Zhangye Travel Guide

Anciently named Ganzhou, Zhangye was an essential international trade market on the Silk Road, is situated in the western part of Gansu province, midway of Hexi Corridor, located in the area where the Qinghai-Tibet and Inner Mongolia Plateaus adjoin; borders the Mt.Qilian in the south, Heli Mountain and Longshou Mountain in the north, long and narrow clime which shapes as a running horse; the highest altitude in southeast reaches 5,564 meters (18,254 feet) and the lowest altitude in the northwest is 1,284 meters (4,212 feet); the elevation of Zhangye City is 1,474 meters (4,835 feet).

What to Visit in Zhangye?

Zhangye offers many stunning landscapes; here we recommended some must-see attractions, that any domestic and foreign tourists travel here are worth to visit. So let's start to explore the charm of Zhangye.
After 42 minutes drive, we arrived at Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, the multicoloured cliffs have transformed the area into a piece of artwork like an oil painting. Entering this rainbow mountain area, the are sightseeing buses that will take you to the four viewing platforms to admire the scenery and take photos.
About 56 kilometres away from Danxia National Geo-park; we will head to another tour destination - Giant Buddha Temple, it is a popular Buddha worship place, has it's founding in the 1st year of Yongan during the reign of Emperor Chongzong In Western Xia Dynasty. The existing buildings include Big Buddha Hall, Scripture Library Tower, and Earth Tower. The Giant Buddha Temple is the most famous tourist attractions in Zhangye, and it will attract a large number of tourists come to visit every year.
With an altitude of 2,500 m; The Horseshoe Temple ( Mati Temple ), are the three major artistic pagoda resorts along the Hexi Corridor? Entering this museum-like temple, you will see many historical Buddha statues as well as the high-rise cave temple buildings, which is very fantastic and spectacular.

                                                      Opening Hours & Entrance Fee

	Opening Hours	Entrance Fee
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park	Peak season: 1st May to 10th October ( 6:00 - 20:00 ) Off-season: 11th October to 30th April Next Year ( 7:00 - 19:00 )	CNY 75
Giant Buddha Temple	Peak Season: 7:00 to 19:30 ( 1st April to 31st October) Off Season：9:00 to 17:00 ( 1st November to 31st March)	CNY 41
Horse Shoe Temple	8:30 to 18:00	CNY 75

Climate and Weather of Zhangye:

Zhangye has a temperate continental arid climate, with intensive sunshine time, sufficient light and heat resources, cold winter and warm summer, four distinct seasons plus little precipitation, and the average temperature is about seven degrees Celsius. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −9.2 °C in January to 21.5 °C in July. The mean annual temperature is 7.31 °C, while annual rainfall is 130 mm, almost all of which falls from May to September. In winter are dry and cold. June to September is the best time to travel to Zhangye, because, at this time the rainfall is relatively concentrated and the humid air will make people feel more comfortable.

                                      Annual Temperature of the Year/℃ ( High-Low )

Jan.	Feb.	Mar.	Apr.	May.	Jun.
-2/-15	-2/-10	13/-2	15/1	23/18	28/14
Jul	Aug.	Sept	Oct.	Nov	Dec.
31/17	30/15	22/5	15/0	6/-10	3/-16

History of Zhangye:
In the Neolithic period of more than 5,000 years, the ancestors of Zhangye had been engaged in primitive agricultural production and animal husbandry here. At that time, they could use stone balls, stone spinning wheels, weaving, making clothes, making coloured pottery, and beginning to use bronzes.
During the Tang Dynasty, with the increasing of national strength, Zhangye began to vigorously develop agricultural production and set up the farmland. Furthermore, the international trade status of the Hexi Corridor has reached an unprecedented peak; therefore, Zhangye has become an important place for China's foreign trade.
 

What to Taste in Zhangye?

Zhangye has much delicious foods that make everyone crazy; the local cuisine prefers wheat over rice in terms of its staple foods and it is more likely to be added with mutton, chicken and beef. The most prestigious food are Saozi Noodles, Pickled Pork, Fish-shaped Powder, Steamed Tofu, and Fried Chicken, etc.

