How to Plan a Trip to Zhangye: All You Need to Know

Written by Natalia | Updated December 04,2025

As a small city nestled in China’s northwestern Gansu Province, Zhangye might be a little strange to you. However, have you ever heard of the Ancient Silk Road of China? And if yes, I have to tell you Zhangye is a very important post on the way. It’s like an elaborately polished gem and nothing can shelter its shines. This is not only where camel caravans once paused for replenishment, but also home to a geological wonder – Zhangye Danxia Landform.

In Zhangye, you will know how time has managed to be a prominent artist to color the different layers of rocks. In the dusk light, the rainbow mountains demonstrate more than seven discernible color strips. Compared with cities having similar landforms in the globe, for example, the North Coyote Buttes in the United States, Zhangye boasts richer colors, and thus the prior choice for appreciating the breathtaking Danxia Landform. What’s more, the less crowds guarantees you a better travel experience. Seeing is believing, let’s kick off planing your trip to Zhangye!

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• Zhangye Weather & Best Time to Visit Zhangye
• How to Get to Zhangye?
• How to Get Around Zhangye?
• Where to Stay in Zhangye?
• Top Attractions in Zhangye
• What to Pack for Zhangye?
• What to Eat in Zhangye?
• What Souvenirs to Buy in Zhangye?
• How Many Days to Plan for a Zhangye Trip: Recommended Zhangye Itinerary
• Travel Tips for Visiting Zhangye
• FAQs about How to Plan a Trip to Zhangye
• Plan a Trip to Zhangye with China Xian Tour

Zhangye Weather & Best Time to Visit Zhangye

Zhangye is a typical northwestern city which enjoys four distinctive seasons. Winter there is cold while summer is cool. Spring and autumn are mild, but experience big temperature differences between day and night. In terms of humidity, Zhangye is relatively dry with an average rainfall less than 200mm, only one-sixth of Shanghai. Sunshine there is abundant throughout the year. In early spring from March to April, windy and dusty days are frequent. Sometimes, sandstorms might even occur.

If we take the enjoyable scenery of Danxia Landform into top concern, the best time to visit Zhangye must be from late July to early August. The frequent showers give rise to the most saturated colors after the rain. Plus, the grasslands become more luxuriant during that time. The brilliant colors are perfect for taking photos. The only problem is that there might be lots of visitors because it happens to be the summer vacation of China. Actually, September and October are also good months for the pleasant climate and less crowds. Below is a table listing the features of all seasons in Zhangye for your reference.

How to Get to Zhangye?

Zhangye is located in the northwest of Gansu Province and lies in the middle of Hexi Corridor, adjacent to Wuwei, Jinchang, Jiuquan, Qinghai and Inner Mongolia. The exceptional geographical advantage has made Zhangye a pivotal transportation hub since ancient times, so visitors can get there very conveniently.

By Flight

Zhangye currently only has one airport, namely Ganzhou Airport, which is about 24 kilometers from the city proper. As the airport is not that big, it only offers flights to and from domestic cities like Xi’an, Chengdu, Lanzhou, and Beijing. If departing from other cities, you may need to make a transfer. An alternative option is to land at one of the nearby airports in Xining, Lanzhou, and Jiayuguan, and then transfer to Zhangye by high speed train.

Beware that there are no fixed airport shuttle buses at Zhangye Airport. Upon arrival, you can take a taxi or call a car to the city center through ride-hailing apps. The cost fluctuates between CNY 60 and 100 and it takes 30-40 minutes for a one-way ride. Before hopping on the car, it’s necessary to confirm with the driver that the fare is calculated by meter. If you arrive between 6:00am – 6:00pm, you can also take the Airport Express Line to downtown area.

By Train

So far, the most reliable and scenic way to travel to Zhangye is by train. Cities along the Silk Road, such as Xi’an, Xining, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, and Urumqi, are all connected with Zhangye by frequent high-speed trains.

Almost all high-speed trains to Zhangye terminate at the West Railway Station that is only 4 kilometers from the city center. If taking a taxi, it merely costs CNY 10-15 and 10-15 minutes. Besides, you can conveniently take bus line 1, 22, or 31 to get to the city center.

