Tour Overview
A compact 3-day exploration of Zhangye's otherworldly landscapes — the rainbow-striped Danxia mountains, the dramatic Ice Valley formations, the 34.5m reclining Buddha at Dafo Temple, and the cliff-hanging Matisi Temple grottoes. Perfect as a Silk Road stopover or a standalone photography trip to one of China's most Instagram-worthy destinations.
Highlights
- ✅ Zhangye Danxia Geopark — UNESCO rainbow mountains in 24 million colors
- ✅ Ice Valley Danxia — different formations with castle-like shapes
- ✅ Dafo Temple — China's largest indoor reclining Buddha (34.5m)
- ✅ Matisi Temple — Buddhist caves carved into a vertical cliff
- ✅ Sunset photography at the Colorful Sea of Clouds viewing platform
What's Included
- ✅ Professional English-speaking guide
- ✅ 2 nights 4-star hotel in Zhangye with breakfast
- ✅ All entrance tickets
- ✅ Private vehicle transfers
- ✅ Airport/train station transfers
- ✅ Travel insurance
What's Excluded
- ❌ Flights/trains to/from Zhangye
- ❌ Lunches & dinners
- ❌ Personal expenses
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Zhangye — Dafo Temple
Arrive at Zhangye. Afternoon: Dafo Temple (Giant Buddha Temple) — a 900-year-old Western Xia Dynasty temple housing Asia's largest indoor reclining Buddha at 34.5m long. See the exquisite Ming Dynasty murals and the scripture hall. Evening: explore Zhangye's ancient streets and night market for local lamb skewers and hand-pulled noodles. Overnight in Zhangye.
Day 2: Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains Full Day
Full day at Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (1h from city). Morning: explore the park's four major viewing platforms — the Colorful Screen, the Colorful Sea of Clouds, the Colorful Embroidered Hill, and the Seven-Color Mountain. The landscape shifts through crimson, orange, gold, green, and blue as the light changes. Afternoon: visit Ice Valley Danxia (Bing Gou) — different formations with dramatic castle-like towers and pillars. Stay for sunset when the mountains glow most intensely. Overnight in Zhangye.
Day 3: Matisi Temple & Departure
Morning: visit Matisi Temple (Horse's Hoof Temple, 1.5h from Zhangye) — a complex of Buddhist grottoes and temples carved into a vertical cliff face. Climb the narrow cliff walkways connecting cave shrines and explore the 7-story pagoda carved inside the rock. Afternoon: transfer to Zhangye Airport or train station for departure.