Ping Shan Lake: China’s Grand Canyon
by rwwishart
May 17, 2021
📍Location: Pingshanhu Mongolian Township, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, Gansu Province (about 56 km from the urban area)
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✨ Scenic Highlights
🏞️ Billion-Year Geological Wonder: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon is known as the "New Geological Discovery on the Silk Road." Its geological structure is mainly red bed terrain, combining Danxia, Yardang, and canyon wonders. The mountains have unique shapes, and the canyon is deep and steep, serving as a living textbook of geological history.
🌅 A Colorful Visual Feast: The main colors are red, white, and ochre-red rock layers. Under sunlight, the rocks show a gradient of light red, ochre yellow, and dark brown, creating a very charming scene.
🗿 Uniquely Shaped Natural Sculptures: The canyon is filled with vivid natural landscapes such as "Nine Dragons Converging Sea," "General Rock," "Divine Turtle Asking Beast," and "Lover’s Peak," adding a lot of spirit to the scenic area.
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🗺️ Recommended Routes
🎯 Two Classic Options:
1. Standard Tour (130 RMB/person):
· Ticket includes sightseeing bus, about 2.5-3 hours in total
· Recommended Route 3 "Lingzhi Valley," featuring magnificent red canyon views
· Suitable for visitors with limited time who want a relaxed visit
2. Deep Tour (328 RMB/person):
· A true Western Region adventure! Includes canyon exploration vehicle, camel cart experience, and camel riding
· Takes 3.5-4.5 hours, offering more primitive and spectacular canyon scenery
· Crossing the canyon with camel bells ringing feels like returning to the Silk Road era
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📸 Must-Visit Photo Spots
1. Viewing Platform No.1: Includes four iconic sights—"Nine Dragons Converging Sea," "General Rock," "Divine Turtle Asking Beast," and "Lover’s Peak." Lover’s Peak is famous for resembling embracing lovers.
2. Lingzhi Valley: The magnificent red canyon is an excellent spot for capturing canyon details.
3. One Line Sky: Narrow and steep, requires climbing a 60-meter vertical ladder (about 80 degrees incline), suitable for those physically fit.
4. Canyon Sunset: At dusk, the sunset drapes the canyon in golden light, and Lover’s Peak becomes a golden silhouette in the twilight, breathtakingly beautiful.
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🚗 Transportation Guide
· Self-driving/Charter: About 1.5 hours drive from Zhangye city center.
· Public Transport: Shuttle bus from Zhangye West Bus Station (departure at 9:45, ticket price 14 RMB), only one trip daily; return at 16:40.
· Charter Reference: About 80 RMB per person for a three-person charter.
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🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
· Pingshanhu Grassland Starry Sky Resort Camp: About 198 meters from the scenic area, ideal for camping and stargazing.
· Xianghe Rui Inn: Less than 100 meters straight-line distance from the scenic area, 5-minute walk to the entrance, standard room 150 RMB/night.
· Ganggenhade Inn: Opposite the scenic area, Mongolian yurt style, stargazing at night, includes breakfast, 180 RMB/night.
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💰 Ticket Information
· Opening Hours:
· Peak Season (June-September) 07:30-18:30
· Off-Season 08:30-17:30
· Ticket Prices:
· Standard Tour: 130 RMB/person (ticket + sightseeing bus)
· Deep Tour: 328 RMB/person (ticket + canyon exploration vehicle + camel cart + camel riding)
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💡 Travel Tips
1. 👕 Clothing: Large temperature difference between morning and evening in the canyon; remember to add layers to avoid catching a cold.
2. 🥾 Equipment: Wear non-slip shoes! The canyon floor has many loose stones. Bring sun protection, enough water, and light snacks (no supply points in the canyon).
3. 🚶 Safety Tips: Be cautious on the ladder section; those afraid of heights or lacking strength can return the same way; exit the canyon before dark to avoid getting lost.
4. 🍜 Food Experience: Recommended Qilian Lamb Restaurant or Ganzhou local specialties to taste local hand-pulled lamb and noodles, costing 60-95 RMB per person.
5. 🌞 Best Time to Visit: June to September is peak season. Sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting, perfect for photography.
Pingshanhu Grand Canyon is like a geological treasure hidden in the Hexi Corridor, waiting for your exploration and discovery!🌟 Save this guide quickly and start your canyon adventure!✨
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