Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is in the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains in Gansu Province, China. The geological park has a spectacular Danxia (/dan-sshyaa/ 'red cloud') landform area that covers about 50 square kilometers (19 square miles). The danxia landforms are a masterpiece of nature. The colorful mountain ridges are just like an overturned palette from heaven. Our guides know the best viewing platforms and the best route to see the most beautiful parts of this area. Zhangye's Danxia landscape has lots of precipitous red cliffs, most of which are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. These formations, sometimes smooth sometimes sharp, stand out against the greens or grays of the plains , looking grand and magnificent, vigorous and virile. Across the danxia landscape zone, a kaleidoscope of numerous red rocky outcrops resemble weird and wonderful shapes like castles, cones, towers; as well as humans, creatures, birds and beasts. Their peaks peeping through the mist and clouds, produce mirage-like scenery of fantastic mountains and pavilions. About 540 million years ago, the area was once part of the ocean. Due to tectonic plate collision, the land folded and formed mountains, and lifted above sea level. Red sandstone was deposited when rivers formed in the area. When the ground sank into a basin, mudstone was deposited on the red sandstone. During different periods, varying sedimentary rocks were formed that contained different amounts of ferrous salt in the mud and stone. This is why the layers have different colors. Because of the changes in sedimentary environments, the sedimentary layers formed have different colors of red, purplish red, yellowish green, grayish green, and gray. Every layer took thousands of years to form. The movement of the Himalayas lifted the area higher and rivers formed. The river erosion formed gorges, and the early Danxia landscape was created. After further geological periods, river erosion and wind erosion formed the colorful layers we see today. This is the highlight that attracts visitors from all over the world. The colorful layers are how the Zhangye Danxia landform area became known as the "Rainbow Mountains". #nationalpark

1. Address - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring Highlights - buy a ticket at the entrance gate, it’s valid for 2 days! enjoy many activities like ATV riding, helicopter tour, or just climb to the top of the sand dunes to enjoy the sunset and stars at night Rating - 5/5 2. Address - Dunhuang Night Market Highlights - enjoy some local dishes and snacks (and beer if you like) Rating - 4/5 3. Address - Youjian Dunhuang Theatre Highlights - watch an AMAZING immersive performance about the history of the city and Silk Road Rating - 5/5 #summervacationtravel#deserts

If you look at the photos, you might think this is an edit. In fact, this place really exists in China. Precisely in the city of Zhangye, Gansu Province. This unique tourist destination is called Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park or known as Rainbow Mountain. The area is about 510 sq km. The colors on this mountain rock are formed from sand mixed with other minerals over 24 million years. #triplocal #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Geology lovers and avid Instagrammers alike will be drawn to the otherworldly hues of the "Rainbow Mountains." The colors were formed by the layering of sedimentary mineral deposits over millions of years, but it's hard to look at the flowing reds, yellows, and oranges and not feel like you're witnessing magic. #themeparks#nationalpark

One of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world that is most in demand in China is Zhangye Danxia mountain. Unlike a normal mountain filled with trees, the Zhangye Danxia Mountains looked very barren. However, the aridity that adds to the beauty of this mountain. Because this mountain provides a color dish that is so beautiful like the color of the rainbow, therefore this mountain is also dubbed the mountain of the rainbow. #triplocal #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

Getting There - 30min drive from West gate of Danxia Park Attractions - futuristic park with mountains of different colours and shapes. We were staying near Danxia Park and were offered to go to the Binggou Scenic Area. It took us about 30min to get there, the entrance was about 170rmb. You can drive your car around the park or use a public transport (van, car or bus). Important: the ticket office is about 25min away from the park entrance, make sure you buy your ticket first and then go to the entrance. The scenery was very satisfying, we enjoyed walking around different areas of the park. There was no crowds and it felt like we are the only people there! #couplestrip#hikingtrails

Address - West Side of Danxia Park (600meters from the entrance) Ambiance/Facilities - yurts, shared bathroom, restaurant (hot pot dinner) Highlights - spend a night right next to UNESCO World Heritage Geological Park Avg. Price per Person - 300rmb Rating - 8/10 I definitely recommend staying at this place to anyone who is going to Danxia park. You can literally walk to the entrance of the park and it's also very close to another beautiful place - Binggou Scenic Area. The yurts are warm and cosy. The breakfast was good and the hotpot dinner was nice as well (although a bit pricy). The bathroom and the toilets are outside of the yurts, but everything was really clean. #travelinspiration#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

Getting There - 3hr train from Lanzhou, flight from any major city Attractions - colourful mountains Hotels - yurts Food & Restaurants - traditional Gansu cousin It's like a dream come true! It's definitely worth coming to Gansu to see this picturesque place. We came here in May, it was a bit cold and I guess it was still low season, but the colours were still fantastic. The bus took us around the park so we could see different areas, colours and shapes of the mountains! It wasn't busy at the time we were there, but I guess it gets crowded during the summer time and public holidays. However, if you decide to go there during the high season, you can experience hot air balloon and other popular activities there (it was still closed when we were there, normal price -200rmb p.p. for the balloon). Make sure you visit this beautiful place! #couplestrip#awesomepic#naturalwonders#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer

Getting There - 1hr train from Zhangye Attractions - an ancient part of Great Wall We stopped at this place just for few hours, but were pleasantly surprised how many fascinating sites Jiayuguan has to offer. We first went to the pass and then took a Didi to the Great Wall (25rmb, 15min). The entrance was free for us, because we showed them our tickets from the Pass. Make sure that you are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, because you will have to walk a lot. We haven't spent too much time there - 2,5 hours were more than enough. After visiting this place we took a Didi to the train station (60rmb, 35min). I really enjoyed the scenery, it was nice and different from all I have seen in Gansu! #couplestrip#historicculture#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer