[2025 Sunan Attraction] Travel Guide for Jinta Temple (Updated May)

"I've been to Dunhuang 100 times, but the wild shock of the Golden Pagoda Temple is the true soul of the Northwest!" 💎 Six unique experiences: 1️⃣ Touchable history: the only millennium central tower column open to touch (remember to touch it gently!) 2️⃣ The real version of Tomb Robbers’ Chronicles: the unsolved mystery of “the disappearing third layer of murals”. 3️⃣ Yugur guide: Listen to the herdsmen tell the supernatural legend of "singing in the cave in the middle of the night". 4️⃣ Wild marmots: On the way down the mountain, you may encounter "snow mountain marmots" and feed them apple cores. 5️⃣ Starry sky without light pollution: Stay overnight at Ma Ti Temple B&B, and you can see the vertical cave ceiling of the Milky Way at 2 am. 6️⃣ Out-of-print postcard: Only here can you get the "Golden Pagoda Temple Flying Apsaras" stamp (hidden in the cave keeper's drawer!) 📍 Location: Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye, Gansu, deep in the hinterland of Qilian Mountains. The last 2 kilometers are gravel road + narrow cliff road, which can barely be passed by SUV. Off-road vehicle is required in winter, and sedans are not recommended! It is recommended to hire a local driver (about 💰350/car). There will be no signal throughout the journey after entering the mountain, so remember to download the offline map in advance! 🗓️ Itinerary suggestion: The Golden Pagoda Temple is within the Mati Scenic Area. You need to visit the Mati Temple first and then go to the Golden Pagoda Temple. The entire trip takes one day and must be visited according to the scheduled time period. ⚠️ Note: Limited to 50 people per day! Be sure to book in advance. 🎯 Exclusive gameplay｜Avoid the crowds: ✅ Out-of-print perspective: The scenery on the way from Mati Temple to Jinta Temple is very beautiful, and yaks and sheep can be seen everywhere on the roadside. Go around the small path on the back mountain (you can ask the cave keeper), climb to the top of the cave and look down. The Buddha statue seems to be suspended above the rainbow Danxia! 7 o'clock in the morning: the first ray of sunlight hits the "Flying Fairy" and the thousand-year-old colored sculpture is instantly gilded. ✅ Hidden copy: 🔑 Find Mr. Liu, the cave keeper: Bring a pack of Lanzhou cigarettes, he might open a special cave to tell the "Northern Wei Cave Robbery Case" (a story you can't hear through regular channels!) 📸 Photo-taking position with the Apsaras: Shoot from the left corner of the East Grotto at a 45-degree upward angle, using the Buddha’s light to create a photogenic atmosphere. This photo-taking position will surely go viral on your circle of friends! 📌 Blood and tears Tips: Plateau Assassin: Altitude 2500+, remember to bring glucose! Don’t imitate bloggers who run and jump to take pictures, because you may fall flat due to altitude sickness the next second. Dressing idea: bright shawl + Martin boots, the background is red rocks + green murals, the color contrast effect is excellent! Bring your own dry food: bring some chocolate, and you can also feed the marmots and pose for photos.

Here are some Zhangye itineraries for your reference: Zhangye 1-day tour 1. Rainbow Mountains - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Zhangye (return) 2. Mati Temple - Jinta Temple 1-day tour 3. Mati Temple - Rainbow Mountains 1-day tour 4. Pingshanhu - Giant Buddha Temple 1-day tour Zhangye 2-day tour (Route A) Day 1: Zhangye - Mati Temple - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Zhangye (overnight) Day 2: Zhangye - Rainbow Mountains - Kangle Grassland - Zhangye (end) Zhangye 2-day tour (Route B) Day 1: Zhangye - Mati Temple - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Ganzhou Night Market - Zhangye (overnight) Day 2: Zhangye - Rainbow Mountains - Kangle Grassland - Zhangye (end) Zhangye 3-day tour (Shandan Horse Ranch Route) Day 1: Zhangye - Rainbow Mountains - Giant Buddha Temple - Zhangye (overnight) Day 2: Zhangye - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Shandan Horse Ranch (overnight) Day 3: Shandan Horse Ranch - Mati Temple Grottoes - Zhangye (overnight) Zhangye 3-day tour (Baili Route) Day 1: Zhangye - Rainbow Mountains - Binggou Danxia - Zhangye Day 2: Zhangye - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Mati Temple - Zhangye (overnight) Day 2: Zhangye - Kangle Grassland - Baili Snow Mountain - Zhangye (end)

