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

  • Leopard154

    Reviewed 13thOctober2014

    Well worth the drive (approx. 2 hours) from Dunhuang! The rock formations in the sand desert are magnificent. We had a lot of time to walk around in between them. The park is very well organized: no private traffic, only tour buses, which had the...More

  • 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

  • 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

  • DennisGB01

    Reviewed 16thApril2015

    Our personal guide, Richard (dunhuang.richard@163.com) drove us there and to the Great Wall Ruins (Han dynasty), as well as the largest solar power station in China for 600 rmb, providing drinks for us, for the 7 hour round trip. (Entrance fees to Great Wall -...More

  • TravellingNature

    Reviewed 12thOctober2013

    If you travel as an individual tourist, this is the place to avoid. They make you wait up to an hour until they have a full bus load. Of course the tourist groups get immediate attention because of their numbers. The individual tourist gets the...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

  • Fei Z

    Reviewed 15thAugust2014

    A must visit place, please bring umbrellas, it is extremely hot. It can easily reach 50+ degrees, and sometimes 60+ degrees.

  • 342dirkb

    Reviewed 24thAugust2016

    we made a day trip from Dunhuang to the Yadan park with a chinese travel agency. it was a very cool trip and very many stops on the way to the Yadan park. at the beginning it was quite challanging because there were only chinese...More

  • Ranjitt3363

    Reviewed 16thFebruary2017

    This park is 3-4 hours from Dunhuang city. while going to this park there are lot of places to see like Dunhuang film studio, caves and great wall. You can hire taxi and go buy your own. Carry some food because There are very very...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

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