Matisi (Hanging Temple + Thirty-Three Heavens) Guide

Matisi (Hanging Temple + Thirty-Three Heavens) Guide

Matisi is a famous Tibetan Buddhist grotto complex in Zhangye. The "Thirty-Three Heavens" caves are built into a cliff like a hanging temple — the most stunning highlight, earning it the name "hanging temple."

This guide covers how to play.

🏔️ About Matisi

• Location: Sunan County, Zhangye, Matisi
• Features: Tibetan Buddhist grottoes, cliff caves, grassland
• Core: the "Thirty-Three Heavens" cave complex (built against the cliff)
• Sights: grottoes, cliff caves, Tibetan Buddhist culture

🙏 What to Do

1. Thirty-Three Heavens: multi-story caves on the cliff, like hanging — stunning
2. Grotto statues/murals: Buddhist art
3. Matisi grassland: surrounding grassland
4. Cultural experience: Tibetan Buddhism, Yughur customs

📷 Best Spots

• Look up from the cliff base: the "Thirty-Three Heavens" cliff caves are stunning
• High/surroundings: caves and grassland

🚗 How to Get There

• Transport: Zhangye; self-drive/charter about 1 hour
• Good roads
• Combine with Zhangye Danxia, Great Buddha Temple

🎫 Ticket

• Matisi: ticket, ~60–100 CNY (subject to year)

📌 Practical Tips

1. The Thirty-Three Heavens caves are steep; climb carefully
2. Respect religious etiquette; remove hats in caves, no noise
3. Caves may be dim; mind your step
4. Protect the grotto relics; don't carve
5. Combine with Yughur customs

Matisi's Thirty-Three Heavens are a "cliff grotto wonder," like a hanging temple. In Zhangye, visit this "hanging temple" and feel the impact of grotto art and faith.