I thought Dunhuang was already amazing, but Zhangye is the real hidden gem of the Hexi Corridor. I even canceled my other plans for it. Zhangye, formerly known as Ganzhou, is one of the four counties in the Hexi Corridor. I won't go into its history, but it has many cultural and natural attractions. Cultural attractions include the Giant Buddha Temple, Mati Temple Grottoes, Jinta Temple Grottoes, and Manjusri Temple Grottoes. Natural attractions include the Rainbow Mountains, Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, Balz Snow Mountain, and Shandan Horse Ranch. Itinerary recommendations: Day 1: Mati Temple Grottoes + Rainbow Mountains For culture lovers, I recommend Mati Temple Grottoes + Jinta Temple. For nature lovers, I recommend Mati Temple Grottoes + Rainbow Mountains. Mati Temple Grottoes were first built during the Five Liang period. Unfortunately, they were destroyed, but they are beautiful in all seasons. Climb the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes to experience the hard work of ancient people and enjoy the snow-capped Qilian Mountains. It's worth the ticket price. The Rainbow Mountains are more beautiful in summer and fall, especially after the rain. I recommend going in the evening for softer light. There are four viewing platforms, and I found 2, 3, and 4 to be the most beautiful. Day 2: Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple + Museum I highly recommend the Giant Buddha Temple, as it's the only Western Xia temple in China. The main hall is mysterious and solemn. The main hall has a wooden clay sculpture of the reclining Buddha Shakyamuni, the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China. Behind the Buddha are the ten disciples, and on both sides are the eighteen arhats. The walls are carved with murals of Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Zhangye Museum doesn't have much to see. I recommend going to the Gansu Museum in Lanzhou. If you have more time in Zhangye, I suggest visiting Pingshanhu Grand Canyon. Tips: Shandan Horse Ranch: Unfortunately, it's closed in winter and spring. I recommend going in summer to see the horses bathing. Hotels are cheap in the off-season, and I ate beef and lamb every day. Gansu's attractions are scattered, so I recommend joining a tour or renting a car to save time.

We were lucky enough to visit the national treasure Jinta Temple, which is more than 300 years older than the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. It is home to the world's only 3D flying Apsara. The scenery along the way is amazing, like a little Switzerland in Gansu. The thousand-year-old grottoes are a testament to the craftsmanship passed down through generations! Opening Information Jinta Temple is located in Changdongzi, Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye City. It is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, but is currently closed due to ecological construction. The reopening date is yet to be determined. Ticket Reservation Tickets for Jinta Temple cost CNY 300 per person. Reservations must be made by phone at least 1–3 days in advance. After a successful reservation, you must pay the fee and collect a paper ticket at the on-site ticket office of Mati Temple. Only 50 people are admitted per day, with one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. Transportation Guide Due to inconvenient transportation, it is recommended to charter a car from Mati Temple. From Mati Temple, head southeast along Jinma Road for about 20 km to reach Jinta Temple. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Attraction Features - Long History: The Jinta Temple Grottoes were built during the Northern Liang period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, more than 1,600 years ago. It is one of the earliest Buddhist grotto temples in the Hexi Corridor, as well as in the Central Plains and Northwest China. - Artistic Treasures: The grottoes house more than 260 sculptures from the Northern Liang, Northern Wei, Western Wei, and Western Xia periods, as well as more than 690 square meters of murals. It is famous for its high-relief flying Apsaras, which are V-shaped, plump, and graceful. They predate the flying Apsaras of Dunhuang by 300 years. The grottoes also feature various lifelike Buddha statues in different poses, making them a treasure trove of Chinese grotto sculptures. Tour Suggestions - There are about 240 stone steps in the scenic area. Please pay attention to safety and manage your energy when climbing. - Photography is strictly prohibited in Jinta Temple. Please follow the rules during your visit. - The scenic area is about 2,800 meters above sea level, and the weather is unpredictable. It is recommended to bring warm clothing and rain gear.

