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Top 10 attractions in Jinta
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
The Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is located in the urban area of Zhangye. It was first built during the Yong'an era of the Western Xia Dynasty and has a history of over 900 years. The temple is renowned for housing one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, along with other distinctive ancient structures such as the earthen pagoda and the Shanxi Guild Hall, which are open for visits. Exhibitions inside the temple help travelers understand Buddhist art and the history of the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple. As one of Zhangye's iconic attractions, it is a must-see for visitors to the city. The current site of the temple is not large, with a depth of approx. 200 m and a width of approx. 100 m. Visitors can enter from the western square and explore on foot. The main buildings open for visits, from west to east, include the Giant Buddha Hall, the Hall of Ten Thousand Saints (now the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall), the Scripture Hall (now the Buddhist Texts Exhibition Hall), the earthen pagoda, and the Shanxi Guild Hall. A complete tour takes approx. 1–2 hrs. The Giant Buddha Hall is the temple's most significant structure and the highlight for travelers. It features one of China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha statues, depicting the Nirvana of Sakyamuni. The statue measures 34.5 m in length and 7.5 m in shoulder width—so massive that a single finger can accommodate a lying person, and one ear can seat 10 people side by side. The hall also houses statues of the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, along with exquisite murals depicting Journey to the West and the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Hall of Ten Thousand Saints and the Scripture Hall, located in the central area, now serve as exhibition spaces for Buddhist art and texts, displaying sculptures, grotto statues, scriptures, and other artifacts. Notable among these is a collection of over 6,000 Buddhist scriptures personally bestowed by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, many written in pure gold, which are the temple's prized treasures. The earthen pagoda, standing over 30 m tall, is east of the Giant Buddha Hall. Its two-tiered base features four small pagodas on each level, adorned with exquisite carvings and housing solemn Buddha statues. The Shanxi Guild Hall, situated northeast of the temple complex, was originally a merchant guild hall during the Qing Dynasty. This typical northwestern residential courtyard features ancient architecture with intricately carved beams and painted pillars, exuding rustic elegance.China · Zhangye
West Han Dynasty Jiuquan Park
Jiuquan Site of Western Han Dynasty, also known as Jiuquan Park and Quanhu Park, is a landmark scenic spot in Jiuquan city. Legend has it that General Huo Qubing, a general of the Han Dynasty, received a jar of wine as a reward from the emperor after his victory. Most tourists come to Jiuquan city to visit and play here. Jiuquan Western Han Scenic Spot is a complete Chinese-style garden. It is not only a well-known scenic spot, but also a place where local citizens often come for walks and morning exercises due to its elegant environment. The garden is said to be funded by General Zuo Zongtang. There are lakes, rockeries, pavilions and pavilions of Chinese gardens here. Many trees are planted inside, and the environment is very beautiful. The core area of the park is the spring water called Jiuquan. There is an ancient monument of "Western Han Dynasty" beside the spring water, which is also a symbol in the park. You can take pictures.Jiuquan · 41.1 km from Jinta
Qilian Mountain Grassland
Qilian Mountain Grassland is located in the hinterland of the middle section of theQilian Mountainsin Haibei, Qinghai, spreading across an intermontane basin at an altitude of approx. 3,000 m. The Qilian Mountains are like a wet island extending into the arid region of the northwest, intercepting moisture and conserving ice and snow. Meltwater flows down along the valleys, nurturing continuous alpine meadows at the foothills. Grasslands and coniferous forest belts are distributed alternately, making it a rare and fertile pasture on the plateau. Every July and August, the meadows turn green, with the greenery spreading all the way to the foot of the mountains. Yaks, Tibetan sheep, and horses are scattered throughout, and the white tents of herders dot the gentle slopes; looking up, the distant snow-capped peaks remain covered in silver, and the scene of snow-capped mountains and green grasslands in one frame is what distinguishes this place from most other grasslands. The view along the way is expansive, making it perfect for stopping frequently to capture the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in a single photo.China · Qilian
