Danxia landform, Zhangye National Geopark, Gansu, China

Danxia landform, Zhangye National Geopark, Gansu, China

What if a mountain range could show you its geological history in stripes? At Zhangye National Geopark in China, the rocks do exactly that. Designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020, Zhangye is in Gansu, a region linked to the ancient Silk Road. Here, ridges roll across the landscape in bands of red, orange, yellow, brown and other earthy tones. Known as the Danxia landform, this striking landscape was shaped by layers of sedimentary rock deposited over geological time. Tectonic forces later lifted and folded these layers, while weathering and erosion carved them into ridges, cliffs, gullies and peaks.

The name Danxia literally translates to 'rosy clouds,' a fitting description of the landscape's vivid colours. These shades come from the rocks themselves, with minerals and chemical processes contributing to the different tones. Iron oxides, for instance, are responsible for much of the characteristic red colouring, while differences in mineral composition and sediment produce the broader palette.