Zhangye Danxia Geopark (张掖七彩丹霞), located in Gansu Province, China, is renowned for its stunning and colorful landforms. It is the only site in China where the Danxia landform is combined with multi-colored hills, creating a vivid and picturesque landscape. This unique combination of features has earned it a place among the “Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms in China” by China National Geographic and one of the “World’s Top Ten Geographical Wonders.”
Covering a total area of 50 square kilometers, with a visitor activity area of 4 square kilometers, the geopark consists of two main scenic areas: Binggou Danxia and Qicai Danxia. These formations are composed of red conglomerate, sandstone, and mudstone. The vibrant and striking colors of the landscape make Zhangye Danxia Geopark a highly attractive and captivating destination.
Within the Danxia Scenic Area, there are seven viewing platforms: Qicai Yunhai (Colorful Cloud Sea), Qicai Xianyuan (Colorful Fairyland), Qicai Jinxiu (Colorful Splendor), Qicai Hongxia (Colorful Sunset Glow), the Best Photography Spot, Qicai Aohetai (Colorful River Terrace), and Wanxiang Tulin Valley. From these vantage points, visitors can marvel at the intricate layers of mudstone, sandy mudstone, and shale that interweave to create a rhythmic and textured spectacle. The landscape features a harmonious blend of purples, grays, greens, and yellows, resulting in a breathtaking visual experience.
For those planning to visit Zhangye Danxia Geopark over two days, it is advisable to inform the ticket seller to stamp your ticket for the next day. Without this stamp, a new ticket will be required for re-entry on the second day.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Zhangye Danxia Geopark
- Map and Recommended Route
- Vlog about Zhangye Danxia Geopark
- Recommended Photography Spots
- How the Danxia Landscape is Formed
- Other Attractions in Zhangye Outskirts
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 4 hours |
| Ticket Price | Normal Tour: 93 RMB including addmission, sight-seeing bus, and insurance Nighttime Tour: 298 RMB for at least 10 people 328 RMB for at least 3 people |
| Opening Hours | 28th April – 31st August: Daytime: 5.30 – 19.00 Nighttime: 19.15 – 21.30 1st September – 27th April: 6.30 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0936-5623666 |
Location and Transportation
Zhangye Danxia Geopark is located in Gansu Province, China, within Linze County and Sunan County, centered around Baiyin Township. The geopark spans from 99º30′ to 100º20′ East longitude and 38º40′ to 39º10′ North latitude.
There are direct buses from Zhangye Bus Station to the geopark, operating hourly from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with additional services at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Visitors can enter Linze Danxia from the West Gate and Sunan Danxia from the East Gate. In the Linze management area, shuttle buses are available to take visitors to the four main viewing platforms within the scenic area.
Highlights of Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Various Viewing Platforms
Qicai Yunhai Platform (Viewing Platform 1)
- Location: Situated in the western area of the geopark, this is the largest and most central viewing platform.
- Features: Known for its panoramic vistas, it offers a grand view of the colorful and majestic Danxia landforms. Notable sights include the Great Scallop, Colorful Flying Glow, Monks Worshiping Buddha, and Monkey Watching the Sea.
- Rock Formations: The hills here resemble massive scallops formed by alternating red, gray-white, and yellow sandstone ridges.
- Colors: The landscape is a blend of red, purple, yellow, green, white, and gray, creating a vibrant and dynamic scene reminiscent of rainbows and flowing clouds.
- Activities: Ideal for photographing the intricate rock formations and distant mountain landscapes.
Qicai Xianyuan Platform (Viewing Platform 2)
- Location: Also in the western area, this platform is the best spot to view sunrises and experience helicopter rides.
- Features: Visitors can enjoy sights like the Colorful Pool, Colorful Pavilion, and Colorful Corridor, all showcasing the area’s vibrant hues.
- Activities: Take a helicopter tour over the colorful Danxia landscape for a breathtaking aerial perspective. This activity offers a thrilling experience and unparalleled views of the geopark’s vibrant terrain.
Qicai Hongxia Platform (Viewing Platform 3)
- Location: Located in the northern part of the geopark, this is the prime spot for viewing sunsets and is considered the most beautiful viewing platform.
- Features: This platform offers stunning views of rock formations such as the Mountain of Knives and Sea of Fire, Red Cliff Great Wall, and Silk Road Sky Route. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the colorful Danxia, creating a spectacular natural painting.
- Activities: Sunset viewing is a highlight here, as the evening light enhances the beauty of the Danxia formations, making it a perfect spot for capturing magnificent sunset photos.
Qicai Platform (Viewing Platform 4)
- Location: Also in the northern area, this is the highest and most recently opened viewing platform.
- Features: From here, visitors can see the Colorful Mountain, Colorful Garden, and Colorful Waterfall, among other diverse rock formations. This platform offers a comprehensive view of the entire Danxia landscape, showcasing its grandeur and allure.
- Activities: Appreciate the panoramic views of the colorful Danxia formations, capturing their scale and beauty in photographs.
Wohu Valley and Wanxiang Tulin Valley
Wohu Valley, also known as the Crouching Tiger Gorge, is the closest viewing point to the mountain formations within Zhangye Danxia Geopark. Despite being separated by a wooden fence, the colorful, rainbow-striped mountains appear almost within arm’s reach. The vibrant colors of the mountain stripes create a stunning visual effect. On one side, the mountain resembles a crouching tiger, while the other side features layers upon layers of jagged peaks, adding to the dramatic landscape.
