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

Bally1966
Reviewed 10thApril2015
Only if you have an extra day in Dunhuang. It will go with Yumen Guan and thus it's likely that you'll join the tour. It's a geological park but most rocks have been eroded and thus it wasn't as impressive as I've expected. You'll need...More
bjm286
Reviewed 14thMay2019
The day trip was fascinating - so much space, so little there! Seeing the earthen Great Wall was a first for me, having only seen the stone sections near Beijing. Our guide was very informative about the history of the Silk Road and she had...More
paiges252
Reviewed 20thMarch2017
I wasn't sure what to expect, and it was quite a drive to get there, but the landscape is so unique you have to make the trip. The day I visited there were 5 other tourists on the tour bus. We had great weather and...More
whsun808
Reviewed 30thSeptember2014
When you enter there is a bus every 30 minutes, I found that the bus normally left on time when there is around 5 or more people. I've heard that there has been times where leather shoes have fried in the sun. Another thing is...More
theworldismyhomeblog
Reviewed 24thApril2012
After being in Zhangye Danxia, Yadan is not so interesting. It's a long ride, 1hr from Yumeng Guan.
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
Soosee Q
Reviewed 14thJune2018
Not as spectacular as expected. Visited on 13th June and it was raining so the driver couldn't drive into the area for photographing. Beware those who did got stuck in the wet soil. Pray for a sunny day when visiting.
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
KarenTraveling
Reviewed 14thOctober2015
We took a Chinese Tourbus that had too many stops before this location, so we had to rush through the park, which was a shame. I recommend the sunset tour, or an overnight camping trip, as the experience of seeing the Milky Way in a...More
crosis
Reviewed 14thJune2012
It was great to get out and see the formations. New facilities make it eaiser to see and get around.

Top Attractions in Dunhuang

Bally1966

Reviewed 10thApril2015

Only if you have an extra day in Dunhuang. It will go with Yumen Guan and thus it's likely that you'll join the tour. It's a geological park but most rocks have been eroded and thus it wasn't as impressive as I've expected. You'll need...More

bjm286

Reviewed 14thMay2019

The day trip was fascinating - so much space, so little there! Seeing the earthen Great Wall was a first for me, having only seen the stone sections near Beijing. Our guide was very informative about the history of the Silk Road and she had...More

paiges252

Reviewed 20thMarch2017

I wasn't sure what to expect, and it was quite a drive to get there, but the landscape is so unique you have to make the trip. The day I visited there were 5 other tourists on the tour bus. We had great weather and...More

whsun808

Reviewed 30thSeptember2014

When you enter there is a bus every 30 minutes, I found that the bus normally left on time when there is around 5 or more people. I've heard that there has been times where leather shoes have fried in the sun. Another thing is...More

theworldismyhomeblog

Reviewed 24thApril2012

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

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

Soosee Q

Reviewed 14thJune2018

Not as spectacular as expected. Visited on 13th June and it was raining so the driver couldn't drive into the area for photographing. Beware those who did got stuck in the wet soil. Pray for a sunny day when visiting.

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

KarenTraveling

Reviewed 14thOctober2015

We took a Chinese Tourbus that had too many stops before this location, so we had to rush through the park, which was a shame. I recommend the sunset tour, or an overnight camping trip, as the experience of seeing the Milky Way in a...More

crosis

Reviewed 14thJune2012

It was great to get out and see the formations. New facilities make it eaiser to see and get around.

Yardang National Geopark

Client’s Reviews

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