# Mati Temple Scenic Area (马蹄寺旅游景区)

Zhangye, Gansu Province · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mati-temple-scenic-area
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥74
- **Opening hours:** 8：30—18：00
- **Time needed:** 2–3 hours
- **Getting there:** From the South Bus Station (汽车南站), there is a day-trip shuttle direct to the scenic area; return fare ¥22. It may be suspended when passenger numbers are low. Alternatively, take a bus bound for Nangu (南古) and get off at Mati River (马蹄河下); return fare ¥19. From there, take a taxi up the mountain; a taxi to the scenic area car park usually costs ¥20–30. Hiring a car from the city centre costs ¥300–400 return.
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Nature

## About Mati Temple Scenic Area

Here you can see a magnificent complex of cave temples, ride horses to explore a huge waterfall deep in the mountains, or follow a guide and a horse caravan through dense forest to the Jinta Temple Grottoes. The route to the Jinta Temple Grottoes is treacherous. There are just two caves, each barely over ten square metres, but they contain China's only high-relief flying apsara (feitian) carvings. The statues themselves are fairly ordinary, yet the trek appeals to many visitors.

## Tips from the guidebook

- This area is home to the Yugur, a minority ethnic group unique to Gansu. Historically the Yugur made their living as nomadic herders, and they practise Tibetan Buddhism.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 739. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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