it to take half a day. Matisi Grottoes are named after the legend of a celestial horse leaving its hoof prints while drinking water here, and one such hoof print is preserved in the Hall of the Horse King. The exact founding date of the Matisi Grottoes is still a matter of debate. According to the 'Book of Jin' and the biography of Guo Xu, an Eastern Jin Dynasty figure, Guo Xu once 'traveled to Zhangye... and secluded himself in Lin Song Xie Valley, where he carved out grottoes to reside in.' The 'Ganzhou Prefecture Records' also mention that 'the stone caves were carved by Guo Xu and his disciples, and later generations expanded them and added Buddhist statues.' Along with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yulin Caves in Anxi, they are collectively known as the three great art treasure caves of the Buddhist pagoda holy land in the Hexi Corridor. The grotto complex consists of numerous caves, including the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, the Treasury of Buddha, the Hall of the Horse Hoof, the Hall of the Horse King, and the Hall of the Medicine Buddha, among other cultural landscapes. We focused on climbing the 'Thirty-Three Heavens' grottoes at the northern temple of Matisi. They are distributed on a cliff face 2 to 40 meters high, with a total of 7 levels and 21 niches. The scale of the excavation is grand, making it a landmark construction among the Matisi Grottoes. The marvel and exquisite craftsmanship are breathtaking. I climbed the Hall of the Medicine Buddha alone, which was even more challenging than the 'Thirty-Three Heavens.' Using hands and feet in places that only one person could pass through, I felt a deep reverence for the ancient wisdom, as if it were embodied in my very actions at that moment. We heard that the flying Apsaras at Jinta Temple are the most beautiful, but it was still 24 kilometers away, and everyone was tired, so we decided to head back to Zhangye. We still had to visit the Rainbow Danxia in the afternoon. The entrance fee for Matisi is 75 yuan, with half price for those over 60. At the 'Thirty-Three Heavens' grottoes, they check tickets separately. Luckily, we had the tickets with our driver, and fortunately, the scenic area was very accommodating, allowing us to video call with our driver for ticket verification before letting us through.

Mati Temple in Zhangye

Deeply impressed by the miraculous handiwork of nature at the Peach Blossom Land. ||📍Gansu Zhangye Mati Temple Tourist Attraction 🐒Must-see and fun: Qilian scenery, grotto murals, pavilion architecture, the joy of crawling through narrow tunnels, offering incense and praying for blessings 🎬Watch the documentary 'Hexi Corridor·Roots' before going to enhance understanding. 🐾Climbing inside the palace, steep and narrow with dust, do not wear skirts, try to avoid light-colored clothes, go lightly equipped. . 🌲 At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, amidst the chaos of the dynasty, Zhangye on the Hexi Corridor still maintained relative stability and tranquility. Therefore, the great scholar Guo He and his disciples fled to Hexi. After a long and arduous journey, when they arrived at the Linsong Xie Valley at the foot of Mati Mountain in Zhangye County, they stopped. The undulating pine waves and the lush green mountains and valleys gave them the power of inner peace, and Guo He chose this place as a haven for living and teaching, preaching, and solving doubts. 🌲 Later, a young man from Dunhuang, Guo Yu, came to admire and became a disciple of Guo He. After his teacher's death, he carried on his mentor's legacy, promoting the Confucian culture. Besides studying, he also led his disciples to carve grottoes in Mati Mountain for teaching and practicing. In the peaceful valley, the sound of chiseling echoed. And in the distant future, the Mati Temple grottoes became a witness to the intersection of Confucianism and Buddhism, two great civilizations on the Hexi Corridor of that era. 🌲 Standing under the hundred-foot cliff, looking up at the halls embedded deep in the mountain, I am still deeply impressed by the wisdom and faith of the ancients. How many difficulties must have been overcome, day after day, to create such a sanctuary for meditation. Despite thousands of years of weathering, it still stands tall. 🌲 The most eye-catching among them is the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Seven levels up and down, with twenty-one grottoes in total. Tunnels connect each level, with winding corridors that only allow one person to pass through. The Buddhist scriptures say that in the center of Mount Sumeru is the Shakyamuni Heaven, and the four surrounding peaks each have eight heavens, inhabited by eight directional deities, making thirty-two heavens in total, along with the central Shakyamuni Heaven, they make up the 'Thirty-Three Heavens,' a place of entertainment for the gods. The ancients, with bold imagination, carved the Thirty-Three Heavens of Mati Temple on earth, hoping to transcend through practice and rejoice with the gods. 🌲 As I climbed up, looking through the cave entrance into the distance. Layers of mountains, clouds clinging to each other, the chill of autumn dyes the valley in shades of green and yellow. Houses are scattered at different heights, pines and cypresses form green waves, and any description seems so shallow in front of the beautiful scenery. But suddenly, I can understand why our ancestors chose to settle here during turbulent times. 🌲 When leaving, a gust of wind blew, the wind chimes under the eaves rang, as if echoing from the depths of history, resonating with my heart. At that moment, I was so moved that I didn't know what to do.

