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
CNY 40 for standard admission.
Hours
07:00-18:30.
Transport
No direct metro. Walk or take a short taxi from central Zhangye to the scenic area near Minzhu West Street.
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Best Time
Morning or earlier afternoon for a quieter visit
Visitors
Suitable for most visitors; maintain quiet behaviour in active temple halls.
How to Visit
1
Reach the temple from central Zhangye
Walk or take a short taxi ride from central Zhangye to the Giant Buddha Temple scenic area near Minzhu West Street. There is no metro; the temple can be combined with the Zhangye Museum and Drum and Bell Tower on a central-city walking route.
Tip:The temple, museum, and old-city landmarks are close enough to combine without planning a separate transport day.
2
Follow the full scenic-area route
Allow about 1.5-2 hours. Start with the reclining Buddha in the main hall, then follow the scenic-area route through the scripture collection, ancient pagoda, and Shanxi Guild Hall rather than stopping only at the main hall entrance.
Tip:The historic value extends beyond the reclining Buddha, so leave time for the murals, scripture collection, and guild hall.
3
Respect the rules in the Great Buddha Hall
Keep quiet inside the Great Buddha Hall. Do not use flash or selfie sticks in front of the reclining Buddha, and fully follow any no-photography signs inside the hall.
Tip:The hall is both a historic monument and a religious space, so careful behaviour helps preserve a calm visit for everyone.
Highlights
- The 34.5-metre indoor reclining Buddha, made with a wooden core and clay exterior, is the main reason to visit.
- Western Xia imperial temple remains place the site within the history of the Hexi Corridor.
- Murals in the Great Buddha Hall include pilgrimage scenes that predate the completed novel Journey to the West.
- Precious Buddhist scriptures, including the Daming Sanzang Shengjiao Beizang, make this more than a quick stop to see one statue.
- Shanxi Guild Hall is within the same scenic area and adds Qing-dynasty merchant architecture and wood, stone, and brick carving to the visit.
Insider Tips
✦The Zhangye municipal government currently lists the scenic area's opening hours as 07:00-18:30. Arrive earlier in the morning or afternoon to avoid tour groups and leave time for the murals.
✦A guide can make the reclining Buddha, scriptures, and murals much easier to understand. Without one, allow extra time to read the displays in the main hall.
✦There is still a walk between the parking area and the entrance. Navigate to the formal entrance and avoid buying tickets from informal sellers outside.
✦Pair the temple with the museum across the street for a half-day history route. If time is short, prioritize the temple, then decide how much time to spend on the guild hall.
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02City Guide
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03City Guide
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04City Guide
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