By Car

Or you can simply charter a car with a chauffeur at nearby tourist destinations like Lanzhou, Xining and Dunhuang. Booking a Silk Road tour with a stopover in Zhangye is also a great idea to save your money and effort. It normally takes 6-7 hours from Xining to Zhangye, counting the time spared for photographing on the way; 7-8 hours from Lanzhou, and 3-3.5 hours from Jiayuguan or Dunhuang.

How to Get Around Zhangye?

At present, Zhangye does not have a metro system, so the main method for locals to travel around is by public buses. Considering the potential language barrier, taking a taxi or book a car from car-hailing apps may work better. By the way, many of the best scenic spots in Zhangye are scattered in different directions out of the city center, so it’s not practical to cover them all in an itinerary by public bus. Chartering a car or joining a Zhangye tour would

be the most efficient way to get around.

Bus

The public buses in Zhangye are targeted to serve for short-distance transport within downtown. They are usually operated between 6:30am and 7:30pm. The cost is mostly CNY 1 or 2. You can insert cash into the coin box or have your payment QR code on Wechat Pay or Alipay scanned by the machine near the door.

Bus line 1 linking Zhangye West Railway Station and Zhangye Railway Station is the core route. It also passes by the Giant Buddha Temple and Drum Tower, an landmark in the city center. Bus lines 5 and 18 can take you to Muta Temple. There is also the Airport Express Line for you to shuttle between the airport and downtown.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxi is a good supplement for getting around Zhangye. It’s very cheap, with the flag-down fare of only CNY 5. If you travel inside the city, CNY 5 is enough in most cases. You just need to wave at roadside and the car will stop to pick you up. Alternatively, you can get a car on ride-hailing apps like Didi. The price is about the same as a taxi.

Travel from Zhangye City Center to Nearby Attractions

Apart from the Giant Buddha Temple and Muta Temple in the city center, almost all other tourist attractions in Zhangye cannot be directly reached by public transportation. Chartering a car or joining a tour group organized by a reliable travel agency, like ChinaXianTour, is the most trustful way to get there. You are also advised to carpool with others to reduce the costs. For this purpose, please stay near the Drum Tower or Giant Buddha Temple, as they are the tourist transportation hubs.

Where to Stay in Zhangye?

Selecting where to stay is a critical issue for planning a Zhangye trip. This determines how your travel itinerary goes like. Since most travelers arrive from nearby cities after a journey, staying in Zhangye at least one night to recharge is essential before exploring key sights. In fact, Zhangye has many hotels to offer from starred international hotels to chain brands and economic hostels friendly to backpackers. They are mainly distributed in the downtown area and around scenic spots. You can make the decision according to your budget and scheduled places to visit.

City Center Around the Drum Tower – The Choice of Over 90% of Travelers

Most downtown hotels are clustered around the Drum Tower. It means you will enjoy easy access to shopping malls, markets, and restaurants. Whether you book a tour or arrange private car hire for day trips, this place is an ideal option.

Top Picks:

Zhangye Hotel (张掖宾馆)

Zhangye Gulou JI Hotel (全季酒店张掖鼓楼店)

Zhangye Gulou Lavande Hotel (麗枫酒店张掖鼓楼店)

Areas Surrounding Zhangye Danxia Geopark – Danxiakou Town & Qicai Town

If Zhangye rainbow mountains are the main focus of your trip, do spend one night near the attraction. We know that color saturation is highly relevant to solar altitude. Around noon, the mountains appear pale and plain under the direct sun. Only within one hour after the sunrise or around the sunset can you see the most stunning scenery. Staying in a nearby hotel endows you with the privilege to capture the best moments within one day for wonderful photos, rather than wasting time on the way. Both Danxiakou and Qicai towns are recommended. The difference is that Danxiakou is more developed but expensive, while Qicai Town is more suitable for budget travelers.

