Things to do in Zhangye

I highly recommend it! If you're going to see the sunrise, be sure to enter from the West Gate; if you're going to see the sunset, enter from the North Gate. The landscape is truly amazing and there's a lot to explore. I didn't have enough time this time, so I only had a brief look around. If you want to take pictures of textbook covers, you have to do it at sunset; if you go in the morning, the glare will greatly reduce the quality.

If you have the time and resources, I highly recommend the in-depth tour! Walking through the canyon is a completely different experience! Overall Itinerary: After the park shuttle bus arrives at the end, explore the three viewing platforms on your own. Return to the starting point for the in-depth tour. Take an off-road truck, then transfer to a minibus, ride a camel, then a camel-drawn cart, hike through the canyon, and finally (either the "One Line Sky" or "Lingzhi Valley") to the summit. After reaching the summit, take the park shuttle bus back to the main entrance to exit the park. Riding camels is fun and doesn't smell bad, with a gentle swaying motion. The camel carts clang and rattle, creating a unique atmosphere in the canyon. I even recorded an audio clip of the camel bells. I chose the Lingzhi Valley route, which was beautiful all the way. The final long staircase didn't seem difficult at all 🤔, but it might be tiring for older people, children, or those who aren't used to exercise. I heard you can do both routes, but I was carrying valuables, so I didn't climb the "One Line Sky" – I didn't want to risk damaging them 🫨 By the way, I went during the off-season, and I was the only one on the in-depth tour. The staff in the canyon were very friendly and greeted me politely as I passed by.

The Western Xia Royal Temple is located right in the city center, making it very convenient to visit. It contains a wealth of treasures, including a large reclining Buddha, murals depicting Journey to the West, and many original Buddhist scriptures. There's also a replica of the Jinta Temple Grottoes (which, when combined with the museum, includes both the east and west grottoes). It's truly magnificent. The couplet in Western Xia script inside the temple is so well-recognized from afar, but completely illegible up close! 🤣

We visited in autumn, and the autumn colors of the Qilian Mountains, set against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, added a wonderful touch to the scenic area. We felt we had found the best season to visit. The most breathtaking part of the scenic area is the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Reaching the seventh level requires continuous climbing using both hands and feet; the scale and exquisite craftsmanship of these grottoes carved into the mountainside are truly awe-inspiring. The remains of a celestial horse in the Horseshoe Hall add a mythological element to the area. The scenic area is divided into the North Temple Grottoes, the Gesar King Hall, and the Thousand Buddha Hall, each with its own ticket. The Thousand Buddha Hall is near the main entrance, so you don't need to take the shuttle bus. Some paths in the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes are dark, so bring your own lighting equipment.

A very satisfying trip! The half-day tour of Binggou Danxia was just over 40 yuan per person for transportation, including door-to-door pick-up and drop-off – excellent value for money. Especially our driver, Mr. Zhao, was incredibly warm, attentive, and considerate – very professional, punctual, and responsible. Highly recommended!

Shandan Military Horse Ranch, nestled on the northern slope of Lenglong Ridge in the Qilian Mountains of Shandan, Zhangye, on the Damaying Grassland, is a national 3A-level scenic area and the world's oldest and largest horse ranch, with a history of over two thousand years, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty when Huo Qubing stationed troops and herded horses there. The vast grassland stretches out at the foot of snow-capped mountains, Luan Niao Lake is crystal clear, herds of horses roam freely, the grass ripples in the wind, and distant snow-capped peaks create a vast and desolate landscape. Kulong Gorge and Huaixi Town are worth stopping at, especially in summer and autumn when wildflowers bloom in abundance, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Due to the high altitude, there is a significant temperature difference between day and night; even in the height of summer, a thick coat is necessary. Supply points are limited along the way, so remember to bring enough drinking water and dry food. If you're visiting the Hexi Corridor and want to witness the wildness of the Qilian Grassland and experience the rich history of horse herding over a thousand years, Shandan Military Horse Ranch is an absolute must-see.

On the third day of the National Day trip, the journey from Zhangye to Jiuquan was long, so we arranged to go to the snow mountain first. It is indeed not famous, but the scenery is nice, and you may see marmots, but we didn’t see any. It was cold and windy, so you needed to wear a thin down jacket and gloves. There were plank roads all the way, but the altitude was 3900-4000m. This was the day with the fewest steps on the trip. We walked more than 8,000 meters and had not yet reached the end. I flew a drone, and it may not have been halfway, but I still felt very tired. It took 2 hours, plus the round trip bus ride was about 3 hours. There were not many people in the scenic area, so there was no need to queue.

What's confusing about this scenic area is that the navigation leads to the visitor center on the map, but after asking a staff member, I learned that I had to go up to the second floor to exchange for tickets, get a navigation address and a pass, and then drive more than ten kilometers to actually reach the scenic area. Make sure you don't lose your pass; you'll need to check it before entering. Also, it might be inconvenient if you're not driving. During the summer, which is probably peak season, I didn't see any buses for individual tourists; it was all private cars. The scenery inside the scenic area is definitely worth seeing, and the fact that drones can fly is a great feature 👍

Qilian Mountains in Gansu attracts tourists with its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. Qilian Mountain Ski Resort has become a popular attraction where tourists can experience skiing, snowmobiling and other activities. In addition, a herd of white-lipped deer, a national first-class protected animal, was discovered in the Qilian Mountains Nature Reserve, and the ecological protection results were remarkable. It is worth a visit. The Qilian Mountain Grassland is known as one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China 🤟