Travel guide

Zhangye

The rainbow mountains of Gansu

🗓️ Best time: June–September💰 Budget · ~$60/day📍 China

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About Zhangye

A Silk Road town in Gansu famed for its Danxia landform — striped, candy-coloured sandstone hills that glow red, orange and gold, plus a giant reclining Buddha.

⭐ Things to do in Zhangye

Rainbow (Danxia) mountainsGiant Buddha TempleBinggou Danxia canyonMati Si grottoesSilk Road sightsBinggou Danxia canyonMati Si cliff cavesSunset at the Danxia viewpoints

🍽️ What to eat in Zhangye

Signature local dishes worth seeking out.

Gansu hand-pulled noodlesLamb skewersNiang pi cold noodlesLocal apricots

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Shuttle buses within the Danxia park; taxis in town.

💡 Local tip

Visit the rainbow hills in late afternoon light or after rain when the colours are most vivid.

🛡️ Safety

Very safe for tourists; set up a payment app and a VPN before arrival as many Western apps are blocked.

🌙 Nightlife

Quiet — night market food stalls.