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

  • Harvey w

    Reviewed 10thApril2015

    We visited the Yadan National Geological Park by renting a private car about 4 hours driving in the desert and Gobi. The hardest part is that this isn’t toilet during these 4 hours, so we have to visit to the Yumen pass to go to...More

  • TravellingBish

    Reviewed 19thSeptember2013

    We have avoided group tours for nearly all of our 5weeks in China however had little choice on this one and glad we bit the bullet and went - stunning. The tour stopped a number of average stops on the way however the finale of...More

  • Eef W

    Reviewed 10thMay2015

    If you've ever been to Monument Valley Nat. Park in USA........it's dwarfed by what I encountered just today in Yadan Nat. Geo Park! Just a few monolites have been 'offically' identified, but there are many more where you can let your imagination run free!

  • J K

    Reviewed 23rdNovember2014

    You can take a day tour to the park in a minivan for 60 RMB (pay for your ticket when you arrive) that includes stops at the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty and Yumen Pass. You get to see a lot of the Gobi...More

  • Adyllic

    Reviewed 20thOctober2015

    Was keen to see the Yadan park, and the rock formations where beautiful, especially in the sunset. However the tour we went on was the long one for 120 RMB starting at 930 and advertised as ending at 2330. It started at 930 and we...More

  • YorkHiker

    Reviewed 29thAugust2015

    Yadan NP is a large open desert with interesting rock formations. If you use the bus tours you will feel very crowded and restricted. Only in China can they make a huge desert feel claustrophobic! Pay extra to use the jeep tours, around 400RMB instead...More

  • Niranjan H

    Reviewed 5thAugust2016

    The homelike remains of the mountains are beautiful. 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. Its in a desert and its...More

  • kwoong

    Reviewed 28thOctober2016

    Arrived by coach from Dunhuang and was put onto designated shuttle bus within the park. The bus stop at several stops (3 or 4, cannot remember) and we have about 10-15 mins each at each stop to walk around and take photos. Picturesque landscape, vast...More

  • core_ce

    Reviewed 18thJuly2017

    Yadan National Park is about a 3h drive from Dunhuang through the Gobit desert, which is already quite interesting in itself. Like most Chinese tourist places, visitors are not able to roam freely. A shuttle bus takes you from the visitor center to three stops...More

  • Sarawaklaksa

    Reviewed 27thMarch2015

    feel the space and see the natural rock formations for its beauty . mother nature never fails to impress.

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