Begin your adventure with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Zhangye. Meet your professional, multilingual guide and set off in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy scenic views of rolling countryside pastures, lush grasslands, and distant herds of livestock as you make your way to the Horse-Hoof Temple Grottoes.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Qilian Snow Mountains, the Horse-Hoof Temple Grottoes is a crown jewel of Gansu’s Buddhist grotto art. Its history dates back to the 3rd century, when the eminent monk Guoyu travelled from Dunhuang to carve the first cave into the mountain’s rocky face. Over centuries, it expanded into a sprawling complex of cliffside grottoes, temples, and prayer halls, making it one of the most sacred and architecturally remarkable Buddhist sites in northwest China.
As you wander through its winding cave corridors and admire the well-preserved murals and stone carvings, your guide will regale you with tales of its religious significance and the ancient artisans who brought it to life.
After immersing yourself in this spiritual haven, enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense), where you can savour authentic Gansu delicacies—think hearty hand-pulled noodles, tender lamb dishes, and sweet local pastries—to refuel for the afternoon’s natural wonders.
Post-lunch, venture to the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, a UNESCO-lauded landscape that feels like stepping onto another planet. Spanning a vast 510 square kilometres across the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains (within Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Linze County, Ganzhou District, and Pingshan Lake areas), this geopark encompasses a stunning array of landforms: vividly hued colour hills, glistening ice hills, dramatic Danxia rock formations, and serene Pingshan Lake.
Located just 40 kilometres east of Zhangye city and 20 kilometres north of Linze county town, it stands as the most iconic example of arid-region Danxia landforms in northern China. As you traverse the park’s viewing platforms, you’ll witness cliffs and hills striped in a kaleidoscope of red, orange, yellow, and purple—their colours shifting with the sunlight to create a surreal, painterly panorama that has earned it the nickname “the Rainbow Mountains of China.” Your guide will share insights into the millions of years of geological processes that sculpted this natural masterpiece, adding a fascinating scientific layer to the visual spectacle.
When the day’s explorations draw to a close, enjoy a smooth return to your hotel, leaving you with cherished memories of Gansu’s unique fusion of culture and nature.
