Zhangye

Understand

Zhangye became the garrison headquarters after General Huo established control of the Hexi Corridor. Formerly known as Ganzhou, the town was part of the Western Xia dynasty until it was conquered by Kublai Khan in 1227. Zhangye has a population of around 1.1 million (2025), of whom 630,000 are urban residents. In addition to Han Chinese, the city is also home to members of the minority Yugu people, who live only in Gansu.

Getting there

By plane 1 Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (张掖甘州机场, YZY IATA). Opened in 2011, this airport 13 km south of the city has flights to/from Xi'an, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Urumqi and a few other domestic airports. However, many of these flights make stops en route, operate only on specific days, and do not operate over the winter. (updated Jun 2026) Zhangye has frequent high-speed rail connections from Lanzhou via Xining, both of which have much larger airports than Zhangye's. These airports are likely to be more convenient for many visitors.

By train 2 Zhangye West Railway Station (张掖西站) (in the southwest of town). This high-speed station has D-train service to destinations such as Urumqi (8.5-9.5 hr), Xining (2 hr), Lanzhou (3-3.5 hr), and Xi'an (6.5-7 hr).

3 Zhangye Station (张掖站) (6.5 km northeast of the city center). Slower conventional trains use this station daily to destinations as far off as Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Urumqi and Lanzhou.

By bus 4 Zhangye Bus Station (张掖汽车站, West Bus Station), 381 West Ring Road, Ganzhou District (甘州区西环路381号), ☏ +86 936-8215022. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Zhangye East Bus Station (张掖汽车东站), 122 East Ring Road (东环路122号), ☏ +86 936-8214073. 6 Zhangye South Bus Station (张掖汽车南站), 478 South Ring Road (南环路478号).

Getting around

By bus Bus fares are ¥1 - correct change only. As of 2026, you need a Chinese ID number to register a city bus card in Alipay, so foreigners are limited to cash payments.

By taxi Both DiDi and taxis are readily available. Taxis will likely be somewhat cheaper than DiDi.

By private car You can book a private car via a travel agency or at the reception of most hotels, which is especially useful for touring the sites outside the city.

On foot Zhangye is laid out in the sprawling fashion typical of Chinese cities outside of the south, so be aware that although something may only appear to be a few city blocks away, a single city block may take nearly 10 minutes to walk. The elongated distances combined with extreme temperatures on many days can make navigating Zhangye by foot quite arduous.

See

Within the city

1 Dafo Temple (大佛寺), ☏ +86 936 6933666. 8:30-18:00. Holds the largest wooden indoor reclining Buddha in China at 34.5 m (113 ft) long, 7.5 m (25 ft) high. This temple is the reputed birthplace for the Mongol emperor, Kublai Khan. ¥40; students ¥20. (updated Jun 2026) 2 Zhangye Drum Tower (张掖鼓楼, Zhenyuan Building), Central Square of Ganzhou District. 08:00-18:00. Built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. There is a huge drum hanging upstairs, once used to report the time and convey warnings. The top has an excellent view of the city. Open but wrapped in a big ugly canvas for renovations as of June 2026. Free. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Zhangye Shanxi Guild Hall (張掖山西會館), near Dafo Temple. 8:00-17:30. A guild hall built by Shanxi merchants living in Zhangye during the Qing Dynasty. Closed for renovations as of June 2026. Free. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Zhangye Museum (張掖市博物館). 8:30-18:00. A great little history and culture museum if you can read Chinese – unfortunately almost none of the displays are in English. Free. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Muto-ji Temple (木塔寺, Mutasi), Muta Lane, Ganzhou District. Summer 08:30-18:00, Winter 09:00-17:00. The Wooden Pagoda Temple is one of the Five Elements Pagodas in Zhangye. The existing wooden pagoda was rebuilt in 1926. The tower is 32.8 meters (108 ft) high, with nine levels on eight sides. Each level has a wood-carved dragon head, a pearl in the mouth, and a wind chime hanging below. The main body of the tower is a wooden structure, and the outer eaves are built in the style of a pavilion. You can climb up the stairs of the tower. Each floor is equipped with a cloister and a guardrail. On the top floor you can overlook the city from the railing. ¥25. (updated Jun 2026)

