Zhangye Travel Guide
Location: Zhangye is located in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor, far western Gansu Province.
Population: about 1,270,000
Area: 4,240 sq km
Nationalities: Han, Hui, Mongolia, Yugu nationality,
History: It is an important part of the ancient Silk Road and belongs to the national historical and cultural city. It is close to Wuwei in the east and Jjiuquan in the west. In 121 BC, in order to acquire its fame, the emperor of Qing Dynasty sent general Huo Qubing to Hexi to conquer the Huns (a tribe of people). After that, the Huns were named Zhangye.
Climate: Zhangye has a continental climate. Like its western neighbors Dunhuang and Jiayuguan, the climate here is characterized by dryness all the year round. The annual temperature for the city is 6.8℃. January is the coldest month, while July the hottest. Generally speaking, the optimum time to pay the city a visit is from June to September.
Transportation: By far the easiest way to get to Zhangye is still by train, for it is a major stop along the Lanzhou-Urumqi Railway Line. Each day there are more than 10 daily trains going to and beyond Zhangye. There is a nightly express train that from Lanzhou to Zhangye to Zhangye after 12 hours. You can cost RMB3 by mini bus or RMB 10 by taxi, for the railway station is about 10kms from the city center. It is also very convenient to go to or from Zhangye by bus. The Eastern Bus Station, south down Donghuancheng lu from the Hexi Hotel, dispatches 8 daily buses in the evening to Lanzhou, three of which have sleeper seats (sleeper: RMB85; non-sleeper: RMB35; duration: 15 hours). There are also 3 buses each morning to Jiayuguan (fare: RMB20; duration: 5 hours).
Local Specialties: Wujiang Rice, Minyue Garlic, Gaotai Capsicum, Linze Chinese Date
Local Food: Saozi noodles, Cuoyumian, Niangpizi, Stewed pork
A medium-sized town, about 450km northwest of Lanzhou and 150km southeast of Jiayuguan, ZHANGYE has always been an important stopover for caravans and travelers on the Silk Road. Indeed, Marco Polo spent a whole year here. Today it's still worth stopping, especially if you have time for a visit to the Buddhist Mati Si, 60km south of the town.
Major Attractions:
The bell and drum tower in Zhangye, the biggest drum tower in the Hexi Corridor of the silk road district, was built during the Ming Dynasty (1507). The tower consists of the foundation and a three-storey pavilion. The hathpace is 32 meters wide and 9 meters high, and ...
Mati Temple is also called Puguang Temple. The whole grotto is composed of Shenguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Qianfo Cave, Jinta Temple, Upper Guanyin Cave, Middle Guanyin Cave and Lower Guanyin Cave. First built in the northern Liang period, Mati Temple boasts more than ...
The Muta Temple, or Wooden Pagoda, (Mu Ta) stands on Nan jie (currently the premises of a local middle school). It is unknown in exactly which year the pagoda was erected, but people generally believe it was during the Northern Zhou dynasty (557-581 AD). After this it--
The Giant Buddha Temple (Dafo si) lies in the southwestern corner of the city, which contains the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China. In 1098, the chancellor of the Western Xia Dynasty allegedly excavated, although probably ordered to be built, a reclining Buddha
Guanquan Park is located in the north end of Xianfu North Street, Zangye City. It was originally built in 1984 covering an area of 299 mu. The south gate is the main gate. There is a bridge crossing two lakes in the garden. The lawn, flower garden, fountain and pond ar...
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