Wanxiang Tulin Valley, hidden deep within the colorful Danxia formations, offers a more secluded and immersive experience. The scenic area has a wooden boardwalk that allows visitors to venture into the heart of the stone forest. This pathway leads through fantastically shaped rock formations, providing an awe-inspiring and otherworldly experience.
Entertaining Activities
Helicopter Rides
One of the most thrilling ways to explore the park is by helicopter. The flight lasts 8-10 minutes and follows a scenic route: starting at Qicai Xianyuan Platform, then passing over Qicai Yunhai Platform, Qicai Jinxiu Platform, Wohu Valley, Qicai Aohe Platform, Wanxiang Tulin Valley, and Qicai Hongxia Platform before returning to Qicai Xianyuan Platform. This aerial tour offers breathtaking views of the colorful rock formations and the park’s diverse geological features.
Camel Rides
At Qicai Hongxia Platform (Viewing Platform 4), visitors can enjoy camel rides, allowing them to traverse the rolling hills and scenic landscapes freely. Camel rides offer a unique opportunity to take memorable photos with the friendly camels. Additionally, after viewing the sights at Qicai Hongxia Platform, visitors can avoid waiting for the shuttle bus by riding camels directly to the park’s north gate exit.
Flyover Danxia VR Experience
At Qicai Yunhai Platform (Viewing Platform 1), the Flyover Danxia VR Experience provides a virtual reality tour of the park’s most vibrant core areas, which are not visible from the viewing platforms. By wearing a VR headset, visitors can enjoy a virtual walk through the most colorful regions of the park, witnessing the changes in light and shadow at sunrise and sunset. The VR experience also offers a helicopter’s perspective, providing an aerial view of the park’s geological wonders.
Additional Activities
The park also offers other exciting activities, including hot air balloon rides and tandem powered paragliding. These options allow visitors to experience the stunning landscapes of Zhangye Danxia Geopark from various thrilling perspectives.
Map and Recommended Route
Zhangye Danxia Geopark has three main entrances: North Gate, West Gate, and East Gate. Visitors typically enter and exit through the same gate. The North and West Gates have parking lots and visitor centers, while the East Gate serves guests staying at the scenic area hotels. Here are the recommended routes for each entrance:
North and East Entrance Routes:
- Qicai Xianyuan Platform (Colorful Fairyland Platform)
- Qicai Yunhai Platform (Colorful Cloud Sea Platform)
- Qicai Jinxiu Platform (Colorful Splendor Platform)
- Qicai Hongxia Platform (Colorful Sunset Glow Platform)
West Entrance Route:
- Qicai Yunhai Platform (Colorful Cloud Sea Platform)
- Qicai Jinxiu Platform (Colorful Splendor Platform)
- Qicai Hongxia Platform (Colorful Sunset Glow Platform)
- Qicai Xianyuan Platform (Colorful Fairyland Platform)
Vlog about Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Recommended Photography Spots
Zhangye Danxia Geopark is a paradise for photographers, offering numerous spots to capture its vibrant and stunning landscapes. Here are some of the top photography spots within the park:
- Qicai Xianyuan Platform (Colorful Fairyland Platform):
- Best Shot: Climb to the highest point of the platform, then take a step down to capture a unique perspective. This vantage point provides a sweeping view of the colorful hills below, ideal for panoramic shots that showcase the grandeur of the Danxia landforms.
- Qicai Yunhai Platform (Colorful Cloud Sea Platform):
- Iconic S Curve Shot: Sit on the railing of the viewing platform with yourself in the foreground. This spot is perfect for capturing the famous S-shaped bend in the background, creating a visually striking composition.
- Road Shot: Walk to the higher ground of the platform and take a downward shot of the winding road. This angle provides a dynamic and dramatic perspective of the landscape, with the road adding a leading line to your composition.
- Qicai Hongxia Platform (Colorful Sunset Glow Platform):
- Fashion Shots: This platform features numerous railings where you can lean and pose for fashion-style photos. The colorful Danxia formations in the background add a vibrant and dramatic backdrop, perfect for stylish and memorable images.
How the Danxia Landscape is Formed
Geological Background: The colorful Danxia landforms primarily developed during the Jurassic to the Tertiary periods. Geological activities during this time provided the material basis for the formation of Danxia landforms. The red sandstone characteristic of the Danxia landscape formed during the Himalayan orogeny.
Crustal Uplift and Collapse: As the Earth’s crust uplifted, slopes predominantly retreated through collapse processes, leaving behind red sandstones as the foundation of the Danxia landforms. These red sandstones, under the influence of tectonic movements, gradually evolved into various unique formations.
Weathering and Erosion: Long-term weathering and water erosion further sculpted the red sandstones into isolated, bizarre rock formations. These prolonged geological processes have diversified and complexified the shapes and structures of the Danxia landforms.
Color Formation: The vibrant colors of the Zhangye Danxia are a result of the mineral content within the rocks. Chemical reactions such as oxidation and hydrolysis during geological changes cause the rocks to exhibit a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, and white.
