How to get to the colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia China. Multi-colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia, China (20 photos). Colorful mountains of Zhangye Danxia photo
People usually love everything colorful. And if the conversation turns to some colorful sights of the world, then all his attention is focused on them. Be it colored lakes or sands of various shades. After a person learns about the colorful lakes of the Kelimutu volcano and the even more colorful sands of Chamarel, he (and with him you) simply need to learn about the Colored Cliffs of Zhangye Danxia.
There is such a curious place in China where the rocks are painted in countless colors with a predominance of brown and red shades. This natural wonder is located in Gansu province near the town of Zhangye in the northern foothills of the Qilianshan range. The Colored Mountains are part of the national park of the same name in China. These places were declared a National Park only in November 2011. The area of the park is 510 km2.
Colored cliffs of Zhangye Danxia on the map
- Geographic coordinates 38.935951, 100.107614
- The distance from the capital of China Beijing is approximately 1400 km
- The distance to the nearest airport is Jiayuguan City about 190 km
- Distance to nearest International airport Lanzhou County (Zhongchuan) 400 km
Amazing reflections of almost all the colors of the rainbow can be observed on the numerous hills scattered throughout the territory National Park. In general, it is simply unrealistic to describe this in words. You have to see this with your own eyes. It’s no wonder that tourists from all over the world strive to get to these protected and colorful places. From a distance it seems that a giant artist, who painted mountain landscapes a long time ago, was upset about something and decided to mix paints on a huge easel and leave them as a legacy for us.
Well, this is of course lyricism, in reality everything is much more prosaic. The rocks here consist of red sandstone and Cretaceous rocks. Scientists suggest that about 100 million years ago in these places there was a huge reservoir, into which the waters deposited countless amounts of silt.
Further, under the influence of various external factors, the giant pool dried up, and everything that had accumulated at its bottom began to oxidize and acquire such a variety of colors. Time passed, over millions of years a layer about 3,700 meters thick of red sandstone was formed, and at the top a layer of 1,300 meters already dates back to the Cretaceous period. From this layer the peaks of Mount Danxia began to form. We will not go deep into the theories of geology. Let's just say that once again, for the multi-millionth time, the planet surprises us with its inexhaustible imagination.
After the Colored Mountains of Zhangye Danxia became known far beyond the borders of China, strings of travelers flocked here. The once quiet and sleepy town of Zhangye has become the starting point for hikes to the Colored Mountains. For the convenience of visitors, wooden flooring and stairs were built here.
The guys from Unesco didn’t miss this corner and added it to the list World Heritage in 2010 (we wonder why they didn't do this earlier?).
Colorful mountains of Zhangye Danxia photo
The geological phenomenon of Zhangye Danxia is the result of deposits of sandstone and other minerals over 24 million years, forming an amazing natural wonder that resembles a multi-colored layer cake. Under the influence of the movement of tectonic plates, erosion and time, local landscapes took on various forms - pillars, towers, hills, grottoes and ravines, varying in shade, texture and size. Rocky formations, as if painted by an invisible artist’s brush, are full of scarlet, orange, yellow, gray-blue and green colors.
In 2010, the colorful mountains of Zhangye Danxia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2011, the entire scenic area received the status of a national geopark.
The popularity of the colorful rocks in Zhangye does not stop growing - endless streams of tourists flock to them every day, eager to see this unusual natural attraction with their own eyes. In order to avoid pollution and damage to the unique landscape, it is prohibited to independently explore the Danxia Hills. You can only take walks in the protected area within the limits bus tour. Price entrance ticket to the park is 40 RMB ($6). There is an additional mandatory fee of 20 Chinese Yuan ($3) for the excursion program. During the tour, the bus makes stops at four of the most picturesque points of the reserve, where visitors are given the opportunity to quietly admire the surrounding landscapes. The total excursion time is 2-3 hours.
The best period to visit Zhangye Danxia Geopark is from June to September. Moreover, multi-colored landscapes acquire the most attractive appearance at dawn and before sunset - at this time the shades of the rocks continuously change.
Danxia Rocks lie an hour's drive west of the city of Zhangye, the best way to go is by taxi or own car. From major cities The most convenient way to reach Zhangye in China is by air via Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. The cities of Zhangye and Lanzhou are connected by rail.
Colorful, as if painted with a brush, the cliffs of Zhangye Danxia were created by nature a long time ago. They appeared as a result of thousands of years of changes in the structure of the earth's rocks. The composition of the unique rocks is sandstone and ancient sedimentary rocks. Zhangye Danxia Rocks are located 30 km from Zhangye City in a national geological park. They attract tourists with their beauty who want to capture this beauty with their cameras. Would you like to take a couple of photos here?
A long time ago, on the site of the Zhangye Danxia Mountains there was a huge pool, which gradually dried up as a result of exposure to high temperatures. The sediment left at the bottom of the pool oxidized when exposed to oxygen and produced interesting red and copper shades of color. According to scientists, the Zhangye Danxia Mountains continue to change and grow to this day. Over the past 10,000 years, they have become higher by about 87 centimeters.
