Things to do in Jinta
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Top 10 attractions in Jinta
Jintashamohuyanglin
The Jinta Desert Poplar Forest Attraction is located on the north side of the middle section of the ancient Silk Road and 6 kilometers northwest of Jinta County, Gansu Province. It consists of five functional areas: the Poplar Forest-Jinbo Lake Core Scenic Area, the Elaeagnus angustifolia Forest Sightseeing Area, the Desert Red Willow Forest Conservation Area, the Desert Entertainment Experience Area and the Desert Reed Maze Area. It covers an area of more than 80,000 mu. The Attraction is distributed with 10,000 mu of Poplar Forest, the largest "fossil-level plant" in the northwest region, which is of great ornamental value. The Jinbo Lake is rippling, the Poplar Forest is dazzling, the Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers are fragrant, there are many kinds of wild animals, the red willows are intoxicated in autumn, the white flowers of the reeds are cold, the beach is soft and the sun is charming. When you visit this place, you can fully appreciate the desert style, appreciate the Poplar Culture, explore the secluded realm of the Tonglin, and experience the wild fun of the desert. This is a tourist destination integrating ecological afforestation, windbreak and sand fixation, Dining and entertainment, leisure and vacation, photography creation, and sightseeing tourism. It has been rated as a place with beautiful autumn colors in Gansu Province. When a cool autumn breeze blows across the desert, the poplar forest changes from dark green to light yellow, and then to apricot yellow. Climbing high and looking far away, the golden autumn sea is refreshing. The setting sun is vast, and the evening glow is a touch. The poplars change from golden yellow to golden red, and then to a brown red, gradually blending into the hazy night. After a night of frost, the poplar forest is as red as the maple leaves of Xiangshan Mountain, as if it is burning. And on the crown branches of each tall poplar tree, light green and light yellow leaves occasionally flash, staggered and colorful. When the autumn wind blows, the golden leaves of the poplars fall to the ground with a "rustling" sound, and the ground is covered with a golden carpet, brilliant and solemn. Walking in the poplar forest is like entering a fairyland in mythology. The dense poplars are strange and varied, with various expressions. The sturdy poplars are so big that it is difficult for several people to hug them. Some are as tall as 15 to 20 feet. They are strange and look like dragons leaping and twisted and dancing wildly, which is amazing. The dense leaves are also unique. The leaves of young poplars are narrow and small, like the willow eyebrows of a girl, and people often mistake them for willows; the leaves of middle-aged poplars become oval or triangular, like the white birch in Xing'an Mountains; the leaves of old poplars are elliptical. What's more, the upper and lower layers of the crown of the same poplar grow leaves of several different shapes, which is amazing.Jinta · 9.5 km from downtown
Jinta Desert Populus Euphratica Forest Scenic Area - Desert Camping Area
Jinta · 7.9 km from downtown
Jinbo Lake
Jinbo Lake has a vast, rippling surface and is surrounded by tall, gnarled desert poplar trees that are beautiful and unique.Jinta · 8.7 km from downtown
Jiayuguan Guancheng
Jiayuguan Guancheng is located 5 km west of Jiayuguan city, marking the western end of the Ming Great Wall. The Guan City was initially built during the Ming dynasty. It is located in the Jiayuguan cultural relics scenic area.The admission ticket serves as a pass for the entire attraction. The attraction isn't too large, with a perimeter of approx. 4 km, making it suitable for walking. Visitors with limited stamina can rent bicycles at the entrance for touring. The entrance is on the east side. Upon entering, you will first see the Heishan stone carvings, a modern replica by stonemasons showcasing the history and culture of Jiayuguan. There are seven themed gardens to explore: the celebrity inscriptions garden, ancient poetry garden, chronicle garden, story garden, guerrilla general stone carvings garden, Wei-Jin brick mural stone carvings garden, and Heishan stone carvings garden. Continuing forward, you can see the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall. It features advanced facilities and showcases the history, culture, artifacts, and scenery of the Great Wall and Jiayuguan. Moving forward will take you to the western core area. Before entering the fortress, you can visit Jiuyanquan Lake on your left.Jiuyan