Zhangye

Zhangye is originally called Gan Zhou, a city in northwestern part of Gansu province and middle in Hexi Corridor. The town was part of the western Xixia dynasty until conquered in 1227, it’s not as famous as other Silk Road cities like Dunhuang, but serves as good place to make stop when passing through the Hexi Corridor. Zhangye is noted for a city of producing wheat, rice and fruits, and also has its outstanding tourist attractions like Da fo si and Zhangye Danxia Landscape.

Dafo si

Giant Buddha Temple is the biggest indoor reclining Buddha in China with 34.5 long and 7.5m high. The reclining Buddha is Shakyamuni, it’s a must for people who is interested in Buddhism. As it’s located in Zhangye city, so it’s convenient to go visiting by foot if you are staying close by.

Zhangye Danxia Landscape

Drive about 1 hour to get to this colorful park where you can see a unique geological landscape, one of the representative landscape of Gansu. In front of the gate, there are peddlers selling local products and souvenir.

When you arrive the spots, you need take spot bus in turn to get inside of park. The layers of multi-colored rock in the mountain amid a green oasis basin are truly spectacular. You will find that each mountain is different in color and shape, walk up and down to discover these beauty is really wealth the efforts. Going for its sunset and sunrise can be another highlight to your trip.

Mati si

Mati si is 65 away from Zhangye city, located in Sunan Yugu Autonomous prefecture. Grotto art, Qilian mountian scenery and Yugu character are the tourist feature of this small temple. According to the old legend, there was a heavenly horse coming to drinking water and leaving hooves, which is the derive of the name of this temple.

You can go to Zhangye from Xining and Lanzhou, both routes can cover the scene in Zhangye. If you have Silk Road route in your mind, it’s wealth to explore.