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Top 10 attractions in Minle
Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
The Mati Grottoes Tourism Area is located at the foot of the Qilian Mountains in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye. This grotto temple complex was first built during the Northern Liang period of the Sixteen Kingdoms and continued to be carved for over a thousand years. It was renamed Puguang Temple during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and was historically renowned alongside the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yulin Caves in Guazhou as a major center of Buddhist art along the Hexi Corridor. The grotto complex consists of Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, the Thousand Buddha Caves, Jinta Temple, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves, with over 70 surviving cave niches. Early on, Han Buddhism flourished here, while Tibetan Buddhism gradually rose after the Yuan Dynasty. The coexistence of Han-style halls and Tibetan Buddhist temples on the same mountain is a distinctive feature that sets this grotto complex apart from most others. Legend has it that a heavenly horse left its hoofprint here, giving the mountain and temple their names. The deep hoofprint can still be seen on a bluestone slab in the Mati Hall today. The "Thirty-three heavens" grotto is the iconic view here: over 20 caves across seven tiers are carved into the steep red sandstone cliff in a pagoda-like formation, with halls and pavilions suspended layer by layer. All passageways are hewn into the rock—some so narrow and steep that only one person can pass at a time, requiring visitors to climb on hands and knees along zigzagging stone steps and wooden ladders. From the upper caves, one can overlook the river valley and grasslands at the foot of the Qilian Mountains. The grand Tibetan Buddha Hall, also called the Standing Buddha Hall, extends over 30 m deep, with niches densely lining its encircling corridor, most housing statues from the Yuan Dynasty. The Thousand Buddha Cave, an earlier-excavated section of the complex, preserves intact stone sculptures of one Buddha flanked by two disciples, while nearby cliffs feature extensive relief carvings of stone pagoda forests. The attraction stretches several km deep, with the main route connecting several areas including the "Thirty-three heavens" grottoes, King Gesar's hall and the Thousand Buddha caves, which are some distance apart. Taking the shuttle bus within the attraction will save energy, and walking through the main grotto areas generally takes approx. three hrs. King Gesar's hall features statues depicting the heroic tales of the Tibetan epic figure King Gesar, which can be viewed along the way. It's worth noting that many of the early statues and murals in the grottoes have suffered damage over time, and some of what we see today are later restorations. Rather than fixating on the original millennium-old artworks, it's better to focus on the experience of climbing the cliffside grottoes themselves, along with the Qilian snow-capped mountains, pastoral grasslands and rich Yugur ethnic culture.Sunan · 35.1km from Minle
Biandukou Seven-Color Flower Sea
Minle · 23.4km from downtown
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot is located in Linze and Sunan counties at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. The attraction is 40 km east of Zhangye city and 20 km north of Linze county. Covering a total area of 50 sq km with 4 sq km accessible to visitors, it's currently recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The attraction features seven viewing spots, including Colorful Cloud Sea, Colorful Fairyland, Colorful Splendor, Colorful Rainbow Glow, Crouching Tiger Gorge, Colorful Ao River, and Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley, along with over 30 scenic views such as Dragon Playing with Fire (colorful hills), Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Sky, Golden Toad Seeking the Way, Giant Scallop, Colorful Screen, Sleeping Beauty, and Crouching Tiger. It is a highly integrated area of colorful hills and Danxia landforms. The colorful hills amaze visitors with their vibrant hues, intricate layered patterns, majestic scale, and breathtaking vistas. The Danxia landform area of Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley features towering peaks resembling a forest, with a harmonious yet dramatic arrangement of sparse and dense formations. These extraordinary shapes, carved by nature's artistry, combine grandeur, peril, wonder, elegance, and serenity in one spectacular landscape. After being promoted to a national 5A-level attraction and global geopark, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot aims to become an international travel destination. By deeply exploring and optimizing regional cultural resources, the scenic spot will leverage its unique tourism assets and cultural heritage to transform into a western China-based international resort with scientific research appeal. Centered around colorful hills and Danxia landforms, it highlights the aesthetic and scientific value of geological resources while prioritizing their protection and development. The composite attraction primarily offers geological sightseeing and recreation, complemented by cultural experiences, folk customs, and leisure vacations.Zhangye · 86km from Minle
Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka Salt Lake is a 3,000-year-old salt field with highly saline water that naturally crystallizes into a white surface, beautifully reflecting the sky, clouds, and mountains on the opposite shore. Visitors can walk barefoot on the lake to observe and photograph their reflections, creating a mirror-like illusion of the sky. On sunny days, Chaka Salt Lake boasts highly crystallized waters where you can see a thin layer of brine covering the pristine white salt lake, creating clear and pure reflections. In the sculpture area of the attraction, you'll find the stone-carved Goddess of the Salt Lake, along with around a dozen other massive salt sculptures depicting figures like Maitreya Buddha and Genghis Khan. Walk along the path to the lakeshore, and you'll see the pristine white Chaka Salt Lake, perfect for exploration. A railway extends into the lake, with its starting point serving as the boarding area for the small train. Ride it to the deeper parts of the lake, where the scenery is even more breathtaking.China · Ulan