springThe area boasts lush water plants and picturesque scenery, making it an ideal location for ancient military horse breeding and border defense. Today,Jiuyan springThe water ripples with crystal clarity.Jiuyan springIts beauty lies in its tranquility, undisturbed by waves. The Guan City of Jiayuguan is divided into inner and outer cities, featuring three main grand gate towers. The city walls also boast structures such as arrow towers, enemy towers, corner towers, watchtowers, and sluice gate towers. Inside the Guan City of Jiayuguan, you'll find the Residence of the Guerrilla General, the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Jingting Pavilion, and the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Wenchang Pavilion. Outside the east gate, there are the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Guandi Temple, memorial archways, and opera stages. Each of these has its own history and unique characteristics, making them all worth visiting. From atop the city walls, you can gaze into the distance, where the Qilian Mountains stretch endlessly, and the vast Gobi grassland lies beneath your feet, evoking a profound sense of historical grandeur and tragedy. The attraction features numerous small stalls showcasing folk and historical characteristics, including opportunities for ancient costume photos, calligraphy, and painting sales. You can explore each one and purchase items that catch your eye. Additionally, the attraction offers a variety of entertainment options such as horseback riding, camel riding, dune buggies, and gliders.Jiayuguan · 60 km from Jinta
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot is located in Linze and Sunan counties at the northern foot of Qilian Mountain. The attraction is 40 km east of Zhangye city and 20 km north of Linze county. Covering a total area of 50 sq km with 4 sq km accessible to visitors, it's currently recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The attraction features seven viewing spots, including Colorful Cloud Sea, Colorful Fairyland, Colorful Splendor, Colorful Rainbow Glow, Crouching Tiger Gorge, Colorful Ao River, and Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley, along with over 30 scenic views such as Dragon Playing with Fire (colorful hills), Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Sky, Golden Toad Seeking the Way, Giant Scallop, Colorful Screen, Sleeping Beauty, and Crouching Tiger. It is a highly integrated area of colorful hills and Danxia landforms. The colorful hills amaze visitors with their vibrant hues, intricate layered patterns, majestic scale, and breathtaking vistas. The Danxia landform area of Wanxiang Earth Forest Valley features towering peaks resembling a forest, with a harmonious yet dramatic arrangement of sparse and dense formations. These extraordinary shapes, carved by nature's artistry, combine grandeur, peril, wonder, elegance, and serenity in one spectacular landscape. After being promoted to a national 5A-level attraction and global geopark, Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot aims to become an international travel destination. By deeply exploring and optimizing regional cultural resources, the scenic spot will leverage its unique tourism assets and cultural heritage to transform into a western China-based international resort with scientific research appeal. Centered around colorful hills and Danxia landforms, it highlights the aesthetic and scientific value of geological resources while prioritizing their protection and development. The composite attraction primarily offers geological sightseeing and recreation, complemented by cultural experiences, folk customs, and leisure vacations.China · Zhangye
Ejina Populus Euphratica Tourist Area
Known for the movie "Hero," Ejina Populus Euphratica Forest Tourist Area boasts unique scenery in the autumn and people come from other regions across China to enjoy its autumn splendor. Those who visit Ejina appreciate the desert's scenery. A desert poplar festival is held here around the National Day holidays, during which hundreds of thousands of tourists come to admire the dazzling golden desert poplar forest and the vast desert itself.China · Ejin Banner
Jiuquan Space Culture Exhibition Area, China
Jinta · >100 km from downtown
