Zhangye Danxia

张掖丹霞

A stunning geological park featuring colorful layered sandstone mountains in shades of red, orange, yellow and green, creating one of China's most visually striking landscapes. The area is renowned for its dramatic rainbow-colored cliffs best viewed at sunrise or sunset.

Things to do

• Sunrise viewing at Danxia scenic area — Arrive before dawn to witness the colorful cliffs glow in shades of red, orange, and gold as the sun rises over the layered mountains.
• Sunset photography at Zhangye Danxia main viewpoint — Position yourself at the main observation deck during late afternoon to capture the dramatic rainbow-colored cliffs as they shift through warm hues at golden hour.
• Hiking the scenic trails — Trek along the marked pathways that wind through the colorful geological formations, offering close-up views of the striped sandstone layers and unique rock formations.
• Visit Linze County wetlands nearby — Explore the adjacent wetland reserves that provide contrast to the arid colorful mountains and offer birdwatching opportunities.
• Explore the Glass Bridge observation deck — Walk across the transparent walkway suspended above the colorful cliffs for a thrilling perspective of the geological formations beneath your feet.
• Visit the Danxia Museum — Learn about the geological formation, mineral composition, and 24-million-year history of the colorful sandstone layers at the on-site educational museum.

Food to try

• Zhangye noodles (张掖面食) — Local hand-pulled wheat noodles served with savory meat or vegetable broths, a staple comfort food in the Gansu region.
• Yumcha and dim sum (甘肃小食) — Steamed buns, dumplings, and pastries that reflect the blend of Han Chinese and Silk Road Muslim influences common to the area.
• Lamian with local lamb (羊肉面) — Hand-pulled noodles paired with tender braised lamb, a regional specialty reflecting the pastoral traditions of Gansu province.
• Gansu honey and dried fruit (蜂蜜干果) — Local honey, jujubes, and apricots from the surrounding oases, often sold as souvenirs and traditional snacks along the Silk Road.
• Mutton skewers (羊肉串) — Grilled lamb kebabs seasoned with cumin and chili, popular street food reflecting the Muslim culinary traditions of western China.

Local customs & good to know

• Arrive early for optimal photography — The best light conditions occur at sunrise and sunset, so plan your visit accordingly and expect crowds during these peak times.
• Respect local environmental practices — Stay on marked paths to protect the delicate geological formations and help preserve this fragile ecosystem for future visitors.
• Prepare for high altitude and dry climate — Zhangye sits at approximately 1,600 meters elevation with very low humidity, so bring sunscreen, water, and dress in layers for temperature changes.
• Learn basic Mandarin or use translation apps — English is not widely spoken in this remote area, so it helps to have a phrasebook or mobile translation tool for communicating with locals and vendors.