Jinta Museum
Jinta · 1.5 km from downtown
Jiuquan Museum
Jiuquan City Museum was built in October 1979. It is a comprehensive museum integrating cultural relics protection, collection research, publicity and education. At present, there are 13 staff members and more than 6,000 cultural relics in the museum. There are three exhibitions: "Jiuquan Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition", "Jiuquan Cultural and Geographical History Exhibition" and "Jiuquan Ancient Agricultural Development Exhibition". Engaged in the protection, management, investigation and research of more than 260 ancient cultures, ancient tombs and ancient architectural sites in Jiuquan City.Jiuquan · 44.5 km from Jinta
Son of the Earth
Son of the Earth is located on the Gobi Desert in Hongshanpo, Guazhou County. It is a large-scale outdoor themed sculpture made primarily of red sandstone, created using 3D scanning for model data and 3D carving, measuring approx. 15m long, approx. 4.3m high, and approx. 9m wide. Although Son of the Earth is a sculpture, it is not rigid. It looks like a real infant: with an adorable expression, eyes closed tight, and lying quietly, it sleeps as peacefully as a child nestled in its mother's arms. We humans are like children of Mother Earth, and we can only be this peaceful in her embrace. Therefore, the designer of this sculpture hopes to raise awareness about protecting the Earth through this artistic creation.China · Guazhou
Zi Xuan Wine Estate
Zixuan Wine Estate is located in Jiayuguan City. It is a wine brewing enterprise invested and built by Jiayuguan Hongfeng Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiuquan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., a steel base in Northwest my country. The total area of the manor is 654,000 square meters. The overall plan is to produce 50,000 tons of wine annually. The construction scale of the first phase of the project is to produce 10,000 tons of high-quality wine annually. Since the construction of the manor started on June 17, 2005, the construction of the first phase of the project has been completed. It has built wine production facilities of international advanced level such as pressing, fermentation, wine storage, filling, and research and development centers. The main equipment has been imported from France. Press, German cross-flow filter, Italian filling production line, French and American oak barrels, of which the 13,700-square-meter Zixuan No. 1 cellar is currently the largest wine cellar in Asia, and a beverage production line has also been built. and a well-equipped wine research and development center. Zixuan Wine Estate was officially rated as a national 4a-level industrial tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration in April 2010. On the basis of winemaking as the core function, the manor takes the eight basic steps of wine making as the main content, namely: "harvest → destemming → pulping → fermentation → vulcanization treatment →blend →bottling →sealing”. Focusing on the theme of wine, it is modeled on the architectural style of European towns, and is equipped with special functional areas such as a small membership-only leisure club, a theme leisure area, a professional underground wine cellar and an appreciation center.Jiayuguan · 50 km from Jinta
Qilian Mountains
The Qilian Mountains are a massive mountain system stretching for nearly 1,000 km: multiple parallel ridges and valleys alternate, extending from northwest to southeast. Many peaks have an altitude of over 5,000 m, and the main peak,Tuanjie Peak, stands at 5,808 m. The summits are covered in snow year-round, with thousands of glaciers developing there. Ancient texts record that the Xiongnu people called the sky "Qilian," which is how the mountain got the name "Tianshan" (Heavenly Mountain). The Tianshan mentioned in Li Bai's poem, "The bright moon rises above the Tianshan, amidst the vast sea of clouds," refers precisely to this place. Meltwater from ice and snow converges into inland rivers such as theShiyang River, Hei River, and Shule River, nourishing a series of oases in the Gobi Desert to the north, including Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Jiayuguan, which enabled the Silk Road to connect. The southern side of the mountain range blocks moist air currents, nurturing lush pastures in the areas of Menyuan and Qilian County, andQinghai Lakelies quietly in the intermontane basin of this mountain system. Grasslands, coniferous forests, and canyons are distributed across