Mati Temple (马蹄寺, also known as Horse Hoof Temple) is a renowned Buddhist cave temple complex located in Zhangye, Gansu Province, China.
Basic Info
Location: Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, ~65 km from Zhangye city, at the foot of the Qilian Mountains.
History: Founded in the Northern Liang Dynasty (397–439 AD), over 1,600 years old.
Also known as: Officially named Puguang Temple (普光寺) by the Ming Emperor in 1416.
Status: One of China’s Key Cultural Relics Protection Units (since 1996), and one of the Three Great Buddhist Art Treasures of the Hexi Corridor, alongside the Mogao Caves (Dunhuang) and Yulin Caves (Guazhou).
Name Origin
The name “Mati” (Horse Hoof) comes from a legend:
A celestial horse left a deep hoof print on a cliff rock while flying over the temple, enchanted by its beauty.
This sacred rock is preserved in the Mati Hall.
Structure & Highlights
The complex comprises 7 major clusters spanning ~30 km, with over 70 caves:
South & North Temples
Thousand-Buddha Caves (千佛洞)
Golden Pagoda Temple (金塔寺)
Upper/Middle/Lower Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) Caves
The Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes (三十三天石窟) (North Temple):
7 levels, 21 caves carved into a 100-meter red sandstone cliff.
Unique internal cliff-side staircases/passageways (China’s only such cave system).
Symbolizes the Buddhist cosmic path to enlightenment.
Art & Culture
500+ statues & 1,200+ m² of murals from Northern Liang to Qing dynasties.
Blends Han Chinese & Tibetan Buddhist art.
Stunning landscape: red cliffs, Qilian snow peaks, grasslands.
Visitor Info
Tickets: ~74–75 CNY
Hours: 08:30–18:00
Best time: May–June (green grass) & Sept–Oct (golden autumn)
