Zhang Ye

China's Rainbow Mountains

Zhangye's Danxia Geopark contains the most spectacular colored sandstone formations on Earth — striated cliffs of red, orange, yellow, and violet that look like brushstrokes across a planetary canvas. Marco Polo traveled through here on the Silk Road, and a 34-meter reclining Buddha sits serenely inside the city's ancient temple.

Flavour Profile

🥘 Savory

Best time to visit

🗓 June-September

Province

📍 Gansu

Tier

Hidden Gem

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What to Eat in Zhangye

🍜

Lamb Noodle Soup

羊肉面片

Rustic torn flat noodles in a roasted lamb and spring onion broth

🫓

Barley Flatbread

青稞饼

Nutty Tibetan barley flour flatbread toasted directly over an open flame

Explore Zhangye by theme

🏔️NatureExplore 🏯HistoryExplore 💎Hidden Gems1 highlight

Highlights

Bingou Danxia

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A quieter, more rugged Danxia landform area a short drive from the famous striped Rainbow Mountains, with narrow canyon trails winding through red sandstone formations instead of a single viewing platform.