Guide to Zhangye Matisi Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area

If you're looking for a natural getaway, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is a must-visit destination. **Best Travel Time** [Best Season to Visit] May to October (July and August offer the most beautiful grasslands but attract more tourists; September and October feature stunning autumn scenery with fewer visitors) Winter offers breathtaking snow views, but some areas may be closed. [Itinerary] Morning Session: 07:40 - Pick-up service 09:00 - Visit Matisi (Mati Temple) 12:30 - Return to the city Afternoon Session: 13:40 - Pick-up service 14:50 - Visit Matisi (Mati Temple) 19:30 - Return to the city [Attractions] Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes: This seven-tiered, twenty-one-cave grotto is carved into a hundred-meter cliff in the shape of a pagoda, a masterpiece of Chinese grotto architecture. Inside, you'll find precious statues and murals from the Northern Wei to Qing Dynasty. Climbing the nearly vertical passageways offers a unique experience. The grottoes house 19 niches, each with distinct scenery and cultural significance. Ascending from bottom to top, the journey is challenging yet rewarding, with stone steps and murals reflecting the passage of time and the legacy of Buddhist culture. At the summit, you can overlook the entire scenic area and the distant Qilian Mountains, immersing yourself in a breathtaking view that feels like a fairyland. Gesar King Palace: Located on a grassland within the Matisi scenic area, this site offers a panoramic view of the Qilian Mountains. It houses statues and relics of Gesar King, a figure in Tibetan Buddhism, along with a stupa. It's an excellent spot to learn about Tibetan culture while enjoying the grassland scenery and distant mountain views. Jinta Temple (Advance Booking Required): Highlights: Features rare "high-relief" flying apsara sculptures, comparable in artistic value to those in Dunhuang. Daily visitor limits apply (usually requires booking three days in advance). [Photography Tips] Sunrise Spot: Observation deck on the east side of Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes Starry Sky Spot: Matisi Square (clear views of the Milky Way during summer)