Gaotai County, subordinate to Zhangye City, Gansu Province, is located in the middle of Gansu Hexi Corridor and the lower reaches of the middle reaches of the Heihe River. It has been known as "the key of Hexi and the throat of five counties" since ancient times. The terrain is high in the north and south and low in the middle. The south is the northern foot of Qilian Mountain, the north is Heli Mountain, the middle is oasis plain, and the Heihe River runs through the county. The total land area of the county is 4346.61 square kilometers, with 9 towns under its jurisdiction. By the end of 2019, Gaotai County's registered residence population was 159360.

Gaotai County has a long history. In the sixth year of the Yuanding reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (111 BC), Gaotai County was set up as the county, which was the only place that the "Silk Road" must pass. In the first year of Xiankang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (335 BC), Zhang Jun set up Jiankang County in the current Camel City. In the third year of the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1725), Gaotai County was established by combining Gaotai and Zhenyi to defend thousands of households. There are many key cultural relics under national protection, such as the ancient site of Camel City, Xusanwan City and tombs, the Great Wall of the Han and Ming Dynasties.

In 2020, Gaotai County will achieve a GDP of 5.541 billion yuan, up 2% year on year.