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

  • Konstantin-German

    Reviewed 28thDecember2017

    Yadan NGP is 180 Km Northwest of Dunhuang, Дуньхуан 736200, Китай. The visit hear is unforgettable. Recommended!

  • Alistair450

    Reviewed 28thApril2019

    This geographic feature is 180 km from Dunhuang and is well worth the two and a half hour drive. The drive alone is worth the time as you are treated to wonderful views of the desert. A stop along the route is given and allows...More

  • Gary N

    Reviewed 4thAugust2013

    Our tour of the Old City, Jade Gate, Great Wall ruins, Thousand Buddha caves & the Yadan National Park was very disappointing. First mistake was to go in the afternoon instead of the morning. It was an extremely hot day which didn't help. The "old"...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

  • rosie38c

    Reviewed 26thMay2016

    I wasn't sure what to expect but I had hired a guide for 3 days and this was our first day and the weather was great and i was the only "wai guo ren" foreigner in the park but really enjoyed it. I have seen...More

  • Florence B

    Reviewed 10thJune2015

    An Interesting Detour on the Silk Road” This is an interesting attraction well worth the long drive to get there. We visited last week. The park is very large. You must take a bus inside that stops at four of the main sites. Regretfully if...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

  • PablosXanderpants

    Reviewed 9thOctober2016

    It's an amazing place, not only because of the beauty but also because it is almost on the silk road that the merchants, warriors in the past had probably stepped into this region. Lots of imaginative scenes could be made.

  • EverythingBurns

    Reviewed 18thAugust2015

    I visited Yadan as the culmination of a day trip across 5/6 interest spots west of the city (highly recommendable), so I got to see it at sunset when it was cooler. First thing, I was initially worried about the Chinese style of micromanaging these...More

  • theworldismyhomeblog

    Reviewed 24thApril2012

    After being in Zhangye Danxia, Yadan is not so interesting. It's a long ride, 1hr from Yumeng Guan.

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