Top Picks:

Danxia Photography International Hotel (丹霞摄影国际酒店) – in Qicai Town

Danxiakou Stone Island Homestay (丹霞口石岛民宿) – in Danxiakou Town

Top Attractions in Zhangye

Zhangye National Geopark – A Magic of Colors Performed by God

• Location: Nantai Village, Nijiaying Town, Linze County, Zhangye City
• How to Get There:You had better charter a car if departing from the city center of Zhangye; if you are already in Qicai Town or Danxiakou Town, take a taxi to the scenic spot at the cost of CNY 15-20. Some hotels may offer free shuttle service.
• Ticket Price:CNY 75 (Apr. – Oct.); CNY 55 (Nov. – Mar.); including the sightseeing bus fare.
• Highlights: Breathtaking rainbow mountains

Zhangye National Geopark is on the bucket list of almost every traveler to Zhangye. The dreamlike land of rocks may make you wonder how was Zhangye Danxia formed. The fact is that through 135 million years of geological evolution, nature has created a giant oil painting with hues of red, orange, yellow, white and cyan. Standing before the rainbow mountains, you may feel like boiling magma surging out of the earth. Around sunrise and sunset, the mountains are dressed in a thin golden veil, creating a visual feast of alternating light and shadow. Press your shutter to record this unforgettable moment!

Matisi Grottoes (Horse Hoof Temple) – A Buddhist Kingdom on the Cliff Edge

• Location: Mati Tibetan Town, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye City
• How to Get There:Charter a car or join a one-day tour.
• Ticket Price:CNY 67; sightseeing bus (optional): CNY 35
• Highlights:Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, Thousand-Buddha Cave, King Gesar Palace

It’s a great pity if you don’t pay a visit to Mati Temple in a Zhangye travel. Looking from a distance, the 21 grottoes arrayed in 7 stories seem to hang on the red cliff edges, symbolizing the steps leading to the thirty-three heavens in Buddhism. You can hardly imagine how ancient people completed this work over 1,600 years ago.

Now, follow their steps to test your physical strength and courage. To ascend to the top storey, you need to crawl on all fours. The narrowest section of the passage only allows one person to pass sideways. Some stone steps are almost vertical, so you have to use iron chains carved into the rocks for climbing.

Giant Buddha Temple – A Memory of Western Xia Regime

• Location: Dafosi Lane, West Minzhu St., Ganzhou District
• How to Get There:Take public bus line 1, 5, 11, 13…and get off at Dafosi Station.
• Ticket Price:CNY 40
• Highlights:The existing largest indoor reclining Buddha statue in China

The Giant Buddha Temple in downtown Zhangye has a history of over 800 years. It is the largest and best-preserved royal temple of the Western Xia Regime. Inside the temple, you can see the largest indoor sculpture of a reclining Buddha in China – the Nirvana statue of Shakyamuni, measuring 34.5 meters in length and 7.5 meters in shoulder width. The Buddha’s body is made of clay and then carefully painted. Even the patterns on the clothes are clearly visible. In addition, the stone tablet engraved with both Western Xia and Chinese scripts to record the construction history of the Giant Buddha Temple is worth seeing.

Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon – The Oriental Grand Canyon

• Location: Pingshanhu Mongolian Town, Ganzhou District
• How to Get There:Charter a car or join a tour group.
• Ticket Price:CNY 130 (including sightseeing bus fare)
• Highlights:Lovers’ Peak, Thin Strip of Sky, Cloud Ladder

If you are a fan of geology, do not miss Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. Unlike the rainbow mountains to be appreciated from a distance, this place requires your close contact. Winding through the zigzag paths, you will finally arrive at the bottom of the valley with a depth of almost 150 meters. It’s like an underground labyrinth composed of red stone castles, forests, and narrow spaces where you can only see a thin strip of the sky. Everyone will be awed by the power of nature here.

Muta Temple

• Location: Xianfu St., Ganzhou District
• How to Get There:Take bus line 18 or 23 and alight at Guangchang Nankou Station.
• Ticket Price:Free, CNY 25 for ascending the tower
• Highlights:Provides a bird’s eye view of the city, an exquisite wooden tower

The Muta Temple in the very center of Zhangye used to be the highest structure in the city and now serves as a folk custom museum. It’s said that some of the Buddhist relics are stored under the inside wooden tower. Though the tower has undergone late renovations, it follows the ancient craftsmen’s rules – not a single nail or rivet was used. If time permits, you can climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the city below.

What to Pack for Zhangye?