Exploring the Hexi Corridor - Zhangye Mati Temple, the unmissable Little Switzerland of the East!

🎈Day Eight: Zhangye Mati Temple 🎈Mati Temple is definitely the highlight of this Hexi Corridor trip! The name 'Little Switzerland of the East' is well-deserved! 🎈While watching a documentary about the Hexi Corridor, I knew there was a place called Linsong Xie Valley, a meeting point of Han and Tibetan Buddhism. When we drove to the entrance of the Mati Temple scenic area, we were stunned by the continuous peaks and snow-capped mountains. Upon entering the scenic area, a landscape of autumnal mountains and waters unfolded before us, a perfect fusion of natural and cultural landscapes, as if we were in a paradise. 🎈We drove to the visitor center, bought tickets, and drove straight into the scenic area. Due to time constraints, we only stayed at Mati Temple and didn't visit Jinta Temple, but at the Zhangye Museum, we saw a replica of the Jinta Temple grottoes, so we had no regrets. 🎈Although the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes and the Thousand Buddha Caves have been severely damaged, their architectural forms are still worth exploring. The grotto plank road is built inside the mountain, winding and twisting, and some sections can be quite thrilling. Sometimes, we even felt like we were climbing up to a hanging temple. 🎈Standing at the top of the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, overlooking the Ximalian Beach, the view is magnificent. After descending the mountain, we continued to explore, following the road ahead, greeted by the splendid autumn scenery. Moreover, there are few visitors here, and the roadside is planted with a sea buckthorn trees, which are in the season of ripe fruits. Picking a few sea buckthorns to try, the taste was simply delicious. 🎈The preservation of the grottoes at Mati Temple is not complete, and visitors can only see four of them. However, the explanations in the scenic area are very detailed, leaving a deep impression. After leaving Mati Temple, we moved on to Wuwei. On the Lianhuo Expressway, we also saw the ruins of the Ming Great Wall, and even encountered a group of camels by the road, such unexpected beautiful scenery always brings a pleasant surprise.

Zhangye Matisi Tourism Experience Strategy Sharing

Today I went to the Matisi Scenic Area in Zhangye, and I want to share my feelings with you. The attractions of Matisi are relatively scattered and need to be completed by self-driving. The current Matisi Scenic Area includes Qianfodong, North and South Matisi, Upper, Middle and Lower Guanyin Caves, seven small grotto groups and Jinta Temple. No matter which point, it combines historical culture and artistic appreciation value. Here are some of the attractions worth visiting: - Qianfodong: The temple was built during the Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms of the Northern Liang period. It was a Tibetan Buddhist temple during the Yuan Dynasty and is now a Han Buddhist temple. Qianfodong has more than 500 cliff Buddha pagoda niches, most of which were carved during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Qianfodong generally refers to a large number of caves, hence the name. - Jinta Temple: Among the group of grottoes, Jinta Temple, there is a niche on each of the east, south, and west sides of the central pagoda in the cave. Each niche carves a seated Buddha, and each side of the niche carves a Bodhisattva. The three niches of Buddha statues all have backlighting, the backlight is flame-shaped, and the body light is lotus-shaped. A rectangular Sumeru seat is set under each niche, and a lion is carved on both sides of the seat. The Buddha's face is full and peaceful. The caisson on the top of the cave is an eight-petal lotus flower, surrounded by flying sky, the center is the lotus heart, and the entire caisson pattern symbolizes the Eightfold Path of Buddhism. In addition to the above attractions, Matisi also has many attractions worth visiting, such as North and South Matisi, Upper, Middle and Lower Guanyin Caves, etc.

A Solo Trip to Hexi Corridor - Zhangye Chapter

During this trip to the Hexi Corridor, apart from Dunhuang, what I looked forward to the most was Zhangye. As it turned out, Zhangye really is an underestimated travel city. I chose different tourist routes in the three days I spent in Zhangye, leaning towards natural scenery, and left with very good memories. Day1: Giant Buddha Temple - Zhangye Museum - Half-day tour of Rainbow Danxia : It has the largest clay reclining Buddha in the country. It's quite shocking to see it up close. The temple architecture of the Giant Buddha Temple is also worth a careful look, with beautifully carved beams and painted rafters. : Generally speaking, it's recommended to go in the summer. The colors of the Danxia are not very obvious in winter. Viewing platforms 2 and 4 are the best. Day2: Matisi Temple and Jinta Temple day tour I highly recommend everyone to go. You can see the Qilian Snow Mountain. mainly climbed the Thirty-three Days Grottoes; was not open before, so those who like grotto culture must come. It has a high-relief Feitian that is 300 years earlier than Mogao Grottoes, and the guide's explanation is very interesting. Day3: Half-day tour of Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon : People with stamina must go! I chose the ordinary tour. The route is Viewing Platform 1 - Viewing Platform 2 - Viewing Platform 3 - Grand Canyon Entrance Hiking - Enter One Line Sky (but did not climb, watch and return the same way) - Lingzhi Valley - Viewing Platform 4. The geological features at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are particularly spectacular, like a flat version of the Colorado Grand Canyon. About accommodation: I stayed at the Silk Road Traveler Youth Hostel this time, and the experience was super good. The boss lady is very, very enthusiastic. She even makes breakfast for us who are in the group in the morning. I have never recommended where I stayed before, but the accommodation in Zhangye is really surprising, and you can directly join the group in the youth hostel, which is very convenient. About food: : Stir-fry restaurant, if you've had enough of Northwestern beef and mutton, come here to revisit the taste of stir-fry, the price is not expensive. : A relatively famous local specialty restaurant. : Zhangye's unique breakfast, the small bowl for seven yuan has a lot of beef. : There are many local snacks gathered here, not the stereotyped snack street type, you can taste Gansu spicy hot pot, roll chicken, apricot skin tea, milk rice wine skewers and so on. I have eaten dinner here several times.

