Zhangye City, Gansu! A Hidden Gem with Unforgettable Landscapes!
When people mention Gansu Province, they first think of the provincial capital of Lanzhou, and also know that it is a Silk Road stronghold like Dunhuang, and remember the majestic Jiayuguan Pass, known as the 'First Pass of Ten Thousand Li'.
However, the city named 'Zhangye's Eight Passes, Connecting to the West' – Zhangye, located in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor in northwest Gansu Province – is somewhat less renowned. Yet, it is precisely in this place that there are countless extraordinary landscapes that have left visitors in awe and reluctant to leave!
In recent two years, Zhangye's unique seven-colored Danxia has gradually increased its popularity and has become a must-stop place on the 'Qinling Loop' tourism route! (Zhangye National Geological Park has also become a national 4A scenic area.)
If you only have a 1-2 day time, you may only be able to admire this Danxia landform and the composite landscape of colorful hills; however, if you dedicate a few days to Zhangye, you may gain experiences such as snow mountains, glaciers, deserts, and oases!
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
As a destination that visitors are sure to visit, you can dismiss it with a sneer, but you must not miss it! However, this unique composite area of Danxia landform and colorful hills has been chosen as one of 'China's Seven Most Beautiful Danxia', so it naturally has its own unique features!
Inside the park, tourists are not allowed to climb the colorful hills; they must visit the various viewing platforms to admire the scenery, and there are dedicated shuttle buses between the viewing platforms. Because the most beautiful colors of the park are best seen at sunrise and sunset, the tickets are dual-entry tickets, so don't miss it!
Shandan Military Horse Field (grassland landscape)
In summer, the military field is already covered with lush green grass, and you don't need to go to the major grasslands of Inner Mongolia to see exciting and thrilling horse racing and equestrian performances; this grassland is located at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, and the beautiful landscape of lush green grass and distant majestic Qilian Mountains will surely make you fall in love with it.
Ping Shan Lake Grand Canyon
This canyon, hailed as 'comparable to Zhangjiajie' and 'comparable to the Colorado Grand Canyon' by Chinese Geography Magazine, is not as famous as other places. However, the bizarre and varied rock formations and cliffs within the canyon will inspire a surge of courage in your heart!
After millions of years of erosion by wind and rain, nature used his artistic genius to carve this land into a breathtaking panorama!
Note: The Eight-One Glacier has been closed for many years, so you cannot go there yourself and cannot visit the scenery of the glacier that spans the land!
In this relatively unknown city, there are other landscapes waiting for you to explore. Only when you arrive here will you see its magnificent side!
