Well known for its impressive, colorful rock formations, Zhangye Danxia National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. The National Park covers an area of 510 square kilometers. It is located in Zhangye City of Gansu Province in northwest China. Zhangye Danxia National Park, which is often considered one of the most impressive landscapes in the country, is visited annually by thousands of both local and foreign tourists.
Historical role
For many years, geologists have been studying the unique landforms of Zhangye Danxia National Park in order to understand the process of formation of this colorful landscape. Studies show that the land in this area was originally mostly flat and consisted of layers of sandstone and siltstone of the Cretaceous period. However, when the Eurasian and Indian plates collided, the force of the collision initiated orogenic processes in the region. As the flat terrain formed folded mountains, buried layers of sedimentary rocks were exposed. Erosion has also further eroded the upper layers of the siliciclastic rocks, exposing the inner layers of sediments. The colors of the landscape are due to the presence of various minerals, such as hematite (red), limonite (brown), geotite and iron sulfide (yellow), as well as chlorite (green). These minerals are cemented in the sandstone pores by the action of deposited groundwater.
Tourism and education
In 2005 and again in 2009, various media outlets declared Zhangye Danxia National Park one of the most beautiful landscapes in China. Today, the park has highly developed tourist facilities, replete with boardwalks and roads that allow tourists to explore the interesting landscape of the park. Every year thousands of tourists come to Zhangye Danxia National Park to enjoy its spectacular scenery. The national park can be accessed from the city of Zhangye, which has its own small airport, from where flights to Xi’an and Lanzhou fly. Trains connect Zhangye with some of the largest Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Xi’an and Chongqing. Tourists are advised to visit Zhangye Danxia National Park during the summer season from June to September, when the mountain shows its “true colors” on bright sunny days.
Unique rocks and landforms
The whole landscape of Zhangye Danxia National Park is pleasing to the eye. Colorful rocky outcrops contrast sharply with the green or dull gray plains of the region. In some places there are awe-inspiring steep giant rocks several hundred meters high, while in other places there are natural sculptures carved into the rocks by the elements of nature. Interesting and irregular, but aesthetically pleasing color patterns on the colorful ridges of the park are also stunning wonders that can be seen here.
Threats and nature conservation
Currently, Zhangye Danxia National Park is protected by local, provincial and central government rules and regulations. Government agencies are constantly monitoring the park to make sure that no harmful human activity will affect the pristine nature of the park. Tourism is likely to grow in the area, and therefore the authorities are busy taking measures to promote responsible tourism in the national park, reduce pollution caused by tourist vehicles, and prevent visitors from clogging the natural site.