Yardang National Geopark


Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark (Chinese: 敦煌雅丹国家地质公园) is a national park in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, that shows the Yardang geological feature of the area. Yardang has been created over time by the soft part of the earth's surface being eroded by wind and rain, with the hard part of the rocks remaining in the desert.

The geopark is located about 180 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang's town center and covers an area of 398 square kilometers.  Some of the uniquely shaped rocks in the geopark are named "Mongolian Bao", "Camel", "Stone Bird", "Peacock", "The Golden Lion Welcoming His Guests" (Chinese: 金狮迎客), etc.

The unique rock formations in the park developed over a period of 700,000 years. The Yardang geomorphic formations found in the Dunhuang Yadan National Geopark are the largest in China.

One of the most remarkable sites in the Dunhuang Yadan National Geopark is the Yardang Ghost Town. Located within the Ghost Town is the Aisikexiaer Castle. The word 'Aisikexiaer' means 'old city' in the Uyghur language.

Client’s Reviews

  • ACMMM00

    Reviewed 4thAugust2019

    I saw pictures of Yadan before I visited in person so I was not terribly disappointed. I have been to similar places such as Bryce Canyon and Arches National Monument in US. They are much more colorful, extensive, and breath-taking than Yadan.

  • Venerando B

    Reviewed 26thAugust2013

    Spectacular landforms. The land formations are unique and are truly creations from heaven. A must see before anyone exits planet earth. Google the images and you will get a glimpse of how it looks..but the pictures don't do justice for this wonderful gift from God.

  • Lyn K

    Reviewed 8thDecember2015

    WE went to Yadan National park on a private bus tour. We had the same experience as most of the other reviewers, stops for 10 minutes or so at some of the particular sites like the peacock. Be sure to go all the way to...More

  • Weeling C

    Reviewed 20thMay2019

    This venue is far away from city and is usually grouped together with Yu Men Gate as they are in the same direction. It doesn’t have that much history about Silk Road related to it. It is mostly about how the desert environment resulted in...More

  • TanSuo T

    Reviewed 3rdMay2019

    When we arrived at the Dunhuang Yardang Landform Geopark, we weren't sure what to expect. We'd previously visited the Zhangye Danxia Landform, which was magnificent, and felt that no other landform could compare to its beauty. While the yardangs are certainly nowhere near as aesthetically...More

  • ayu312

    Reviewed 17thNovember2015

    Strongly recommend to come and visit this geological park. Quite spectacular with natural formations of the landscapes! It's a bit far from Dunhuang but it's worth the trip! The bus in the national park will take you around so you actually cannot wonder around by...More

  • Kittykat821

    Reviewed 31stAugust2015

    Yadan is very bleak and remote but is surprisingly beautiful and enjoyable to visit - despite the moments when you are sand blasted. Bring sunglasses to cover your eyes and a scarf to cover your face. We took the bus tour and found that we...More

  • DocBrown55

    Reviewed 13thJune2011

    If you care about seeing natural landscape this is a must-do. The Ya Dan landscape was a lake about 12,000 years ago and since then has eroded into amazing landscapes of sandstone. The journey to the area takes you through more or less stony desert,...More

  • maggie0513

    Reviewed 23rdMay2011

    It took us 2 hrs to get there (We asked the hostel to arrange a driver+car for us and it's $300 round trip including Jade Pass/Han Great Wall) and we arrived around 6:00AM however; we didn't check the weather before we go. It was cold...More

  • DawgAbroad

    Reviewed 15thAugust2014

    You wait in lines to board packed tour busses with a Chinese tour guide yelling into a megaphone in Mandarin the entire time. The tour busses make five stops to let everyone take photos of the yardangs that the tourism board thinks resemble animals. Totally...More

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