Zhangye Attractions
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area, Yanzhi Mountain, Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple, Gaotai Crescent Lake, Wulan Ancient Town Tourist Scenic Area, etc.
1. Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area: Zhangye Danxia Geopark is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 30 kilometers south of Linze County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province. It is the largest and best-developed Danxia landform in China. One of the areas with the richest shapes, it is a typical representative of China's colorful Danxia and window lattice-shaped palace-style Danxia. It has high scientific research and tourist appreciation value.
2. Yanzhi Mountain: Yanzhi Mountain, also called "Rouge Mountain", is located 45 kilometers southeast of Shandan County. It is said that there is a plant called red and blue grass growing on the mountain, which can be made into Red dye can be used as rouge after being mixed with oil, hence the name Rouge Mountain and it was rated as a provincial forest park.
3. Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple: The Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple scenic spot is named after the largest indoor Nirvana Buddha statue in China. The temple was built in 1098 AD and was once a Buddhist resort. The indoor statue of the Reclining Buddha in Nirvana is 34.5 meters long, decorated with gold and painted, and has a lifelike shape. Looking at it makes you feel awake, and calling it makes you sleep. Behind the reclining Buddha are sculptures of the ten disciples, and in the corridors on both sides are sculptures of the eighteen Arhats.
4. Gaotai Crescent Lake: Located 1 kilometer west of Gaotai County, it is known as "Little Jiangnan". It bends and surrounds like a crescent moon, hence the name Crescent Lake. The park covers a total area of ??560 acres and a water area of ??186 acres. Curved, arched and flat bridges are interlaced, and pavilions, halls and platforms complement each other.
5. Wulan Ancient Town Tourist Attraction: In ancient times, Zhangye County governed ten counties, Wulan was one of them, and Wulan was also used as a house gate. "Ganzhou Prefectural Chronicle·Customs" states: "The house is now also called the house fence. In the Western Han Dynasty, the county was named after it, and in the Eastern Han, Jin and Wei dynasties, it was named Lan (orchid)."
What are the tourist attractions in Zhangye?
One-day tour of Colorful Danxia--Mati Temple--Dafo Temple One-day tour of Colorful Danxia--Kangle Grassland--One-day tour of Binggou Stone Forest Tour Shandan Grand Buddhist Temple--Yanzhi Mountain--one-day trip to Kuchong Gorge and Biandukou--two-day tour to the Royal Racecourse Colorful Danxia--Mati Temple--Biandukou--Obo Ancient Town--Arou Temple-- Oriental Little Switzerland - Zhuoer Mountain - Niuxin Mountain - Binggou Forest Sea - Zhangye two-day tour of Colorful Danxia - Binggou Stone Forest - Kangle Grassland - Horseshoe Temple - Shandan Army Racecourse - Yanzhi Mountain - Three-day tour of Dafo Temple Zhangye Danxia--Binggou Stone Forest--Kangle Grassland--Mati Temple--Shandan Military Horse Farm--Kurexia Gorge--Imperial City Grassland--Double Stone Bridge--Shagou Temple
Zhangye Travel Guide Must-visit attractions
1. Danxia National Geopark
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 30 kilometers south of Linze County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province. It is one of the areas with the largest and best development of Danxia landforms and the richest landform shapes in China. It is a typical representative of China's colorful Danxia and window-lattice palace-style Danxia. It has high scientific research and tourist appreciation value.
2. Horseshoe Temple
Also known as Puguang Temple, it is a huge grotto temple complex. The multiple grotto Buddha statues carved on the stone walls are very magical and spectacular. There are both Chinese Buddhist temples and Tibetan Buddhist temples here, as well as many legendary and historic sites such as Tianma hoof prints, Yuan Dynasty murals, and Buddha statues. The North Temple of Matisi Temple is currently open to the public, and the scenic area is relatively large.
The main areas worth visiting include Thousand Buddha Caves, King Gesar’s Palace, Thirty-Three Heavenly Buddha Caves and other areas. The Thirty-Three-Day Buddha Cave is the most important building of the Matisi Temple. A seven-story stepped building was excavated along the mountain, and you can see many ancient Buddha statues. Here you can also live in Yugu tents, drink highland barley wine, eat finger meat, and experience the unique lifestyle of the grassland nomads.
3. Zhangye Great Buddha Temple
Located in the urban area of ??Zhangye City, it was built during the Yong'an period of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. The temple enshrines the largest indoor clay sculpture reclining Buddha in the country. It is shaped based on the image of Buddha Sakyamuni during his nirvana. The Buddha's body is 34.5 meters long and his shoulders are 7.5 meters wide. A person can lie flat with just one finger.
4. Biandukou Ecological Tourism Zone
Located in the middle section of the Qilian Mountains, the tourist zone is divided into 4 functional areas, 5 communities, 12 main attractions, and complete supporting facilities. The most famous tourist attractions in the tourist area are the Biandu Canyon, Batu Caves, Stone Buddha, Zhuge Monument and the pastoral scenery of Biyuntian and Huanghuadi. It’s best to go in June and July when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom. There are observation decks and rest areas all available for free, making it very suitable for self-driving travel.
This area is rich in rapeseed nectar, which has a special aroma. It turns milky white after condensation, has the texture of lard, and has a fragrant smell. Beekeepers produce and sell it on the roadside.
