01City Guide
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
卓尔山景区
All Ages
Admission
Jun-Aug: admission and sightseeing shuttle usually cost CNY 60-80 together.
Typical Visit
Allow time for the shuttle and the main boardwalk walk.
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free roadside canyon; no unified gate or admission fee.
Hours
No fixed operating hours; travel depends on daylight, weather, and road conditions.
Transport
No direct metro. Drive or arrange a private car from Qilian county seat via G213 / Qilian No.9 Road (about 60-80 km and 1-1.5 hours to the core viewpoint).
Duration
About 1-1.5 hours to the core viewpoint; longer for an onward drive
Best Time
Daylight in clear, stable weather
Visitors
Self-drive or private-car visitors
How to Visit
1
Leave Qilian county seat and follow G213 / Qilian No.9 Road toward the main canyon viewpoint.
The core viewpoint is about 60-80 km away and takes roughly 1-1.5 hours. This is a free roadside canyon landscape with no unified gate or ticket.
Tip:Do not plan it like a scenic area with ticket offices, shuttle buses, or a fixed entrance. Make sure your vehicle and fuel are suitable for either a return trip or onward travel.
2
Make the Hanging Cliff Viewpoint your first main stop.
Park only where permitted, then walk to the viewing area to see the Heihe River and the canyon sides. The walk is short; safe parking and close-range viewing are the priorities.
Tip:Do not stand for long in traffic lanes, bends, or near cliff edges for photos. Passing vehicles and rockfall are more important risks than the walking distance.
3
If time allows, add stops in this order: Hanging Cliff Viewpoint - First Bend of the Heihe River - Guomi Village or Liugoutai.
The First Bend and Guomi Village / Liugoutai are optional stops; choose them according to the day's weather, road conditions, and remaining fuel.
Tip:Do not keep driving deeper near evening just to complete every stop. The canyon road has many bends and is not suitable for unplanned additions after dark.
4
Keep a steady pace in the river valley and at viewpoints, and buy supplies before leaving Qilian.
The full route ranges from about 2,200-4,200 m; common river-valley and viewpoint sections are around 2,800-3,200 m, while higher places such as Eboling exceed 3,685 m. There is no unified commercial area along the route.
Tip:Stop gaining elevation if altitude symptoms appear. Do not enter more remote sections without enough water, food, and warm layers.
5
If continuing to Zhangye, drive via G213 / Qilian No.9 Road - Sunan - Zhangye.
The crossing section from Yeniugou to Sunan includes about 10-15 km of unpaved gravel road. An SUV is more comfortable; standard cars should proceed slowly and allow extra time.
Tip:The G227 Biandukou-Ebao section is closed long-term. Do not use it as a shortcut, return route, or backup route to Zhangye.
Highlights
- Hanging Cliff Viewpoint is the core stop for seeing Heihe Grand Canyon's landform with only a short walk.
- This is a canyon route linked by road, allowing self-drive travelers to adjust their stops to weather and road conditions.
- The First Bend of the Heihe River and Guomi Village / Liugoutai offer different views of the river valley, village landscape, and road.
- Between Qilian and Sunan, the scenery shifts between canyon, river valley, grass-covered slopes, and higher-elevation road sections.
- Free entry and no unified gate make it better suited to a self-drive transit route between Qilian and Sunan / Zhangye than a standalone public-transport visit.
Insider Tips
✦Check rain, rockfall, and road-control conditions before departure. If the canyon section is closed or weather is severe, skip the crossing rather than treating navigation time as proof that the road is passable.
✦The gravel section between Yeniugou and Sunan is the key vehicle consideration. Standard cars should drive slowly, keep distance, and avoid entering after rain or at night.
✦Signal is weak in parts of the valley. Download offline maps and set Sunan or Zhangye as the destination before entering no-signal sections.
✦Fill the vehicle in Qilian and bring enough water, snacks, and warm clothing; the route is not suitable for relying on last-minute supplies.
✦Slow down for livestock, rockfall zones, and cliffside bends. Take photographs only from clearly designated parking areas.
More Qilian Attractions
02City Guide
Qilian Mountain Grassland
祁连山草原
Admission
Free along public road sections; private pasture access and activities are separate on-site transactions.
Typical Visit
Flexible roadside stops as part of a driving day
03City Guide
Binggou Forest Scenic Area
冰沟林海景区
Admission
No unified ticket gate or admission charge.
Typical Visit
About 1 hour for the core walk; 2-3 hours for a fuller visit
04Nature Escape
Qilian Mountains Scenic Area
祁连山风景区
Admission
No unified ticket; individual stops have separate entry, fee, and parking rules.
Typical Visit
Flexible selected stops within a daylight driving day
05Built Heritage
Arou Temple
阿柔大寺
All Ages
Admission
CNY 15 for adults
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes
06Nature Escape
Amidongsuo Scenic Area
阿咪东索景区
Admission
Free entry from May to July 2026; register visitors and the vehicle plate at the east gate and sign the liability waiver.
Typical Visit
Allow time for entry registration, fixed stops, and west-gate exit before closing.