Top 8 Best Things to Do in Zhangye: Hiking, Horse Riding, etc.

Golden Zhangye, boasts breathtaking natural wetlands, the largest military horse farm in Asia, the majestic colorful Danxia landforms, the unique charm of the Yugur ethnic culture, and the pristine glaciers and peaks of the Qilian Mountains. No matter when you visit, this city holds a magical allure that makes you want to stay. Followings are the best things to do in Zhangye.

Top 1: View Colorful Danxia on a Helicopter

At the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains lies the breathtaking Zhangye Colorful Danxia, often described as "as red as cinnabar and as bright as rosy clouds". While the vivid landscape of the multicolored Zhangye Danxia is already captivating when viewed from the ground, experiencing it from the air adds an entirely new dimension. The Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area has leveraged its unique ecological resources to offer an exciting "low-altitude tourism" experience, allowing visitors to encounter the stunning scenery of Colorful Danxia in the air while lifting, tossing and turning.

Taking a helicopter at the Colorful Clouds Observation Deck or the Colorful Meeting Fairy Observation Deck to get up close to the colorful Danxia, while also feeling the rush of the open air. From above, the grandeur of the Danxia unfolds before your eyes. As sunlight illuminates the formations, the colors shimmer and glow that stretch across the undulating mountains like a colorful ocean. Blue skies, white clouds, towering peaks, and the colorful Danxia terrain form an unforgettable spectacle that captures the attention of every viewer.

In addition to helicopter tours, the scenic area offers other low-altitude activities such as hot air balloon rides and powered paragliding, ensuring that everyone can fully appreciate the mesmerizing landscape of the Zhangye Danxia from the sky.

Top 2: Hike among the Pingshan Lake Canyon

The Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is one of the must-visit trekking destinations in Zhangye, renowned for its breathtaking canyon landscape, often compared to Zhangjiajie and the Grand Canyon of Colorado. Inside the canyon, the mountains lean against the cliffs, winding and majestic, with towering rock formations and jagged cliffs, resembling a mirage or a fairyland of jade pavilions.

Stepping into this labyrinthine canyon, you find yourself surrounded by crisscrossing ravines and forests of peaks. The uneven terrain of the mountains, both imposing and graceful, is vivid and lifelike, resembling the exquisite masterpiece of a world-class architect. Looking up at the sky, although the canyon here is not as narrow as the thin strip of sky, a blue sky as wide as the canyon reflects it very beautifully.

Despite hiking through the canyon, there is no sense of the summer heat. The wind flows through the canyon, and the steep mountain walls cast shadows on either side. It feels as though the outside world is completely cut off, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience of off-road hiking, absorbing the rugged and otherworldly beauty of the landscape.

Top 3: Ride a Horse at Shandan Horse Farm

The Shandan Horse Farm has a flat terrain with lush grasses and abundant water, making it an ideal place for horses to breed and grow. As one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China, the Shandan Horse Farm is well known to many. Visiting Zhangye and experiencing the sight of thousands of horses galloping, as well as the feeling of riding a horse by yourself, will surely be an unforgettable experience.

With the guidance of professional trainers, you can personally select your preferred horse and even give it a name. After some training, the horse will become your closest companion during your riding experience, sharing with you a wonderful journey. You can then gallop at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, tracing the footsteps of the General of Agile Cavalry Huo Qubing, and truly experience the freedom of being a "horseman".

In China’s most beautiful horse farm, fields of rapeseed flowers bloom with fragrance, and clear streams flow with joy day and night. Here, you can relax yourself on your horse and feel a boundless sense of freedom. The carefully designed riding routes on the grassland cater to both beginners and expert riders, allowing everyone to find a route suited to their skill level.

Top 4: Camp in National Desert Sport Park

In the southern part of Ganzhou, at the magical Sacred Desert, one cannot help but marvel at the Zhangye National Desert Sports Park, a place blessed by nature. Strolling through the desert, feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze, a sense of calm and tranquility arises from within. Removing your shoes and stepping onto the sand dunes, you’ll experience an unprecedented sense of relaxation and liberation for the soul.

Here, a variety of vibrant sports activities await, allowing people to not only appreciate the beauty of nature but also challenge themselves and release their passion. Desert off-roading, racing, sandboarding, hiking... each activity is thrilling, full of challenge and fun.

