Major city · China
Zhangye张掖
Spend 1–2 days in Zhangye: one day for the Danxia parks and city sights, a second day if you want the museum and Drum Tower.
Zhangye is a gateway to the colourful Danxia geological parks and historic temples. The city centre is spread out, so a full day covers the main attractions; add a night for a relaxed pace and to catch evening markets.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- YZY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Zhangye110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zhangye, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyZhangye is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is rare but keep belongings secure in crowded markets and on buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYZY Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (13 km (8.1 mi) south of city; flights to major Chinese hubs, limited winter service).YZY Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (8.1 mi (13 km) south of city; flights to major Chinese hubs, limited winter service).
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1) (exact change).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))¥30–¥45 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketDafo Temple entry¥40 (≈ US$6) (students ¥20 (≈ US$3))
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) (check) · Mid ¥300–500 (≈ US$45–70) (check) · High ¥800 (≈ US$120)+ (check)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YZY Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (13 km (8.1 mi) south of city; flights to major Chinese hubs, limited winter service)YZY Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (8.1 mi (13 km) south of city; flights to major Chinese hubs, limited winter service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Jul (8 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zhangye: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
2 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost ¥1 (exact change). Taxis and DiDi are common; DiDi may be slightly pricier. Private cars can be booked via hotels for park trips. Walking is slow – blocks can take 10 min.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Qicai Danxia)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Bus from Zhangye Bus Station, ¥15 (≈ US$3) each way, first 07:45, last return 18:30Bus from Zhangye Bus Station, ¥15 (≈ US$3) each way, first 7:45 AM, last return 6:30 PM
Shuttle inside park required; stay on marked paths.
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Binggou Danxia)
goDoor to door: ≈2.5 h round trip
Bus from Zhangye Bus Station, ¥15 (≈ US$3) each way
Less colourful but less crowded; same shuttle fee applies.
Mati Si Temple (horse‑hoof grottoes)
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
Bus to site, ¥40 (≈ US$6) entry + bus fee, plus optional horse‑tour ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30)
Steep passages; suitable for fit walkers.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tian Run Jin Zuo Hotel
Budget option, central location, good value
Holiday Inn Express
Mid‑range western chain, bus stop in front
Zhangye Hotel
Higher‑end city hotel
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- ¥300–500 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed (check)
- High
- ¥800 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| City bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi (5 km) | ¥30–¥45 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Dafo Temple entry | ¥40 (≈ US$6) (students ¥20 (≈ US$3)) |
| Muto‑ji Pagoda entry | ¥25 (≈ US$4) |
| Danxia park (Qicai) entry + shuttle | ¥108 (≈ US$16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus cards require a Chinese ID number; foreigners must pay cash.
- Danxia parks are heavily commercialised; stay on marked paths and use the shuttle.
- Drum Tower under renovation (June 2026).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Zhangye张掖
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
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请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consular services are in Lanzhou; check the US Embassy website for updates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zhangye Bus Station → Danxia Qicai park (bus): ¥15 (≈ US$3) each way, first bus 07:45, last return 18:30 (check)¥15 (≈ US$3) each way, first bus 7:45 AM, last return 6:30 PM (check)
- Taxi 5 km within city: ≈¥30–¥45
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zhangye. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Zhangye
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