Zhangye is located in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor. The city owes its historical significance to its geographical location and fertile oasis, which means that throughout the dynasties it has been the political, economic, cultural and diplomatic centre of the Northwest China. Many famous figures such as envoy Zhang Qian, general Ban Chao, Buddhist monks Fa Xian and Xuan Zang went to Western Region via Zhangye. And evenmore the Italian traveller Marco Polo lived there for about one year.

Zhangye is also one of 12 national key commodity grain bases of China, a beautiful and richly endowed place in Hexi, and got the name "Gold Zhangye" from the past.

Matisi grottoes is situated in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, some 62km to Zhangye City. The spectacular spots around this tourist zone are grotto arts and national scenery of prairie, forest and snow-covered Qilian Mountain. However, there is fascinating Yugur folklore. Yugur is a unique nomadic minority of Gansu. The sociologists believe that Yugur people have the snipe historical origins with Hungarian.

Shandan Army Horse Ranch is situated in Damayin pastureland of Qilian Mountain, 55km south of Shandan county of Zhangye prefecture. This Ranch has a history of ever 2000 years. Today, it takes the second position in the world and the largest in Asia. There are still about 10,000 army horses herded there.