Things to do in Tianjun
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Top 10 attractions in Tianjun
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
Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake
Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake, located on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, is a masterpiece of geological formation and glacial activity. With its magnificent and rugged cliffs reaching vertical heights of dozens of meters, it creates a striking contrast against the azure waters of Qinghai Lake, offering a unique landscape. As one of the core attractions of Qinghai Lake, Holy Spring Bay not only boasts captivating natural scenery but also serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, holding significant ecological value. Nearby, visitors can explore rich historical and cultural relics, providing a multifaceted travel experience.Gangca · 72.5 km from Tianjun
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
Qinghai Lake Heima River
Qinghai Lake Heima River is located in Qinghai Province, China, and is a tourist destination with beautiful natural scenery. The altitude here is over 3,000m, and the lakeshore is open and flat, with vast grasslands and pastures stretching out behind it. In midsummer, the sunrise usually occurs around 6:00 AM. As the sun slowly rises from the end of the lake, the water is dyed golden red. Prayer flags flutter in the morning breeze along the shore, and occasionally, water birds like bar-headed geese skim across the surface. Many people stay overnight specifically to wait for these few minutes of morning light over the lake. It is also an important stop for cycling around the lake, and the West Lake Road heading north from here stretches along the lakeshore, which is considered by many cycling enthusiasts to be a section with outstanding lake views on the route around the lake.Here, visitors can enjoy the magnificent lake and mountain scenery and experience the tranquility and beauty of nature.Gonghe · 91.9 km from Tianjun
Mt. Gangshika Scenic Area
Gangshika Snow Peak is located in Qinghai Province, with an altitude of 5254.5 meters. It is the main peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains. Usually seen from a distance, it is pure white. Whenever the sun sets, the sunset glows, the top of the mountain is colorful, and the twilight rises. It is called "Dragon Peak Sunset" and is one of the eight major scenic spots in Menyuan.China · Menyuan
Qinghai Province Museum
Qinghai Provincial Museum is located at Xinning Square in Xining City. Although it is not large among provincial museums, it is also a good place to learn about Qinghai's history and cultures of various ethnic groups. In addition, there are exhibitions and explanations of Tibetan Buddhism and Islamic cultural systems in the museum, which are very helpful for later tours in Qinghai. Visit Overview The museum mainly has two floors, but the first floor is now rented by some units, and there are also some shops selling handicrafts and other souvenirs. Occasionally there will be temporary exhibitions on the first floor, if you encounter them, you can visit them. The permanent exhibition area is located on the second floor and is mainly divided into two parts, the Qinghai Historical Relics Exhibition and the Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition. It takes about an hour and a half to browse the two exhibition halls. Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition Qinghai Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition is an exhibition of the history of Qinghai in a chronological manner. Follow the indicated passages to visit, and you can watch the Qinghai cultural relics from ancient times to the present. The exhibition is divided into two parts: prehistoric civilization and historical relics. The Zasak silver seal of the Qing Dynasty, the largest bronze weapon unearthed in China - the large bronze spear, etc. are all treasures in the collection. There are also many quiet and beautiful pottery from the Majiayao culture in the northwest region. You can follow the instructions to find out the stories behind them. Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition showcases the culture and customs of many ethnic groups in Qinghai. There are many models and sand tables showing Qinghai's many festivals, etiquette, singing and dancing and other artistic cultures. In addition, there are many cultural relics of Tibetan Buddhism in the museum, such as thangkas, mandala, etc. Among them, the bronze gilt-gold Guanyin statue bestowed by Emperor Yongle in the Ming Dynasty is the treasure of the whole museum, you can take a good look at it. Learn about the connotation and art of Tibetan Buddhism here, and you can also provide help for your later travel to religious attractions. Interpretation service The museum now provides interpretive services, but most of the interpreters read the text under the exhibition, and do not have a deeper introduction. The level of manual explanation is also mostly limited. Generally, the explanation words are memorized by rote. The questions about the extended knowledge of tourists are often unable to be answered, and it is not recommended.China · Xining
Danggar Ancient Town
The Dange'er Ancient City is located in Wuyuan County, about 40 kilometers west of Xining City. It has been thriving in the history of tea and horses. Because of its unique location, it has the title of “sea Tibetan throat”. Today, there are many shops in the Dange'er Ancient City, which are prosperous and lively. Many tourists who go to Qinghai Lake from Xining will visit when they pass by. The ancient city is small in size, with a Dange'er Street as the center, and the houses on the street are all brick-and-grey buildings in the northern town.China · Huangyuan
Dongguan Mosque
