Natural site · GUANGDONG · UNESCO
China Danxia
中国丹霞 · Zhōngguó Dānxiá
About
UNESCO Natural World Heritage site — a serial property of six Danxia landscapes across six provinces, representing China's defining red-cliff-and-pillar sandstone landform type, including Danxia Mountain, Zhangye, Taining and Langshan.
China Danxia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 as a serial natural property comprising six component sites across six Chinese provinces: Danxia Mountain (Guangdong), Zhangye Danxia (Gansu), Taining (Fujian), Langshan (Hunan), Chishui (Guizhou), and Longhu Mountain (Jiangxi). The property covers approximately 82,000 hectares and represents the full range of danxia landform types — a term coined in China for the distinctive cliff-and-pillar landscapes formed by the erosion of Cretaceous red sandstone and conglomerates.
Danxia Mountain in Guangdong, the type locality that gave its name to the landform class, features dramatic red cliffs, isolated rock pillars and boulder-strewn valleys covered in subtropical forest. Ayang Rock, a particularly striking formation at Danxia Mountain, has become one of China's most reproduced landscape photographs for its resemblance to a human body part — an association that draws curiosity from visitors.
Zhangye Danxia in Gansu is the most photographed component site, famous for its extraordinary polychrome (multi-coloured) sandstone layers — exposed in vivid bands of red, orange, yellow, green and purple — visible from viewing platforms above the eroded badlands. The colour arises from the varying mineral content of successive sedimentary layers deposited during the Cretaceous and subsequently differentially weathered. Zhangye is accessible from the city of Zhangye (Ganzhou) on the Hexi Corridor, served by high-speed rail.
Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi is the founding site of the Celestial Masters branch of Taoism and preserves cliff-face hanging coffins of the ancient Yue people alongside the natural landscape.
How to get there
Danxia Mountain: coach from Guangzhou or Shaoguan (1–2 hours). Zhangye Danxia: taxi or tour bus from Zhangye city (about 30 min); Zhangye is on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high-speed rail. Longhu Mountain: coach from Yingtan in Jiangxi.
When to visit
Zhangye: June–October for clearest colours. Danxia Mountain: March–May and September–November for comfortable temperatures.
Crowds: Zhangye Danxia viewing platforms become crowded at sunset; arrive 30 minutes before golden hour and position yourself early. Weekday visits are significantly less congested.
UNESCO inscription
“China Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south-west China. They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened.”
Other attractions in Guangzhou
Other natural sites in China
- Badain Jaran Desert — Lakes and Dunes巴丹吉林沙漠—沙山湖泊群
UNESCO · UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in Inner Mongolia — the third largest desert in China, featuring some of the world's tallest stationary dunes and a unique network of freshwater and saline lakes sustained by a still-unexplained subterranean water system.
- Crescent Lake & Mingsha Mountain月牙泉与鸣沙山
Spring-fed crescent-shaped lake at the foot of 250m sand dunes, 5 km south of Dunhuang. Camel rides, sand-sledding, sunset viewing.
- Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve稻城亚丁
A remote highland sanctuary in south-western Sichuan centred on three sacred snow peaks venerated by Tibetan Buddhism, often called the 'last Shangri-La'.
- Dianchi Lake Kunming滇池
The largest freshwater lake in Yunnan at 300 km², historically the scenic centrepiece of the Kunming basin and now being restored after decades of water-quality degradation.
- Erhai Lake洱海
250 km² freshwater lake east of Dali Old Town. 130 km cycling loop; Bai-minority lakeside villages on the eastern shore.
- Fanjingshan梵净山
UNESCO · UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in Guizhou — an isolated mountain island rising from subtropical forest, home to two critically endangered endemic species: the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey and the Fanjingshan fir.
- Hailuogou Glacier National Park海螺沟冰川
The lowest-altitude glacier accessible in Asia, flowing from the slopes of Mount Gongga down through a bamboo and subtropical forest valley to just 2,980 m above sea level.
- Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)天池
Glacial lake at 1,910m beneath Mt Bogeda, 100 km east of Urumqi. The most-visited natural attraction in Xinjiang.
Other UNESCO World Heritage sites in China
- Ancient Villages of Southern Anhui — Xidi and Hongcun皖南古村落—西递、宏村
UNESCO-listed pair of Ming-Qing Huizhou merchant villages in southern Anhui, renowned for whitewashed walls, inky horsehead gables and moon-shaped ponds.
- Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City良渚古城遗址
UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Hangzhou preserving the remains of a 5,000-year-old city with a sophisticated water-management system, jade ritual culture and social hierarchy — regarded as one of the earliest state-level societies in East Asia.
- Badain Jaran Desert — Lakes and Dunes巴丹吉林沙漠—沙山湖泊群
UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in Inner Mongolia — the third largest desert in China, featuring some of the world's tallest stationary dunes and a unique network of freshwater and saline lakes sustained by a still-unexplained subterranean water system.
- Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom高句丽王城、王陵及贵族墓葬
UNESCO-listed capital cities and royal tombs of the Koguryo Kingdom in Jian, Jilin — the Chinese portion of a transnational heritage property shared with North Korea, representing one of the most powerful states of ancient East Asia.
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (UNESCO)苏州古典园林
UNESCO-listed collection of private gardens in Suzhou — four inscribed in 1997 and five more added in 2000 — representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden design through the refined integration of architecture, water, rock and plant.
- Couple's Retreat Garden耦园
UNESCO-listed Suzhou garden organised symmetrically around a central residence. Less crowded than the four most-visited gardens.
- Drepung Monastery哲蚌寺
Once the largest monastery in the world (10,000+ monks). 8 km west of Lhasa. Active Gelugpa monastery; debating courtyard sessions in the afternoon.
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System都江堰
2,300-year-old irrigation system on the Min River. Still in use. UNESCO-listed jointly with Mt Qingcheng. Engineering rather than architecture, but one of the great works.
Frequently asked questions
- When is China Danxia open?
- China Danxia opening hours: Danxia Mountain: 08:00–17:30. Zhangye Danxia: 08:00–17:30 (photography best at sunset; late entry may be available). Other sites: 08:00–17:00.
- How long do you need at China Danxia?
- Allow 3–6 hours for China Danxia. Add buffer time if you plan to visit at peak season or include nearby sights in the same trip.
- When is the best time to visit China Danxia?
- Zhangye: June–October for clearest colours. Danxia Mountain: March–May and September–November for comfortable temperatures.
- How do you get to China Danxia?
- Danxia Mountain: coach from Guangzhou or Shaoguan (1–2 hours). Zhangye Danxia: taxi or tour bus from Zhangye city (about 30 min); Zhangye is on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high-speed rail. Longhu Mountain: coach from Yingtan in Jiangxi.
- How do you avoid the crowds at China Danxia?
- Zhangye Danxia viewing platforms become crowded at sunset; arrive 30 minutes before golden hour and position yourself early. Weekday visits are significantly less congested.
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