5. Zhangye Danxia Landform Group
Commonly known as "Zhangye Danxia", it consists of "Colorful Danxia" and "Binggou Danxia". If expressed in words, only two words are shocking. Its majestic momentum, spectacular scenes, strange shapes, colorful colors, and the uncanny craftsmanship of nature are amazing. She not only has the wonder and danger of ordinary Danxia, ??but also is more beautiful in color. It is one of the must-see attractions in Gansu.
Ranking of Zhangye tourist attractions
1. Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area is located in Linze and Sunan County, Zhangye City. The only complex area of ??Danxia landforms and colorful hilly landscapes in China, it has been rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China by "China National Geographic" magazine.
2. Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple
Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple was built in the Yong'an period of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. The Great Buddha Temple enshrines the largest indoor clay sculpture reclining Buddha in China. In addition, there are ancient buildings with unique characteristics such as earthen pagodas and Shanxi Guild Hall. People can visit and worship, and it is very lively during holidays.
3. Horseshoe Temple
Horseshoe Temple, also known as Puguang Temple, is located between the foothills of the Qilian Mountains in Sunan Yugu Autonomous County. It is a huge grotto temple complex that has lasted for thousands of years. There are many grotto Buddha statues on the stone walls, as well as high-rise grotto temple buildings, which look very magical and spectacular.
4. Binggou Danxia Scenic Area
Binggou Danxia Scenic Area is a natural scenic area dominated by red palace-shaped Danxia landforms. It is closely related to Zhangye Danxia not far away. Compared with Xia landform scenic spots, the color of Danxia is relatively single, and the shape of Danxia is also very unique, which is worth seeing.
5. National Wetland Park
The National Wetland Park is one of the largest urban wetland parks in the northwest region. There are clear lakes, large areas of reed marshes, and lush green areas in the park. There are many elegant landscapes such as trees, lawns and gardens, fresh air and charming scenery. It is a good place for people to have fun and have an outing.
What are the tourist attractions in Zhangye City?
The most recommended one is the Giant Buddha Temple. You may have heard of the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan. I believe the Sleeping Buddha in Zhangye is completely comparable to it. There are also Horseshoe Temple, Kangle Grassland, Shandan Racecourses, etc. The knowledge I introduced is more well-known, haha!
Tourist Attractions in Zhangye, Gansu
1. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
The only complex area of ??Danxia landforms and colorful hills in China is listed by China National Geographic "Rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China. It mainly includes two major scenic spots, Binggou Danxia and Colorful Danxia, ??which are composed of red gravel, sandstone and mudstone, with unique shapes and majestic momentum.
It is the filming location for Zhang Yimou's "Three Guns", Jiang Wen's "The Sun Also Rises" and the TV series "Detective Di Renjie". In addition, it is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts. There are many photographers carrying "spear guns and cannons" in the scenic area to take pictures.
2. Horseshoe Temple
The huge grotto temple complex and the multiple grotto Buddha statues carved on the stone walls are very magical and spectacular. There are not only Chinese Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan Buddhist temples, but also many legendary and historic sites such as Tianma hoofprints, Yuan Dynasty murals, and Buddha statues. The North Temple is now open to the public. The main areas worth visiting include Thousand Buddha Caves, King Gesar Hall, Thirty-Three-Day Buddha Caves and other areas.
The Thirty-Three-Day Buddha Cave is the most important building of the Matisi Temple. A seven-story stepped building was excavated along the mountain, and you can see many ancient Buddha statues. Here you can also live in Yugu tents, drink highland barley wine, eat finger meat, and experience the unique lifestyle of the grassland nomads.
3. Zhangye Grand Buddha Temple
Located in the urban area of ??Zhangye City, it was built during the Yong'an period of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of more than 900 years. There is the largest indoor clay sculpture reclining Buddha in the country. The Buddha is 34.5 meters long and 7.5 meters wide at the shoulders. A person can lie flat on it with just his fingers. In addition to the Giant Buddha, there are many statues of the Ten Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats in the hall, as well as murals recording Journey to the West and the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
The main buildings that can be visited in the Great Buddha Temple now include the Great Buddha Hall, Wansheng Temple, Sutra Hall, Earthen Pagoda and Shanxi Guild Hall from west to east.
4. Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon Scenic Area is 56 kilometers away from Zhangye City. The canyon is deep and the peaks are strange. Nature uses uncanny creativity to create colorful The mountains are carved into unparalleled and breathtaking landscape paintings. A bottomless canyon, showing incomparable vitality and magnificence.
It has been praised by "China Geographic Magazine" and well-known geological experts and tourists at home and abroad as "comparable to Zhangjiajie", "comparable to the Grand Canyon of Colorado", and a new discovery on the Silk Road!
5. Biandukou Ecological Leisure Tourism Zone
Located in the middle section of the Qilian Mountains, the tourist zone is divided into 4 functional areas, 5 communities, 12 main attractions, and complete supporting facilities. The most famous tourist attractions in the tourist area are the Biandu Canyon, Batu Caves, Stone Buddha, Zhuge Monument and the pastoral scenery of Biyuntian and Huanghuadi. It’s best to go there in June and July when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom. There are observation decks, rest areas, and camping areas, making it very suitable for self-driving tours.