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

  • Jim B

    Reviewed 2ndJune2017

    If you have an extra day, these rock formations are worth seeing but I wouldn't go out of my way. Bryce Canyon, Utah is much more spectacular.

  • JasperF368

    Reviewed 22ndApril2013

    We paid €30 per person to get to Yadan, Han great wall, Jade gate pass and the thousand buddha grottoes. On hindsight I think this is a fair deal, the downside is that we had to go by tourbus, which includes a lot of chinese...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

  • Daniele-Donati

    Reviewed 13thMay2019

    Yadan National Geological Park is located very far away from Dunhuang. You will need to charter a taxi which is something that will cost you around 400 /500 RMB. The entrance ticket is 110 RMB. After purchasing the ticket visitors will get on a bus...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

  • Eve420

    Reviewed 4thNovember2016

    The nature of Yadan where one can leisurely admire is spoilt by the fact that tourists have to stick closely to the bus routes. Every drop off point was given about 10 minutes and you have to hop back to the bus and continue to...More

  • 83evi

    Reviewed 15thMay2019

    The plase is so big and amazing. It looks like pinacles in Perth..however here is bigger. Beside ..we could also see the ancient great wall, one of unesco heritage site.

  • MasonS559

    Reviewed 12thJune2019

    Getting to Yadan National Geologic Park is a trek from Dunhuang. It is a 180 km trip and it included a pit stop so about 2.5 hours on the bus. There is only desert on the way out there. It is really desolate. The park...More

  • WMMeyers

    Reviewed 1stJuly2012

    Reminded us a lot of Zion Natioanl Park in Utah. Huge rock formations in the middle of the desertt. Woth the trip becasue then you go view the Great Wall and the Western Caves.

  • 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

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