Horseshoe Temple, also known as Puguang Temple, was built in Beiliang during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It has been more than 1,600 years ago. Guo Yu, a native of Jin Dynasty, once opened a cave here to teach in seclusion and led his disciples to build the caves. After the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song (Western Xia), Yuan, Ming, Qing and the Republic of China, there were statues and paintings in all dynasties, and gradually formed the horseshoe. Temple Grottoes Group Art. The Jinta Temple was excavated during the Northern Liang Period, about 1,600 to 1,700 years ago, but it cannot be fully verified because there are not enough written records yet. Due to its remote location, high mountains and overhanging walls, and inconvenient transportation, it was fortunate to have escaped the previous campaigns to exterminate Buddhism in history and was relatively completely preserved. High flesh-carved flying apsaras: The flying apsaras hanging on both sides of the lintel on the first floor of the East Grotto are its most distinctive art form. These flying apsaras appear to be flying in the air relative to each other. They are rare treasures of cave art. Their history is much earlier than the Dunhuang apsaras. The figure is plump and simple, and is known as the "essence of the Oriental Feitian". Unique statue style: For example, there is the Reflexive Bodhisattva, which is unique to China only in the Jinta Temple. The statue stands on its back, with a half-naked upper body, wearing Hercules shorts and long monastic hair. There is also a statue of Sakyamuni in ascetic practice. His cheeks are thin and bony, but his eyes are firm and energetic, and his facial contours are gentle. No photography is allowed in the cave. This is the most expensive 4A scenic spot I have ever visited. More expensive than Mogao Grottoes, Mogao Grottoes has two movies and a scenic bus. There is also a museum, which has nothing.

Kangle Grassland is 50 kilometers away from Zhangye City, located at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. It is known as the "Grassland in the Sky" and is a quiet and beautiful paradise on earth. 🏕️ Tour route ✅Go to the visitor center to buy tickets and sightseeing bus tickets🎫 (self-driving requires tickets 60 yuan/person and in-depth experience fee 30 yuan/person) ✅Drive by yourself or take the bus in the scenic area🚍 (you can drive in or out from the east and west entrances) Core area tour route: ✅First stop: Check in at the east entrance and enter the scenic area - Gaoche Qionglu ✅Second stop: Wanfo Gorge, Qianfo Cliff ✅The third stop: Nine Springs Sacred Tree ✅The fourth stop: Auspicious White Pagoda【‼ ️Must come‼ ️】 ✅The fifth stop: The Red West Route Army Machangtan Battle Site ✅Sixth stop: Jiupai Song【‼ ️Must come‼ ️】 ✅Seventh stop: Ebo ✅Stop 8: Yugu Cultural Experience Base Self-driving in-depth tour route: Continue from the core area tour route ➡️➡️Yugu Cultural Experience Base➡️➡️Baihua Beach➡️➡️Holy Mountain Observation Deck➡️➡️Shiyao River➡️➡️Primeval forest➡️➡️Baiyang River➡️➡️Pearl Divine Deer➡️➡️Eastern Migration Monument➡️➡️Lin Hai Song Tao➡️➡️Exit (enter) the west entrance and exit and end. Play time: about 2-5 hours 🚻Bathroom: Visitor Center Nine-row pine 💯Recommended routes Kangle Grassland + Colorful Danxia Kangle Grassland + Alien Valley Kangle Grassland + Binggou Danxia Kangle Grassland + Shenlu Park Kangle Grassland + Bars Snow Mountain ✅More routes Horseshoe Temple + Golden Pagoda Temple Colorful Danxia + Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon Shandan Military Horse Farm ✅tips: 1. There are so many beautiful sights, and you need to maintain good physical strength to be full of energy. Remember to eat well. 2. Be sure to bring water! It's easy to get thirsty if you stay there for a long time, but you can buy water in the scenic area. 3. Prepare sunscreen, sun protection clothing, umbrella, and sunglasses 🕶️. Remember to protect yourself from the sun! 4. Some viewing platforms are very windy, so remember to bring a hat. 5. The sightseeing bus goes all the way to Jiupaisong. You can have a deeper experience by driving by yourself, but the mountain road is quite rugged. If you are not familiar with the road conditions or driving skills, it is recommended to charter a car.

You must make a reservation in advance! You must make a reservation in advance! Jinta Temple has restrictions on the number of visitors and vehicles. It had been closed for several years and has only recently reopened. You must make a reservation at least one day in advance to avoid a wasted trip and disappointment. Jinta Temple tickets cannot be purchased separately; they must be bought as a joint ticket with Mati Temple, which can be considered as a special cave of Mati Temple. We were not aware of this and initially bought tickets for Mati Temple online, only to find out that we had to refund and repurchase them on site. Jinta Temple has restrictions on time and the number of visitors. The caves open around 1 pm, so you must manage your time well, usually setting off from Mati Temple by 12 pm. Otherwise, you'll miss the cultural heritage officer's explanation and will struggle to appreciate its value by just having a quick look. There are two ticket checks at Jinta Temple. Before the caves open, the cultural heritage officer will check the ticket proof at the main gate, and there will be another ticket check at the cave entrance. Therefore, make sure to bring your ticket proof when you get off the vehicle, or you won't be able to enter. We had this issue when we got off the vehicle; the driver forgot to give us our proof, and we had to climb back to the cave entrance and couldn't enter until we went back to retrieve our proof. Photography and video recording are prohibited inside the caves. Due to the protection of the cultural relics themselves and copyright, the cultural heritage officers are very strict. Everyone must pay attention to avoid being asked to leave. Jinta Temple is located in the hinterland of the Qilian Mountains, surrounded by primeval forests. Do not wander off. After the visit, the cultural heritage officers will remind everyone to get on the vehicle and descend the mountain without lingering. It is said that there are really brown bears around. Bring enough dry food and water. The visit to Mati Temple and Jinta Temple usually takes up most of the day, and there are only limited food options available at the scenic spot, with no adequate supply places.

