Things to do in Gaotai

I brought my children here and visited the exhibition of the memorial hall with admiration. It is because of the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives that we have the happy life we ​​have today. Salute to them!

From the outside, apart from the loess city walls and ruins, there are no other colorful scenery and no participation; but if you love history, it is worth a visit. When you are investigating on the spot, you are in the yellow sand and clay, looking at the vast desolate space, combined with your understanding of historical events, you will feel a lot: the past and the present, prosperity and loneliness, the changes of time and space, the impermanence of the world, as well as the bizarre stories and moving legends buried under the loess; this is part of the history of the West and the history of human social development, which cannot be changed but is worth remembering.

Worth it! This service is absolutely worth it and is the best choice for holiday travel! I originally planned to go to observation deck 4 to watch the sunset, but I was scared off by the crowds. I highly recommend choosing this service during holidays, as there are fewer people, the scenery is beautiful, and it's great for taking photos.

Crescent Lake is located 1 km west of Gaotai County, Zhangye, and is known as "Little Jiangnan". The entire lake is curved and shaped like a crescent, hence the name Crescent Lake. Crescent Lake Park covers a total area of ​​560 mu, with a water area of ​​186 mu. Curved, arched, and flat bridges are laid out in an interlaced manner, and pavilions, halls, and terraces complement each other. The path on the shore leads to a secluded place, with weeping willows and winding paths around; the reeds in the lake are swaying, duckweed is exposed, and boats are rowing, creating a Jiangnan scenery.

A very satisfying trip! The half-day tour of Binggou Danxia was just over 40 yuan per person for transportation, including door-to-door pick-up and drop-off – excellent value for money. Especially our driver, Mr. Zhao, was incredibly warm, attentive, and considerate – very professional, punctual, and responsible. Highly recommended!

We visited in autumn, and the autumn colors of the Qilian Mountains, set against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, added a wonderful touch to the scenic area. We felt we had found the best season to visit. The most breathtaking part of the scenic area is the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Reaching the seventh level requires continuous climbing using both hands and feet; the scale and exquisite craftsmanship of these grottoes carved into the mountainside are truly awe-inspiring. The remains of a celestial horse in the Horseshoe Hall add a mythological element to the area. The scenic area is divided into the North Temple Grottoes, the Gesar King Hall, and the Thousand Buddha Hall, each with its own ticket. The Thousand Buddha Hall is near the main entrance, so you don't need to take the shuttle bus. Some paths in the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes are dark, so bring your own lighting equipment.

If you have the time and resources, I highly recommend the in-depth tour! Walking through the canyon is a completely different experience! Overall Itinerary: After the park shuttle bus arrives at the end, explore the three viewing platforms on your own. Return to the starting point for the in-depth tour. Take an off-road truck, then transfer to a minibus, ride a camel, then a camel-drawn cart, hike through the canyon, and finally (either the "One Line Sky" or "Lingzhi Valley") to the summit. After reaching the summit, take the park shuttle bus back to the main entrance to exit the park. Riding camels is fun and doesn't smell bad, with a gentle swaying motion. The camel carts clang and rattle, creating a unique atmosphere in the canyon. I even recorded an audio clip of the camel bells. I chose the Lingzhi Valley route, which was beautiful all the way. The final long staircase didn't seem difficult at all 🤔, but it might be tiring for older people, children, or those who aren't used to exercise. I heard you can do both routes, but I was carrying valuables, so I didn't climb the "One Line Sky" – I didn't want to risk damaging them 🫨 By the way, I went during the off-season, and I was the only one on the in-depth tour. The staff in the canyon were very friendly and greeted me politely as I passed by.

The Western Xia Royal Temple is located right in the city center, making it very convenient to visit. It contains a wealth of treasures, including a large reclining Buddha, murals depicting Journey to the West, and many original Buddhist scriptures. There's also a replica of the Jinta Temple Grottoes (which, when combined with the museum, includes both the east and west grottoes). It's truly magnificent. The couplet in Western Xia script inside the temple is so well-recognized from afar, but completely illegible up close! 🤣

Hexi characteristics, a wide variety of exhibits, rich and colorful

Thank goodness the weather was perfect; it snowed the day before we went. The mountain scenery, the snowscape, and the grottoes blended together beautifully. The scale of the grottoes exceeded our expectations. We didn't have time to climb the Thousand Buddha Temple later. I'll definitely come back next time! ✅ The climb itself was a process of spiritual practice, and the beautiful scenery along the way cleansed my soul. A place I must visit in this lifetime.