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
Zhuo'er Mountain is located on the northeastern side of Haibei Prefecture's Qilian County. This is a branch of the Qilian Mountains with a hilly landscape and Danxia-type landforms. Bare outcroppings of red sandstone stick up from the green vegetation of the grasslands. To either side of the mountain range lie a sea of trees, blooming canola flowers, little villages and country towns. The sight is both distinctive and beautiful. In addition to its own scenery, Zhuo'er Mountain is also a platform for visitors to view the surrounding countryside. Opposite to Niuxin Mountain, with its year-round snow-capped visage, the view from Zhuo'er's peak is vast and expansive.Qilian · 55km from Minle
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
The Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is located in the urban area of Zhangye. It was first built during the Yong'an era of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of over 900 years. The temple is renowned for housing one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, along with other distinctive ancient structures such as the earthen pagoda and the Shanxi Guild Hall, which are open for visits. Exhibitions inside the temple help travelers understand Buddhist art and the history of the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple. As one of Zhangye's iconic attractions, it is a must-see for visitors to the city. The current site of the temple is not large, with a depth of approx. 200 m and a width of approx. 100 m. Visitors can enter from the western square and explore on foot. The main buildings open for visits, from west to east, include the Giant Buddha Hall, the Hall of Ten Thousand Saints (now the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall), the Scripture Hall (now the Buddhist Texts Exhibition Hall), the earthen pagoda, and the Shanxi Guild Hall. A complete tour takes approx. 1–2 hrs. The Giant Buddha Hall is the temple's most significant structure and the highlight for travelers. It features one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, depicting the Nirvana of Sakyamuni. The statue measures 34.5 m in length and 7.5 m in shoulder width—so massive that a single finger can accommodate a lying person, and one ear can seat 10 people side by side. The hall also houses statues of the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, along with exquisite murals depicting Journey to the West and the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Hall of Ten Thousand Saints and the Scripture Hall, located in the central area, now serve as exhibition spaces for Buddhist art and texts, displaying sculptures, grotto statues, scriptures, and other artifacts. Notable among these is a collection of over 6,000 Buddhist scriptures personally bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, many written in pure gold, which are the temple's prized treasures. The earthen pagoda, standing over 30 m tall, is east of the Giant Buddha Hall. Its two-tiered base features four small pagodas on each level, adorned with exquisite carvings and housing solemn Buddha statues. The Shanxi Guild Hall, situated northeast of the temple complex, was originally a merchant guild hall during the Qing Dynasty. This typical northwestern residential courtyard features ancient architecture with intricately carved beams and painted pillars, exuding rustic elegance.Zhangye · 63.6km from Minle
Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumIt is a comprehensive museum themed on Tibetan medicine culture and featuring Tibetan culture.Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum(also known as Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum) is located in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It officially opened in September 2006. The museum has basically formed a "one museum with two halls" layout, featuring 16 exhibition halls including the Silk Road and Tibetan civilization, the grand view of Chinese Tibetan art painting, and the history of Tibetan medicine.Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumThe collection is rich, historic, and diverse, possessing high historical, scientific, and artistic value. The museum houses the Guinness World Record-holding thangka masterpiece, "The Grand Thangka of Tibetan Culture and Art," which is 618 m long. It was planned by renowned thangka master Zongzhe Lajie and completed by 400 painters over four years. Its content encompasses the Tibetan understanding of the universe, the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, history, religion, medicine, culture, art, and folklore. With its intricate details and brilliant colors, it is a magnificent sight and can be called an encyclopedia of Tibetan culture, hailed as a "contemporary national treasure." Through four major series—ancient books and documents, Tibetan medical thangkas, ancient Tibetan medical instruments, and Tibetan material specimens—the museum comprehensively displays the long history, profound theoretical system, clinical practice, and unique preparation techniques of Tibetan medicine, with four ancient books included in the National Catalogue of Precious Ancient Books. The Silk Road and Qinghai-Tibet Civilization exhibition hall uses history as its temporal dimension and the vast plateau landscape as its geographical dimension. Through thousands of precious cultural relics such as silk, gold and silver ware, and coffin paintings, it highlights Tibetan cultural elements and showcases the origin, inheritance, rise, and prosperity