Begin your adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Zhangye. Board a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and head to the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. Enjoy sweeping vistas of rolling countryside pastures, where lush grasslands stretch to the horizon and distant herds of livestock dot the landscape.
Tucked away on the northern edge of Zhangye’s territory, the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is a masterpiece of natural erosion and a hidden gem of Gansu’s rugged terrain. Its formation traces back hundreds of millions of years, shaped by persistent wind and water that carved through layers of rock to create a labyrinth of steep cliffs, deep gorges, winding valleys, and towering rock pillars.
Regarded as one of the most spectacular canyon landscapes in northwest China, it offers a rare blend of grand scale and intricate geological details. As you trek along its well-designed trails, cross suspension bridges strung between canyon peaks, and peer down into its sun-dappled depths, your guide will regale you with tales of its geological evolution and the local legends that have been woven around its imposing rock formations over generations.
After immersing yourself in this natural wonderland, 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 in comfort, leaving you with cherished memories of Gansu’s unique fusion of grand canyons and colourful Danxia scenery.