• Clothing: Long dress, jeans, T-shirt, long pants, wind jacket. (Bright color is best for perfect photos.)
• Accessories: Cooling arm sleeves, hiking boots, face mask.
• Sunscreen: Sun-proof clothing, sunglasses, sunblock.
• Moisturizing: Moisturizing cream, lip balm.
• Electronic Products: Camera, tripod, standby battery, power bank.

What to Eat in Zhangye?

To summarize, the culinary culture in Zhangye is bold and thick, with mutton, beef, and wheaten food playing the leading rule. To stimulate appetite, locals prefer oily, salty, and sour food. Please tell the waiter if you have a light taste. Ganzhou Market and Xianfu Street are recommended areas to dine.

• Cuo Yu Zi: Short hand-rubbed noodles, with thick middle and pointed ends, resembling small fish.
• Sun Ji Chao Pao: Stir-fried noodles as short as firecrackers, paired with braised meat and vegetables.
• Sao Mian: Chewy noodles in sticky mutton or beef soup.
• Apricot Skin Tea: Sour and sweet drink made by boiling dried apricots.

What Souvenirs to Buy in Zhangye?

You will be dazzled by the wide assortment of unique souvenirs in Zhangye, such as local delicacies (packed apricot skin tea, wolfberries and red dates), handicrafts (embroidery by local Yugur people) and colorful stones sculpted to show a natural texture similar to the rainbow mountains.

Popular Shopping Areas

• Ganzhou Market – for dried goods and nuts
• Xinhui International Times Square
• Around scenic areas

How Many Days to Plan for a Zhangye Trip: Recommended Zhangye Itinerary

The answer is very flexible. Depending on your planned things to do in Zhangye, 1-4 days are recommended. Here are some sample itineraries for you.

1-day Itinerary:

Spend a whole day in Zhangye National Geopark.

Recommended Tour

1 DAY

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Tour

Explore This Tour

2-day Itinerary:

Day 1:Giant Buddha Temple, Matisi Grottoes

Day 2: Zhangye National Geopark, Binggou Danxia Scenic Area

Recommended Tour

2 DAYS

Zhangye Classic Tour

Explore This Tour

3-day Itinerary:

On the basis of the 2-day itinerary, add one day for the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon.

Recommended Tour

3 DAYS

Zhangye Essence Tour

Explore This Tour

4-day Itinerary:

The itineraries for the first three days are the same as what is mentioned above. On the fourth day, you can extend the trip to Shandan Army Horse Breeding Farm or Badain Jaran Desert.

Recommended Tour

4 DAYS

Zhangye Dunhuang Tour by High-speed Train

Explore This Tour

Travel Tips for Visiting Zhangye

• Book accommodation and entrance tickets in advance if you travel during the peak season from June to October.
• Chartering a car or joining tour groups is the best way to travel around Zhangye. Double check the price details before setting off.
• Never step on the rainbow mountains to protect this fragile landform.

FAQs about How to Plan a Trip to Zhangye

Do I need a guide or private driver to Zhangye?

Yes, you had better hire a car with a private driver or follow a guide because it’s not very convenient to get to the key sights by public transportation.

Can I visit Zhangye as a day trip?

Yes, but you may travel in a rush and miss the best time (in the early morning and dusk) to appreciate Danxia Landform.

How far is the Binggou Danxia Scenic Area from the main Rainbow Mountains, and is it worth visiting both?

Binggou Danxia is about 13km from the main Rainbow Mountains. If you have enough time, visit both, because the spectacles are distinctively different.

Is the Mati Temple Grottoes complex easily accessible from Zhangye city center, and how much time should be allocated for that visit?

Yes, it’s easily accessible by hiring a car from downtown Zhangye. Taking the time spent on the round-way trip into account, you need allocate 7-8 hours for this visit.

What is the best way to travel from Zhangye to the next major Silk Road city, like Dunhuang or Jiayuguan?

The prior choice is taking a high speed train at Zhangye West Railway Station.

Plan a Trip to Zhangye with China Xian Tour

Two thousand years ago, our ancestors marched along the Silk Road for trade between the east and west. The remote rippling sound of camel bells seem to beckon us to follow our ancestors’ footprints. Now, contact China Xian Tour for a customized Zhangye itinerary and let it be the first stop in your Silk Road exploration.