Zhangye 张掖

About Zhangye

The reclining Buddha at Dafo Temple gives the city centre a distinctive architectural and religious focus. Outside town, the layered hills of Qicai Danxia and the columns of Binggou offer contrasting rock landscapes. Keep time for both the compact urban heritage and a separately planned excursion into the foothills.

Zhangye was established as a commandery in 111 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, taking its name from the phrase 'extending the arm of the country to reach the Western Regions' (张国臂掖，以通西域). During the Northern and Southern dynasties, the Northern Liang state (北凉) promoted agriculture, Confucian learning and Buddhism, translated Buddhist scripture and carved grottoes there, making the area the center of Buddhism in northern China. In 554, under the Western Wei, the city was renamed Ganzhou (甘州) after the sweet springs of its oasis.

Agriculture and Silk Road trade flourished under the early Tang, when the monk Xuanzang passed through Zhangye on his journey to India. The city later served as the seat of Gansu province under the Yuan, of the Shaanxi Branch Commission and Gansu garrison under the Ming, and of Ganzhou prefecture and Gansu's military command under the Qing.

Zhangye lies at the center of the Hexi Corridor, between the Qilian Mountains to the south and the Helai and Longshou ranges to the north. It covers a total area of 39,436.53 square kilometers, about 8.67 percent of Gansu province, with terrain including desert, Gobi, grassland and virgin forest. In December 1986 it was named one of China's second group of 38 National Historical and Cultural Cities (国家历史文化名城).

What to look for

• Dafo Temple’s reclining Buddha within its large timber hall.
• The coloured hills and rock formations of the separate Danxia scenic areas.

The surrounding area

The city base for the coloured Danxia hills in the surrounding Linze and Sunan area.

Location & getting there

Getting to Zhangye

Zhangye West railway station serves high-speed arrivals southwest of the urban centre. Arrange a city transfer for Dafo Temple, or a separate vehicle to the named Qicai Danxia or Binggou entrance; neither scenic area is beside the station.