Since 2010, the Zhangye Danxia Colored Cliffs have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thanks to this, their popularity among tourists from all over the world has increased many times.
Here wooden paths were laid out for tourists and safe places were organized. observation decks. Everyone could feel like they were part of this incredible beauty which was created by nature itself. Due to the popularity of colored rocks, the life of the quiet and peaceful town of Zhangye changed forever. Even if I wouldn't refuse to visit such beautiful place, which inspires the creation of something bright, for example, a painting or a whole poem.
The best time to admire the colorful rocks is evening. In the rays of the setting sun, the rocks take on a fantastic look, and guides are ready to show you the observation deck from which Zhangye Danxia can be seen in full view.
Not only China can boast of such colorful and unique beauties, but Danxia Park is the largest. Its area is more than 300 square kilometers.
Once upon a time, the legendary Silk Road, and the city of Zhangye (at that time Ganzhou) was one of the richest cities in China. Now it is a small town surrounded by rice fields, where tourism plays an important role in the economy.
I want to look at such magical beauty again and again, marveling at what creative creations nature itself can create.
Danxia Landscape or Colored Rocks of Zhangye Danxia (Danxia) are colorful rock formations of the Geological Park in Gansu Province, China. These rock formations are a unique type of petrographic geomorphology that can only be found in China. The colored rocks are composed of red sandstones and conglomerates, mostly from the Cretaceous period.
This is not photoshop, this is Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park.
When you first see these places in photos and videos, you may think that the technology has applied similar effects and filters to the image, but this is not the case. Colorful, as if painted with a brush, the Zhangye Danxia Mountains were created so many years ago as a result of thousands of years of changes in the structure of the earth's rocks. The composition of the unique rocks is sandstone and sedimentary rocks originally from the Cretaceous period.
According to geological research, about 100 million years ago, there was a huge pool at the site of the Zhangye Danxia Mountains, which gradually dried up as a result of exposure to high temperatures. The sediment left at the bottom of the pool oxidized when exposed to oxygen and produced interesting red and copper shades of color. About 70 million years ago, the sediments hardened and formed the "chalk bed" - the new floor of the basin. The thickness of the layer was 3.7 km. After this, the movement of rocks and new rivers gradually washed out the bottom of the basin, forming a mountainous landscape. This is how Mount Danxia, in particular, was formed. According to experts, the Zhangye Danxia Mountains continue to change and grow to this day, becoming approximately 87 centimeters higher in 10,000 years.
Since 2010, Zhangye Danxia Colored Cliffs have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which has increased its popularity among foreign tourists from all over the world many times over. Now wooden paths have been laid here and safe viewing platforms have been organized so that everyone can feel like a part of this unearthly beauty created by nature itself. The popularity of the colorful mountains of the Geological Park has forever changed the life of the quiet and peaceful town of Zhangye nearby. Now it is a tourist Mecca, where anyone who is interested in looking at some of the most unusual creations in this world comes.
The Zhangye Danxia Mountains can be surprisingly reminiscent of a little more famous place- in the southwest of Mauritius. Only they are a million times larger than this 7-color sandbox.
This is a description of the attraction Colored Cliffs Zhangye 193 km northwest of Xining, Ganse (China (PRC)). As well as photos, reviews and a map of the surrounding area. Find out the history, coordinates, where it is and how to get there. Check out other places on our interactive map, get more detailed information. Get to know the world better.
Danxia landform - colorful rocks of China! Not a consequence of an environmental disaster, although this could well be assumed (we are talking about China, after all), but a real natural attraction, formed over thousands of years.
, , ,
At first glance, these are colored photographs. But, in fact, these places exist in reality.
Zhangye Danxia Landform is a colorful rock formation in the Geological Park in Gansu Province, China. These rock formations are a unique type of petrographic geomorphology that can only be found in China. The colored rocks are composed of red sandstones and conglomerates, mostly from the Cretaceous period.
The study shows that approximately 100 million years ago there was a huge inland basin. The water carried silt here from those around. As a result of global high temperatures, the basin dried out and under these arid conditions the sediment oxidized and took on a rust color. About 70 million years ago, a 3,700-meter-thick red layer formed in a basin known as the chalk bed. Was at the top hard layer 1,300 meters thick, a layer of the Cretaceous period system from which the peaks of Danxia Mountain gradually formed.
Since 30 million years ago, mountain-building movements have reshaped the basin's landscape many times. Water flowing down through cracks in the cut and eroded sediment has worn away the slope, leaving behind red, fragmented rocks. What we see now is nothing more than the Danxia landmass.
According to experts, mountain formation is still ongoing in the region, with an average rise of 0.87 meters every 10,000 years over the past 500,000 years.
The area is quickly becoming a popular attraction for the sleepy town of Zhangye. A variety of boardwalks and roads have been built to encourage visitors to explore the amazing rock formations and colored rocks. The World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe the Colored Cliffs of Zhangye on the UNESCO World Heritage List at its 34th meeting held in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, on August 1, 2010.