the mountains, which also serve as a habitat for wild animals such as snow leopards and red deer. The area around Zhangye on the northern slope is the ancestral home of the Yugur people, where open foothills, forests, canyons, and snow-capped peaks meet. Taking a self-drive tour along mountain pass roads such asBiandukou, enjoying the alternating scenery of snow-capped mountains and grasslands, and experiencing nomadic culture in the Yugur pastoral areas are the core experiences that have long been popular here. The mountainous area has a high altitude and a large temperature difference between day and night, and the accessible parts of the mountain are scattered across various scenic spots in Gansu and Qinghai provinces.Sunan · 92.1 km from Jinta
Hala Lake
Hala Lake is an endorheic saltwater lake on the eastern side of the Qaidam Basin, located deep in an uninhabited area. Its name means "black lake" in Mongolian, and it is also known as the "Black Sea." The lake surface is at an altitude of over 4,000 m, with a water area of approx. 600 sq km. The lakeshore area is a well-preserved primitive highland wetland. In summer, the pastures are lush and fertile, and various highland waterfowl inhabit the wetlands. The lake area is primarily fed by surface runoff and glacial meltwater, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, with snow-capped peaks reflecting in the deep blue lake water to create an iconic scene. There is almost no light pollution here at night, and the Milky Way stretches across the sky and reflects on the lake surface, making it a sought-after destination for astrophotography enthusiasts.China · Delingha
Binggou Linhai Scenic Area
Binggou Linhai Scenic Area is located on the canyon riverbank south of Qilian County, named after the Binggou River, and is a primeval forest surrounded by the Qilian Mountains. It is quite rare to find such a lush forest on a plateau at an altitude of over 3,000 m. Patches of Qinghai spruce spread along the river, taking root even among glacial gravel. Pine cones are scattered under the trees, and pine needles and moss cover the small paths, while in the distance lie vast grasslands and continuous snow-capped mountains, which is why it is often described by tourists as the Switzerland of the plateau. The streams in the forest are formed by meltwater from snow-capped mountains, clear and rapid. When strolling along the river, you can look up and see cattle and sheep on the hillsides; the forest almost covers the entire valley, like a natural oxygen bar. It remains cool even in midsummer, making it a popular destination for camping, picnicking, and escaping the summer heat.China · Qilian
Experiences you can't miss in Jinta
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Free things to do in Jinta
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
China · ZhangyeImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeWest Han Dynasty Jiuquan Park
Jiuquan · 41.1 km from JintaQilian Mountain Grassland
China · QilianJinta Museum
Jinta · 1.5 km from downtownJiuquan Museum
Jiuquan · 44.5 km from JintaSon of the Earth
China · GuazhouZi Xuan Wine Estate
Jiayuguan · 50 km from JintaImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeQilian Mountains
Sunan · 92.1 km from JintaHala Lake
China · DelinghaBinggou Linhai Scenic Area
China · Qilian
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What travellers say about Jinta
柚子胡椒October 15, 2026
5.0
The Western Xia Royal Temple is conveniently located in the city center. The most impressive part upon entering is the Great Buddha Hall, housing Asia's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha, a truly magnificent sight. The hall also contains precious murals. Besides the reclining Buddha, the ancient scriptures in the Sutra Repository and the wood carvings in the Shanxi Guild Hall are worth examining closely. Overall, it wasn't crowded, and the atmosphere was quiet and solemn.
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
西单大叔July 10, 2021
5.0
Jiuquan has had a spring since ancient times. It is said that when General Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty led his troops to conquer the Xiongnu, he poured the imperial wine into the spring after the victory and drank it with all the soldiers. This is the origin of the name Jiuquan. In fact, Jiuquan is a large park, but because of the Jiuquan spring, it has become a 4A-level scenic spot, which shows the importance of Jiuquan. There are also statues and poems of Li Bai lying drunk in the park, which are also the most famous poems related to Jiuquan. There are also children's playgrounds and restaurants and teahouses in the park. You can also go boating on the lake, which is also an important place for citizens to relax.
