01City Guide
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area
张掖七彩丹霞景区
All Ages
Admission
Standard admission: CNY 93-108. Trip.com lists the standard package from USD 15.93, including the sightseeing bus and insurance.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free to view from the surrounding streets.
Hours
Exterior landmark; view it throughout the day. Do not plan on climbing the tower.
Transport
No direct metro. It stands at the intersection of the main streets in central Zhangye.
Duration
20-30 minutes
Best Time
Dusk, before the lights come on
Visitors
Suitable for a short exterior stop; take care around heavy traffic.
How to Visit
1
Use the tower as an old-city meeting point
Use the Drum and Bell Tower as a landmark starting point or meeting place for a central-city walk. It stands where the main streets meet, so use marked crossings carefully in the heavy traffic.
Tip:The tower is easy to find, but its crossroads location requires more attention to traffic than a pedestrian-only attraction.
2
See it as an exterior photo stop
Allow about 20-30 minutes to view the building, arched passages, and plaques from different street corners. It is best treated as an exterior photo stop; do not plan your visit around going upstairs.
Tip:Changing corners gives better views of the eaves, arched base, and relationship to the old-city streets.
3
Continue on an old-city route
Continue along the old-city streets toward Giant Buddha Temple or the museum, adding lunch or an evening snack stop on the way. This works better than visiting the tower as a standalone destination.
Tip:Use the tower to structure a walking route rather than spending a large block of the day here.
Highlights
- This Ming-style, three-storey timber tower is the most conspicuous landmark in Zhangye's old city.
- Its four arched gateways and crossroads setting still show its role as the historic centre of movement through the city.
- Plaques, flying eaves, and the raised base provide architectural details for a closer look and a useful old-city photo backdrop.
- A Tang-era bronze bell near the tower adds a further historic object to the stop.
Insider Tips
✦This is not an attraction that needs a long visit. Save more time for Giant Buddha Temple and Zhangye Museum.
✦The period around dusk and before the lights come on is best for photographs, but stay on the pavement and work around traffic.
✦Avoid driving directly to the tower in search of parking. Park near a commercial area or hotel, then walk.
✦In the evening, it works as a short stop before returning to your hotel; during the day, it fits naturally into an old-city history route.
More Zhangye Attractions
02City Guide
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04Historic Walk
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05City Guide
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Admission
CNY 80 (admission CNY 60 + compulsory sightseeing bus CNY 20); eligible concession admission is CNY 30 plus the sightseeing bus.
Typical Visit
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06City Guide
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