| The brave are the first to see the world. Zhangye An underrated tourist city Both natural and cultural landscapes are exceptional More itinerary details will be edited later ———————————————— 1️⃣ About transportation: We had arranged for a driver in Zhangye in advance, including airport transfers and trips to various attractions, which was really convenient. The specific cost depends on the itinerary. We landed at Ganzhou Airport in Zhangye on the 10th afternoon. There are also taxis at the airport, but it is recommended to contact a driver in advance because the airport is really far from the city center! Our driver, Master Chen, was great and even brought us apples from his own garden, which were super delicious! 2️⃣ About attractions Since we landed on the 10th and it was already close to evening, we didn't visit any attractions. After checking into the hotel, the driver took us to have dinner in the city and then we rested. On the 11th, our itinerary was to spend the whole day at Matisi and Jinta temples. Master Chen told us in advance to bring some food because almost no restaurants in the scenic area were open and he said the food was not good, haha. Since you need to book in advance, you can ask the driver to help buy tickets. The scenery along the road from Matisi to Jinta Temple is really not to be missed, and there are photo spots along the way. The driver will ask if you want to take pictures and can stop and wait for us (scenery in p4, p5). Here, you must not miss Jinta Temple. Photography is not allowed in the grottoes here, and the artistic value is extremely high. It's a pity that it was protected by the state too late, and some parts were stolen. Also, due to geographical conditions, half of it has collapsed, which is a pity. But the scenery outside is super beautiful, right at the foot of the Qilian Mountains, with a clear view of the snow mountains (scenery in p6). Our driver is very skilled, and not all cars can drive up the mountain roads, but ours could! On the 12th, we first went to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon in the morning. There are two types of tours: a basic tour and an in-depth tour. We chose the basic tour because we wanted to walk more. This place is really the 'flat substitute' for the Grand Canyon of Colorado, and since it was the off-season, there were hardly any tourists, almost like walking in the middle of the canyon by ourselves, with only the sound of footsteps on sand and stones and the wind. Moreover, the bottom of the valley is also very photogenic, and if you're not in a hurry, you can take pictures while walking. At around 3 pm, they took us to the Rainbow Danxia. We bought our own tickets, which also come in two types: a standard tour and an in-depth tour. This time we chose the in-depth tour, which includes a shuttle bus, a personal guide, drinks and snacks for everyone, and visits to several additional attractions with no crowds, allowing for free photography! 3️⃣ About food For breakfast, according to Master Chen, they would eat beef rice, Zhangye Sàozi noodles, buns, etc. There is a Xinhui Food City in Zhangye, where various local delicacies are gathered, and many locals eat there too, which is very convenient! There are dishes like rolled chicken, stir-fried Bo La, spicy hot pot, apricot peel tea, grey bean soup, and so on. In short, we didn't repeat any meals during our stay! On the morning of the 13th, we returned, and Master Chen took us to the airport, ending our trip to Zhangye!

I hope you can see this route before coming to Lijiang. You can take great Tibetan costume photos without going to Shangri-La. It is worth going! 🚙How to get to [Golden Pagoda Temple] 🔹Start from Lijiang Old Town and navigate to [Golden Pagoda Temple], the drive takes about 20 minutes. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Wat Chedi Thong, Pathum Thani Province There is a golden pagoda built in the early Rattanakosin period by the Mon people. It is a Mon architecture that imitates the Chittagong Pagoda in Myanmar. It is a golden and white pagoda in the Mon style, bell-shaped. The top of the pagoda is a square brick base. The interior is decorated with colored glass and the top is decorated with a 9-tiered umbrella. #dreamdestination #watchedithong