Accommodation in Zhangye:

Zhangye is an Excellent Tourism City of China and national historical and cultural city; to enjoy a comfortable journey, here we have listed some four- and five-star hotels to ensure your satisfaction.
1. Zhangye Hotel was opened in 2015, which is a fantastic option for those staying in Zhangye. This property features Free in-room Wi-Fi. The hotel is just 11 km from Zhangye Railway Station.
2. Zhangye Yujing International Hotel owns high-grade, classic and comfortable rooms with various types, multi-functional conference hall, casual coffee bar, banquet restaurant as well entertainment fitness centre. The hotel is 5 km from Zhangye West High-speed Railway Station and 7 km from Zhangye Railway Station.

How to Get to Zhangye?

Zhangye is a crucial hub of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge to connect the east-west traffic in China; its transportation system is well-developed. There are three ways to get Zhangye: Flights, Trains, or Cars.

Go to Zhangye By Air:

Zhangye Ganzhou Airport, located in the southeast of the city; at present, there are direct flights from Lanzhou, Xi'an, Urumqi, and Dunhuang to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport ( the airfare is from 300 -1000 CNY/pp include tax).

Flight Number	Departure	Arrival	Duration
HO1103	Lanzhou	Zhangye	1 hour
CZ3205	Lanzhou	Zhangye	1 hour
3U8570 EU2271	Dunhuang	Zhangye	1 hour and 45 minutes ( Transit in Lanzhou )
MU9682 EU2271	Dunhuang	Zhangye	2 hours and 20 minutes ( Transit in Lanzhou )
MU9649	Xi’an	Zhangye	2 hours and 10 minutes

Go to Zhangye By Train:

Zhangye West Railway Station operates the high-speed trains to/from Xi'an, Lanzhou, Urumqi, Jiayuguan.
Zhangye West Railway Station is about 3 km from the city center, about 40 km from Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.
The train far from Lanzhou to Zhangye is 200-300 CNY/pp include tax.

Train No.	Departure	Arrival	Duration	1st Class	2nd Class
D2671	Lanzhou	Zhangye	4 hours	CNY 239	CNY 149.5
D2749	Lanzhou	Zhangye	4 hours and 20 minutes	CNY 239	CNY 149.5
D2759	Dunhuang	Zhangye	3 hours 53 minutes	CNY 278	CNY 174.5
D2675	Jiayuguan	Zhangye	1 hour and 20 minutes	CNY 65.5	CNY 105
D2758	Jiayuguan	Zhangye	1 hour and 20 minutes	CNY 65.5	CNY 105
D2687	Xining	Zhangye	2 hours	CNY 91.5	CNY 147
D2741	Xining	Zhangye	2 hours	CNY 91.5	CNY 147

Drive to Zhangye:

1. Lanzhou to Zhangye: Lanzhou → Lianhuo Expressway → Beijing-Tibet Expressway → G312 → G227 → Z075 → South Ring Road → Zhangye, 514.35 kilometers, about 6 hours and 30 minutes.
2. Tianshui to Zhangye: Tianshui → Lianhuo Expressway → Qinglan Expressway → Beijing-Tibet Expressway → G312 → G227 → Z075 → South Ring Road → Zhangye, 811.21 kilometers, about 10 hours and 40 minutes.
3. Longnan to Zhangye: Longnan → Lanhai Expressway → S103 → Langongping Road → Jiaogouyan → Beibinhe Middle Road → Beibinhe West Road → S201 → Liusha Road → Beijing-Tibet Expressway → Lianhuo Expressway → G312 → G227 → Z075 → South Ring Road → Zhangye, 931.59 kilometers, about 13 hours and 50 minutes.

Travel Tips of Zhangye:

Zhangye has a large temperature difference between day and night, so you should bring more clothes.
Identification: Passport, Visa.
Daily Necessities: Skin care products, tissues, snacks
Ultraviolet Protection: Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Medicine: Cold medicine, carsick medicine and band-aids.
Recommended Days For a Visit: 1-3 Days

Recommended Zhangye Tours