Destination

Zhangye张掖

The Rainbow Mountains of the Hexi Corridor — striped Danxia landforms glowing red, orange, and gold at sunset.

Best time

Jun–Sep (colors pop most after rain and at sunset)

Recommended

1–2 days

Why visit Zhangye

Zhangye sits on the Silk Road's Hexi Corridor and is famous for the Zhangye Danxia — surreal, candy-striped sandstone hills that look painted. It pairs naturally with Dunhuang and Jiayuguan on a Gansu rail loop. The Giant Buddha Temple in town holds China's largest reclining indoor Buddha.

Timing the Danxia colors

The Zhangye Danxia Geopark has four viewing platforms linked by shuttle bus (included in the ¥54 ticket). Platforms 1 and 4 are best at sunset. Overcast light right after rain gives the most saturated stripes; harsh midday sun washes them out.

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Useful Chinese address cards

Tap "Copy 中文" and hand your phone to a taxi driver or hotel front desk.

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Zhangye Danxia National Geopark

张掖七彩丹霞

甘肃省张掖市临泽县倪家营镇南台村

Use the East Gate (临泽) entrance; ~40 min from downtown by taxi.

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