Outside the city

6 Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Qicai Danxia) (张掖丹霞国家地质公园 (七彩丹霞), Rainbow Mountains) (40km west of Zhangye; take a bus from Zhangye Bus Station for ¥15 each way; first bus departs at 07:45; last bus returns from the North Gate Parking Lot at 18:30; note the return bus driver will refuse to leave until there is a critical mass of people regardless of what the sign says). 05:30-19:00 summer months. A unique geological landscape with layers of rocks of different colors and mountains in the background. It is one of the highlights of Gansu province. Be aware that despite seeming like it is in the middle of nowhere on a map, the site is heavily commercialized, filled with shops selling tourist snacks and knick-knacks, touts on megaphones, speakers and screens blaring Chinese pop music, unidirectional chut

Do

Swim in the Hei river 1 Heihe Wetland Park (黑河湿地公园), Suburbs of Ganzhou District. 07:00-18:00. Wetland habitat for birds and other wild animals with bird-watching towers. ¥30. (updated Dec 2024)

Buy

Some specialty products of the Zhangye region include:

Jujube. Zhangye's jujube is of excellent quality because of the area's abundant sunshine and fertile soil. It is known as the "sweet gift of the Silk Road". Hexi wool products. The Hexi area surrounding Zhangye produces high-quality wool. Wool products include scarves, blankets and traditional craft-woven carpets. Licorice. Zhangye licorice is famous for its high content of glycyrrhizic acid and pure taste, which is widely used in food seasoning and medicinal tea. Zhangye's licorice is usually made into slices, powders or tea bags. Green barley wine. A traditional wine brewed from plateau green barley. It has a rich aroma, a slight wheat flavor, and a moderate alcohol content. It is a very popular drink in Tibet. Handmade yogurt. Made of fresh or fermented sheep's milk. Has a thick texture and moderate sweet and sourness. Traditional handmade yogurt is usually combined with honey, nuts or raisins.

Eat

1 Luopangzi Noodle Restaurant (罗胖子面馆). 10:30-20:00. Gansu-style firecracker noodles and pork plates. The service is a bit gruff and the noodles an acquired taste, but the pork is delicious. ¥28 for a noodle bowl, a braised pork plate and a side dish. (updated Jun 2026) Xianhuo Barbecue (鲜货烤肉). 11:00-23:30. Barbecued meat and vegetables on skewers. Friendly service (though unclear whether any English spoken). It is one of the top-rated places in the city on Dianping and deservedly so. (updated Jun 2026)

Sleep

Budget 1 Tian Run Jin Zuo Hotel (天润金座酒店), ☏ +86 936 8438888. Check-in: after 10:30, check-out: before 12:00. Lovely rooms. A bit older but great value for money. (updated Jun 2026)

Mid-range 2 Jindu Hotel (Jindu Binguan), 19 East Street, ☏ +86 936 8245088, fax: +86 936 8245122. 3 Holiday Inn Express (智选假日酒店), 184 W. Huancheng Rd. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable, western chain hotel. It's kind of isolated and there is not much within walking distance. The #4 bus has a stop immediately in front of the hotel that can take you to the city center. (updated Jun 2026)

Splurge 4 Zhangye Hotel (张掖宾馆), ☏ +86 936 8212601. 5 Huachen International Hotel (华辰国际大酒店), ☏ +86 936 8257777.

Go next

Minle – see rapeflower fields bordered by the Qilian Mountains Dunhuang – famed for its Buddhist grottoes, the Mogao Caves Xining – capital of Qinghai Province and gateway to Tibet Xinjiang – China's far-flung western region