West Han Dynasty Jiuquan Park
boy***aoJuly 5, 2025
5.0
From Zhangye, go directly to Zhuoer Mountain via Erga Highway via Sunan. The first picture is the scene of the road construction. In fact, the whole mountain collapsed. No wonder it took so long to repair.
The road is not difficult to drive, but there are falling rocks along the way. When you reach the top of the mountain, you can see the snow-capped mountains. The entire Qilian Mountains, except Zhuoer Mountain, seem to be immersed in white snow, which is quite amazing.
Finally, we went to Menyuan, took a few photos of rapeseed flowers, and then stayed in Xining.
After walking for 16 hours a day, I was really tired.
Qilian Mountain Grassland
不胖的胖妹妹December 13, 2021
4.0
A small county-level museum, built in the 1990s, is a bit old. Because it is located in the border area of the Central Plains Dynasty, many cultural relics have been unearthed, many of which are exotic and unique.
Jinta Museum
M57***51July 7, 2026
5.0
The museum is clean, quiet, and comfortably air-conditioned. Restrooms, drinking fountains, and seating are conveniently located. Clear signage and maps prevent getting lost. Most admissions are free by reservation, offering great value. Guided tours and audio guides are available; professional guides explain the stories behind the artifacts and patiently answer questions. The souvenir shop is designed to complement the collection, offering unique gifts. A children's study area and reading corner are provided, suitable for families and students.
Fun: Immersive historical experience, providing a systematic learning experience of local culture, archaeology, and art, combining education and leisure. Avoiding peak hours allows for quiet, solitary viewing, offering a calming and therapeutic experience, perfect for reflection, photo opportunities, and suitable for all ages.
Jiuquan Museum
布晓呆June 3, 2023
5.0
There is a famous tourist attraction hidden in this Gobi Desert. A baby-like statue has become a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities. It looks like a baby sleeping on the ground. It was designed by a professor from the Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts and took a year to complete. This lying sculpture is also known as the "Son of the Earth."
Son of the Earth
_TI***7tJuly 29, 2026
5.0
Great tour round the wine facilities, ending in the huge cellar. Tour guide only speaks Chinese but if you don't know the language you can read some english signage and translate the ones that aren't in english. 3 wines tasted were all delicious
Zi Xuan Wine Estate
背包客小马February 26, 2025
5.0
Qilian Mountains in Gansu attracts tourists with its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. Qilian Mountain Ski Resort has become a popular attraction where tourists can experience skiing, snowmobiling and other activities. In addition, a herd of white-lipped deer, a national first-class protected animal, was discovered in the Qilian Mountains Nature Reserve, and the ecological protection results were remarkable.
It is worth a visit. The Qilian Mountain Grassland is known as one of the six most beautiful grasslands in China 🤟
Qilian Mountains
西宁哥（带你去青海）September 26, 2025
5.0
I personally feel that Hara Lake is a lake that never disappoints.
Descending from the mountains, the first thing you see is the blue of the lake. 🔵
The deep blue is like a gem embedded in the mountains.
The snow-capped Tuanjie Peak in the distance is so tranquil.
Gradually, following the tracks of horses and carts, the blue of the lake turns green. 🟢
To my complete surprise, I watched the waves crash against the shore.
A cool breeze blew against my cheeks, and in that moment, all the hard work was worth it.
I felt my heartbeat.
I felt nature.
Hala Lake
nature-volunteerOctober 10, 2026
4.0
I went after the National Day holiday. Navigating to the Ami Dongsuo Camping Base, the walk around the boardwalk is less than 2 kilometers. Due to snow and accompanying elderly relatives, I didn't venture deeper into the forest; the air was wonderful. If you plan to hike through the forest, you'll need to plan your route carefully! The base has sika deer and sheep!
Binggou Linhai Scenic Area
