The Rainbow Mountains of Gansu — Location & How to Reach
The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, famous for its 'Rainbow Mountains' of striped red, orange, and yellow rock, is one of China's most photographed landscapes. But where exactly is it, and how do you get there? This guide covers the park's location, transportation options, tickets, and the best times to visit.
The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is located in Linze County, about 40 km (25 miles) west of Zhangye city in Gansu Province, northwestern China. The park lies at the northern edge of the Qilian Mountains, at an elevation of about 2,000m. Its coordinates are approximately 39.2°N, 100.0°E. Zhangye itself sits on the historic Hexi Corridor, the ancient Silk Road route.
The 'Rainbow Mountains' get their vivid stripes from layers of sandstone and minerals deposited over 24 million years. Iron oxides create the reds and oranges, while different mineral content produces yellows, greens, and purples. Wind and water erosion then carved the soft rock into ridges, pillars, and valleys. The effect is most vivid after rain or in the low light of sunrise and sunset.
The park is easily reached from Zhangye: (1) By bus: tourist buses depart from the Zhangye Danxia bus station (about 1 hour); (2) By taxi or ride-hailing: about 40-50 minutes, 150-200 RMB; (3) By private tour: the most convenient option, with hotel pickup. The park is well signposted. Allow a half-day for the visit, more if you want to stay for sunset.
Zhangye is well connected: (1) By high-speed train: Zhangye West Station has trains from Lanzhou (2-3 hours), Xi'an (5-6 hours), and Dunhuang (2-3 hours); (2) By air: Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (YZY) has some seasonal flights; most travelers arrive by train as part of a Silk Road itinerary; (3) By road: on the G30 Expressway. Zhangye is roughly midway between Lanzhou and Dunhuang on the Silk Road route.
Admission: 55 RMB (peak season) / 41 RMB (off-season), plus a shuttle bus fee of 20 RMB. Opening hours: approximately 06:00-18:00 (summer) and 07:00-17:00 (winter); check current times as they vary by season. The park has several viewing platforms connected by the shuttle. For sunset, arrive 1-2 hours before closing. Some platforms are best at specific times of day.
The best times are April-October. Autumn (September-October) offers the clearest skies and most vivid colors. Summer can be hot but the colors are strong. After rain, the rocks are dramatically more colorful. Visit at sunrise (just after opening) or sunset for the best lighting — the colors glow most intensely in low-angle light. Midday sun washes out the tones. Avoid the Chinese national holidays.
For the best shots: (1) Shoot at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) when the colors are saturated; (2) Use a wide-angle lens for the sweeping ridges; (3) A polarizing filter deepens the colors and cuts haze; (4) The viewing platforms vary — walk between them rather than just at the shuttle stops; (5) Include a tiny human figure or the boardwalk for scale; (6) After-rain days give the most vivid color; (7) Bring a tripod for the low-light hours.
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