Barbecues, music, and dancing around the campfire, everyone holds hands in a circle, swaying to the rhythm of the music, lively and hilarious. As night falls, the sky fills with stars, and the full moon hangs high. Set up a tent, and gaze at Zhangye's most beautiful starry sky and round moon, immersing yourself in a peaceful and mysterious world. Lying in the desert, looking up at the vastness of the cosmos, feel the boundless expanse of the universe.

Top 5: Watch Birds in the Wetland Park

At the Zhangye National Wetland Park, adorable little birds hop from branch to branch, dance through the trees, chase each other, or dive for food. Their lively figures are utterly enchanting, and these tiny "spirits" add vibrant vitality to the park. The park is like a hidden treasure tucked away from the hustle and bustle, with lakes and rivers throughout the park, and over 30,000 acres of wetland scenery accompany with the city. During migratory seasons, the park becomes a haven for a large number of birds, making it a birdwatching paradise.

The park is equipped with several trails and birdwatching platforms. On the winding wooden boardwalks along the shore, birdwatchers with cameras and binoculars capture the moments of these delightful creatures, while the shutter sounds mingle with the astonished exclamations of passing visitors. Standing on the birdwatching tower, you can enjoy the sight of various birds soaring high and low in the sky. The lake mirrors the distant mountains, buildings, and greenery, with black and white swans playing and birds flying by—an overwhelmingly beautiful scene.

Top 6: Pray before the Largest Prayer Wheel

The Sunan Yugur Prayer Wheel in Sunan Hongwan Temple once briefly held the title of the largest prayer wheel in the world. It was constructed in September 2009, covering an area of 676 square meters, with a diameter of 9 meters, stands 24.623 meters tall, and weighs over 150 tons. Its surface is adorned with intricate carvings of lotus petals, vajras, animal heads, and the Sanskrit six-syllable mantra, among other religious motifs.

The sound of the prayer wheel’s bell brings a sense of peace to people suffocating in the hustle and bustle of the world, though distractions still persist. Walking along, a sense of fatigue starts to set in, and tangled thoughts lead one to seek a moment of rest at this spiritual sanctuary.

Tourists and pilgrims, moving shoulder to shoulder in an orderly manner, head toward the prayer wheel platform. When see the devout worshippers gazing reverently at the wheel, lovingly touching it, and turning it with deep concentration, feelings of admiration and prayer might stir within your hearts.

Top 7: Climb the Cantilever Great Wall

The Cantilever Great Wall, located in Jiayuguan on the northwest of Zhangye, is just 8 kilometers from the Jiayu Pass City. It serves as the northern extension of Jiayu Pass and was a critical component of the ancient military defense system.

From a distance, Cantilever Great Wall looks like a mighty yellow dragon crawling up the ridge, standing proudly on steep cliffs. Amid the vast Gobi Desert and the distant Heishan Mountains, the Great Wall clings precariously to the peaks. Many sections of the wall hang from the cliffs, making the climb a demanding physical challenge. As the steep stone steps stretch out before you, the temptation to retreat grows stronger with every step.

Upon reaching the top, standing atop the wall, you are greeted with a spectacular view beyond the pass. The endless sands, the desolate wilderness, and the sparse patches of greenery in the Gobi stretch out as if the scenes of warfare centuries ago unfold before your eyes. At this moment, you can feel the unyielding spirit of the Cantilever Great Wall, that though time has worn away its flesh, the bones of this ancient structure still standing guard over the Central Plains. Even in this era of peace, the Great Wall continues to recount the grandeur and struggles of days long past through its towering presence.

Top 8: Create Your Own Stone Art

Wind and Rain Stone Art in Jiayuguan is a traditional art form created by combining rocks, stones, gravels and sand collected from the Gobi Desert. These raw materials collected from the desert have bizarre shapes, thus, requiring ones imagination to put them into an art work. These stones are known as "Wind and Rain Stones", a unique feature of the western region. After centuries of exposure to intense sun, wind, rain, and natural weathering, they have taken on various forms, delicate and transparent, intriguing in their beauty and complexity.

In one of the local stone art studios in Jiayuguan, you can appreciate art works such as A Dream in Red Mansions and watch a short documentary about the history of the stone art. Then, you will use your imagination and create your own masterpiece with the guidance of the local artist. Frame your art work and bring it home as a souvenir of this memorable trip.

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