Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
Address: Nantai Village, Nijiaying Township, Linze County, Zhangye City. Zhangye Danxia became famous due to the movie 'A Simple Noodle Story' and has since been a filming location for several popular movies. As the only composite area of Danxia landform and colorful hills in China, it has been rated as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China by 'Chinese National Geography'.
Binggou Danxia
Binggou Danxia, with its palace-like Danxia landforms, boasts unique shapes and is a rare Danxia landscape in the country. Unlike the colorful Danxia, it features sheer red cliffs that outline spectacular scenes such as the Louvre Phantom, the Divine Camel Welcoming Guests, and the Vajra Mother Buddha. The core tourist area of Binggou Danxia is divided into two parts: Xiaoxitian Scenic Area and Daxitian Scenic Area. The essence lies in the Daxitian Scenic Area, with main attractions including the Palace of Ultimate Bliss, the Palace of Bossa, the Palace of Glaze, and the Vajra Mother Buddha.
Address: Pingshan Lake Township, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, Gansu Province. The deep and uniquely shaped grand canyon was formed by centuries of wind and rain erosion. The Seven-Color Danxia is known for its colors, the Binggou Danxia for its shapes, and the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon for its grandeur. It is said to be comparable to the Grand Canyon of Colorado. The mountains are surrounded by water, with majestic peaks and ridges, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of nature's craftsmanship.
Mati Temple Grottoes
The four unique features are green mountains, beautiful waters, strange peaks, and unusual caves. It is named after the legendary heavenly horse drank water here and left hoof prints. The Thirty-Three Heavens Buddha Cave is the main structure of Mati Temple. This grotto was first built during the Northern Liang period, constructed along the mountain with seven levels of steps. Many ancient Buddha statues can be seen here. It is one of Gansu Province's historical relics with a long history and high artistic value. It is known as one of the 'Three Great Art Grottoes' along with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yulin Caves in Anxi. The Yulin Caves in Anxi are also known as the 'Holy Land of Buddhism in Hexi.'
The Grand Buddha Temple is located in the urban area of Zhangye. It is named after the largest reclining Buddha Nirvana statue in China housed within the temple. The temple was built by the royal family of the Western Xia dynasty and is known as the 'Western Xia National Temple'. It is the only remaining Western Xia temple. According to records, the Empress Dowager of the Western Xia, who was a devout Buddhist, often stayed at the Grand Buddha Temple. Both Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty, and Toghon Temür, the last Yuan emperor, were born in this temple.
Shandan Military Horse Farm
This is a royal military horse farm established by General Huo Qubing of the Western Han Dynasty. Over the past 3,000 years, it has bred the world-renowned Shandan horses. Shandan Military Horse Farm features flat terrain and lush water and grass. In summer, the vegetation is abundant, and in autumn, it turns golden. Here, you can not only enjoy the stunning scenery of the Qilian Mountains but also exciting horse racing or equestrian performances. From June to August, wildflowers bloom all over the grassland, making it the most beautiful season for the horse farm.
