Gansu Zhangye | Amazing Danxia Geopark, Grand Canyon and Temples
Located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, northwest China, Gansu is one of the cradles of Chinese cultures. Neighboring provinces are Shaanxi to the east, Sichuan to the south, Qinghai and Xinjiang to the west and Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to the north. As a multiple ethnic settlement, Gansu has cultivated unique customs and culture. Known as the key place and golden section of the Silk Road, Gansu is full of cultural and historical relics including the Mogao Caves, Jiayuguan Pass, Labrang Monastery and Bingling Temple.
Danxia Geo Park
Danxia National Geological Park is in the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains in Gansu Province. The geological park has a spectacular Danxia landform area that covers about 50 square kilometers (19 square miles).
The danxia landforms are a masterpiece of nature. The colorful mountain ridges are just like an overturned palette from heaven. Zhangye's Danxia landscape has lots of precipitous red cliffs, most of which are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. These formations, sometimes smooth sometimes sharp, stand out against the greens or grays of the plains, looking grand and magnificent, vigorous and virile.
Binggou Danxia Park
Located in Sunan county, Binggou Danxia Park is the sister geopark, 20km away from Zhangye Danxia Geopark. It is less visited by tourists and more variously formed in shape. In this scenic area, the colors might be less vivid than the national park, but some said that the wildness and naturalness with the palace-like landscape in Binggou Danxia Park make it a geological wonderland where you can find rocks in the shape of camels, pillars, windows, couples, and so on.
Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - China's Colorado Canyon
Pingshanhu Grand Canyon in Zhangye, one of the world’s five canyons, is equally famous as the Giant Canyon of the Colorado and the Great Rift Valley of the East African. Going through all wind, rain and the miracle of nature, there are deep canyon and distinct peak forest in Zhangye Pingshanhu Grand Canyon. The nature conveys the colorful mountains into incomparable and breathtaking pictures with its extraordinary creations.
Zhangye Pingshanhu Grand Canyon has a total area of 150 sq km. The varied geomorphologic figuration is mixed with the characteristics of “Devil City” in Dunhuang and "Old Castle City" in Rome.
Here you have the unique experience of trekking through the canyon.
Mati Temple
Mati Temple is one tourist area blending grotto art, Qilian Mountain landscape and minority national customs. Apart from strange peaks and fantastic grottos, experiencing the unique life-style and featured culture will also give you an enjoyable feeling.
Mati Temple has four wonders, which are green mountains, clear water, precipitous peaks and fantastic grottoes. Among the four, fantastic grottoes attract plentiful visitors. The whole Mati Temple can be divided into Qianfo Grottoes, North and South Matisi Temple, Linsong Waterfall, King Gesar Palace, Guanyin Grottoes etc.
Dafo Temple
Dafo Temple, the Giant Buddha Temple, located in the southwest corner of Zhangye of Gansu Province, is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. China's largest reclining Buddha is well preserved in this temple. Legend has it that it was the birthplace of Mongol warrior Kublai Khan.
The existing complex consists of the Giant Buddha Hall, the Buddhist Classics Hall, and a Clay Pagoda. In the Giant Buddha Hall lies Asia's largest reclining Buddha.
Wooden Temple Pagoda
Not far away from Dafo Temple, Muta Temple is located in the south street of Zhangye, the only pagoda left in Zhangye. The pagoda is 32.8 meters high, with eight sides and nine levels.
Here you can climb all the way up to the top of the pagoda - though some stairs are steep. Each level has a wooden dragon sculpture on the octagon, with jewels in its mouth and bells hanging underneath. There is no nail or rivet in the whole tower. When you get to the top of the pagoda, you can have a panoramic view of Zhangye City.
Itineraries
Deal Includes
Airport/train station Pick-up & Drop-off
3 nights' hotel stay (with breakfast)
Transports to the scenic spots (private car)
Entrance tickets of Danxia Geo Park, Binggou Danxia, Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, Mati Temple
Pre-departure Guidance with local travel info and tips
Remote language assistance during your trip
Deal does not include
Flights - if you need assistance in booking the flights let us know
Food - (only breakfasts are included)