of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau civilization throughout the long river of history. The Tibetan carpet exhibition hall is one of the largest exhibitions of ancient carpets in China, displaying more than 400 Tibetan carpet artifacts from different periods and eras, featuring magnificent patterns, intense colors, and unique ethnic styles and local characteristics. At the same time, there are also Tibetan-style architectural exhibition halls, Tibetan calligraphy art exhibition halls, as well as temporary exhibition halls, multimedia screening rooms, academic lecture halls, and cultural relic storage rooms, providing strong capabilities for inheritance, protection, and research, as well as conditions for cultural exchange.Qinghai Tibetan Culture MuseumIt will continuously improve the level of cultural relic preservation, exhibition design, scientific research, and management operations, becoming a platform for promoting ethnic unity and social development, a broad stage for cultural dissemination and academic exchange, a research center for cultural relic protection and Tibetan studies, and an exhibition center for treasured literature and collections, showcasing the splendid civilization and culture of the Tibetan Plateau to the world.China · Xining
Fangzhou Hot Spring Water World
TheFangzhou Hot Spring Water World is a carrier-class amusement complex integrating water recreation, water clearance, golf driving range, fitness, catering and leisure. The water park has vacuum wave, circulation river, passion water village, big horn slide, and sky-turning slide. There are many water rides such as spiral combination slides, as well as cartoon water sprays such as cats, rabbits and whales. There are also frog slides, elephant slides, crocodile slides, rainbow doors, etc. It is also a child's love.Minle · 38.7km from downtown
Kumbum Monastery
Kumbum Monastery is one of the important monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect. The monastery features magnificent architecture, abundant treasures, and a strong religious atmosphere, making it one of the more popular travel destinations in Xining. Overview of the visit It has distinct differences in architectural layout compared to Han Chinese Buddhist temples in inland China: the complex here is not symmetrically arranged along a central axis. The monastery is an ancient architectural complex composed of numerous halls, scripture halls, stupas, and colleges, with each sutra hall, main hall, and stupa irregularly distributed on a small hill. Travelers can explore the site in a relatively free manner rather than following a straight path along a central axis. The Great Golden Roof Hall of Kumbum Monastery is the center of the entire architectural complex. It is said that Master Tsongkhapa was born here, and when he was born, his umbilical cord blood dripped on this spot, from which a bodhi tree grew. Later, a stupa was built around the tree, and a monastery was constructed, hence the name. Believers hold that this tree and stupa are the embodiment of the master. The three unique features of the attraction: butter sculptures, murals, and appliqué embroidery. Butter sculptures are made by mixing butter with various pigments to mold and carve into figures of Buddhas, people, flowers, birds, animals, and pavilions. Travelers can admire exquisite butter sculptures at the butter sculpture hall inside the temple (located far from the main gate). Vibrant centuries-old murals can be appreciated in the main halls, corridors, and front galleries of the temple. Appliqué embroidery involves cutting colored satin into desired shapes, such as Buddha figures or animals, stuffing them with wool or cotton, and embroidering them onto cloth hangings. In the temple's great sutra hall, two rare large appliqué embroidery pieces—"Sixteen Arhats Displaying Divine Powers" and "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea"—hang on either side. The four major religious festivals (based on the lunar calendar): 1. Cham dance (14th day of the first month) and butter sculpture exhibition (15th day of the first month); 2. Cham dance (14th day of the fourth month), Buddha unveiling, and Cham dance (15th day of the fourth month); 3. Buddha unveiling, Cham dance (6th day of the sixth month), and golden Buddha procession (8th day of the sixth month); 4. Full-day Buddha unveiling (22nd day of the ninth month) and Cham dance (23rd day of the ninth month). During these festivals, activities like Buddha unveiling and ritual dances take place, attracting large crowds of devotees and travelers, creating a lively atmosphere.China · Xining
Sanshisan Tian Grottoes
Matisi TempleThe Thirty-Three Days Grottoes, with their grand scale and complete collection of statues, attract numerous visitors. The grottoes consist of seven levels with 21 caves, neatly arranged on a cliff over 100 meters high. Each level is connected by tunnels carved inside the rock walls in a zigzag pattern, with winding corridors and stone steps.Sunan · 34.8km from Minle
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What travellers say about Minle
Anonymous user23 October 2026
5.0
My journey to Mati Temple (Mati Si) was an unforgettable adventure that truly felt like stepping back in time. Navigating the route via a local shuttle bus added an authentic, budget-friendly touch to the experience, offering a great glimpse of the surrounding rural landscape before arriving at the dramatic mountain backdrop. The Grottoes & Cave Exploration: Carving through the steep cliffs of the Qilian Mountains, exploring the network of ancient Buddhist grottoes, hidden shrines, and vertical stairwells carved directly inside the rock face was both thrilling and awe-inspiring. The Legend of the Horse Hoof: Seeing the legendary horseshoe imprint embedded in the stone inside the main hall brought the site's rich history and folklore vividly to life. Scenery & Atmosphere: Set against a backdrop of sweeping grasslands and alpine views, the peaceful and unspoiled atmosphere made the bumpy local transit entirely worthwhile.
Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
swqqxyy25 July 2025
5.0
July and August are very beautiful, with rape flowers in full bloom.
Scenery: Very beautiful
Biandukou Seven-Color Flower Sea
M34***9125 October 2026
5.0
The weather was great when I went, and the mountain colors were beautiful. Traveling during off-peak hours meant the shuttle buses were running frequently, with passengers boarding as soon as they arrived and departing immediately. The staff were very helpful. (I took a picture of the English textbook cover.)
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
M58***0722 October 2026
5.0
During the off-season, there are few tourists at the scenic area, and many facilities are not in operation. The scenery is not at its best, but because there are few people, experiencing a solo walk around the salt lake is still quite enjoyable.
Chaka Salt Lake
nature-volunteer10 October 2026
5.0
I was fortunate enough to encounter autumn snow in Qilian County, and the mountains of Zhuoer Mountain were blanketed in silver. Shepherds grazed their sheep on the mountaintop meadows, and the view from the observation deck was exceptionally magnificent.
Transportation: Take a bus from Xining to Qilian County, then a taxi to Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area. During the off-season, the scenic area shuttle bus is not running; you can ask the driver to take you directly to the visitor center. There are sightseeing buses within the scenic area that go directly to the summit platform.
Dining: Limited options during the off-season; you'll need to find your own food. Delivery services are limited and do not deliver to guesthouses near the scenic area.
Seeing the snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows, and Danxia landforms made the trip worthwhile!
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
慢步地球19 October 2026
5.0
A pair of discerning eyes, seeing through a thousand years.
Neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing.
Marco Polo visited me,
King Shah Rukh also came,
Emperors of all dynasties rebuilt me,
burning incense, bowing, and making vows to me,
Let the world be noisy,
neither sad nor happy, neither born nor dying.
I have attained Nirvana.
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
我要我疯我要我爱就是我要我疯我要我爱9 October 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit; it's truly breathtaking. Every detail is meticulously crafted, completely contrary to online claims of shoddy workmanship. The 600-meter-long mural is said to have taken 27 years to paint. I didn't spend the entire fourth-floor Tibetan cultural mural exhibition, but I saw the other exhibits. The guided tours all use headphones, but the volume is extremely low, making it difficult to hear the explanations.
If you're just rushing through, don't bother renting a guided tour. However, if you want to take your time and spend an afternoon at each exhibit, it's well worth it.
Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
柠檬_travel3 August 2020
5.0
It is worth a visit. The entertainment is fun and exciting, especially the big trumpet slide, which is worth a try. It is also very cost-effective and the service is very thoughtful! The experience is very good, interesting and fun, the scenery is good, and it is worth recommending.
Fangzhou Hot Spring Water World
M33***4622 October 2026
5.0
As the birthplace and memorial monastery of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, this historical and cultural site, over 600 years old, is a must-see. Photography of the stupa at the entrance is permitted, but not of the Buddha statues inside. The monastery currently houses over 1000 monks and more than a dozen Living Buddhas. While the throngs of worshippers are bustling, the atmosphere is peaceful and serene (perhaps the burning of large incense sticks is not part of the ritual). Many areas allow you to light lamps for blessings (20 yuan per person, depending on your conscience), and there are places to exchange change for prayers. Best of all, there are Chinese-language guided tours, and the guides are very professional; I learned more about Tibetan Buddhism than I did during my previous trip to Lhasa!
Kumbum Monastery
134***9626 September 2026
5.0
As the essence of Mati Temple, almost all the Buddha statues in the grottoes are modern replicas, but the seven-story, twenty-one grottoes embedded in the steep red sandstone wall are a wonder!
Sanshisan Tian Grottoes
