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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Simon B

    Reviewed 6thApril2016

    If you think Y120 is a bit steep, there's enough rock formations to see walking around the car park, as well as plenty of pictures and information in two museums. We spent the rest of our time there reading in the bus while the driver...More

  • maryinchina

    Reviewed 20thApril2017

    Interesting place to see, but in a remote location so be prepared for a long drive to get there. We visited a few places in one day trip: Yangguanmen and the ancient city I think. If you rent a car with a driver he or...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

  • 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

  • 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

  • fesss2018

    Reviewed 3rdJuly2019

    We booked the bus with the tourist office for CNY78. They said to meet at 7:00 in the morning but I determined they were to leave at 7:30 so we arrived at 7:25 and the bus left closer to 8:00. They provide a very small...More

  • 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

  • crosis

    Reviewed 14thJune2012

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

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