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

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
Cindy C
Reviewed 5thJune2016
an amazing experience, peaceful and surreal! when the sun comes out it brings out the different colours of the sandstone formation and it's up to your own imagination
theworldismyhomeblog
Reviewed 24thApril2012
After being in Zhangye Danxia, Yadan is not so interesting. It's a long ride, 1hr from Yumeng Guan.
nickiBH
Reviewed 6thOctober2017
If you have a few days in DunHuang, and after visiting the MingSha Mountain and the Crescent Moon lake, if you plan for a day trip, you can consider Yadan, to see the different rock formations. Depending on the time you visit the geopark, it...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
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
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.
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
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
MarkMcG1956
Reviewed 22ndJune2016
If you are into Geology, Landforms etc., then this is the place for you. A very long (3 hr) ride to get there but well worth the effort. A bus takes you round to viewing points where you can take photos, wander round etc.

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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

Cindy C

Reviewed 5thJune2016

an amazing experience, peaceful and surreal! when the sun comes out it brings out the different colours of the sandstone formation and it's up to your own imagination

theworldismyhomeblog

Reviewed 24thApril2012

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

nickiBH

Reviewed 6thOctober2017

If you have a few days in DunHuang, and after visiting the MingSha Mountain and the Crescent Moon lake, if you plan for a day trip, you can consider Yadan, to see the different rock formations. Depending on the time you visit the geopark, it...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

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

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.

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

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

MarkMcG1956

Reviewed 22ndJune2016

If you are into Geology, Landforms etc., then this is the place for you. A very long (3 hr) ride to get there but well worth the effort. A bus takes you round to viewing points where you can take photos, wander round etc.

Yardang National Geopark

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