Located in China's Gansu Province, Zhangye used to serve as an important destination along the Silk Road—but today, it draws travelers looking to explore awesome landscapes and ancient Buddhist temples. There are plenty of things to do in Zhangye and its surrounding areas—most tourists don’t miss a visit to Dafo Temple (aka the Great Big Buddha Temple) or Zhangye National Park to see its rainbow-colored mountains, either from viewing platforms or on the trails. Just be sure to pack your sun hat, water bottle, hiking shoes, and sense of adventure.
You can visit Zhangye in spring, summer, or fall, but you'll want to avoid winter since the city gets bitterly cold and windy. Because it's always very dry here, consider bringing some hydrating lotion. Keep in mind that the first weeks of May and October are national public holidays, so try to avoid planning your travels then—trips along the Silk Road can get crowded with Chinese tourists at those times.
Zhangye isn’t very big, and there’s no subway system like in larger Chinese cities. Instead, you can hop on one of the cheap buses that cover the city and can get you to the airport and train stations. You can always hire taxis, which aren’t too expensive. A top tip for non-Chinese speakers is to ask someone to write the name of your destination in Chinese and give that to your taxi driver.
As noted before, it is very dry in Gansu Province, so you will need to stay hydrated. You can’t drink the tap water in China: You can either buy plastic bottles of water or pack a reusable bottle and fill it with filtered water at your accommodation. Also, don’t be surprised if you’re offered a cup of boiling hot water on a scorching and sweaty day. It’s normal.
