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

  • K1W1CHINA

    Reviewed 12thAugust2013

    You have to see this place to believe it, just amazing. Incredible stone structures just sitting in the dessert. Landscape is incredible, vast for miles and miles.really worth the visit, highly recommend it, so different.

  • olliezhang

    Reviewed 12thAugust2015

    This was an intense but beautiful place. I took a jeep-guided tour through these natural formations and it felt like being on another planet. The day hours are hot and scorching, so be sure to adequately protect yourself.

  • Sarawaklaksa

    Reviewed 27thMarch2015

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

  • 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

  • Konstantin-German

    Reviewed 28thDecember2017

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

  • 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

  • Kittykat821

    Reviewed 31stAugust2015

    Yadan is very bleak and remote but is surprisingly beautiful and enjoyable to visit - despite the moments when you are sand blasted. Bring sunglasses to cover your eyes and a scarf to cover your face. We took the bus tour and found that we...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

  • 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

  • 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.

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