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4A Tourism Area

Mati (Horseshoe) Ecological & Cultural Tourism Tourism Area

马蹄生态文化旅游景区

Gansu, Zhangye·38.8988°N, 100.1630°E

Ticket Price

Free admission

Duration

2 hours

About Mati (Horseshoe) Ecological & Cultural Tourism Tourism Area

A sacred Buddhist site in Sunan County, Zhangye, named for a hoof-shaped spring believed to be a horse's footprint. Cliff grottoes, Tibetan monasteries, and alpine valleys combine pilgrimage with highland hiking.

Highlights

• Sacred Buddhist site with cliff grottoes and a footprint-shaped spring (Mati Si). • Tibetan monasteries and alpine valleys. • Pilgrimage and hiking.

Suggested Route

Visitor center, lower grottoes, Horseshoe temple, then the valley trail; allow 2-3 h.

Food & Lodging

Tibetan guesthouses serve tsampa and noodles; Sunan lodging.

Facilities

Parking, restrooms, and trails; limited wheelchair access.

Travel Tips

Hire a guide or audio tour for deeper understanding of the historical context.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: May-October

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

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💱

Book Tickets & Tours

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Hotels, tickets & tours

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Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

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Opening Hours

09:00-17:00 (closed Mondays, except holidays)

Getting There

Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan County, Zhangye (~65 km from Zhangye city). Nearest HSR: Zhangye West (~70 km); nearest airport: Zhangye Ganzhou (~80 km). Best by car (~1.5 hr); no direct bus.

Reservation

Tickets on-site (incl. shuttle); no mandatory advance booking.

Ticket Price

Free admission

Address

甘肃省张掖市肃南裕固族自治县马蹄生态文化旅游区(东北角)

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

马蹄生态文化旅游景区

甘肃省张掖市肃南裕固族自治县马蹄生态文化旅游区(东北角)

38.8988, 100.1630

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Tip: Google Maps may be inaccurate in China — use Amap for navigation.