Zhangye, under the Qilian Mountains, is the Matisi Temple

This is on the way from Matisi Temple to Jinta Temple, you can drive there without an appointment to see the beautiful scenery along the way. There are really too many tourists at the National Day attractions. Originally, Matisi Temple was a niche attraction, but because there were so many people that I had to queue up, I gave up seeing the grottoes and went directly to the scenery on the way to Jinta Temple (you need to buy a ticket to Matisi Temple to enter the scenic area to go to Jinta Temple) The autumn Qilian Mountains are colorful, not at all inferior to the shock brought by the colorful Danxia. All colors are in sight, and you can occasionally encounter flocks of sheep grazing along the way, a very healing journey

Cave art, Qilian Mountain scenery, Tibetan style = Zhangye Matisi

Coming to Zhangye, Gansu, of course, you can't miss 📍 Matisi Tourist Scenic Area Matisi Grottoes, due to its long history, is known as one of the three major art caves of Hexi Buddhist holy land, together with Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Anxi Yulin Grottoes. The uniqueness of Matisi Grottoes lies in ✅ Qianfodong has more than 500 cliff Buddha pagoda caves, with a large scale; ✅ The large-scale meat carving Feitian in Jinta Temple is simple and naive, which is unique in China; ✅ Puguang Temple's Thirty-three Heaven Cave, with five layers up and down and twenty-one caves, arranged in the shape of a pagoda, with a Buddha hall inside and a corridor outside, with a total of 49 inner and outer caves, with a unique shape. ✨ Matisi has a beautiful environment, with green mountains, clear water, strange peaks, and different caves, which can be called the four absolutes. Such a beautiful and gorgeous place, of course, has a great attraction to tourists. We chose to come here on National Day... The weather is cloudy, there are many tourists, the queue is long, and the experience is not very good😮‍💨 Pit avoidance guide⭐⭐⭐ 💚 Online ticket purchase still requires queuing for ticket exchange on site; 🩵 There are many tickets, be sure to make a strategy in advance and purchase according to the situation; 💙 You can drive into the scenic area, with an additional fee of 10 yuan, so the traffic jam in the scenic area is very serious, and there is no parking space🅿️; 💜1-4 special caves, if you only buy ordinary tickets, you need an additional 80 yuan to enter, it is said to be very ordinary, everyone does not watch and return; 🩷 The Thirty-three Heaven Cave is the most worth seeing, but because it takes two hours to queue today, we also gave up; 🧡 There is a back mountain at the end, the natural scenery is very good, if you are lucky, you can see ground squirrels, and you can also feed them. ⭐Summary: Off-peak travel❗❗❗

Visiting Gansu in Winter: Worth Experiencing and Finding Hidden Gems

If you have time in winter, why not take a trip to Gansu! At present, the attractions on the Hexi Corridor in Gansu are basically open, and winter does not affect these cultural relics. 1. Mogao Caves are half price to see 12 caves, it's simply too cool, and special caves can also be bought, you can really feast your eyes; 2. There is a chance to see the beauty of the desert reflecting snow, and the beauty of Danxia reflecting snow. Zhangye's Rainbow Danxia and Mingsha Mountain are must-visit places; 3. If the flight is to Dunhuang, then the scenic spots in Dunhuang city are free of charge, in addition to this, if you come during the Spring Festival, New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, it's free for everyone; 4. Accommodation can be sorted out with one to two hundred yuan, Gansu in the off-season is really economical; - Basically, they are all open in winter (tickets are half price or free): 1. Mogao Caves 2. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring 3. Zhangye Rainbow Danxia 4. Yangguan 5. Yumenguan 6. Jiayuguan Great Wall 7. Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon 8. Matisi 9. Labrang Monastery 11. Tiantishan Grottoes 12. Dunhuang Yardang Devil City Clothing and temperature: 1. Thick winter clothes, prepare hats, scarves and gloves 2. The hotel heating is very sufficient -