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is located in Zhangye, Gansu Province, just 56 km from the city center. This national 4A-level attraction offers a diverse experience combining canyon exploration, geological research, ethnic culture, and off-road adventures. Here you'll find landscapes as spectacular as Zhangjiajie and as awe-inspiring as Colorado—a rare geological treasure and a new Silk Road discovery for travelers. Along the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon unveils an extraordinary journey for travelers with its pristine grandeur and profound valleys. This natural masterpiece serves as a sacred site for spiritual exploration, inviting you to give your weary soul a liberating stage.China · Zhangye
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
The Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Spot
The theme of the Great Wall in Suspension is the ancient silk road culture and Great Wall culture. The main contents of the tour include the Great Wall in Suspension, the Silk Road Sculpture Group, and the Jiayuguan Ancient Weapons Exhibition. The area is divided into four main zones: Shiguanxia Ancient Silk Road Cultural Promenade, the Military Defense System Area of the Great Wall in Suspension, the Leisure Resort and the Management Area. The ancient silk sculpture group carved statues of seven major historical figures, including Zhang Qian, Huo Qubing and Xuan Zang, recorded in the Jiayuguan area in ancient China, and five followers, two horses, two camels and a carriage statue.Jiayuguan · 63.4 km from Jinta
Experiences you can't miss in Jinta
Featured Day tours in Jinta
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What travelers say about Jinta
118***44October 11, 2026
5.0
The scenery is beautiful and the service is excellent. The shuttle buses within the scenic area are a small train and open-air sightseeing vehicles; because the temperature is quite low in the morning, a large bus is also arranged. The flower fields are beautiful, and the poplar trees are stunning.
Jintashamohuyanglin
游侠半仙October 12, 2020
5.0
The endless poplar forest is like a lake at tide, brilliant and colorful, and every place is like the rich colors and heavy ink of a painter's brush. The thick and vicissitudes of the trunk are hidden in the golden and magnificent branches and leaves, and the red, orange, yellow and green colors are set off against the clear autumn water, setting off a beautiful picture of blue sky, yellow leaves, autumn colors and waves, and cold smoke on the waves.
Jinbo Lake
E01***17October 26, 2026
5.0
Jiayuguan Fortress is definitely worth a visit. As the "First Fortress Under Heaven," it exudes grandeur and a strong historical atmosphere. The fortress wall ruins are well-preserved, making for excellent photo opportunities. The shuttle bus service within the scenic area is well-organized, providing convenient transportation and saving you a lot of walking effort, with a smooth route. Standing atop the fortress and gazing at the vast Gobi Desert, the sense of immensity is overwhelming. It's a must-see spot when visiting the Hexi Corridor.
Jiayuguan Guancheng
M34***91October 25, 2026
5.0
The weather was great when I went, and the mountain colors were beautiful. Traveling during off-peak hours meant the shuttle buses were running frequently, with passengers boarding as soon as they arrived and departing immediately. The staff were very helpful. (I took a picture of the English textbook cover.)
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
xjdkwjjOctober 23, 2026
5.0
Populus euphratica forests across China each have their own unique characteristics. I've visited Tarim River, Lop Nur Village, Zepu, and Naomohu Lake in Xinjiang. Ejin Banner has a relatively large area and beautiful colors.
Ejina Populus Euphratica Tourist Area
Anonymous userOctober 24, 2026
4.0
The landscape is magnificent from afar, and the valley floor is very deep. It took us almost two hours to walk down to the bottom of the valley while taking pictures along the way. There are NPCs to interact with in the scenic area, but there are no food supplies at the bottom of the valley, so you need to bring some water and food with you.
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
慢步地球October 19, 2026
5.0
A pair of discerning eyes, seeing through a thousand years.
Neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing.
Marco Polo visited me,
King Shah Rukh also came,
Emperors of all dynasties rebuilt me,
burning incense, bowing, and making vows to me,
Let the world be noisy,
neither sad nor happy, neither born nor dying.
I have attained Nirvana.
Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple
M41***81September 27, 2026
5.0
The Overhanging Great Wall was too crowded; parking was free but difficult, and it seemed like it would easily cause a traffic jam. The First Beacon Tower was actually quite nice, with a good feel to it, being completely natural.
The Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Spot