☺️ The most anticipated stop of the trip to Zhangye🚉 Is the magical group of grottoes Super nervous before the trip but everything went smoothly in the end 1⃣️Must watch the documentary📝 Essential strategy before the trip🔥Bang Bang Trio The teacher who explains on the spot will let you appreciate it first Any questions or discussions can be raised So be prepared to better understand Don't waste this rare opportunity💰 2⃣️Ticket selection🎫 Matisi and Jinta Temple are two separate attractions If you want to deeply experience the grotto art of Jinta Temple You must choose the deep tour package ticket🎫 Thousand Buddha Cave➕Special Cave➕Matisi North Temple➕Jinta Temple According to the current 🌊weathering condition There is a high probability that it will be closed for a long time again Really see less with one look👀 3⃣️✖️Don't take pictures❗️ ✅Bring a telescope and professional flashlight The details of the special cave are to be savored slowly Professional equipment gives you a different experience The flesh is flying vividly🐦 It's definitely worth the hard climb of 211 steps I have also seen replicas elsewhere But it can't show its real artistic charm at all 4⃣️Book in advance⏰ Actually, the opening of Jinta Temple is very rare It has been closed for several years✖️ If you only visit Matisi, you don't need to make an appointment But to go to Jinta Temple 🉑️Please be sure to make an appointment at least one day in advance So as not to be disappointed The scenic area restricts the number of people and vehicles every day! 5⃣️Travel choice🚗 Many people's Northwest trip is self-driving But the road conditions of Jinta Temple are difficult to walk🚶 So it is not recommended to drive there Especially in winter❄️ It is recommended to find an experienced charter master Or like me, choose to carpool❗️ The scenic area will also provide vehicle services But it is also charged separately🎫 6⃣️Bring dry food🍞 If you choose the all-day itinerary of Matisi➕Jinta Temple There is no place to supply at noon Be sure to prepare dry food and water in advance Immersive tour of the scenic area just forget the time 🐎 The scenery along the way is a treasure The continuous Qilian Mountains⛰️ The flock of sheep is a gift from nature On the way back to the residence Also passed Zhangye's Wetland Park🏞️ This is really a blessed land

I am Ali, A frog in a well . The trip to the Northwest has such a strong impact, the aftertaste is so long, and there are so many beautiful pictures that it is only now that I have the time to summarize! I don’t like to run a big loop in one go. The rest of my life is long, so I hope to run one stop at a time… Even so, I still can’t achieve depth. There are so many beautiful ones~ . 💫6 days, 5 nights, 3 cities in-depth tour route: Day 1: Zhangye North Route Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon Day 2: Zhangye South Line Mati Temple-Jinta Temple Day 3: Zhangye City, Big Buddha Temple-Zhangye Museum Day 4: Wuwei Binggou River Day 5: Wuwei City: Jiumaraksha Temple-Xixia Museum-Confucian Temple Day 6: Lanzhou Gansu Provincial Museum-Zhongshan Bridge-Dazhong Lane-Hand-pulled Lamb Street . 🌟In-depth play suggestions: ✅It is recommended to reserve a whole day for each route. If you don’t have enough fun, it will affect your travel experience. For example, Pingshan Lake has a general tour and an in-depth tour. There is a section of the route and transportation that do not overlap. If you have enough time, it is better to play both. ✅I traveled during the National Day holiday and did not encounter any crowds throughout the trip. The vast Northwest is a good choice for public holidays. The so-called niche attractions and landscapes along the way are also adventures that you don’t see in daily life. ✅It is recommended to charter a car for the whole trip in one city, and the best experience is for 2-3 people in one car. ✅The scenery of the Northwest cannot be captured by even the best full-frame camera, so leave more time for your eyes. Let it remain beautifully in the depths of memory! . 🌟Attractions guide: 1️⃣ Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon: People from the south, where there are evergreen trees and continuous vegetation, have never seen the red soil rock layers with gullies crisscrossed, eroded by wind and sand for billions of years, and cut by flowing water, extending deep into the nearly vertical Grand Canyon. 2️⃣ Golden Pagoda Temple: To cue it alone, the Golden Pagoda Temple itself is really worth a visit. The grottoes are well preserved and have great ornamental and historical value! The second is to go from Ma Ti Temple to Jin Pagoda Temple, driving about 20 to 30 kilometers on the winding mountain road, it is jaw-droppingly beautiful! Every turn brings a completely different view, the colors of late autumn in dreams! 3️⃣Zhangye Museum and Gansu Provincial Museum: Are all must punch card! Every artifact is shocking. History fans should be able to spend a whole day there, right? 4️⃣ Binggou River: Tianzhu City, Wuwei, in the heart of Qilian Mountains! There is the country's largest Malanhua grassland, the Chaillonghai Tianchi Lake under the snow-capped mountains, alpine forests, streams melted by ice and snow, and marmot's nest... It is a hiking paradise comparable to western Sichuan! . More strategies and interesting details will be updated from time to time