张掖市

Why this place

Zhangye holds two things that make it worth the trip: the Zhangye Danxia landforms — banded sandstone hills in red, yellow and grey, which look painted — and a 35-metre reclining Buddha, the largest in China, in a temple in the city.

What to see

• The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark — the coloured striped hills, best about an hour before sunset
• The Great Buddha Temple with its 35-metre reclining Buddha
• The Qilian Mountains and the Zhangye wetland park
• The Mati Temple and the Sunan horse country in the mountains south

What to eat

• Zhangye is known for its 'zhangye' noodles and its 'roujiamo' style dishes
• The local 'linze' dates and the Qilian lamb

How to plan

One day: the Danxia park in the late afternoon, the Great Buddha Temple in the morning.

Best time

June–October; the Danxia colours are strongest in late afternoon