Zhangye's Classic Danxia and Grottoes, First Visit

Based in the city, spend three days on Seven-Color Danxia at sunset, the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, the Matisi Grottoes and the Giant Buddha Temple.

The standard first-visit route to Zhangye: day one, the Giant Buddha Temple in the city and sunset at Seven-Color Danxia; day two, a morning hike in the Pingshan Lake canyon, then wetlands and the night market in the afternoon; day three, the Matisi Grottoes before returning. All three nights are spent in the city for easy transfers. Public transport between sights is limited, so share a ride or charter a car. The Thirty-Three Heavens Caves at Matisi are steep, so older travelers and children should go at their own pace.

Seven-Color Danxia looks best from afternoon to dusk; the colors are most vivid after rain clears.

Day by day

Day 1 · Giant Buddha Temple and Seven-Color Danxia Sunset

Zhangye（Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple、Muta Temple (Wooden Pagoda Temple)、Zhangye Danxia Landform）

In the morning, arrive at Zhangye West Station; about 20 minutes by taxi to the city. In the afternoon, take a tourist shuttle or share a ride for about 1 hour to Seven-Color Danxia, and return after sunset.

Inside the scenic area, take the sightseeing bus to viewing platforms 1 through 4; the sunset is best from platform 4.

Stay: Zhangye City Center

Day 2 · Pingshan Lake Canyon, Wetlands and Night Market

Zhangye（Pingshanhu Grand Canyon、Zhangye National Wetland Park、Zhangye Drum Tower (Zhenyuan Tower)、Ganzhou Market (Night Food Market)）

Share a ride or charter a car in the morning for about 1.5 hours to the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, then return in the afternoon; in the evening, take a taxi to the wetland park, then walk past the Drum Tower and Ganzhou Market at night.

Pingshan Lake has chain walkways and climbing sections; wear non-slip shoes and bring plenty of water.

Stay: Zhangye City Center

Day 3 · Matisi Grottoes and Return

Zhangye（Mati Temple (Matisi Grottoes)）

Depart at 8:30 a.m. and charter a car for about 1.5 hours to the Matisi Grottoes; spend 3–4 hours sightseeing, then return to the city or go straight to Zhangye West Station in the afternoon.

The Matisi Grottoes sit at about 2,200 m, cooler than the city, so bring a jacket; you can eat hand-grabbed mutton at the scenic area at midday.

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