It is also fairly convenient to go to, and very convenient to go from Zhangye by bus. The Eastern Bus Station, south down Donghuancheng lu from the Hexi Hotel, dispatches 8 daily buses in the evening to Lanzhou, three of which have sleeper seats (sleeper: RMB85; non-sleeper: RMB35; duration: 15 hours). There are also 3 buses each morning to Jiayuguan (fare: RMB20; duration: 5 hours).
Buses departing from the Southern Station go to Jiayuguan in the morning and Lanzhou in the early evening. Those planning to go to Mati Temple should also head to the Southern Station and take the bus at 3pm (Monday to Friday, fare: RMB6, about 2 hours). Those wanting to travel to Mati on the weekend can also catch a tourist bus (RMB12 one way) at 8am, which will bring them back from Mati at around 4pm the same day.
Zhangye is also an easy way to get through to Qinghai. Xining, the capital, is just 347km from Zhangye on Expressway No.227. Buses leave from the Xiguan Bus Station on Paoxuan lu for RMB32, twice daily (07:00-17:00, 18:00-04:30). There are no sleepers on these, only hard seat, so the day ride may be more suitable.