The Highlights of Zhangye
A combination of Danxia landforms, the Grand Canyon and Grottoes.
Experience a short private photography tour that allows you to capture the stunning beauty of China's Danxia landforms. This tour covers the four main photography locations in Zhangye.
Cities Covered: Lanzhou - Zhangye - Lanzhou
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Lanzhou Arrival
Upon reaching Lanzhou, transportation will be arranged to pick you up either at the airport or train station.
Flexibile afternoon plans based on your arrival time, including options like exploring the Gansu Provincial Museum or experiencing the nightlife of Lanzhou.
Stay overnight in downtown.
Day 2 - Fly to Zhangye & Danxia Geopark
Fly from Lanzhou to Zhangye, which only takes about an hour. Arrive in Zhangye before 3 pm to ensure enough time to explore the Danxia Geopark in the late afternoon. Your guide will be there to meet you at the airport.
Start your visit to the Danxia National Geopark at 5 am, spending three hours capturing the stunning views of the rainbow mountains from the main viewpoints. The soft afternoon light during sunset makes the Danxia mountains even more vibrant.
Spend the night at a nearby hotel for convenience.
Day 3 - Binggou Danxia & Pingshanhu Grand Canyon
Start your day by going back to the Danxia Geopark early in the morning. Enjoy the amazing views of the Danxia landform and colorful rainbow mountains from viewpoints No. 3 and 4.
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Binggou Danxia to photograph more unique landform shapes.
Next, visit the impressive Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, where you can capture the stunning valleys and canyons.
Stay overnight in downtown Zhangye.
Day 4 - Matisi Grottoes & Departure
Start your day by heading to Matisi Temple and Grottoes in the morning, beginning an exploration of ancient Buddhism culture.
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore several notable grottoes and capture stunning photos from the outside. Plan to spend approximately 3-4 hours here.
In the afternoon, you'll be taken to the railway station for your journey back to Lanzhou.
Photos from this trip
Trip Notes
What's included?
- Local English-speaking photo guide
- Transportation in private van
- All entrance fees to photography locations
- Best local hotels for a two-night stay with single occupancy
- Airport/railway station pick up and transfer
What's not included?
- Arrival & departure flights or trains
- Travel insurance
- Meals
- Tips for guide and driver if satisfied
What's the accommodation situation?
We will book the best local hotels for you, offering spacious rooms with western toilets.
You will spend one night in Danxia Geopark and one night in downtown.
How can I customize this itinerary?
Telling us your requirements, such as adding one more day or making it shorter, or focus on landscapes more. We can easily design a new itinerary by your interests.
What gears should I bring?
In Zhangye, due to the vastness of the scenic areas, the 70-200mm lens is highly recommended. You will likely use this lens for about 70% of the photo sessions.
Additionally, a medium wide lens such as the 24-70mm is ideal for capturing landscape shots.
A tripod is not essential for this tour as you will be constantly on the move and taking photographs. I personally did not use a tripod during my last trip to Zhangye (August 2023).
Cancellation Policy
If you decide to cancel your trip a month before the departure date, you will receive a complete refund.
In the event of a cancellation within 30 days of departure, we can retain your payment as credit for your next journey.