Dongguan Mosque is one of the larger mosques in Qinghai Province and a very popular destination in Xining. The mosque was first built during the Ming Dynasty, and its current layout was largely established during a major renovation and expansion around 1913. Since then, it has undergone multiple repairs, and today it is a spacious courtyard enclosed by a gatehouse, side buildings, and a central prayer hall. The entire complex is based on the style of classical Chinese palaces: the prayer hall is a brick-and-wood structure with blue brick walls, a roof covered in colorful glazed tiles, and Tibetan-style gilded vases standing on the roof ridge. The fusion of Han-style architecture, Tibetan-style decorations, and Islamic prayer functions is quite rare among similar mosques.China · Xining
Mojia Street
Mojia Street is an old street in the center of Xining's old town with a history of over 600 years. It is located on the south side of Dongdajie and is adjacent to Yinma Street. Today, it is a commercial pedestrian street mainly featuring restaurants and shops, and it is also a famous food hub in Xining. Many tourists visiting Xining make a special trip here to sample the local food. This street is not long, but it has almost all Qinghai snacks covered: liangpi (cold skin noodles) is sour, spicy, and refreshing; lamb intestine noodles have a rich broth and plenty of ingredients; the traditional yogurt is thick and creamy; tianpei (fermented highland barley) carries the subtle sweetness of fermented highland barley; and the kangguo (pan-fried) lamb chops at the entrance of the street are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, stir-fried in the same pan with potatoes, hand-made noodles, and green and red peppers—the aroma wafts half a street away. Mazhong Food City, which started as a small liangpi shop in the 1990s, is now a signature food destination on the street. Those who want to taste Xining flavors in one go often start here. The popularity grows after nightfall, and the nearby Daxinjie Night Market is equally bustling. You can stroll through both streets in one trip, walking and eating, and slowly digesting—this is the perfect way to experience this old street.China · Xining
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.China · Sunan
Free things to do in Tianjun
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
China · ZhangyeImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeShengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake
Gangca · 72.5 km from TianjunQilian Mountain Grassland
China · QilianQinghai Lake Heima River
Gonghe · 91.9 km from TianjunMt. Gangshika Scenic Area
China · MenyuanQinghai Province Museum
China · XiningDanggar Ancient Town
China · HuangyuanDongguan Mosque
China · XiningMojia Street
China · XiningQilian Mountains
China · Sunan
What travellers say about Tianjun
奔腾的小黑龙October 18, 2026
5.0
The reclining Buddha is breathtaking, and the background paintings behind it are surprisingly profound. They contain the earliest depictions of the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, so be sure to take a good look. There are also many other Buddhist scriptures in the collection, making it well worth a visit.
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
Anonymous userAugust 22, 2026
5.0
The cliff should be a fantastic attraction. We went on a sunny day, and the lake water was a vibrant blue. The sunlight reflecting off it created different colors depending on the direction from which it shone. Later, some clouds appeared, so we quickly left. However, as we walked, we noticed sunlight shining through the clouds, creating a Tyndall effect that actually made the lake even more beautiful – definitely worth the trip!
Shengquan Bay Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake
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
爱旅行的熊搭子April 20, 2025
5.0
Heimahe is a scenic spot beside Qinghai Lake, with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, bright starry sky, rich Tibetan folk customs, and convenient transportation and accommodation. It is a good place for sightseeing, photography and experience.
Qinghai Lake Heima River
M25***99July 7, 2026
5.0
This place is incredibly expensive, and the 20 RMB shuttle bus is such a great deal; I'd probably pay around 40 RMB myself. On the way up, you can see snow-capped mountains from around the world and their corresponding altitudes. The ride takes about 15 to 25 minutes.
Once you're up, you'll see 3-4 interconnected lakes, but there are 7-8 in total. The first 2-3 lakes have a very deep blue color, and the later lakes gradually change to a grayish-yellow hue. I recommend bringing a drone to capture distant views of the lakes, mountains, sky, clouds, grasslands, etc. If it's cold, the scenic area provides a small heated room to wait for the shuttle.
Overall, it's excellent value, beautiful scenery, and the service is excellent.
Mt. Gangshika Scenic Area
GKC88May 16, 2026
5.0
対華夏文化要更深入瞭解4千年前的演變和西寧的扮演重要角色，這博物院有很多的資料。近年來考古隊伍在西北這塊地域也交出漂亮的成績。信息量高。陳列很條里。值得一游。
Qinghai Province Museum
152***82August 1, 2026
5.0
It's a very quaint ancient town with a relaxed commercial atmosphere. Many local residents live there, and many ancient buildings are free to enter, such as the City God Temple and the Confucian Temple. Prices are very reasonable: incense is 3 yuan, butter lamps are 1 yuan, and small souvenirs are 10 yuan. Walking through the ancient town after the rain is very pleasant, and it's not crowded.
Danggar Ancient Town
左右ZzJune 19, 2025
5.0
The Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining City is a rare and solemn building. The nine gold-plated regular script characters "Xining Budongguan Grand Mosque" are inscribed on the middle door lintel, and the inside and outside of the other door lintels are inscribed with gold-plated Arabic classic quotations. The "Hundred-Character Praise" inscribed by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, for mosques across the country is preserved in the temple and is embedded in the wall of the middle door, which is worth seeing.
Dongguan Mosque
布晓呆July 8, 2023
5.0
Mojia Street is located in the downtown area of Xining. It is an old street. There are not many tourists during the day, but the night market opens at night, attracting countless diners to come and taste. The main feature is barbecue, three or five people per table, accompanied by beer, this is the night life of Xining.
Mojia Street
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
