01 / EXPLORE
Zhangye Danxia
Colored hills unfold in layers from designated viewpoints. The appearance depends on light and weather, so enjoy the landforms rather than expecting a single heavily saturated image.
CITY & LOCAL GUIDE
Zhangye
YOUR VISIT, AT A GLANCE
Plan your time here
- Suggested stay
- 1–2 days
- Main experiences
- Danxia colors & open landscapes
- A good fit for
- Landscape photography
- Getting around
- Use the city as a base and plan a return transfer to the scenic area.
Find your own way through Zhangye.
Use Zhangye as a base for a landscape of colored hills and changing light. A visit to the Danxia landforms is most rewarding when there is time to pause at a few viewpoints.
Color is only part of the view
The Danxia landscape rewards attention to shape as well as color. Look at how ridges overlap, how shadows reveal folds and how the horizon changes from one viewpoint to the next. Staying long enough to observe these differences can be more satisfying than collecting many similar photographs.
Keep the city in the journey
Use Zhangye as more than a transfer point: leave time for a simple meal and an unhurried start or finish to the day. Treat the landscape visit as a distinct outing, with transport planned around the actual route. This helps the day feel coherent without needing to add distant stops.
START EXPLORING
Places to begin
Regional flavors to explore
These foods are part of the wider region’s traditions; availability and recipes vary by restaurant.
01 / TASTE
Lanzhou beef noodles
Hand-pulled wheat noodles meet a fragrant beef broth, sliced radish and herbs. Choose a noodle shape that appeals to you and add chili to taste.
02 / TASTE
Plateau yogurt
A tangy dairy staple found in parts of the plateau. Milk, sweetness and serving styles vary; taste a little before adding sugar or other toppings.
A SENSE OF PLACE
Find Zhangye on the map.
Locate the city and explore the surrounding area. Open Google Maps for a closer look.
Map not loading? Use the Google Maps link above.
